Sun Princess, Sea Princess latest Carnival Corp. ships soldSun Princess, Sea Princess latest Carnival Corp. ships sold

Princess Cruises did not disclose the buyers. The sales are part of Carnival Corp. & plc's plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships.

Contributed to growth in Australian cruising

'Sun Princess and Sea Princess contributed to significant growth in Australian cruising,' Princess President Jan Swartz said. 'Both ships defined the premium cruise experience with Australians and New Zealanders spending close to 14 million nights aboard these ships. While it is never easy to say goodbye to any ship in our fleet, this will allow us to deploy newer ships enhancing our offerings for Australia cruisers and focus on bringing into service exciting newbuilds like the upcoming delivery of Enchanted Princess.'

Sun Princess among largest cruise ships at its 1995 debut

Sun Princess was introduced in 1995 as the first of the new Sun class of ships and debuted in the Caribbean. The 77,441gt, 2,000-passenger vessel was among the largest cruise ships in the world at the time. Alaska and the Panama Canal were among other destinations for Sun Princess before it began homeporting in Australia in October 2007.

The ship also helped Princess open the Japanese market in 2013.

1998-built Sea Princess

Sister ship Sea Princess arrived in 1998 and more recently became known for world cruises, having completed six of those since 2013. During its time based in Australia, Sea Princess traveled the equivalent of 35 times around the world.

Before joining Sun Princess in Australia, Sea Princess sailed in Europe and Alaska as well as the Caribbean, including homeporting in Barbados in the mid- to late-2000s.

The two ships are currently in Singapore's coastal waters. 

Due to their imminent depatures from the fleet, Princess canceled Sun Princess sailings from Dec. 28 and Sea Princess sailings from Dec. 23. Passengers are being contacted with options or may request a full refund.