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Cruise Ship Broker for Sale, Purchase and Charter of Passenger Ships

Licensed cruise and passenger ship broker for sale, purchase and charter. Off-market vessels, NDA-protected details, support from shortlist to delivery.

Buying a cruise ship is not like buying a yacht or a cargo vessel. Passenger ships carry heavy safety, class and flag requirements, and many good ones are never publicly listed. A specialist cruise ship broker gives you access to those vessels, checks the facts, and manages a multi-month transaction through to delivery.

QPS Marine Ships is an independent, licensed and bonded shipbroking and advisory firm. We handle the sale, purchase and charter of cruise ships, expedition ships, RoPax, RoRo, passenger and high-speed ferries, and accommodation vessels worldwide, on the secondary market and for newbuilds. We act for shipowners, buyers, charterers, investors and financial institutions.

What a passenger ship S&P broker does

"S&P" means sale and purchase. On a passenger ship deal, the broker's job is to:

  • Source vessels, both listed and off-market, that fit your passenger count, trading area, budget and timeline.

  • Verify the vessel and the seller before you spend money on travel and surveys.

  • Negotiate price and terms and keep both sides working toward a signed contract.

  • Coordinate the contract, usually a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on a recognized standard form.

  • Manage the steps to closing: inspections, deposit, class and flag work, documents, and physical delivery.

For investors, we also advise on employment strategy, source charters, and recommend vessel managers so the ship earns from the day it is delivered.

How to buy a cruise ship: the process step by step

Every deal is different, but most passenger ship purchases follow this sequence.

1. Define your requirements

Start with the basics: passenger capacity (lower berths and maximum), cabin standard, trading area, intended use (cruising, expedition, casino, floating hotel, accommodation), age range, budget, and target delivery date. Your flag and class plans matter early, because they affect which ships are realistic.

2. Shortlist

We match your brief against vessels we know are available, including off-market ships. You receive a shortlist with key particulars, so you can rule ships in or out quickly.

3. Sign an NDA

Many owners will share full specifications, class records and the vessel's name only with qualified buyers who have signed a non-disclosure agreement. Expect to show that you are a serious buyer before detailed information is released.

4. Inspection and survey

Before or right after agreeing main terms, the buyer normally inspects the ship and reviews its class records. A pre-purchase condition survey by an independent surveyor is strongly recommended for any passenger ship. Hotel areas, lifesaving equipment, machinery and dry-dock history deserve close attention.

5. Memorandum of agreement (MOA)

The deal is documented in an MOA. Many second-hand ship sales use a standard form such as the Norwegian Saleform, amended with rider clauses for the specific vessel. The MOA sets out price, deposit, inspection terms, delivery window and place, and the condition the ship must be in at delivery.

6. Deposit

Under standard sale forms the buyer typically lodges a deposit, often 10% of the price, with an agreed deposit holder, usually soon after signing. The exact amount and terms are negotiable.

7. Class and flag

The buyer arranges the new flag registration and confirms the class position. If the ship is changing flag or class society, this needs to be planned in parallel with the sale so certificates are ready at delivery.

8. Delivery

At closing, the balance is paid, the bill of sale and delivery documents are exchanged, and the ship is physically handed over at the agreed place. Your crew or manager takes over from the seller's.

Budgeting is a common question at the start. See how much does a cruise ship cost for the main price drivers, and ship finance if you need funding.

Why use a licensed ship broker

  • Florida license. Capt. Ken Caine and Jeff Garcia, our Managing Brokers, are both licensed Yacht & Ship Brokers in the State of Florida through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). You can check a Florida license on the DBPR's public license lookup.

  • Licensed and bonded. QPS Marine Ships is licensed and bonded.

  • Industry membership. We are members of the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA).

  • Seagoing and cruise-line experience. Capt. Ken Caine is a USCG-licensed Master Mariner and a former senior executive at Windstar Cruise Lines during its launch period. He understands the ships as operating assets, not just listings.

Our full credentials are on the credentials page.

Red flags: how to spot fake cruise ship listing sites

Some websites "list" cruise ships they have no authority to sell. Others copy real listings and change the details. Watch for these warning signs:

  • Listings you cannot verify. No IMO number, no stock number, no responsible broker, and no willingness to sign an NDA and release full particulars.

  • Arbitrary or unrealistic prices. Large modern ships at a fraction of what comparable vessels trade for, or prices that change with no explanation.

  • No licensed person behind the site. No named broker, no license you can check, no physical office.

  • Pressure to pay early. Requests for "reservation fees" or deposits before an MOA exists, or deposits paid to an individual rather than an agreed deposit holder.

A legitimate broker will answer questions about authority to sell, put you under NDA, and steer money through a proper contract.

Ships currently offered through QPS

A selection of ships currently offered through QPS. See all cruise ships for sale and cruise ship charter. Prices are asking prices; availability changes and more ships are available off-market under NDA.

Cruise ships for sale (selection)

Small and expedition cruise ships (selection)

Ships for sale or charter (selection)

Frequently asked questions ### What does a cruise ship broker do?

A cruise ship broker finds suitable passenger vessels, including off-market ships, verifies them, negotiates price and terms, and coordinates the contract, inspections, deposit, class and flag work, and delivery.

Can I buy a cruise ship as a private buyer or new operator?

Yes, if you can show the funds or financing and a credible plan for the ship. Owners usually ask for proof of seriousness before releasing full details under an NDA.

What contract is used to buy a cruise ship?

Most second-hand ship sales are documented in a memorandum of agreement, often based on a standard form such as the Norwegian Saleform, with rider clauses tailored to the vessel and deal.

How much deposit is paid when buying a ship?

Standard sale forms commonly provide for a deposit of around 10% of the price, held by an agreed deposit holder. The amount and terms are negotiable and set out in the MOA.

How long does it take to buy a cruise ship?

It depends on the ship, inspection, financing, flag and class. A straightforward purchase of a ship that is ready to inspect can close within a few months; complex deals take longer. We give a realistic timetable once we know the ship and your plans.

How can I tell if a cruise ship listing is genuine?

Ask who has authority to sell, check the broker's license, and request full particulars under an NDA. Be wary of unverifiable listings, unrealistic prices, and requests for money before a signed contract.

Send us your requirements

Tell us the vessel type, passenger or berth capacity, target delivery dates, trading region and budget. We will reply with suitable listed and off-market options.

Capt. Ken Caine, Managing Broker – +1-516-647-5129 (mobile/WhatsApp), sales@qpsships.com
Jeff Garcia, Managing Broker, Mediterranean Sea Area – +1-954-296-9066, Jeffgarcia@qpsships.com
Office: 4000 Island Blvd, Suite 1506, Aventura, FL 33160

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