Six Cruise Ships Change Hands During September 2026

Two men in business attire shaking hands above a contract with cruise ships at a dock in the background
Cruise Industry Corporate News
by Maritime Bell Staff

Six cruise ships are undergoing ownership, charter or operational changes during September, with previously announced deals being finalized and additional moves now confirmed.

The vessels involved range from ships leaving major cruise lines for new operators to one of the world’s oldest surviving cruise ships, which is being offered for sale through an auction.

Vessel: Regatta

Company: Oceania Cruises

Capacity: 684 guests

Tonnage: 30,200

Year built: 1998

Move: Completed final Oceania voyage ahead of delivery to MyCruises

Regatta completed its last sailing for Oceania Cruises toward the end of August before being delivered to Australia-based MyCruises. The vessel began a series of world cruises for its new operator in September under a two-year charter agreement.

Vessel: Costa Fortuna

Company: Costa Cruises

Capacity: 3,000 guests

Tonnage: 103,000

Year built: 2003

Move: Left Costa fleet ahead of transfer to Margaritaville at Sea

Costa Fortuna is another vessel leaving its longtime operator before beginning a new chapter with a different cruise line. Costa Cruises sold the ship in 2025, and the vessel completed its farewell season with the company in September. It is now expected to be delivered to Margaritaville at Sea ahead of entering service with its new operator.

Vessel: Piano Land

Company: Astro Ocean Cruises

Capacity: 1,806 guests

Tonnage: 69,000

Year built: 1995

Move: Reportedly chartered to Corazul Cruceros

Corazul Cruceros CCO Camille Appledoorn has confirmed that the company signed an agreement to charter Piano Land. The vessel is now reportedly undergoing a transformation ahead of becoming Buenavista and beginning its inaugural season in Brazil.

Vessel: Deutschland

Company: Phoenix Reisen

Capacity: 520 guests

Tonnage: 22,400

Year built: 1998

Move: Completed final season with Phoenix Reisen

Deutschland ended its service with Phoenix Reisen in early September following a final summer season with the German cruise company. Originally constructed for Peter Deilmann Reederei in the late 1990s, the ship will continue operating for Semester at Sea under the name World Odyssey.

Vessel: Norwegian Sky

Company: Norwegian Cruise Line

Capacity: 2,000 guests

Tonnage: 77,100

Year built: 1999

Move: Left Norwegian fleet ahead of transfer to Cordelia Cruises

Norwegian Sky officially left the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in early September and is due to be handed over to India-based Cordelia Cruises. The ship had been scheduled to operate a repositioning voyage to Dubai before the sailing was canceled because of security concerns in the Middle East.

Vessel: Funchal

Company: Teamson Lda

Capacity: 402 guests

Tonnage: 9,845

Year built: 1961

Move: Set to be auctioned through sealed bids

One of the oldest cruise vessels still afloat, the Funchal is set to be auctioned in Portugal during September. The vessel will be offered through a sealed bid process organized by the insolvency administrators of Teamson Lda who acquired the Funchal in 2021.