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Used Cruise Ships for Sale

Used and retired cruise ships of 420 to 2,866 passengers, listed by stock number with build year, length, price and location

QPS Marine Ships is an independent, licensed and bonded shipbroking firm specialising in passenger vessels. Almost every cruise ship that changes hands is second-hand: ships leave the big fleets as lines renew, and they go on to new operators, new markets, accommodation roles or charter. This page lists the used and retired cruise ships we currently have for sale, grouped by size, with the build year, length, passenger capacity, location and asking price where the owner allows it. Some ships are sold off-market; we share their details with qualified buyers after an NDA.

Used cruise ships currently for sale

Large cruise ships (2,000+ passengers)

Mid-size cruise ships (400 to 1,900 passengers)

Specialist used ships

For ships under 300 passengers, see small cruise ships for sale. The full inventory, with every ship on one page, is in our list of pre-owned cruise ships. To charter rather than buy, see cruise ship charter.

Why cruise ships come up for sale

  • Fleet renewal. Lines sell older ships as newbuilds arrive, often while the ships still have many years of service left.

  • Brand repositioning. A ship that no longer fits a line's product can suit a regional, budget or themed operator.

  • Mergers and restructuring. Consolidation and financial restructuring release ships onto the market, sometimes as a group.

  • Lay-up. A ship that has been laid up may be sold as-is, usually at a lower price, with reactivation work for the buyer.

Used cruise ship prices

On our current listings, asking prices for used ocean cruise ships run from about US$10 million for a 420-passenger ship rebuilt in 2010 to US$150 million for a 2,556-passenger ship built in 2002. Large ships of 2,000+ passengers built since 2000 are mostly priced between US$95 million and US$150 million. Mid-size ships of 500 to 1,700 passengers are mostly priced between US$23 million and US$40 million. Several owners ask for offers ("price on request").

What moves the price:

  • Age, refits and condition, especially the hull, main engines, generators and stabilisers.

  • Class and certificates. A ship trading now with clean class is worth more than a laid-up ship that needs reactivation.

  • Environmental compliance, such as scrubbers, ballast water treatment and shore power.

  • Cabin mix: the share of balcony cabins and suites sets the fares a new operator can charge.

  • Location: the cost of inspection, delivery and repositioning.

For a fuller guide, read How Much Does a Cruise Ship Cost?

Buying a used cruise ship: the steps

  1. Define the requirement: passenger capacity, trading area, flag, budget and delivery date.

  2. Shortlist ships, listed and off-market, and review the specifications, class status and certificates.

  3. Inspect: a pre-purchase condition survey, a class records review and, where possible, a dry-dock or underwater survey.

  4. Negotiate the price and the memorandum of agreement, usually based on the Norwegian Saleform (NSF).

  5. Deposit and delivery: the deposit, the final inspection, and delivery with the bill of sale and protocol of delivery.

  6. Re-flag and reactivate as needed: change of flag, crew, refit and re-branding.

Our guides How to Buy a Cruise Ship and Pre-Purchase Inspection of a Used Cruise Ship cover each step in detail.

Capt. Ken Caine, our Managing Broker, is a USCG-licensed Master Mariner. Our Mediterranean Sea Area office is led by Jeff Garcia.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a used cruise ship cost?

On our current listings, asking prices for used ocean cruise ships range from about US$10 million to US$150 million. Price depends mainly on age, size, condition, class status, environmental equipment and cabin mix.

Where can I buy a retired cruise ship?

Retired and decommissioned cruise ships are sold through specialist shipbrokers. QPS lists ships by stock number on this page and also handles off-market sales, whose details we share with qualified buyers after an NDA.

Can a private buyer buy a used cruise ship?

Yes. Buyers include operators, investors, governments and private buyers. Running a passenger ship requires a qualified ship manager, crew and the correct certificates, and we can recommend managers.

What should I inspect before buying a used cruise ship?

Arrange an independent condition survey, review the class records and certificates, check machinery hours and maintenance history, and, where possible, inspect the hull in dry dock or by diver.

Do you have used cruise ships that are not listed?

Yes. Some owners prefer to sell off-market. Send us your requirements and we will tell you what is available.

Next step

Send us your requirements: passenger capacity, trading area, budget, timing and whether you also consider charter. We will reply with suitable used cruise ships, including 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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