MS Windward
| Company type | Cruise ship |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cruise line |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Kloster Cruise |
| Fate | Sold for dismantling in 2022 |
Area served | Asia-Pacific, various cruise destinations |
| Products | Passenger cruises |
MS Windward was a cruise vessel constructed in 1993 by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France for Kloster Cruise under the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, initially named Windward. In 1998, the ship underwent a lengthening process at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany and was renamed Norwegian Wind. The vessel transitioned to Star Cruises ownership in 2007 and operated as SuperStar Aquarius. It remained active until cruise operations ceased due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. After the parent company of Star Cruises declared bankruptcy and was liquidated, the ship was sold for dismantling under the name Arius in 2022.
History
Commencing service in 1993 as Windward, this vessel was the second of a pair of sister ships built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique for Kloster Cruise's Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. In 1998, she was extended by adding a midsection at the Lloyd Werft facility located in Bremerhaven, Germany, after which she was renamed Norwegian Wind.
Among her early significant charters was a bespoke cruise arranged in 1995 for Prudential Assurance UK, aimed at rewarding their top-performing sales personnel with customized branding applied to both the hull and funnel.
In 2004, ownership shifted to NCL's parent company, Star Cruises, with plans for integration into their fleet. By April 2007, following refurbishment tailored for the Asia-Pacific market and adopting a new exterior design, she was renamed SuperStar Aquarius. Initially stationed at Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal, she served multiple regional destinations.
Operations continued until early 2020 when the global COVID-19 pandemic forced a suspension of cruising activities. In April of that year, alongside sister ship SuperStar Gemini, she was leased by the Singapore Government to provide accommodation for recovered foreign workers.
In January 2022, due to financial difficulties stemming from the pandemic, parent company Genting Hong Kong filed for bankruptcy. During the subsequent liquidation process, SuperStar Aquarius was sold for scrap along with her sister ships and . By June 2022, she was laid up at Hambantota, Sri Lanka, before being transported to the Alang shipbreaking yard in India where she was beached on 26 November 2022 for dismantling.