A former German cruise ship, Dream Goddess, long inactive and nearly consigned to history, is set to reenter service under a new Malaysian cruise operator.
The 9,600-gross-ton vessel, now renamed Berlin Oceanis, was originally built in 1980 and has undergone a significant transformation following its sale by Berlin Capital Group (BCG). The ship departed its lay-up site near Piraeus (Greece) in late 2024 and sailed to a shipyard in Ningde (China) where it has been undergoing an extensive refit to become a luxury cruise ship based in Penang (Malaysia).
BCG’s plans for the Berlin Oceanis include operating short regional cruises to Southeast Asian ports, targeting the high-end cruise market. The company has shared updates on the vessel’s progress through social media, highlighting its transformation from a neglected, rust-streaked hull into a revitalized, white-liveried cruise ship. The interiors have been completely gutted, with new accommodations currently under construction.
The ship’s new name, Berlin Oceanis, pays tribute to its original identity as the Berlin, the flagship of Peter Deilmann Cruises and a vessel widely recognized as the star of the long-running German TV series Das Traumschiff. This nod to its heritage underscores the vessel’s storied past and its new lease on life in Asia.
Previously owned by Dreamliner Cruises, a subsidiary of Royalton Investments, the ship was initially purchased in September 2020 from FTI Cruises. At the time, the intention was to convert the vessel into a mega-yacht for charter by affluent clients. However, geopolitical events, including the invasion of Ukraine and sanctions on Russian oligarchs - key players in the luxury yacht charter market - halted those plans. The vessel was subsequently laid up on the island of Salamina (Greece) alongside other aging cruise ships and ferries, leading many in the industry to expect it would be scrapped.
Instead, BCG’s acquisition and subsequent investment have ensured the vessel’s return to active service. Once completed, the Berlin Oceanis is set to offer a luxurious cruising experience while contributing to the growing cruise market in Southeast Asia.