Cruise ships that launched in 1995 - where are they now?

1995 was a landmark year for cruising with many ships setting sail for the very first time. Some cruise ships pushed the boundaries of innovation and were the first of their kind, while others embraced timeless traditions that many knew and loved. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we're taking a look back at some of the cruise ships that made their debut in the same year that ROL Cruise was founded. We reveal whether they have stood the test of time, undergone dramatic transformations, or sailed into retirement. Join us as we uncover the fascinating journeys of these iconic vessels over the past three decades.

Throughout its history, Princess Cruises has had three ships named Sun Princess in its fleet. The second to carry the name joined the fleet in 1995. At the time, Sun Princess was one of the largest cruise ships in the world and boasted the highest number of balcony staterooms. Guests were treated to the first-ever 24-hour café at sea and Piazza with panoramic views. The Sanctuary suites, an exclusive Sanctuary restaurant, and a spa-like Sanctuary club elevated onboard luxury further. Sun Princess appeared on the popular television series The Love Boat: The Next Wave between 1998 and 1999. She also made history in 2007, becoming the largest ship to pass beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After 25 years of service, she was sold to Peace Boat in September 2020 and was renamed Pacific World. A new chapter began in 2023 with the launch of Princess Cruises’ brand-new Sun Princess, continuing the innovation and elegance in the fleet.

Launched in 1995, Celebrity Century was the first ship in the Celebrity Cruises’ groundbreaking Century Class fleet. This new generation of vessels was sleeker, more spacious, and more refined than its predecessors, setting a new standard for modern cruising with its elegant design and enhanced onboard experiences. Celebrity Century was among the first cruise ships to have a Martini Bar and the first Celebrity Cruises ship to feature the Murano speciality restaurant. She was also celebrated for having a sophisticated Broadway-style theatre, a stylish glass-walled observation lounge, and multiple dining venues. In 2014, it was announced that Celebrity Century would leave the Celebrity Cruises fleet and join SkySea Cruises. 

In 1995, Silver Wind followed in the footsteps of her sister, Silver Cloud, which debuted a year earlier. Together, they set a new benchmark for small-ship ultra-luxury cruising, offering all-suite accommodation, world-class dining, and personalised service. Silversea Cruises proudly hold the reputation of being the first all-inclusive, luxury global cruise line. In 2021, Silver Wind received a transformative refurbishment, which included a reinforced ice-class hull, state-of-the-art ice-detecting sonar, a fleet of 24 Zodiacs, and cutting-edge technology for seamless navigation in polar regions, among much more. These changes equipped her for expedition cruising in some of the world’s most remote destinations, ensuring she remains at the forefront of luxury adventure travel.

With its extensive maritime history and reputation as one of the first companies to offer leisure cruises, P&O Cruises was ahead of its time with the launch of Oriana, which was purpose-built solely to cater to the British market. In 1995, Oriana was christened by Queen Elizabeth II and became the flagship for over two decades. Classic afternoon teas, West End-style productions, and a sophisticated yet family-friendly ambience were some of the many highlights that cruisers enjoyed most. In August 2019, Oriana was sold and renamed Piano Land. 

Thirty years ago, Royal Caribbean launched Legend of the Seas. At the time of being built, she was the cruise line’s largest and most luxurious ship.  As the first ship in the Vision class, Legend of the Seas boasted larger cabins, more space per passenger, and more public areas than her predecessors. Beloved features included a miniature golf course, an adults-only indoor/outdoor swimming pool, and a soaring central atrium offering impressive, large-scale entertainment, amongst many other things. In 2017, Legend of the Seas was sold to Marella Cruises, where she was refurbished and rebranded as Marella Discovery 2.