Got a few million to spare? You now can own your very own Carnival cruise ship
Call it the ultimate gift for the Carnival Cruise Line fan.
One of the iconic vessels from Carnival's early years, the former Holiday, is coming up for auction next month in the U.K. and, in theory, anyone can make a bid.
London-based CW Kellock & Co, a ship auctioneer and broker, is handling the auction, which will be by sealed tender.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter
The auction is taking place in the wake of the July collapse of British line Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which has been operating the vessel since 2015 under the name Magellan.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages is one of several cruise lines that have shut down for good amid the coronavirus-caused halt to most cruises around the world.
Offer from ShermansTravel: Luxe 10-night Monte Carlo-to-Venice cruise in 2021 w/Air, $3699+
Unveiled in 1985 when Carnival was barely a decade old, the 1,452-passenger Holiday was only the second vessel custom-built for the line. It arrived at a time when Carnival only was operating four ships and still was a relatively small company.
Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles
At 46,052 tons, Holiday is significantly smaller than many of Carnival's current vessels. But it shares some of the same basic design elements found on newer Carnival ships -- particularly when it comes to its exterior profile. Perhaps most notably, it features the iconic Carnival winged funnel that is perhaps the best-known marker of a Carnival ship.
Holiday was only the second Carnival ship to feature one of the funnels -- a design flourish dreamed up by the noted ship designer Joe Farcus. Holiday's signature Carnival funnel is now painted with the Cruise & Maritime Voyages logo but is otherwise unchanged.
Holiday sailed for Carnival for 24 years. In 2010, it was transferred to Iberocruceros, a now-defunct, Spain-based line that was owned by Carnival's parent company, Carnival Corporation. It sailed for Iberocruceros as the Grand Holiday through 2014.
Carnival Corporation sold the vessel to Cruise & Maritime Voyages in 2015.
Holiday is the second oldest former Carnival ship still in existence. The oldest former Carnival ship that still exists is the former Tropicale, which now sails as the Peace Boat. Three earlier Carnival vessels -- Mardi Gras, Carnivale and Festivale -- have been scrapped.
Holiday isn't the only Cruise & Maritime Voyages ship coming up for auction. CW Kellock & Co also is handling the auctions of four more of the line's ships. They include Vasco da Gama, which long sailed as Holland America's Statendam, and Columbus, which once sailed as Princess Cruises' Star Princess.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
The other two Cruise & Maritime Voyages ships up for auction are Marco Polo and Astor.
Holiday currently is docked at the Port of Tilbury near London and can be inspected by would-be buyers by arrangement with CW Kellock & Co.
CW Kellock & Co says bids for Holiday are due by Oct. 19. They should be submitted by sealed envelopes marked with the vessel's current name (Magellan) to CW Kellock & Co Ltd, 5th Floor, 2 London Wall Buildings, London EC2M 5PP, U.K. Bids also can be emailed to kellock@eggarforrester.com.
CW Kellock & Co has not posted a pre-auction price estimate for the ship. But the final selling price is likely to be in the millions of dollars. That said, a former One Ocean Expeditions vessel sold at auction for just $600,000 in June. It was, notably, a much smaller ship.
Planning a cruise for the coming year? These stories will help:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.