MS Delphin

The 1975-built MS Delphin cruise ship was originally designed as passenger ferry and constructed by Wartsila Marine (in Turku Finland). The vessel is owned by the Mauritius-based company Vishal Cruises Pvt Ltd. and last chartered (under a 5-year charter) to Pampa Cruises (via Ship Management Ltd-Crt).

The vessel (IMO number 7347536) was last Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311067500) and registered in Nassau.

In early-2019 there were rumors about the ship being sold to "Cruise Retirement USA LLC" (Florida-based company specializing in maritime transportation/company number L17000099783). Following the acquisition, the vessel was supposed to be renamed "Enchanted Explorer" and turned into a residential ship, meaning the staterooms will be offered for rent (as hotel rooms) or open for sale (as private apartments).

In March 2022 was announced that the 47-years old ship was sold for scrap metal, and soon to be dismantled at Aliaga Turkey. Reportedly, the auction sale (EUR 3,6 million / USD 4M / GBP 3M) settled the shipowner's debts for berthing and bunkering (docking fees, fuel, water, electricity, etc). Sadly, MS Delphin was beached in April and is now one of CruiseMapper's scrapped cruise ships.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, MS Delphin was in cold laid up and remained docked at Victor Lenak Shipyard (to the southeast of Rijeka Croatia), with the last AIS data transmitted on November 7th, 2020. In the period 2015-2017, the boat was chartered as a floating hotel to accommodate Victor Lenak Shipyard's workers.

Decks and Cabins

MS Delphin staterooms (237 total) included the following cabin types.

• (Decks 2-3-4) Inside and Oceanview (with porthole windows, location on Deck 3) have 2 bunk beds and a double sofabed.
• (Deck 2) Oceanviews have 2 bunk beds plus a double sofabed.
• (Boat Deck) categories "Comfort" (Komfortkabinen) and "Luxury" (Luxuskabinen) are with large windows, double bed (with separate mattresses), separate living-sleeping areas, premium furniture (sofa, armchair, coffee table), refrigerator (minibar).
• (Boat Deck) Window Suites have large slanted windows, separate living room (luxury furniture, 2-seat dining table, minibar), bedroom (double bed with separate mattresses), bathroom (with whirlpool bathtub).

All staterooms have as standard amenities LCD TV, radio, phone, electronic safe box (in the closet), hairdryer, writing desk (mirrored vanity table with chair), bedside tables and reading lamps, en-suite bathroom (washbasin, WC, shower), individually controlled air-conditioning.

The boat has 7 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The main meals onboard are based on classic Crusader times. Pacific Restaurant operates with assigned seating (fixed dining times). Dining tables as capacity are 4-6-8-seat. In addition to dinner, there are up to 6 meals served per day - from early breakfast to a midnight snack. Coffee, tea and cakes are served every afternoon, light snacks are served at midnight. Breakfast includes an extensive buffet. Lunch and dinner are with multi-course menus.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Grand Salon is the ship's theatre (main show lounge). Other venues and facilities include Lido Bar, Wine Bar, Salon Penguin, Dolphin Lounge, Sky Club (disco), retail shopping arcade (Board shop, Boutique, Parfumery), PhotoShop, Tour Office (travel agency / onboard cruise booking and information), Library. The ship has its own fleet of Zodiacs (large-capacity inflatable boats used for passenger landings). One lift (elevator) connects all the 7 passenger decks.

Fitness (Gym and Studio for classes), outdoor jogging track, deck games (shuffleboard), ping pong / tennis tables, darts, sports court (volleyball / basketball), heated swimming pool (outdoor), Finnish Sauna and Steam Room (both free of charge), Spa and Beauty Salon (hairdresser, cosmetics, aromatherapy, massages, manicure and pedicure).

Itineraries

In November 2017, Alteza Cruises (Argentina-based brand company) announced its plans to charter the ship for the period February 2018 through April 2019. From homeport Buenos Aires were scheduled roundtrip itineraries to Antarctica, Patagonia, southern Brazil and Chile, also short-breaks in Argentina and Uruguay, with inaugural cruise scheduled for February 7. However, in February 2018 Alteza Cruises didn't start operations.

On May 8, 2018, Pampa Cruises (Brazil-based brand company) announced its plans to charter MS Delphin for year-round South America voyages to Argentina and Brazil, with 3-night to 16-night itineraries. The charter deals were for the period of October 2018 through September 2019.

• Pampa Cruises itineraries included 5 homeports (Santos, Salvador, Recife, Buenos Aires and Ushuaia) for roundtrips to ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.
• Some itineraries visited Fernando de Noronha archipelago (Brazil) - UNESCO site that is currently visited only by luxury and expedition vessels. MS Delphin is best-sized for Fernando de Noronha as vessels visiting the archipelago must follow strict regulations and have passenger capacity under 450.
• Pampa Cruises itinerary program also included as destinations Patagonia, Chilean fjords and Transatlantic crossing between Brazil and Greece.