MV Ocean Star Pacific
MV Ocean Star Pacific was a cruise ship launched in 1971 that operated under several names and owners before being decommissioned in 2015.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
MV Ocean Star Pacific was the final commercial identity of a cruise ship originally built as MV Nordic Prince for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Constructed by Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, the vessel was launched in July 1970 and entered service in July 1971. It was the second ship built for Royal Caribbean and belonged to an early generation of purpose-built modern cruise ships, designed primarily for passenger cruising rather than conversion from an earlier vessel type. The ship initially operated Caribbean itineraries from Miami for Royal Caribbean. In 1980, it underwent a major lengthening at the Wärtsilä Helsinki yard, extending the hull by approximately 26 metres. As Royal Caribbean added newer and larger ships during the late 1980s, Nordic Prince was reassigned to longer worldwide cruising. In 1995, it became the first Royal Caribbean vessel to be displaced by newer tonnage and was sold to Sun Cruises. Sun Cruises renamed the ship Carousel. After modifications that included removal of the sky lounge surrounding its funnel, Carousel began Mediterranean cruises during the summer and Caribbean cruises during the winter. In February 2000, the vessel grounded near Cancún, Mexico. Five cruises were cancelled while repairs were carried out. The ship later received funnel colours associated with MyTravel during the final period of its Sun Cruises service. In 2004, the vessel was sold to Louis Cruise Lines while remaining under charter to Sun Cruises until May 2005. It was then renamed Aquamarine and used for seven-day Mediterranean cruises beginning from Genoa. A five-year charter to Transocean Tours began in 2006, under which it was renamed Arielle. That arrangement appears to have ended before the full charter term, and the ship returned to Louis Cruise Lines as Aquamarine by early 2008. Aquamarine suffered hull damage in May 2008 after scraping a pier while departing Iraklio, Crete, for Santorini. A gash approximately 1.5 metres long was discovered above the waterline. The 872 passengers and 407 crew members aboard were reported safe, although the ship was diverted to Milos for attention. Louis Cruises announced the sale of the vessel to Mexican operator Ocean Star Cruises in December 2010. The ship was renamed Ocean Star Pacific, underwent maintenance at Curaçao, and entered service for its new operator in April 2011. Its renewed career was short-lived. On 15 April 2011, an engine-room fire disabled the ship at Huatulco, Mexico. After extensive repairs in Salina Cruz, it resumed Mexican Riviera operations but experienced another major breakdown in July 2011 involving its cooling and air-conditioning systems. PV Enterprises International acquired the vessel in May 2012. Following seaworthiness certification later that year, it was renamed Pacific in November. By the end of its life, it was being moved toward the ship-breaking industry. Sailing as Pacific Victory, it ran aground in Sarangani Bay in December 2014 while en route to Alang, India. It reached Alang in February 2015 for decommissioning. The ship also had a minor screen appearance in the opening scene of the Miami Vice season-two episode "Trust Fund Pirates." Its IMO number was 7027411.
History
The vessel that ultimately became MV Ocean Star Pacific began its career as MV Nordic Prince, the second ship constructed for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Built by Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, it was launched on 9 July 1970 and entered service on 31 July 1971. Alongside its sister ship Song of Norway, Nordic Prince represented an early generation of modern purpose-built cruise ships. Its original deployment was in the Caribbean, with Miami serving as the principal starting port. In June 1980, Royal Caribbean lengthened the ship by 26 metres at the Wärtsilä Helsinki yard. The modification extended the useful life of the vessel and increased its capacity and operational flexibility. During the late 1980s, the company introduced newer tonnage, and Nordic Prince was increasingly used for worldwide cruises rather than remaining exclusively in the Caribbean. The ship left Royal Caribbean ownership in March 1995, when it was sold to Sun Cruises. Before entering service with its new operator, the sky lounge around the funnel was removed. Renamed Carousel, it operated Mediterranean cruises during summer periods and returned to Caribbean routes in winter. In February 2000, it grounded near Cancún, Mexico, resulting in the cancellation of five cruises while repairs were completed. During its later Sun Cruises period, the vessel adopted MyTravel-related funnel colours. Sun Cruises subsequently reduced its cruise operations, and the ship was sold to Louis Cruise Lines in July 2004 while remaining chartered to Sun Cruises until May 2005. Louis Cruise Lines renamed the vessel Aquamarine. From June 2005, it operated seven-day Mediterranean cruises, with Genoa as a principal embarkation point. In April 2006, it entered a planned five-year charter with Transocean Tours and was renamed Arielle. The charter ended earlier than planned, and the ship had returned to the Louis fleet and the Aquamarine name by early 2008. In May 2008, Aquamarine was diverted to the Greek island of Milos after sustaining a hull gash while scraping a pier during departure from Iraklio, Crete. The ship had been heading toward Santorini. The reported damage was approximately 1.5 metres long and located about 1.5 metres above the waterline. No injuries among the 872 passengers and 407 crew were reported in the available account. Louis Cruises announced in December 2010 that the ship would be sold to Mexican operator Ocean Star Cruises. After maintenance at Caracas Bay on Curaçao, it was renamed Ocean Star Pacific and entered service on 10 April 2011. Its Mexican operation was disrupted almost immediately by an engine-room fire at Huatulco on 15 April. Following extensive repairs in Salina Cruz, the ship returned to the Mexican Riviera, but another breakdown on 26 July 2011 affected its cooling and air-conditioning systems. The vessel was subsequently planned for continued operation into 2012, although its service career did not develop into a long-term revival. PV Enterprises International acquired the ship in May 2012. After receiving seaworthiness certification in July, it was renamed Pacific in November. Later, it was identified as Pacific Victory while being moved for scrapping. In December 2014, it grounded in Sarangani Bay, Manila, during a voyage to Alang, India. It eventually arrived at Alang in February 2015 for decommissioning. Across its career, the vessel carried several identities—Nordic Prince, Carousel, Aquamarine, Arielle, Ocean Star Pacific, Pacific, and Pacific Victory—reflecting repeated changes in ownership, chartering, market positioning, and operational purpose.
- 2015
Arrives at Alang for decommissioning
[1]The former cruise ship reached Alang in February for dismantling.
- 2014
Grounded while being moved for scrapping
[2]As Pacific Victory, the ship grounded in Sarangani Bay while en route to Alang.
- 2012
Acquired by PV Enterprises International
[1]PV Enterprises International acquired the vessel, which later received seaworthiness certification and was renamed Pacific.
- 2011
Ocean Star Pacific enters service
[1]After maintenance at Curaçao, the ship entered Ocean Star Cruises service on 10 April.
- 2011
Engine-room fire at Huatulco
[1]An engine-room fire disabled the ship shortly after the start of its Mexican service.
- 2010
Sale to Ocean Star Cruises announced
[1]Louis Cruises announced the sale of Aquamarine to the Mexican operator Ocean Star Cruises.
- 2008
Hull damage near Crete
[1]Aquamarine was diverted to Milos after scraping a pier while departing Iraklio.
- 2006
Chartered and renamed Arielle
[1]Transocean Tours chartered the ship and operated it under the Arielle name.
- 2005
Renamed Aquamarine
[1]Louis Cruise Lines introduced the ship as Aquamarine for seven-day Mediterranean itineraries.
- 2004
Transferred to Louis Cruise Lines
[1]The vessel was sold to Louis Cruise Lines while remaining on charter to Sun Cruises until May 2005.
Products and positioning
A mid-sized, purpose-built passenger cruise ship whose commercial identity changed with successive operators, charter arrangements, and regional itineraries.
Cruise ship · 1970
MV Ocean Star Pacific
A passenger cruise ship originally built as Nordic Prince for Royal Caribbean. Over its operating life it served Caribbean, Mediterranean, worldwide, and Mexican Riviera itineraries under multiple owners and names. The vessel was lengthened in 1980 and later operated as Carousel, Aquamarine, Arielle, Ocean Star Pacific, Pacific, and Pacific Victory before being sent to Alang for decommissioning.
Brand decisions
2012
Acquisition by PV Enterprises InternationalM&ABackground
The vessel's service under Ocean Star Cruises had been interrupted by fire and mechanical problems.
Action taken
PV Enterprises International acquired the ship and later renamed it Pacific.
Aftermath
The vessel moved away from regular cruise operations and was ultimately directed toward ship breaking.
2010
Sale to Ocean Star CruisesM&ABackground
Louis Cruises was renewing its fleet and reducing its reliance on older tonnage.
Action taken
Louis Cruises announced the sale of Aquamarine to Mexican operator Ocean Star Cruises.
Aftermath
The ship was renamed Ocean Star Pacific and redeployed toward Mexican Riviera cruising.
2006
Transocean Tours charterStrategyBackground
Louis Cruise Lines made the vessel available under a planned long-term charter.
Action taken
Transocean Tours chartered the ship and renamed it Arielle.
Aftermath
The charter appears to have ended before its planned five-year term, after which the ship returned to Louis Cruise Lines as Aquamarine.
1995
Sale from Royal Caribbean to Sun CruisesM&ABackground
Royal Caribbean had acquired newer and larger ships, reducing the role of Nordic Prince in its fleet.
Action taken
The ship was sold to Sun Cruises and renamed Carousel.
Aftermath
It shifted to seasonal Mediterranean and Caribbean cruising.
1980
Lengthening of Nordic PrinceGeneration changeBackground
Royal Caribbean retained the vessel in service while adapting it to changing cruise-market requirements.
Action taken
The ship was lengthened by approximately 26 metres at Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard.
Aftermath
The modification extended the vessel's operating life and supported continued cruise deployment.
Sources2 sources
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