MS Dream

MS Dream is a Sun-class cruise ship whose operational identity has changed several times during more than two decades of service. The vessel was constructed in Italy by Fincantieri and delivered to Princess Cruises in 1998 as Sea Princess. It initially operated within Princess Cruises’ international cruise network, serving itineraries associated with the company’s broader leisure-travel business. At the end of 2002 or beginning of 2003, the ship was transferred to P&O Cruises and renamed Adonia. The renaming took place on 21 May 2003 during a ceremony associated with the launch of sister ship Oceana. The event involved the Princess Royal and Zara Phillips and was described in contemporary accounts as the first double ship-naming ceremony held in the United Kingdom. Adonia temporarily helped P&O Cruises maintain fleet capacity between the departure of Arcadia for Ocean Village and the arrival of a new Arcadia in 2005. Princess Cruises reacquired the vessel in 2005 and restored the Sea Princess name. Actress Joanna Lumley participated in the associated naming ceremony. The ship continued to operate for Princess Cruises for many years and later became associated with Australian cruising. From 2019, it was homeported in Australia, with planned departures from Fremantle and Adelaide for the 2020–2021 season. The vessel’s Princess Cruises career included several operational and public-health incidents. Norovirus outbreaks affected passengers and crew in 2006 and again in 2018. In 2016, Australian authorities discovered a large cocaine shipment aboard the ship after it docked in Sydney, leading to the arrest of three Canadian nationals. These incidents did not end the vessel’s service life, but they became notable parts of its public record. In September 2020, Princess Cruises announced that the ship had been sold. It was delivered on 13 November 2020 to Sanya International Cruise Development and renamed Charming. The ship did not enter commercial service under that name, largely because the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the cruise industry. It remained laid up, although reconditioning work was reportedly undertaken in 2021 at China Merchants Industry Holding’s shipyard at Mazhou Island. In January 2023, Charming was sold to Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line and renamed Dream. The vessel was assigned to Tianjin and resumed cruise operations in September 2023. Its announced itineraries included voyages to Jeju in South Korea and Japanese ports. Under the MS Dream identity, it represents a China-based revival of a mature international cruise asset rather than a newly built ship. Its history reflects the transfer of cruise tonnage among major operators, the impact of the pandemic on passenger shipping, and the reuse of an established vessel for regional Northeast Asian itineraries.

MS Dream was built in Italy by Fincantieri as part of the Sun class of cruise ships. It was delivered to Princess Cruises in 1998 and entered service under the name Sea Princess. The ship spent its first major operating period with Princess Cruises, carrying passengers on international leisure itineraries. The vessel was transferred to P&O Cruises around the end of 2002 or the beginning of 2003 and renamed Adonia on 21 May 2003. Its naming ceremony took place in the United Kingdom in connection with the launch of Oceana. The Princess Royal and Zara Phillips participated in the ceremony, which was notable for naming two ships at the same event. Adonia served a temporary fleet role for P&O Cruises, helping cover capacity between the departure of Arcadia for Ocean Village and the introduction of a replacement Arcadia in 2005. When Princess Cruises reacquired the ship in 2005, it restored the Sea Princess name. Joanna Lumley took part in the related naming ceremony. The vessel continued under Princess Cruises for the following years and was later deployed in Australian cruising. In 2019 it was homeported in Australia, with future seasonal operations planned from Fremantle and Adelaide. Sea Princess experienced several incidents while in service. In 2006, an outbreak of norovirus affected roughly 250 people, including crew. The vessel returned to Southampton early, underwent extensive cleaning, and provided compensation to affected passengers. A further outbreak occurred on the following cruise, while severe weather in the vicinity of Ushant caused a missed port call. In January 2018, another norovirus episode was reported during a Brisbane–New Zealand round trip. The most serious law-enforcement incident occurred in August 2016. After the ship arrived in Sydney Harbour, Australian Border Force officers searched it with drug-detection dogs and found approximately 95 kilograms of cocaine in suitcases. Three Canadian nationals were arrested. The discovery became a prominent part of the ship’s public history, although it was a criminal incident involving individuals aboard the vessel rather than a change in the ship’s ownership or operating brand. In September 2020, Princess Cruises announced that Sea Princess had been sold. Delivery took place on 13 November 2020, after which the ship was renamed Charming. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the vessel from entering normal service under the new name. It remained laid up, with some refurbishment work reportedly completed in 2021 at Mazhou Island by a China Merchants Industry Holding shipyard. In January 2023, the ship was sold to Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line and renamed Dream. It was based in Tianjin and returned to cruise operations in September 2023. Its reported routes included Jeju in South Korea and ports in Japan. The vessel’s career therefore spans several cruise brands and operating regions: Princess Cruises, a temporary P&O Cruises deployment, a period of non-operation under the Charming name, and a later China-based career as MS Dream.

• 2023

  Became MS Dream and resumed service

  [1]MS Dream (1998)en.wikipedia.org

  Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line acquired the ship, renamed it Dream, based it in Tianjin, and restarted cruises in September.

• 2020

  Sold and renamed Charming

  [1]MS Dream (1998)en.wikipedia.org

  The ship was sold by Princess Cruises and delivered to Sanya International Cruise Development under the Charming name.

• 2019

  Australian homeport deployment

  [1]MS Dream (1998)en.wikipedia.org

  Sea Princess was based in Australia, with planned seasonal departures from Fremantle and Adelaide.

• 2005

  Returned to Princess Cruises as Sea Princess

  [1]MS Dream (1998)en.wikipedia.org

  Princess Cruises reacquired the ship and restored the Sea Princess identity.

• 2003

  Renamed Adonia by P&O Cruises

  [1]MS Dream (1998)en.wikipedia.org

  After transfer to P&O Cruises, the vessel was renamed Adonia during a United Kingdom naming ceremony.

• 1998

  Delivered as Sea Princess

  [1]MS Dream (1998)en.wikipedia.org

  Fincantieri delivered the Sun-class vessel to Princess Cruises, where it entered service as Sea Princess.

A full-service passenger cruise ship serving regional and international leisure itineraries, currently positioned for Northeast Asian departures from Tianjin.

• Cruise ship · 1998

  MS Dream cruise ship

  The core and only product represented by the subject is the passenger vessel itself. Built as a Sun-class cruise ship, it provides the physical platform for passenger cabins, dining, entertainment, onboard services, and organized leisure voyages. Its commercial identity has changed with ownership and fleet assignment: Sea Princess under Princess Cruises, Adonia under P&O Cruises, Charming after the 2020 sale, and MS Dream after the 2023 acquisition. The vessel’s current reported role is regional cruising from Tianjin to destinations in Northeast Asia.

• 2016

  Cocaine smuggling case aboard Sea Princess

  Australian Border Force officers found approximately 95 kilograms of cocaine in suitcases after the ship docked in Sydney Harbour. Three Canadian nationals were arrested. The incident was a law-enforcement matter involving people aboard the ship, not an allegation that the vessel operator authorized the shipment.

  Source

Read more

• 2023

  Acquisition by Tianjin Orient International Cruise LineM&A

  Background

  After remaining laid up under the Charming name, the ship was acquired for a new China-based operating role.

  Action taken

  Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line purchased the vessel, renamed it Dream, based it in Tianjin, and returned it to cruise service in September.

  Aftermath

  MS Dream began serving reported itineraries to Jeju and Japanese ports.

  Source

• 2020

  Sale to Sanya International Cruise DevelopmentM&A

  Background

  Princess Cruises announced the sale of Sea Princess during the severe disruption to global cruising caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Action taken

  The ship was delivered in November 2020 and renamed Charming.

  Aftermath

  The vessel remained out of commercial service under the new name, although reconditioning work was reported in 2021.

  Source

• 2005

  Reacquisition by Princess CruisesStrategy

  Background

  After its temporary P&O Cruises deployment, the vessel was brought back into the Princess Cruises fleet.

  Action taken

  Princess Cruises reacquired the ship and restored the Sea Princess name.

  Aftermath

  The vessel continued in Princess Cruises service and later operated from Australian homeports.

  Source

• 2003

  Temporary transfer to P&O CruisesStrategy

  Background

  P&O Cruises required an interim fleet vessel during the period between Arcadia’s departure for Ocean Village and the arrival of a new Arcadia.

  Action taken

  The ship was transferred from Princess Cruises, renamed Adonia, and deployed within P&O Cruises.

  Aftermath

  The ship returned to Princess Cruises in 2005 and resumed the Sea Princess name.

  Source

1. 1MS Dream (1998)en.wikipedia.org