Phoenix Seereisen’s Albatos, which was built in 1973 as Royal Viking Sea in Finland for the now defunct Royal Viking Line, has been sold to Indian buyers for demolition, media reports say.

The vessel, like its two sister ships, had ben intended to be used as floating hotels in Egypt, but the project that was unveiled last year has fallen through. Consequently, Albatros follows former Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Boudicca and Black Watch to India for demolition.

When built in 1972-73, the three Royal Viking Line ships were rated among the finest cruise ships in the world. Originally, they had a gross tonnage of just under 22,000, but this increased to more than 28,000when the ships were lengthened in Germany in 1980-81.

Reports in the maritime media say that buyers offer scrap prices in excess of $600 per light displacement tonne, a new high.