MV Horizon
MV Horizon was a cruise ship that served several international cruise operators from 1990 until its withdrawal and scrapping in the early 2020s.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
MV Horizon was a cruise ship built by Meyer Werft and delivered in 1990 for the newly established Celebrity Cruises brand. Originally ordered by Chandris Cruises as a replacement for Amerikanis in the Chandris Fantasy fleet, the vessel was transferred to Celebrity Cruises while still under construction after Chandris reached an agreement connected with the creation of the upscale Bermuda-based cruise company. Horizon was important in both companies' development because it was the first new-build ship ordered for Chandris and Celebrity; before its arrival, both businesses had primarily operated second-hand vessels. The ship was designed with a distinctive exterior by Jon Bannenberg. Its interiors were developed by Athens-based Michael Katsourakis, Patricia Hayes & Associates, and British designer John McNeece. Myrto Chandris, wife of Chandris founder Dimitri Chandris, christened the vessel, which was delivered on April 11, 1990. Celebrity initially deployed Horizon on summer cruises from New York to Bermuda, including calls at Hamilton and St. George's, while winter schedules focused on the Caribbean. The ship later became Celebrity's first vessel to operate Alaska itineraries. A closely related sister ship, Zenith, joined the fleet in 1992. Horizon left Celebrity Cruises in September 2005 after approximately fifteen years of service. It was transferred to Island Cruises, then a Royal Caribbean-related business, and received refits during late 2005 and early 2006. Under the name Island Star, it operated Mediterranean cruises from Palma de Mallorca and Caribbean cruises during later winter seasons. Island Cruises marketed the vessel around a relaxed, friendly, and informal style of cruising. Following changes in the ownership structure of Island Cruises in 2008, the ship was associated with several Royal Caribbean-affiliated and partner brands. It was repainted in Pullmantur colors and renamed Pacific Dream in 2009, although remnants of its former Celebrity identity remained visible during the transition. In 2012 it became L'Horizon and was used by CDF Croisières de France. When that brand was scheduled for discontinuation in 2016, the vessel was expected to return to Pullmantur's fleet. The final phase of Horizon's operating life was shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial collapse of Pullmantur Cruises. In March 2020, a crew member reported that another crew member had tested positive while approximately 250 crew members and contractors were isolated aboard the ship in Dubai. Pullmantur entered financial reorganization in Spain in June 2020, and the fleet, including Horizon, was subsequently placed into a disposition process. Horizon was laid up at Elefsis Bay, Greece, by August 2020. On August 25, 2022, it departed under tow for Aliağa, Turkey, where it was sent for scrapping.
History
Horizon was ordered on April 28, 1988, from Meyer Werft by Chandris Cruises. The original plan was to use the vessel as a replacement for Amerikanis in the Chandris Fantasy fleet. During construction, however, the ship was transferred to the new Celebrity Cruises operation, which had been formed after an agreement involving the government of Bermuda. This change gave Horizon a foundational role in Celebrity's fleet development: it was the first new-build ship ordered by Chandris and the new Celebrity brand, both of which had previously relied on second-hand ships. The ship's exterior was designed by Jon Bannenberg. Its principal interior designers were Michael Katsourakis, Patricia Hayes & Associates, and John McNeece. Myrto Chandris christened the vessel, and Meyer Werft delivered it on April 11, 1990. Celebrity placed Horizon on New York–Bermuda cruises during the summer, with Hamilton and St. George's among its calls, and Caribbean cruises during the winter. The vessel subsequently expanded Celebrity's destination range by becoming the brand's first ship to operate Alaska cruises. Its sister ship Zenith entered service in 1992. Horizon remained with Celebrity Cruises until September 2005. It was then transferred to Island Cruises, a business associated with Royal Caribbean, and underwent refits over the end of 2005 and beginning of 2006. As Island Star, it operated Mediterranean itineraries from Palma de Mallorca and later Caribbean winter programs. Island Cruises promoted the ship through an informal and approachable holiday proposition rather than a highly formal luxury model. Ownership and brand arrangements involving Island Cruises changed in 2008. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. sold its 50 percent interest in Island Cruises to First Choice Holidays on October 6 of that year. Reports subsequently connected the ship with Pullmantur Cruises and CDF Croisières de France, both within the wider Royal Caribbean business network. Photographs from 2009 showed the vessel in Pullmantur colors under the name Pacific Dream. The former Celebrity logo had been painted over but remained partly discernible. The ship continued to serve European and Caribbean routes. In November 2010, reports indicated that Pacific Dream would replace Bleu de France. The vessel was renamed L'Horizon in 2012 and operated for CDF Croisières de France. In late 2016, CDF announced that its brand would be discontinued, and Horizon was expected to return to Pullmantur's fleet. The ship's active career ended during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 28, 2020, an anonymous crew member reported that a crew member had tested positive two days earlier. Horizon had been docked at Port Rashid in Dubai since March 15, with roughly 250 crew members and contractors aboard and under isolation measures. Pullmantur entered financial reorganization under Spanish insolvency law in June 2020. In July, Royal Caribbean chief executive Richard Fain said that Horizon and the rest of the Pullmantur fleet had been or would be sold. By August the vessel was laid up at Elefsis Bay in Greece. On August 25, 2022, tugs moved it from Eleusis to Aliağa, Turkey, where it was sent for scrapping.
- 2022
Sent for scrapping
[1]Horizon was towed from Greece to Aliağa, Turkey, on August 25 for dismantling.
- 2020
Service ends amid pandemic and Pullmantur reorganization
[1]COVID-19 restrictions, a reported onboard infection, and Pullmantur's Spanish financial reorganization ended the ship's active cruise career.
- 2016
Planned return to Pullmantur
[1]After the planned discontinuation of CDF Croisières de France, Horizon was announced as returning to Pullmantur's fleet.
- 2012
Renamed L'Horizon
[1]The vessel adopted the name L'Horizon while operating for CDF Croisières de France.
- 2009
Renamed Pacific Dream
[1]The ship appeared in Pullmantur colors and operated under the name Pacific Dream on European and Caribbean itineraries.
- 2006
Refitted for Island Cruises
[1]The ship underwent refits during late 2005 and early 2006 before entering service as Island Star.
- 2005
Leaves Celebrity Cruises
[1]After approximately fifteen years with Celebrity, Horizon was transferred to Island Cruises.
- 1992
Sister ship Zenith joins the fleet
[1]The arrival of Zenith created a closely related sister-ship pairing within Celebrity Cruises.
- 1990
Delivered to the new Celebrity Cruises operation
[1]Meyer Werft delivered Horizon on April 11. The ship entered service as the first new-build vessel for Celebrity Cruises and Chandris.
- 1988
Construction ordered
[1]Chandris Cruises placed an order with Meyer Werft for a new ship intended to replace Amerikanis in the Chandris Fantasy fleet.
Products and positioning
Horizon was positioned differently under each operator. Celebrity Cruises presented it as an upscale new-build vessel serving Bermuda, Caribbean, and Alaska markets. Island Cruises later emphasized a relaxed, friendly, and informal holiday experience, while subsequent operators used the ship within mainstream European, Mediterranean, and Caribbean cruise programs.
Cruise ship · 1990
Horizon
Horizon was a purpose-built passenger cruise ship delivered by Meyer Werft in 1990. It began with New York–Bermuda and Caribbean service for Celebrity Cruises, later adding Alaska voyages. Across its career it was refitted and rebranded for Island Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, and CDF Croisières de France, operating Mediterranean, European, and Caribbean itineraries.
Brand decisions
2020
Withdrawal and disposal after Pullmantur reorganizationStrategyBackground
The pandemic disrupted cruise operations, while Pullmantur entered financial reorganization under Spanish insolvency law.
Action taken
Horizon was withdrawn, laid up in Greece, and included in the fleet disposition process.
Aftermath
The ship did not return to regular cruise service and was later sold for dismantling.
2012
Renaming as L'HorizonStrategyBackground
CDF Croisières de France used the vessel within its French-market cruise operation.
Action taken
Pacific Dream was renamed L'Horizon.
Aftermath
The ship continued operating European cruise itineraries until CDF's planned discontinuation.
2009
Rebranding as Pacific DreamStrategyBackground
Changes involving Island Cruises and related operators led to the vessel being associated with Pullmantur Cruises.
Action taken
The ship was repainted in Pullmantur colors and renamed Pacific Dream.
Aftermath
It continued cruise service on European and Caribbean routes under a new operating brand.
2005
Transfer to Island CruisesStrategyBackground
After fifteen years with Celebrity Cruises, Horizon was moved to another cruise operation within the wider Royal Caribbean-related business structure.
Action taken
The ship was refitted and renamed Island Star for Island Cruises.
Aftermath
It shifted from Celebrity's upscale positioning to Island Cruises' more relaxed and informal holiday proposition.
1988
Transfer from Chandris Cruises to Celebrity CruisesStrategyBackground
Horizon was ordered for Chandris Cruises but construction coincided with the formation of Celebrity Cruises following an agreement involving Bermuda.
Action taken
The vessel was reassigned while under construction and entered service as the first new build for Celebrity Cruises.
Aftermath
The ship became a foundational unit in Celebrity's early fleet and helped establish the brand's new-build identity.
Sources2 sources
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