{{Short description|Cruise ship}} {{other ships|List of ships named Stockholm|Astoria (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = MN Stockholm.jpg | image_caption = MS ''Stockholm'', {{circa|1952}} }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = | flag = | name = *1948–1960: ''Stockholm'' *1960–1985: ''Völkerfreundschaft'' *1985–1986: ''Volker'' *1986–1993: ''Fridtjof Nansen'' *1993–1994: ''Italia I'' *1994–1998: ''Italia Prima'' *1998–2002: ''Valtur Prima'' *2002–2005: ''Caribe'' *2005–2013: ''Athena'' *2013–2016: ''Azores'' *2016–2025: ''Astoria'' | owner = *1948–1960: Swedish America Line *1960–1964: Freier Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund *1964–1973: VEB Deutsche Seereederei *1973–1985: VEB Deutsche Seereederei/Deutfracht *1985–1989: Neptunus Rex Enterprises *1989–1993: StarLauro *1993–2003: Nina SpA *2003–2005: Festival Crociere SpA *2005–2008: Classic International Cruises *2008–2013: First Quality Cruises Inc *2013–2021: Islands Cruises Transportes Marítimos *2021–2022: Brock Pierce *2023-2025: Brock Pierce, The Roundtable LLC. *<ref name=Miramar>{{csr|register=MSI|id=5383304|shipname=Stockholm|access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref><ref name=FoF>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/stockholm_1948.htm|title=M/S Stockholm (1948)|access-date=2008-02-27 |last=Asklander|first=Micke|work=Fakta om Fartyg|language=sv}}</ref> *2025: Galloo | operator = *1948–1960: Swedish America Line *1960–1966: VEB Deutsche Seereederei *1966–1985: VEB Deutsche Seereederei (summer) / Stena Line (winter) *1994–1995: Nina Cia. di Navigazione *1995–1998: Neckermann Seereisen *1998–2001: Valtur Tourist *2002–2004:Festival Cruises *2005–2013: Classic International Cruises<ref name=FoF/> *2009: Phoenix Reisen *2013–2014: Portuscale Cruises *2015–2020 Cruise & Maritime Voyages | registry = *1948–1960: Gothenburg, {{flag|Sweden}} *1960–1985: Rostock, {{flag|East Germany}} *1985–1989: Panama City, {{flag|Panama}} *1989–2004: Naples, {{flag|Italy|civil}} *2004–2025: Madeira, {{flag|Portugal}}<ref name=FoF/> | ordered = October 1944<ref name=Timeline>{{cite web|url=http://www.salship.se/timeline.asp|title=SAL Timeline|access-date=2008-02-27|work=A tribute to the Swedish American Line|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309012952/http://www.salship.se/timeline.asp|archive-date=2008-03-09}}</ref> | builder = Götaverken, Gothenburg, Sweden | yard_number = 611<ref name=FoF/> | laid_down = | launched = 9 September 1946<ref name=FoF/> | completed = | christened = 9 September 1946<ref name=Timeline/> | renamed = | acquired = 7 February 1948<ref name=FoF/> | in_service = 21 February 1948<ref name=FoF/> | out_of_service = 2020 | fate = Sold for scrap in Ghent<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/06/19/cruiseschip-astoria-sloop-galloo-gent-recyclage/ | title=Legendarisch cruiseschip Astoria uit 1948 eindigt op schroothoop in Gent om te recycleren | VRT NWS: Nieuws | date=19 June 2025 }}</ref> | status = Undergoing scrapping at Galloo, Ghent<ref name=AstoriaTowed>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33UcpWCgdIA | title=Oudste cruiseschip ter wereld vaart door Sas van Gent | website=YouTube | date=4 July 2025 }}</ref> | identification = *Swedish Official Number 8926 (1948)<ref name="Miramar"/> *Italian Official Number 1749 (1993)<ref name=Miramar/> *Call sign CQRV (Portugal) *{{IMO Number|5383304}} *{{MMSI|255801380}} (Portugal) }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = (as built)<ref name=FoF/> | type = Ocean liner | tonnage = *{{GRT|12,165}} *{{DWT|4,700}} | displacement = | length = {{cvt|160.08|m|ftin}} | beam = {{cvt|21.04|m|ftin}} | height = | draught = {{cvt|7.90|m|ftin}} | depth = | ice_class = | power = *2 × 8-cylinder Götaverken diesel engines *{{cvt|12000|hp|kW|order=flip}} (combined) | propulsion = | speed = {{convert|17|kn}} | capacity = 390 passengers | crew = | notes = }}
|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = (currently)<ref name=FoF/> | type = Cruise ship | tonnage = {{GT|15,614}} | displacement = | length = | beam = | height = | draught = | depth = | decks = | ice_class = | power = *2 × Wärtsilä 16V32 *{{cvt|14300|hp|kW|order=flip}} (combined) | propulsion = | speed = {{convert|19|kn}} | capacity = 556 passengers | crew = | notes = }} }} '''MS ''Stockholm''''' was a passenger ship that was constructed as a transatlantic ocean liner for the Swedish American Line, and later rebuilt into a cruise ship. ''Stockholm'' is best known for the accidental collision with the ''Andrea Doria'' in July 1956, which resulted in the sinking of the Italian liner with 46 fatalities off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
During her seven decades of service, she passed through several owners and sailed under the names '''''Stockholm''''', '''''Völkerfreundschaft''''', '''''Volker''''', '''''Fridtjof Nansen''''', '''''Italia I''''', '''''Italia Prima''''', '''''Valtur Prima''''', '''''Caribe''''', '''''Athena''''', and '''''Azores''''' before beginning service as '''''Astoria''''' in March 2016.<ref name="Maritime_Executive_Scrap_Jan2023_Final">{{cite web |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/historic-cruise-ship-astoria-sold-for-scrap-after-75-year-career |title=Historic Cruise Ship Astoria Faces Uncertain Future in 75-Year Career |website=The Maritime Executive |date=31 January 2023 |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref> ''Astoria'' sailed with Cruise & Maritime Voyages until the company ceased operations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="BBC_CMV_Collapse">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-53478950 |title=Cruise firm CMV collapses with 'no prospect' of rescue |newspaper=BBC News |date=20 July 2020 |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref> After being laid up for several years in Rotterdam, the historic vessel was finally sold for scrap in June 2025. On 4 July 2025, Astoria was towed from Rotterdam to Ghent for recycling.
==MS ''Stockholm''== The ship was ordered in 1944, and launched 9 September 1946, as '''''Stockholm''''' by Götaverken in Gothenburg for the Swedish America Line (SAL). The ship was designed by Swedish American Line designer, Eric Christiansson, who worked as the technical director at parent company Broström.<ref name=":2"/> She was the fourth ship named ''Stockholm'' for Swedish American Line, but the second of the four to actually sail under the name (See: MS ''Stockholm'' (1941)). When ''Stockholm'' III was sold to the Italians, the proceeds were initially left aside, but were later used to finance the construction of the ship after the 1941 ''Stockholm'' was sunk during the war.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Dawson, Philip S.|title=Cruise ships : an evolution in design|date=2000|publisher=Conway Maritime|isbn=0-85177-660-4|location=London|oclc=43419400}}</ref>
At {{convert|525|ft|2}} with a gross register tonnage of 12,165, ''Stockholm'' at the time was the smallest passenger ship operating on the North Atlantic route,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1948-03-15|title=Stockholm Sets Record – Swedish American Liner Makes Speed Mark to Goeteborg|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/03/15/archives/stockholm-sets-record-swedish-american-liner-makes-speed-mark-to.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> but the largest passenger ship built in Sweden, with the largest diesel propulsion unit yet built in Sweden.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=1948-01-04|title=New Swedish Ship Due Here March 1 – Comfort Rather Than Luxury Is Keynote on Motorliner Stockholm, Line Reports|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/01/04/archives/new-swedish-ship-due-here-march-1-comfort-rather-than-luxury-is.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Originally designed to carry a total of 395 passengers, divided between first and tourist class, and a cargo capacity of 3,000 tons. Interiors were completed by Swedish artists, including Kurt Jungstedt.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wealleans|first=Anne|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZt-AgAAQBAJ&q=Swedish+artist++Kurt+Jungstedt+swedish+american+liner&pg=PA80|title=Designing Liners: A History of Interior Design Afloat|date=2006-09-27|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-18939-7|language=en}}</ref> When delivered, the ship would replace the aging SS ''Drottningholm'', and run an alternating transatlantic service with MS ''Gripsholm''.<ref name=":0"/> She made her [https://www.britishpathe.com/video/new-swedish-ss-stockholm/query/Gothenburg maiden voyage] on 21 February 1948, under the command of Captain Waldemar Jonsson, from Gothenburg arriving in New York on March 1.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1948-03-01|title=Shipping News and Notes; New Swedish American Liner Stockholm Scheduled Here Today on Maiden Trip|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/03/01/archives/shipping-news-and-notes-new-swedish-american-liner-stockholm.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
[[File:Fartygsmodell-STOCKHOLM - Sjöhistoriska museet - SM 26406.tif|thumb|left|Model of MS ''Stockholm'', displayed at Sjöhistoriska Museet in Stockholm]] The ''Stockholm'' would continue to sail the transatlantic route, later joined by the new MS ''Kungsholm'' (1952). A 1953 refit expanded ''Stockholm's'' capacity to 548 people by infilling the outdoor aft and forward end of "A" Deck with passenger cabins. Due to the small size, and not handling the North Atlantic seas very well during the colder months, the Swedish American Line scheduled her for occasional cruises starting in 1953 out of Morehead City, North Carolina cruising to Havana, Nassau, and Bermuda.<ref>{{Cite web|title=North Carolina state ports|url=https://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/collection/p16062coll9/id/55/|access-date=2020-06-14|website=digital.ncdcr.gov|language=en}}</ref> In February 1955, she was used to deport Arne Pettersen, the last person to go through Ellis Island, to Gothenburg, Sweden.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smolenyak |first=Megan |date=2021-03-18 |title=We Finally Know What Happened to Arne Pettersen, the Last to Leave Ellis Island |url=https://smolenyak.medium.com/we-finally-know-what-happened-to-arne-pettersen-the-last-to-leave-ellis-island-3529a692389d |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> A later refit in 1956-57 added a cinema to the deck forward end of the main superstructure, and an outdoor pool aft.
With both MS ''Kungsholm'' and the new MS ''Gripsholm'' (1957) sailing, the smaller ''Stockholm'' was started to be seen as too small and not meeting the current standards of the line. The ship was sold in May 1959 to, at the time, an unidentified German company. The ship would finish out the year sailing with Swedish American Line to New York, before being transferred in 1960 to the new company.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Stockholm sold by Swedish Line; Identity of German Buyer Not Disclosed -- Delivery Will Be Made Next Year| work=The New York Times |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1959/05/16/80578843.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|access-date=2020-06-14|language=en}}</ref>
== Collision with ''Andrea Doria'' == {{main|SS Andrea Doria}}
[[File:Stockholm following Andrea Doria collision.jpg|thumb|left|26 July 1956: After colliding with ''Andrea Doria'', ''Stockholm'', with severely damaged bow heads to New York]] On the night of 25 July 1956, at 11:10 p.m., in heavy fog in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Nantucket, ''Stockholm'' and ''Andrea Doria'' of the Italian Line collided in what was to become one of history's most notorious maritime disasters.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1956-07-27|title=Captain Arrives, Silent on Causes|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/27/archives/captain-arrives-silent-on-causes-lauds-crew-and-rescuers-gives-no.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Although most passengers and crew survived the collision, the larger ''Andrea Doria'' luxury liner capsized and sank the following morning. Flooding from the collision caused ''Andrea Doria'' to list 18 degrees to starboard within minutes, quickly rendering 50% of her lifeboats unusable. However, a number of ships, including SS ''Ile de France'', responded and provided assistance, which averted a massive loss of life.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1956-07-26|title=Craft Rush to Aid; Terse Radio Messages of the Rescue Vessels Depict Operations|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/26/archives/craft-rush-to-aid-terse-radio-messages-of-the-rescue-vessels-depict.html|access-date=2026-02-03|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1956-07-27|title=Lifeboat Crews Worked in Peril; Faced Possibility of Being Sucked Under if Doria had Sunk sooner Starboard Boats Used|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/27/archives/lifeboat-crews-worked-in-peril-faced-possibility-of-being-sucked.html|access-date=2026-02-04|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Five members of ''Stockholm''{{'}}s crew were killed instantly, and several more were trapped in the wrecked bow. Despite having lost about {{convert|3|ft|1}} of freeboard, the crippled ''Stockholm'' helped in the rescue and ended up carrying 327 passengers and 245 crew members from ''Andrea Doria'', in addition to her own passengers and crew.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sweden Salutes Stockholm Crew| work=The New York Times |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/08/03/86666306.html?pageNumber=21|access-date=2020-06-14|language=en}}</ref> There were 46 fatalities.<ref name="HISTORY_Collision_Final">{{cite web |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-25/ships-collide-off-nantucket |title=Ocean liners collide off Nantucket {{!}} July 25, 1956 |website=History |date=February 9, 2010 |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref> After the ships had separated, and as ''Stockholm'' crew members were beginning to survey the damage, one of the crew came across Linda Morgan, who had been thrown from her bed on ''Andrea Doria'' as the two ships collided and landed on ''Stockholm''{{'}}s deck, suffering moderate, but not life-threatening, injuries.
thumb|left|Damaged ''Stockholm'' entering port of New York After ''Andrea Doria'' sank, ''Stockholm'' sailed to New York City under her own power and arrived on 27 July. There, the crushed bow portion was rebuilt at a cost of US$1 million three months later at Bethlehem Shipyard in Brooklyn, New York.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Horne|first=George|date=1956-07-27|title=Safety Men Puzzled By Failure of Radar To Prevent Collision|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/27/archives/safety-men-puzzled-by-failure-of-radar-to-prevent-collision.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> An inquiry followed the events, with a settlement reached after six months between the Italian Line and Swedish American Line.
=== Wreckage from collision === ==== Ship's bell ==== thumb|Damaged bell from the bow of ''Stockholm,'' salvaged from the wreck of ''Andrea Doria'' and displayed on board ''Astoria''. As of 2025, the bell is no longer on display. Years following the collision, ''Andrea Doria'' became a popular dive site. In 1959, ''Stockholm''{{'}}s damaged ship's bell was recovered from the wreck site. It was displayed on board in the ship's lobby but it was removed in 2025 when the ship arrived at Ghent for scrapping.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}}
==== Discovery of the bow wreckage ==== In September 2020, New Jersey–based Atlantic Wreck Salvage announced that their ship, D/V ''Tenacious'', had discovered ''Stockholm''{{'}}s bow and anchors. The divers made the confirmation based on the presence and unique style of both anchors, internal bow reinforcements, accordion-style crumpling on the wreckage in the same pattern as seen in photos of ''Stockholm'' after the collision, and the location of the wreckage near ''Andrea Doria''{{'}}s final resting place.<ref name="Asbury">{{cite news|last1=Carino|first1=Jerry|title=Andrea Doria wreck discovery: Millstone captain finds bow of ship that sunk her|url=https://eu.app.com/story/news/history/2020/09/15/andrea-doria-wreck-discovery-stockholm-bow/5796154002/|access-date=December 14, 2020|work=Asbury Park Press|date=September 15, 2020|location=Neptune Township, New Jersey}}</ref>
== East German ship ''Völkerfreundschaft'' == thumb|The ship in 1961, sailing as ''Völkerfreundschaft'' thumb|Völkerfreundschaft docked in Warnemünde, 1968 On 3 January 1960, ''Stockholm'' was transferred to the East German government for 20 million Swedish krona, renaming the ship ''Völkerfreundschaft'' ("friendship between nations") operating under the line Deutsche Seereederei (German Shipping Company), a precursor of AIDA Cruises.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NDR |title=Die "Völkerfreundschaft" - Urlauberschiff der DDR |url=https://www.ndr.de/geschichte/chronologie/Die-Voelkerfreundschaft-Urlauberschiff-der-DDR,voelkerfreundschaft102.html |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.ndr.de |language=de}}</ref>
''Völkerfreundschaft'' made her new maiden voyage on 23 February 1960, and was home-ported in Rostock, Germany, eventually operating in tandem with the newly built ''Fritz Heckert''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Schwerdtner|first= Nils|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/832608271|title=German luxury ocean liners : from Kaiser Wilhelm der Gross to AIDAstella|date=July 11, 2013|isbn=978-1-4456-0474-9|publisher=OCLC.org|location= Stroud|oclc=832608271}}</ref> When the Berlin wall went up in 1961, all ports were restricted to communist countries only, which greatly limited sailing routes. The ship made trips to Cuba, and would be one of the two ships that was en route to Havana during the Cuban Missile Crisis, where she was suspiciously watched by US military planes and vessels. The ship was already halfway to Havana, and it was necessary to continue to resupply and refuel. Carrying German and Czech holidaymakers, she passed through the American blockade line, accompanied by a United States Navy destroyer at a distance of two nautical miles. The vessel reached Havana unscathed, quickly turning back to East Germany after her arrival.<ref name=":3"/>
In 1964, the ship was put under the management of the Free German Trade Union Federation, but would be chartered out to western European countries for a majority of the year. This would be expanded in 1967, with Stena Line chartering the ship for Swedish passengers for half of the year, doing within annually until the ship was sold in 1985 due to its age and continued losses, which reached 70 million East German marks between 1975 and 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mdr.de |title=Traumschiff für die "werktätige Bevölkerung": "Völkerfreundschaft" {{!}} MDR.DE |url=https://www.mdr.de/geschichte/ddr/wirtschaft/seefahrt/schiff-ahoi-zur-see-traumschiff-ms-voelkerfreundschaft-100.html |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.mdr.de |language=de}}</ref>
=== Appearance in East German disaster movie === ''Völkerfreundschaft'' made an appearance as the luxury liner ''Astoria'' in the 1979 East German film {{ill|Die Rache des Kapitäns Mitchell|de}}.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Peter|title=Cruise Ships: The Small-Scale Fleet|date=31 March 2014|publisher=Barnsley, S. Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Books Ltd.|isbn=978-1-7815-9281-6}}</ref> In the movie, she collides with a coal freighter in fog and threatens to sink. Captain Mitchell, portrayed by Dieter Mann, organizes the orderly rescue of passengers.
=== Incidents during East German service === The ship saw multiple incidents during her service under the Deutsche Seereederei. In 1968, the Bundesmarine submarine chaser ''Najade'' rammed the vessel during its rescue of East German defector Manfred Semmig, who had fallen into the sea while attempting to escape the vessel via a clothesline. The ship had made an unexpected turn after Semming had fallen into the sea, resulting in a collision as ''Najade'' attempted to avoid running over the man. Tilting nearly 30 degrees after its collision with ''Völkerfreundschaft,'' ''Najade'' recovered and safely rescued the defector.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schröter |first=Jan |date=2020-03-05 |title=Sprung in die Ostsee: Spektakuläre DDR-Flucht auf Kreuzfahrt |url=https://www.spiegel.de/geschichte/ddr-flucht-kollision-mit-kreuzfahrtschiff-sprung-in-die-ostsee-a-80e82a3b-3d22-4d0f-a4e9-2d7fb3fdfb22 |access-date=2024-06-21 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> This was followed by an incident in 1970 where a machinist and three medical researchers leapt off the Cuba-bound ship near the Florida Keys and was rescued by a small boat driven by the machinist's brother.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1970-11-28 |title=Four Flee East German Ship in Leap Off Florida Keys |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/28/archives/four-flee-east-german-ship-in-leap-off-florida-keys-rescue-from-sea.html |access-date=2024-06-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
On 21 January 1983, the ship collided with West German Navy submarine ''U-26'' in the Baltic Sea off the Fehmarn Belt. Sailing on surface in rough seas, the commander of the submarine ordered the boat to be navigated via periscope and without the use of radar – a common procedure at the time during the Cold War in the vicinity of naval vessels of the Warsaw Pact. A court of lay judges in Kiel later judged that this accident could have been avoided with radar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Katastrophen auf See : die Seeunfälle der zivilen DDR-Schiffahrt - Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek |url=http://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/item/BLURCSZJRMX7FYQMQMJBQMXGJPPVLP34 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de |language=de}}</ref> Damages to ''U-26'' cost multiple millions of West German Marks in repairs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Noteworthy Events |url=https://dubm.de/noteworthy-events-3/?lang=en |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Deutsches U-Boot-Museum |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Norwegian barracks ship ''Fridtjof Nansen'' == In 1985 she was transferred to a Panamanian company, Neptunas Rex Enterprises. Her name was reduced to ''Volker'', and by the end of the year she was laid up in Southampton, England. In 1985 the ship was renamed ''Fridtjof Nansen'' was later used as a barracks ship in Oslo for asylum seekers in Norway.
== Rebuilding into a modern cruise ship == [[File:Stockholm refit genova.jpg|thumb|Conversion into a cruise ship at a Genoa shipyard in 1993]] In 1989, ex-''Stockholm'' was sold to the Italian Star Lauro Lines, who intended to convert the liner into a luxury cruise ship. The ship was still under charter as the ''Fridtjof Nansen'', and so remained in Oslo until 1993. The ship was towed to a shipyard in Genoa, Italy, ''Andrea Doria''{{'s}} home port; but when she arrived, the press labeled her "the ship of death" (''La nave della morte'') due to the collision with ''Andrea Doria''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shammas|first=Brittany|title='Ship of death': A floating piece of cruise history may be nearing its final voyage|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/01/29/historic-cruise-ship/|access-date=2020-06-14|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> During conversion, it was discovered that the ex-''Stockholm'' was in very good condition.<ref name="TGOL">{{cite web |last1=Ljungström |first1=Henrik |title=Stockholm (III) |url=http://thegreatoceanliners.com/articles/stockholm-iii/ |website=The Great Ocean Liners |date=April 2018 |access-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025043414/http://thegreatoceanliners.com/articles/stockholm-iii/ |archive-date=October 25, 2021}}</ref>
She was completely gutted on the interior, and rebuilt from the promenade deck up. New diesel engines were installed, and a new bridge was built, extending the superstructure forward. The aft decks were built up, giving her a more modern cruise ship profile. A large ducktail was added that significantly altered the stern appearance. Although not very recognizable from her original appearance as ''Stockholm;'' many elements such as the bow and anchor, hull window arrangement, passenger lifts and stair locations, and the distinct double porthole dining room windows, were all visible traits from the original ''Stockholm'' design.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
== Cruise ship ==
=== ''Italia I – Italia Prima – Valtur Prima'' === thumb|As ''Italia Prima'' in Genoa, in 1994 Following the completion of the refit in 1994, ship was named ''Italia I'', then ''Italia Prima'', she later sailed as ''Valtur Prima'' primarily to Cuba, and was laid up in Havana following the September 11 attacks.
=== ''Caribe'' === The ship was chartered by Festival Cruises in 2002 for a five-year period and was renamed ''Caribe.'' Although Festival Cruises intended to sail to Cuba on seven-day cruises, the plans fell through and the ship was sold to a Portuguese-based operator in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=By |date=2006-08-19 |title=50 years after disaster, ship remains a survivor |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/08/19/50-years-after-disaster-ship-remains-a-survivor/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== ''Athena'' === thumb|''Athena'' passing Cunard's ''Queen Victoria'' in 2011 In 2005 the ''Caribe'' was renamed ''Athena'', being registered in Portugal. She was later reflagged to Cyprus, operating for Classic International Cruises. On a transatlantic cruise in October 2006 the ship was caught in two violent hurricanes, causing a fatality and passengers threatening mutiny.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-10-04 |title=Cruise in hurricanes 'nightmare' |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/5405244.stm |access-date=2024-06-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The ship later safely arrived in Halifax, before continuing on to New York. Upon arrival, the New York Times approximated her arrival to ''<nowiki/>'the convict sentenced to 50 years for murder who completes his sentence and revisits the scene of the crime.'''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feuer |first=Alan |date=2006-09-23 |title=From 'Death Ship' to Cruise Ship |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/nyregion/23ship.html |access-date=2024-06-25 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==== Pirate attack ==== On December 3, 2008, ''Athena'' was attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Reportedly, 29 pirate boats surrounded the ship at one stage until a US Navy P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft circled above which caused some of the pirates to flee. The crew prevented the pirates from boarding by firing high-pressure water cannons at them. No one was injured and the ship escaped without damage, continuing her voyage to Australia.<ref name=sun>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24748674-662,00.html|title=Pirates attack luxury cruise ship bound for Australia|access-date=2008-12-07|last=Langmaid|first= Aaron|work=Herald sun|date=2008-12-04}}</ref>
[[File:Athena (ship, 1948) IMO 5383304; in Split, 2011-10-22 (3).jpg|thumb|left|As ''Athena'' in Split, 22 October 2011]] In 2009 the ship was chartered to German cruise operator Phoenix Reisen and repainted in the company colors with a turquoise funnel and company logo. On 17 September 2012, reports announced that she and her fellow ship ''Princess Danae'' were detained in Marseille, France, for unpaid fuel bills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/7877-cic-ships-arrested-.html|title=CIC Ships Arrested - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News|publisher=Cruise Industry News|date=2012-09-18|access-date=2014-06-03|archive-date=December 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208064751/http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/7877-cic-ships-arrested-.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== ''Azores'' === Early in 2013 ''Athena'' was bought by the recently created Portuguese cruise company Portuscale Cruises and renamed ''Azores''. As soon as her acquisition was confirmed, she was taken to a shipyard in Marseille, where she was revamped. She then entered Portuscale Cruises service after completing a charter for Berlin-based Ambiente Kreuzfahrten, from whom she was chartered to Classic International to join her fleetmate ''Princess Daphne''.
[[File:Azores at Pier 25 in Tallinn 19 May 2014.JPG|thumb|As ''Azores'' in Tallinn, 2014]] The charter began in March 2014 with a cruise from Lisbon, Portugal, to Bremerhaven, Germany, and concluded in November 2014 in Genoa, Italy. After Portuscale's collapse, the administrator of the ship's formal owner, Island Cruises—Transportes Marítimos, Unipessoal Ltda., secured a charter to Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV).<ref name="Tradewinds04032021">{{cite news|last1=Boonzaier|first1=Jonathan|title=Nobody wants to buy the world's oldest cruiseship |url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/nobody-wants-to-buy-the-world-s-oldest-cruiseship/2-1-972285|access-date=July 24, 2021|work=TradeWinds: Cruise & Ferry|publisher=TradeWinds AS|date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043231if_/https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/nobody-wants-to-buy-the-world-s-oldest-cruiseship/2-1-972285|archive-date=June 16, 2021|location=Oslo}}</ref> Her first voyage was from Avonmouth Docks to the Caribbean in January 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=CMV to replace Discovery from the UK|url=http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2012138&c=setreg®ion=2|website=TravelMole|publisher=TravelMole.com|access-date=January 16, 2016}}</ref> In April 2015, she was blocked from port due to unpaid debts, stranding passengers aboard until the issue was resolved.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-10 |title=Cruise Ship Impounded By Portuguese Authorities |url=https://www.cruise.co.uk/bulletin/cmvs-azores-impounded/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Cruise Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== ''Astoria'' === [[File:AzoresCMV.jpg|thumb|''Azores'' with Cruise & Maritime Voyages in Liverpool, 2015]] [[File:Astoria (IMO 5383304).jpg|thumb|''Astoria'' in the Thames Estuary, 7 March 2017]] In March 2016 the ship was renamed ''Astoria'' by Cruise & Maritime Voyages and from May 2016 until March 2017 was subchartered to French tour operator Rivages du Monde.<ref name="CruiseCapital">{{cite web|title=Cruise & Maritime Voyages Announce Sub-Charter Of Azores To French Cruise Operator|url=http://cruisecapital.co.uk/cruise-maritime-voyages-announce-sub-charter-of-azores-to-french-cruise-operator/|website=Cruise Capital|date=April 25, 2015|publisher=Jordan Bailey|access-date=June 29, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817093509/http://cruisecapital.co.uk/cruise-maritime-voyages-announce-sub-charter-of-azores-to-french-cruise-operator/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Astoria'' was the last remaining vessel of the former Swedish American Line still afloat after the former ''Kungsholm'' was scrapped in 2016.
In June 2016, CMV announced that ''Astoria'' would be leaving the CMV fleet after her final cruise on April 27, 2017, from London Tilbury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Astoria Set To Leave The CMV Fleet In 2017|url=http://cruisecapital.co.uk/astoria-set-to-leave-the-cmv-fleet-in-2017/|website=Cruise Capital|date=June 29, 2016|publisher=Jordan Bailey|access-date=June 29, 2016|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704173533/http://cruisecapital.co.uk/astoria-set-to-leave-the-cmv-fleet-in-2017/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7107|title=World's Oldest Cruise Ship to Leave Cruise & Maritime Voyages|website=www.cruisecritic.com}}</ref> In February 2017, CMV announced that ''Astoria'' would remain in the CMV fleet until 2018. She would offer a mini-season from London Tilbury, before being charted by Rivages du Monde during the summer months.<ref>{{cite web|title=CMV Make U-Turn Decision And Keep Astoria In Fleet For 2018|url=http://cruisecapital.co.uk/cmv-make-u-turn-decision-and-keep-astoria-in-fleet-for-2018/|website=Cruise Capital|date=February 25, 2017|publisher=Jordan Bailey|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225110249/http://cruisecapital.co.uk/cmv-make-u-turn-decision-and-keep-astoria-in-fleet-for-2018/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
''Astoria'' was scheduled to begin winter cruising the Sea of Cortez from the port of Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) Mexico from December 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Treasures of the Sea of Cortez |url=https://us.cruiseandmaritime.com/cruise/r004/treasures-of-the-sea-of-cortez |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804031546/https://us.cruiseandmaritime.com/cruise/r004/treasures-of-the-sea-of-cortez |archive-date=2020-08-04 |access-date=2026-02-07 |website=us.cruiseandmaritime.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeager |first=Melissa |title=We sailed on the first Rocky Point cruise. Should you? Here are 3 takeaways |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/destinations/2020/01/22/review-first-rocky-point-cruise-puerto-penasco-cruise-maritime-voyages-astoria-ship/4531034002/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref> but this sailing only took place until January 2020 due to unspecified delays in dry dock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/destinations/2019/10/28/launch-first-rocky-point-puerto-penasco-cruise-postponed-until-january/2487039001/|title=Inaugural Rocky Point cruises canceled for December, rescheduled for January|last=Yeager|first=Melissa|website=azcentral|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> The 2020 cruise season was intended to be the last for ''Astoria'' in the CMV fleet.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World's Oldest Operating Cruise Ship Is Getting Ready to Retire|url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/mv-astoria-ms-stockholm-oldest-cruise-ship-retiring|website=Travel + Leisure|access-date=2020-06-02}}</ref>
During the COVID-19 pandemic and the bankruptcy of CMV, 47 crew members of the Astoria began a hunger strike demanding the wages owed to them and repatriation home in mid-June, after weeks of appealing to CMV proved fruitless. Subsequently, the vessel was arrested by UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency officers in June 2020 following reports she was about to set sail and leave UK jurisdiction without arranging the repatriation of foreign crew members stranded in the UK by the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Their story: the hunger striking seafarers at Tilbury trying to get home {{!}} ITF ShipBeSure |url=https://www.itfshipbesure.org/news/their-story-hunger-striking-seafarers-tilbury-trying-get-home |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.itfshipbesure.org}}</ref> CMV entered administration in 2020.<ref name="Independent21-07-2020">{{cite news|last1=Calder|first1=Simon|title=CMV cruise line goes into administration with thousands of forward bookings|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cmv-cruise-line-administration-coronavirus-a9629591.html|access-date=June 15, 2021|work=Independent|date=July 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301071618/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cmv-cruise-line-administration-coronavirus-a9629591.html|archive-date=March 1, 2021|location=London}}</ref>
== Layup and disposition == [[File:Rotterdam - 3087 - 2024.01.07 - SCMA - « Astoria » © Anthony Levrot.jpg|thumb|MV ''Astoria'' laid up in Waalhaven Dock 1, January 2024]] ''Astoria'' was towed to Rotterdam and laid up in December 2020, and put up for auction on 1 March 2021, with a minimum sale price of €10 million, but received no offers until July 2021.<ref name="Tradewinds04032021" /> The ship remained in custody pending decisions by owners and creditors.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 2, 2021 |title=Sale of cruise vessel Astoria |url=https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/classified/ads/sale-of-cruise-vessel-astoria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615100602/https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/classified/ads/sale-of-cruise-vessel-astoria |archive-date=June 15, 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2021 |work=Lloyd's List}}</ref>
In July 2021, the ship was purchased by The Roundtable LLC, a Puerto Rico–based affiliate of Brock Pierce,<ref name="Tradewinds01022023">{{cite news|url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/owner-denies-world-s-oldest-cruise-ship-has-been-sold-for-recycling/2-1-1395779|last=Boonzaler|first=Jonathan|title=Owner denies world's oldest cruise ship has been sold for recycling|date=February 1, 2023|work=TradeWinds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201111304/https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/owner-denies-world-s-oldest-cruise-ship-has-been-sold-for-recycling/2-1-1395779 |archive-date=1 February 2023}}</ref> who also acquired the ''Funchal''. The new owner intended to return ''Astoria'' to service, and convert ''Funchal'' to a hotelship.<ref>{{cite news |title=Astoria Bought By American Group, Will Cruise Again |url=https://cruiseharbournews.com/astoriabought.html |access-date=July 25, 2021 |work=Cruise & Harbour News |date=July 24, 2021 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026185600/https://cruiseharbournews.com/astoriabought.html |archive-date=October 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|work=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|title=Paquete Funchal ganha nova vida|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/paquete-funchal-ganha-nova-vida_v1337780|language=pt|date=July 24, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cabrita-Mendes|first=André|date=August 24, 2021|title=Empresário norte-americano gastou sete milhões para comprar e transformar paquete Funchal em hotel de luxo|url=https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/noticias/empresario-norte-americano-gastou-sete-milhoes-para-comprar-e-transformar-paquete-funchal-em-hotel-de-luxo-776679|work=O Jornal Económico|language=pt}}</ref>
After the ship broke loose from her moorings in February 2022 and crashed into the container ship ''Seatrade Orange'' during a storm,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-25 |title=L'Astoria remis aux enchères, probablement pour la dernière fois {{!}} Mer et Marine |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/l-astoria-remis-aux-encheres-probablement-pour-la-derniere-fois |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.meretmarine.com |language=fr}}</ref> in March those plans were abandoned and the ship was again made available for sale, never having left Rotterdam.<ref name="chn1">{{cite news |title=Astoria Set for the Auction Block Once More |url=https://cruiseharbournews.com/astoriaauction.html |access-date=December 16, 2022 |work=Cruise & Harbour News |date=March 29, 2022 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702121718/https://cruiseharbournews.com/astoriaauction.html |archive-date=July 2, 2022}}</ref> By December 2022, the ship was listed for sale on the online yacht sale platform Yachtworld, reduced to $5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-29 |url=https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1948-cruise-ship---550-641-passengers----completely-rebuilt-1994----stock-no.-s2128-6077510/|title=1948 Cruise Ship Cruise Ship for sale |website=Yachtworld |location=Fareham, UK |access-date=2024-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229195239/https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1948-cruise-ship---550-641-passengers----completely-rebuilt-1994----stock-no.-s2128-6077510/ |archive-date=2022-12-29 }}</ref> After rumours of a scrap sale, ''Astoria''{{'}}s owner confirmed in January 2023 that they were continuing their attempts to make a sale for continued trading.<ref name="Tradewinds01022023" />
In June 2025, the ship, still laid up in Rotterdam, was again auctioned and sold for €200,000 to the sole bidder, the ship scrapping company Galloo, based at Ghent, Belgium.<ref>{{cite news |title=Astoria Reportedly Sold for 200,000 Euros |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2025/06/astoria-reportedly-sold-for-200000-euros/ |access-date=June 19, 2025 |work=Cruise Industry News |date=June 18, 2025 |location=Charlotte, NC }}</ref><ref name=MarEx20250620>{{Cite news |title=Recycling Firm Buys Astoria, Famous 77-Year-Old Liner Turned Cruise Ship |url=https://maritime-executive.com/article/recycling-firm-buys-astoria-famous-77-year-old-liner-turned-cruise-ship |date=2025-06-19|access-date=2025-06-20 |work=The Maritime Executive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=|first= |date=2025-06-19 |title=Legendary cruise ship Astoria to be scrapped in Ghent|url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/06/19/legendary-cruise-ship-astoria-to-be-scrapped-in-ghent/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |work=VRT NWS |language=en}}</ref> The buyer expected to move ''Astoria'' to Ghent in July, and was also required to settle any outstanding port fees from the previous owner before taking possession of the ship.<ref name=MarEx20250620/> On 3 July 2025, ''Astoria'' was towed from Rotterdam to Ghent for recycling, and arrived there the next day.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mayntz |first=Melissa |date=2025-07-07 |title=After 77 Years, the World's Oldest Cruise Ship Arrives for Scrapping |url=https://www.cruisehive.com/after-77-years-the-worlds-oldest-cruise-ship-arrives-for-scrapping/180194|website=cruisehive.com |publisher=Cruise Hive |access-date=2025-08-30}}</ref><ref>Astoria: iconic liner's long career at an end ''Ships Monthly'' February 2026 page 44-49</ref>
== See also == * {{SS|Monterey}}, served 66 years * {{MS|Dunnottar Castle}}, served for 68 years * {{SS|Germanic|1874|6}}, served for 75 years * {{SS|Parthia|1870|6}}, served for 86 years * {{RMS|Hecla}}, served for 94 years * {{MV|Doulos Phos}}, served for 95 years
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category|IMO 5383304}} *[https://www.britishpathe.com/video/new-swedish-ss-stockholm/query/Gothenburg Film: ''MS Stockholm Maiden Voyage''] *[http://www.salship.se Tribute to Swedish American Line] *[http://www.ssmaritime.com/Stockholm.htm ssMaritime: MS ''Stockholm'' Ship History] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kwBAHWZpDw Inside historical cruise ship MV ''Astoria'' | Fully explored] *[https://shipvideos.net/astoria/ Videos of Astoria at shipvideos.net]
{{Portal bar|Transport}} {{Piracy in Somalia}} {{Cruise & Maritime Voyages}} {{1956 shipwrecks}} <!-- {{coord|40|29|30|N|69|51|0|W|display=title|type:event_region:XA}} THIS IS THE COORDS OF ANDREA DORIA, NOT THE MV ASTORIA -->
{{DEFAULTSORT:Astoria}} Category:Maritime accidents involving fog Category:Ocean liners Category:Cruise ships of Portugal Category:Maritime incidents in 1956 Category:Piracy in Somalia Category:1946 ships Category:Ships built in Gothenburg Category:Merchant ships of Sweden Category:Passenger ships of Sweden Category:Merchant ships of East Germany Category:Passenger ships of East Germany Category:Merchant ships of Panama Category:Passenger ships of Panama Category:Merchant ships of Italy Category:Passenger ships of Italy Category:Merchant ships of Portugal Category:Passenger ships of Portugal Category:Maritime incidents in the United States Category:Ships of Swedish American Line