COVID takes out another cruising icon: The world’s first 'megaship' appears headed for the scrappers
One of the most famous ships in the history of modern cruising appears headed for the scrappers.
Pullmantur Cruises' Sovereign -- an iconic vessel that for years sailed for Royal Caribbean as Sovereign of the Seas -- has filed a voyage plan for ship-scrapping town Aliaga, Turkey.
On Monday, ship tracking sites showed the 2,282-passenger vessel sailing eastward from the Mediterranean island nation of Malta on its way to Aliaga.
A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group, which owns a stake in Pullmantur, didn't immediately respond to questions about Sovereign's fate.
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Unveiled by Royal Caribbean in 1988 as Sovereign of the Seas, the 12-deck vessel is widely recognized as the world's first "megaship" -- a large, amenity-filled ship specifically built for pleasure cruising.
Among notable features, Sovereign of the Seas boasted a five-deck Centrum with glass elevators, sweeping staircases and fountains in marble pools — a revolutionary concept at the time. It also had a theater with more than 1,000 seats, a separate music lounge, a nightclub, a casino with 171 slot machines plus table games, and multiple bars including the iconic Viking Crown. The latter venue famously hovered like a flying saucer above its top deck.
The ship also had a central pool deck with two pools, something that wasn't common at the time.
At around 73,000 tons, Sovereign of the Seas was the biggest purpose-built cruise ship ever when built, though it has been eclipsed in size many times over during the past three decades.
Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles
Sovereign is now just a third the size of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships, including the current size leader in the cruise world, the 228,081-ton Symphony of the Seas.
Sovereign of the Seas also was, notably, the first Royal Caribbean ship to have the "of the Seas" ending to its name. The "of the Seas" ending is now a staple of all Royal Caribbean ships.
The ship was christened on Jan. 15, 1988 by former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, who was accompanied by President Jimmy Carter. The presidential couple famously sailed on the maiden voyage of the vessel out of Miami, along with their family and a U.S. Secret Service guard, and could be seen enjoying its venues.
Sovereign of the Seas sailed for Royal Caribbean until 2008 when it was transferred to Pullmantur, a Spain-based line that caters to Spanish-speaking cruisers from Spain and Latin America. Royal Caribbean owns a 49% stake in Pullmantur through a joint venture.
Citing the impact of the coronavirus crisis, Pullmantur last month announced it was insolvent and filing for reorganization under Spanish insolvency laws. There were reports at the time that all three of Pullmantur’s vessels would be scrapped.
Related: Surprise! Royal Caribbean just changed its name, without telling anyone
Pullmantur blamed headwinds from the coronavirus pandemic that were “too strong … to overcome.”
Sovereign is following its sister ship Monarch to Aliaga. The former Royal Caribbean vessel, for years known as Monarch of the Seas, arrived in Aliaga last week.
The news of the departures of the two ships for Turkey comes as several other major cruise lines eliminate ships from their fleets as a response to the coronavirus crisis.
Holland America last week said it would dispose of four of its 14 ships. Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises also are in the process of shedding vessels.
Related: Why Holland America was right to shed 29% of its fleet
TPG recently published a list of 23 ships that we thought were most likely to be laid-up, sold or scrapped in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that included both Sovereign and Monarch as well as several ships from the Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises brands.
All of the world's major cruise lines halted departures in mid-March due to the coronavirus crisis, and many have canceled all sailings into September or October. It’s a shutdown that is unprecedented in the history of modern cruising, and it’s causing cruise companies great financial hardship.
Located on the Western coast of Turkey, Aliaga has become the final resting place for many notable vessels, including Princess Cruises‘ Pacific Princess — the original “Love Boat.”
Additional resources for cruisers during the coronavirus outbreak:
- When will cruising resume? A line-by-line guide
- Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement cruise deals anytime soon
- How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus
- Expecting a refund for a canceled cruise? Here's how long it will take
- Some of the year's hottest new ships could be delayed
- Stream these 13 movies, television shows to get your cruise ship fix
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- 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.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.