MV Leisure World

Career
Name: 1969-1991: Skyward
1991-1992: Shangri-La World
1992: Asean World
1992-1993: Fantasy World
1993-Present: Leisure World
Operator: 1969-1991: Norwegian Cruise Line
1991-1995: Johnson Sembawang Shipmanagement
1995-2000: Queenstown Investments Ltd
2000-Present: New Century Cruise Line
Port of registry: 1969-2006: Nassau,  Bahamas
2006-Present: Funafuti,  Tuvalu
Builder: AG Weser Shipyards
Completed: December 10, 1970
In service: January 3, 1970
Status: In service as of Nov 2013
General characteristics
Tonnage:16,254 gross register tons (GRT)
Length:528 feet
Beam:74 feet
Speed:16 knots
Capacity:580 (normal)
850 (maximum)
Crew:250
Notes:[1]

The Leisure World was delivered on December 10, 1969 as Skyward for cruise services along with her sister, the Starward.[2] Skyward and Starward were the first purpose built ships of Norwegian Cruise Line. During a cruise in 1973 a large amount of passengers became ill due to infected water. In 1979 a boiler room fire broke out on board the Skyward, and consequently her engines had to be stopped and her passengers transferred to the Starward. She was operated by her original owners until 1991, when the Skyward was purchased by Johnson Sembawang Shipmanagement in Nassau to become the Shangri-la World.[3] Sangri-la World operated cruises out of Singapore. After going through several name changes in the 1990s, the now renamed Leisure World was rebuilt and renovated in Jacksonville, Florida and sold to Queenstown Investments in 1995. In 2000 she was sold to New Century Cruise Line, who operate her as a casino/entertainment ship out of Singapore.

On board features

On board Leisure World there is a karaoke lounge, miniature golf course,[4] sauna, arcade, gift shop,[5] fitness center and hair salon.[6]

References