1980
DFDS forms Scandinavian World Cruises to operate one day cruises out of Miami. Later the name of the company is changed to SeaEscape Cruises, still existing today.
Conversion of the SS France to become the Norway is completed; she is the largest cruise ship in the world when she is introduced.
Norwegian America Cruises is formed to manage former North Atlantic Liners Sagafjord and Vistafjord as cruise ships after they are retired from transatlantic liner service.
1981
Royal Viking Star lenghtened in Bremerhaven by AG Weser (sister ships Royal Viking Sky and Royal Viking Sea will follow).
1982
Uganda, Canberra and QE2 are sent to the Falkland Islands, acting as hospital/ troopships during the Falkland War between England and Argentina.
1983
Cunard Purchases Norwegian America Cruises along with it’s two ships Saga- and Vistafjord.
Lindblad Explorer is the first passenger ship to navigate the Northwest Passage through pack-ice.
1984
Kloster (owner of Norwegian Caribbean Line) purchases Royal Viking Line, a company owning three 5-star ships sailing on world wide itineraries.
Several new cruise operators are founded: Regency Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Dolphin Cruises and Sundance Cruises.
Founded a year earlier, Premier Cruises starts operations.
1985
– Former DFDS cruise ferry Scandinavia starts sailing for Sundance Cruises as Stardancer on the US West Coast. She replaces Sundancer which became a victim of fire a year earlier.
– For the first time, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line will operate a vessel from another port than Miami. Nordic Prince will make seven day cruises from New York to Bermuda.
– The Holiday enters service for Carnival Cruise Lines. Measuring 46.050 GRT, she is the first of the new breed of mega- cruise ships.
1986
– Admiral cruises is formed by merging Eastern & Western Cruises & Sundance Cruises.
– Radisson Diamond Enters service, the world’s first SWATH cruise ship meaning Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull, making her look like a catamaran. This hull form makes her a very stable ship.
1987
– NCL changes name fom Norwegian Caribbean Lines to Norwegian Cruise Line and a new logo is introduced.
– Swedish Kockums shipyard goes bankrupt after delivery of cruise ships Jubilee (1986) and Celebrations (1987) to Carnival Cruise Line.
– The Windsong, owned by Windstar Cruises enters service; she is the world’s first sail assisted cruise ship.
– Sea Goddes Cruises, operating two small 5-star yacht cruisers Sea Goddes I and II is taken over by Cunard Line, which wants to expand in the luxury segment of the cruise industry.
– HAL acquires 50% of Windstar Cruises. Windstar operates two sail ships and has a third on order at the time.
– Queen Elizabeth 2, one of the world’s largest and most famous cruise ships converted from steam to diesel electric power at Lloyd Werft.
1988
– Seabourn Cruises first 5- star luxury cruise ship Seabourn Pride is introduced.
– Admiral Cruises merges with Royal Caribbean Cruises.
– Royal Caribbean takes delivery of the Sovereign of the Seas. Measuring 73.192GRT, she is the world’s largest cruise ship.
– Home Line ceases operations.
– Sitmar Cruises is purchased by Princess Cruises.
– Carnival tries to take over competitor Royal Caribbean Cruise Line but does not succeed.
– HAL takes over the remaining 50% of Windstar cruises, and is taken over itself by Carnival Cruise Lines.
1989
– Wartsila, famous yard and builder of cruise ships goes bankrupt, and is taken over by new owners Kvaerner, new name: Kvaerner MASA yards.
– Chandris Cruises, which operates a fleet of elderly liners converted to cruise ships launches Celebrity Cruises, an upscale brand which in turn will operate luxury, modern ships.
– Renaissance Cruises formed.
– Mitsui OSK introduces the Fuji Maru, a cruise ship mainly catering for the domestic Japanese cruise market.
– Lindblad Travel, the firm that started soft expedition cruising, closes it’s doors.
– Aloha Pacific Cruises, a company which organised cruises in Hawaiian waters goes bankrupt: Monterey, their only ship is put up for sale. She is sold to Mediterranean Shipping Cruises the following year.
