After spending several months in lay up, ex-SuperStar Aquarius and ex-SuperStar Gemini recently completed their final journeys to the scrapyard.
Formerly operated by Star Cruises, the sister ships will now be scrapped at the Alang Shipbreaking Yard, in India.
During the process, the vessels, which were renamed Arius and Gem for their last voyages, will be dismantled, with building materials, fixtures and systems being removed for repurposing or recycling.
Previously serving the Asian cruise markets, the 50,000-ton ships were out of service since the start of the pandemic.
After the collapse of Genting Hong Kong, who owned Star Cruises, the ships ended up sold to new owners in May.
While expected to be scrapped, Aquarius and Gemini initially remained laid up at the Hambantota International Port, in Sri Lanka, where they arrived in late June.
Constructed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the 2,000-passenger ships were built for Norwegian Cruise Line.
After entering service as Windward in 1993, Superstar Aquarius was transferred to Star Cruises in 2007. The vessel also spent time sailing as Norwegian Wind.
Superstar Gemini debuted in 1992 as Dreamward, After being renamed Norwegian Dream in 1998, the vessel continued to serve the North American market until 2012, when it acquired by Star Cruises.
Photo by Martin Klingsick/shipspotting.com
