The MS Astor sailed for over 30 years before it was scraped (Picture: Bob Thissen / CATERS NEWS)
While they might have taken a hit during the pandemic, cruise holidays remain as popular as ever.
But one famous ship wound up destined for the scrapyard after becoming a victim of Covid and lockdown – with an eerie look inside showing the abandoned vessel left untouched.
The MS Astor had been playing host to holidaymakers since 1987, with the ship costing a massive £50 million when it was built in what was West Germany.
Now the liner hasn’t been anywhere for four years – and never will again, after it was sent to one of the biggest ship demolition sites in Turkey.
Before it went to the scrapyard, a team of urban explorers captured some amazing snaps of the interior – giving some idea of the luxurious facilities passengers could enjoy onboard during life on the ship.
Many of the rooms and common areas remain in good condition – albeit slightly haunting with the lack of people onboard.
In the bar, drinks still sit on some of the tables (Picture: Bob Thissen / CATERS NEWS)
The facilities included an onboard spa as well as bars, restaurants, a pool, gym and theatre – all of which was left to gather dust after it sailed its final voyage.
In one bar, drinks still remain on tables while the seats are covered in sheets.
Guests could take advantage of spa facilities onboard (Picture: Bob Thissen / CATERS NEWS)
MS Astor previously undertook voyages to Europe, South Africa and Australia – but was grounded for good in 2020 after the company which ran it, Cruise and Maritime Voyages, went into administration.
The company temporarily halted all operations in March 2020 as the virus gripped the world – with reports in July of that year they were facing insolvency.
It even had an onboard theatre (Picture: Bob Thissen / CATERS NEWS)
After an attempt to secure financing to save the company failed, they shut up shop for good in July 2020.
At the time, MS Astor was due to undergo a rebrand which would see it renamed Jules Verne as it entered the French market – which was scheduled for 2021.
However it never happened because of the company’s demise and instead the ship was sold off at auction for $1.7 million.
The ship went on its maiden voyage in 1987 with cruises to Europe, Australia and South Africa (Picture: Bob Thissen / CATERS NEWS)
Areas such as the gym were left to gather dust before the ship faced the scrapyard (Picture: Bob Thissen / CATERS NEWS)
The ship was subsequently sent to a demolition yard in Aliaga, Turkey, where it was scrapped – but not before Bob Thissen and his team of urban explorers were able to go on board and take a look around.
‘It’s a weird sight to see a place like a cruise ship which is normally full of life totally empty,’ Bob said.
‘It’s really sad that a ship in perfect condition like the Astor got scrapped, I’m sure it could have served for a lot more years if it wasn’t for the pandemic.’
The company that ran the ship was a victim of the pandemic (Picture: Bob Thissen / CATERS NEWS)
Prior to their demise, Cruise and Maritime Voyages had six ships taking holidaymakers around the world – the Magellan, Marco Polo, Columbus, Vasco da Gama and Astoria joined the Astor in the oceans.
The company, founded in 2009, sailed out of many UK ports including Tilbury, Liverpool and Hull.
The ship was one of six owned by the company at the time it went into administration (Picture: Bob Thissen / CATERS NEWS)
Of course you’ll never get the chance to take a voyage on the Astor – but with travel having all but returned to normal following the pandemic, other options are available – such as the Icon of The Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship which recently embarked on its maiden voyage.
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