The MS Astoria, one of the world’s oldest cruise ships, has arrived in Ghent, Belgium, to be dismantled after 77 years of service. Purchased for just €200,000 by recycling firm Galloo, the ship was towed from Rotterdam where it had been laid up since 2020 marking the end of a remarkable maritime legacy.

Launched in 1948 as the transatlantic liner MS Stockholm, the ship gained international attention after colliding with the Andrea Doria in 1956, a tragic accident that claimed 51 lives. Over its long career, the vessel sailed under various names and flags, including a stint as a cruise ship for East Germany, restricted to passengers loyal to the ruling Socialist Unity Party.

MS Astoria’s retirement adds to a growing list of scrapped cruise ships in recent years, though few can match its longevity. Unlike more modern vessels scrapped at half its age, the Astoria sailed with guests for over seven decades an extraordinary feat in the cruise industry.