The German cruise operator Phoenix Seereisen has decided to axe the oldest ship in its fleet and cancelled all cruises scheduled for the vessel.

Albatros, which built in 1973 as Royal Viking Sea, has been sold to be used as a floating resort in the Red Sea by Pick Albatros Group, the Bonn based cruise company said on its website. Some media reports say the buyer company is based in Egypt.

Albatros is the last unit of the now defunct Royal Viking Line’s original trio to leave the ownership of a cruise company. Boudicca and Black Watch, the other two vessels, left the fleet of Fred. Olsen Cruise Line in the UK earlier this autumn. The company said they would be used as accommodation ships in Turkey.

When new, the trio were regarded as among the finest cruise liners in service. They have large cabins, which may have contributed to their longevity. All three were later lengthened and re-engined.

Phoenix Seereisen has three second hand ocean cruise ships after the exit of Albatros in its fleet on full time employment. Amadea was built in 1991, Amera in 1988 and Artania in 1984. It also uses the 1998 built Deutschland for part of each year.