COVID takes out another cruising icon: The world’s first ‘megaship’ appears headed for the scrappers
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
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.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s new cruise newsletter.
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
Feature image by Tamme/Adobe Stock
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.