MV Regent Sky
MV Regent Sky was an unfinished cruise ship that was converted from a planned Stena Line cruise ferry and ultimately sold for scrap.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
MV Regent Sky was an unfinished passenger vessel whose construction and conversion extended across Poland and Greece without ever reaching commercial service. The ship began as Stena Baltica, one of four broadly similar cruise-ferry projects ordered for Stena Line. The order was placed in 1979, and the vessel was laid down in 1985 at Stocznia im. Lenina in Gdańsk, Poland. Construction difficulties at the shipyard led to cancellation of the project in 1986, leaving the vessel incomplete and contributing to delays affecting its sister ships. In 1989, the unfinished hull was acquired by A. Lelakis, the owner of Regency Cruises. Regency had previously built its fleet largely by purchasing and converting existing ocean liners, and the company intended the vessel to become its first newly developed ship. The hull was towed to Avlis Shipyards at Perama, Greece, a facility also associated with Lelakis, where a major conversion into a cruise ship began. The project was reported to involve approximately US$200 million in planned work. During the Greek conversion, the ship was renamed Regent Sky, lengthened by 50 metres at Elefsis Shipyards, and fitted with approximately 7,000 tons of additional steel. Wärtsilä main engines were also installed during the work. The conversion was never completed. In 1995, while the ship was at Avlis Shipyards near Chalkis, Greece, Regency Cruises ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy. Regent Sky was then left unfinished at roughly 60 percent completion. The collapse of the intended operator also left the vessel without an operating program, and the ship became subject to creditor and ownership disputes. In July 1999, it was seized by the National Bank of Greece and the Hellenic Industrial Development Bank. For the following years, Regent Sky remained laid up at several Greek locations, including Perama, Ambelakia and Kinossoura. It was later held at anchorage off Eleusis. Multiple attempts to sell the vessel through auction failed, while exposure to the elements caused extensive deterioration. The ship eventually lost the engines installed during the conversion, leaving it without propulsion. Its bow was also never fully completed. Renderings of the proposed finished vessel circulated during the project, including one concept in which it was named Zoe and shown with a white hull and red funnel, but no completed commercial version entered service. Regent Sky was sold for scrap in July 2011. It reached the demolition facilities at Aliaga, Turkey, on 16 July 2012. Its history is notable not as an operating cruise brand but as an unusually long-lived incomplete passenger-ship project: a vessel ordered for one operator, repurposed for another, repeatedly relocated, and ultimately dismantled after more than two decades in unfinished condition.
History
MV Regent Sky originated in a four-vessel cruise-ferry program ordered for Stena Line in 1979. The ship was laid down in 1985 at Stocznia im. Lenina in Gdańsk under the name Stena Baltica. The program encountered shipyard problems, and construction of Stena Baltica was cancelled in 1986 before the vessel was completed. The unfinished hull remained available until 1989, when it was purchased by A. Lelakis, the owner of Regency Cruises. Regency had historically obtained and converted existing ocean liners, but intended to use this vessel as its first new ship. The hull was towed to Avlis Shipyards at Perama, Greece, where a conversion into a cruise ship commenced. The ship was renamed Regent Sky, lengthened by 50 metres at Elefsis Shipyards, and reinforced with approximately 7,000 tons of new steel. Wärtsilä main engines were installed during the conversion, and the overall project was associated with an estimated US$200 million investment. The work progressed only partially. In 1995, while Regent Sky was at Avlis Shipyards near Chalkis, Regency Cruises ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy. The vessel was then approximately 60 percent complete and had no viable operating company to bring it into service. In July 1999, it was seized by the National Bank of Greece and the Hellenic Industrial Development Bank. Subsequent attempts to sell it at auction did not succeed. Regent Sky spent its remaining years in Greek lay-up locations, including Perama, Ambelakia, Kinossoura and an anchorage off Eleusis. The unfinished structure deteriorated heavily. The engines installed during conversion were later removed, leaving the vessel unpowered, and the foremost section of the bow was never completed. Design renderings showed possible finished configurations, including a proposed version called Zoe with a white hull and red funnel, but these concepts never became an operating ship. The vessel was sold for scrap in July 2011 and arrived at Aliaga, Turkey, on 16 July 2012 for demolition. Because it remained incomplete throughout its existence as a cruise-ship project, Regent Sky is remembered primarily as a failed conversion and construction project rather than as a passenger-service brand.
- 2012
Arrived at Aliaga for demolition
[1]The ship reached Aliaga, Turkey, on 16 July for scrapping.
- 2011
Sold for scrap
[1]After years of failed sale attempts and lay-up, Regent Sky was sold for demolition.
- 1999
Seized by creditors
[1]The vessel was seized by two Greek financial institutions.
- 1995
Conversion halted after operator bankruptcy
[1]Regency Cruises ceased operations while the ship was about 60 percent complete.
- 1989
Acquired by Regency Cruises
[1]A. Lelakis acquired the unfinished hull, renamed it Regent Sky, and moved it to Greece for conversion.
- 1986
Construction cancelled
[1]Problems at the shipyard led to cancellation of the incomplete Stena Baltica project.
- 1985
Stena Baltica laid down
[1]Construction began at Stocznia im. Lenina in Gdańsk, Poland.
- 1979
Cruise-ferry order placed
[1]The vessel was ordered for Stena Line as part of a planned group of four similar cruise ferries.
Products and positioning
Planned as a large cruise ferry for Stena Line and later repositioned as a new-build cruise ship for Regency Cruises, but never completed or placed into passenger service.
Unfinished cruise ship
MV Regent Sky
The vessel was originally ordered as the Stena Baltica, a planned cruise ferry for Stena Line. After acquisition by Regency Cruises, it was renamed Regent Sky and subjected to a substantial conversion at Greek shipyards. The project included a 50-metre lengthening, installation of approximately 7,000 tons of steel and fitting of Wärtsilä main engines. The ship never entered service, and its incomplete bow and later removal of its engines reflected the abandonment of the project.
Brand decisions
1995
Regency Cruises ends operationsOtherBackground
Regent Sky was still under conversion and was approximately 60 percent complete when its intended operator became insolvent.
Action taken
Regency Cruises ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy.
Aftermath
The ship was left without an operator, later seized by creditors, and remained in Greek lay-up until being sold for scrap.
1989
Regency Cruises begins new-build conversion projectStrategyBackground
Regency Cruises acquired the incomplete Stena Baltica hull as an opportunity to develop its first new ship rather than continue relying on purchased and converted ocean liners.
Action taken
The company towed the hull to Greece, renamed it Regent Sky, and began a large-scale cruise-ship conversion and lengthening program.
Aftermath
The project remained incomplete after Regency Cruises ceased operations in 1995.
Planned conversion cost. US$200 million planned investment (1989 onward)
Recent events
- 2012
Regent Sky arrives at Aliaga for demolition[1]
Other
The former Stena Baltica reached Aliaga, Turkey, on 16 July 2012 for final dismantling.
- 2011
Regent Sky sold for scrapping[1]
Other
After repeated failed sale attempts and years in Greek lay-up locations, Regent Sky was sold for demolition.
- 1999
Regent Sky seized by Greek banks[1]
Other
The unfinished vessel was seized by the National Bank of Greece and the Hellenic Industrial Development Bank after the failure of its intended operator.
- 1995
Regency Cruises ceases operations during conversion[1]
Bankruptcy
Regency Cruises stopped operating while Regent Sky was approximately 60 percent complete, ending the planned conversion and leaving the vessel laid up.
- 1989
Unfinished hull acquired by Regency Cruises[1]
Other
Regency Cruises acquired the incomplete vessel, renamed it Regent Sky, and moved it to Greece for conversion into a cruise ship.
- 1986
Stena Baltica construction project cancelled[1]
Other
Construction of the vessel originally ordered as Stena Baltica was cancelled after problems at the Polish shipyard affected the project.
Sources1 sources
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