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Costa Atlantica reported going to Margaritaville at Sea

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The 85,861gt Costa Atlantica was built in 2000
Costa Atlantica, part of the Adora Cruises joint venture between Carnival Corp. and China State Shipbuilding Corp., has been sold, reportedly to join the Margaritaville at Sea fleet.

A Carnival Corp. spokesperson confirmed Costa Atlantica's sale to Seatrade Cruise News but was unable to provide further information.

To Margaritaville at Sea?

Tradewinds said the 85,861gt ship has been renamed Margaritaville at Sea Islander but did not have the buyer. 

Margaritaville at Sea President Kevin Sheehan did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

His company operates Margaritaville at Sea Paradise on two-night round-trips between Florida's Port of Palm Beach and Grand Bahama Island. That 53,000gt ship was built in 1991 as Costa Classica and subsequently sailed as Costa neoClassica and Grand Classica.

Costa Atlantica's recent history

Built in 2000, Costa Atlantica was one of two Costa Cruises ships, along with Costa Mediterranea, that were put into the China JV. Atlantica was transferred to the venture in January 2020, just prior to the pandemic, but it never operated.

The vessel is currently moored at Cagliari, Italy, according to AIS data.

Adora Cruises

The 2003-built Costa Mediterranea is to begin sailing from Tianjin for Adora Cruises this year as Mediterranea following a refurbishment bringing new livery, upgrades and adaptations for Chinese passengers.

Adora Cruises also has the 135,500gt newbuild Adora Magic City due out later this year. It is planned to begin sailing from Shanghai on international itineraries starting in January.