Following two years of layup in Greece, the 1990-built, 47,000 gt former cruise ship ‘Horizon’ departed Elefsis Bay bound for a Turkish recycling yard at Aliaga under tow on 25th August.
‘Horizon’ was Celebrity Cruises’ first newbuilding when delivered in 1990 from Meyer Weft.
In 2005, the 1,450-guest ship was transferred to Island Cruises, becoming the ‘Island Star’.
A joint venture between Royal Caribbean and First Choice Holidays, Island Cruises focused on the UK family market during the summer, while targeting a younger audience in Brazil during the winter.
In 2008, she was transferred to Pullmantur Cruceros, another RCI brand. The Spanish-based company used the vessel for European, Caribbean and Latin American cruises.
She was also due to sail for Croisières De France – Pullmantur’s French brand before the Spanish company filed for insolvency.
The vessel sailed on her last cruise in March, 2020 and was then laid up, due to the pandemic halting cruise ship operations worldwide.
