Adora to Take Delivery of New Ship Sooner than Planned
Adora Cruises will take delivery of its new cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, ahead of schedule.
Based on an agreement with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard, the vessel will be delivered on November 6, 2026, the company said in a press release.
The ship will then launch international routes from Guangzhou, the capital of South China’s Guangdong Province.
Adora’s CEO, Roger Chen, said: “We are now fully focused on the early delivery of Adora Flora City and on preparations for her launch. We will continue to optimise the deployment, deepen our ‘Cruise + Culture’ strategy and refine the guest experiences, bringing fabulous cruise vacations to more travellers at home and abroad.”
According to Adora, the overall construction progress has reached 96 per cent, with interior outfitting 87 per cent complete and commissioning work 76 per cent complete. At the same time, sea trials are set to follow in mid-May.
Chen added that the ship’s maiden voyage plan would be announced soon.
2024 was a strong year for the drydock and secondhand ship market, which led to a number of ships debuting for new operators.
These are some of the key conversion jobs that took place during the year:
Celestyal Discovery Former: AIDAaura Capacity: 1,270 guests Year built: 2003 Previous operator: AIDA Cruises New operator: Celestyal Cruises Debut: March 2024
After being sold by Carnival Corporation in late 2023, the former AIDAaura underwent a conversion project before debuting for Celestyal Cruises.
Previously operated by AIDA Cruises, the 2003-built vessel saw a complete transformation for its new market.
Carnival Firenze Former: Costa Firenze Capacity: 4,232 guests Year built: 2020 Previous operator: Costa Cruises New operator: Carnival Cruise Line Debut: April 2024
After being transferred to Carnival Cruise Line, the former Costa Firenze underwent a major refit at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz in early 2024. In addition to receiving Carnival’s branding and livery, the 4,232-guest vessel was updated with Carnival’s public areas, with various spaces converted into the company’s trademark venues, such as the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and the Limelight Lounge.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander Former: Costa Atlantica Capacity: 2,100 guests Year built: 2000 Previous operator: Adora Cruises (never debuted) New operator: Margaritaville at Sea Debut: June 2024
After a long refurbishment at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Northern Ireland, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander debuted for its new operator in June 2024.
Villa Vie Odyssey Former: Braemar Capacity: 977 guests Year built: 1993 Previous operator: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines New operator: Villa Vie Residences Debut: September 2024
The former Braemar of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was turned into Villa Vie Residences’ first residential ship in 2024. After a refit at the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, the ship emerged as the Odyssey in September, welcoming guests for a continual world cruise.
Aroya Former: World Dream Capacity: 3,400 guests Year built: 2017 Previous operator: Dream Cruises New operator: Aroya Cruises Debut: December 2024
The Aroya entered service in December as the first cruise ship dedicated to the national market in Saudi Arabia.. According to Aroya Cruises, several venues onboard the ship were essentially rebuilt during a long conversion that included shipyard visits in the Netherlands and Germany.
Others:
Mitsui Ocean Fuji (former Seabourn Odyssey) – now in service for Mitsui Ocean Fuji
Celestyal Journey (former Pacific Aria) – now in service for Celestyal Cruises
Marella Voyager (former Mein Schiff Herz) – now in service for Marella Cruises
Ambition (former AIDAmira) – now in service for Ambassador Cruise Line
Resorts World One (former Explorer Dream) – now in service for Resorts World Cruises
Carnival Venezia (former Costa Venezia) – now in service for Carnival Cruise Line
Exploris One (former Silver Explorer) – now in service for Exploris Expeditions & Cruises
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