Carnival Corporation has sold two ships this year, as the Seabourn Sojourn will be transferred to Mitsui Ocean Cruises next year, and the Costa Fortuna will sail for Margaritaville in late 2026.
“Over time, since ships get older, we will sell them to other parties,” said David Bernstein, CFO, speaking on the company’s second quarter earnings call.
“We do not feel that those parties come back to compete against us because they are generally in different marketplaces with different brands,” he continued.
Neither Bernstein nor Josh Weinstein, CEO, would comment on the sales prices of either ship, although Weinstein said it was “nicely over book value.”
“People came to us looking for ships and gave us prices that we thought were in the best long-term interest of the company,” Weinstein said.
He also explained that the Costa Fortuna’s departure from the fleet does not impact Costa’s core program in Europe, as the Serena will take its place in the market.
Mitsui Ocean Cruises to Retire Nippon Maru in 2026
Mitsui Ocean Cruises announced the upcoming retirement of the cruise line’s 422-guest Nippon Maru.
The cruise ship will officially retire from the fleet on May 10, 2026, in Yokohama.
The ship first entered service in 1990 and has since traveled 2,877,642 nautical miles – approximately 133 times around the earth – sailing over 2,000 cruises, hosting more than 600,000 guests, and visiting over 400 ports in and out of Japan, the company said.
“With full hearts and deep gratitude, we bid a bittersweet farewell to Nippon Maru, which has served us well for over 35 years,” said Tsunemichi Mukai, president of Mitsui Ocean Cruises.
“Though a difficult decision, it is time to retire her for operational and economic reasons. We’re excited to carry on her legacy of fine hospitality aboard our new luxury ships, Mitsui Ocean Fuji and our recently announced second ship, where many of our cherished crew will continue to serve.”
The retirement of the Nippon Maru will make way for the company’s second recently acquired ship, the current Seabourn Sojourn, which joins the fleet in late 2026.
Nippon Maru Career Highlights:
Many longer voyages: a 62-day Hawaii, Caribbean and Alaska cruise in 1995, and a 48-day Mauritius Precious Cruise – Paradise FUNATABI Around the Indian Ocean in 2022.
Nine World Cruises.
Offered various theme cruises, including “Platinum Entertainment Cruise,” and “Oasis Nippon Maru Cruise,” uniquely created especially for women.
Created the now standard “Fly & Cruise Hokkaido,” attracting a wider range of guests.
The ship was utilized for many years by the Cabinet for the “Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth, and “Ship for World Youth” projects recognized by youth all over the world.
The cuisine incorporates local ingredients from ports of call and seasonal dishes, ensuring a fresh and regionally inspired dining experience, meticulously presented. The chef’s take on the traditional Japanese techniques, also incorporates many of the delicacies that became favorites, like the ship’s famous roast beef.
The legacy of Nippon Marui and her contribution to the Japanese cruise industry will be honored during her final season with several cruises and events, featuring special commemorative gifts and menus.
On the dais during the Seabourn Encore’s christening were (from left) godmother Sarah Brightman, ship captain Mark Dexter and Seabourn president Rick Meadows.
SINGAPORE — With bright yellow two-person Chinese lion dancers prowling the audience, along with illuminated stilt walkers, a troupe of drummers and a long pink paper dragon carried on poles by a half-dozen bearers, Seabourn christened its newest vessel in this hub of Asian shipping.
The 600-passenger Seabourn Encore becomes Seabourn’s fourth ship, in one swoop returning the line to the capacity it had prior to selling three 200-passenger ships to Windstar Cruises in 2013.
“Encore marks a major step forward in the growth of our company,” Seabourn president Rick Meadows said before introducing godmother Sarah Brightman to the audience, which included 1,050 passengers from the Encore and the Seabourn Sojourn, also docked at the modernistic Marina Bay Cruise Center.
Inside the terminal, they watched projection screens showing the ship’s hull as Brightman pushed a button that sent the traditional champagne bottle careening into the side of the ship.
It smashed, triggering a blizzard of gold and black confetti inside the hall. Brightman, a classical crossover vocalist who has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, did not sing for the event.
The Encore departed later in the evening on its 10-day inaugural cruise that will end in Bali.
An illuminated stilt walker was part of the pre-event entertainment at the Seabourn Encore christening. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
On hand for the event were Micky Arison and Arnold Donald, chairman and CEO, respectively, of Carnival Corp., which owns the Seabourn luxury brand.
Donald flew in by private jet fresh off an appearance at the Las Vegas consumer electronics show, where he unveiled Carnival’s new Ocean Medallion technology.
In his remarks, Donald reprised a favorite theme that this is “the golden age of cruising” and that the audience should feel fortunate it is living in an age when beautiful ships like the Encore are built.
Singapore’s minister for trade and industry, S. Iswaran, said that Carnival Corp. ships represent about 20% of the annual cruise calls in Singapore.
He said the island city-state has a “rising appeal to sophisticated travelers” and that it is “the home port of choice in southeast Asia.”
He noted that the World Bank for a decade put Singapore atop its list of easiest places to do business. It fell last year to number two behind New Zealand when the bank revised its ranking formula.
The Encore represents a refinement of Seabourn’s Odyssey-class vessels delivered from 2009-2011. It has an extra deck that provides space for a small sushi restaurant and a larger chop house created by celebrity chef Thomas Keller.
Designer Adam Tihany reimagined the interiors in a softer, more curvaceous mode. He has also designed the second ship in the class, Seabourn Ovation, which is currently under construction and is scheduled to launch in spring 2018.
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