Owner Discovery Cruise Line Yard number 658 Length 134 m Capacity 1,210 | Operator Discovery Cruise Line Launched 1968 Beam 21 m | |
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Name Za Dur (2011)MV Discovery Sun (1994–2011)Balanga Queen (1992–1994)Scandinavian Sun (1982–1992)Caribe Bremen (1981–1982)Caribe (1976–1981)Svea Star (1973–1976)Freeport (1973–1974)Freeport I (1968–1973)Freeport (1968) Builders Orenstein & Koppel, Lübeck | ||
The MV Discovery Sun was the flagship and sole ship of Discovery Cruise Lines, a Miami-based tour operator. She was built at the Orenstein & Koppel shipyard in Lübeck, Germany in 1968 and was renovated in 1995 and then updated in 2000. She used to be named Scandinavian Sun for day cruise operator SeaEscape.
The MV Discovery Sun provided daily service (except Wednesdays) from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island and acted as a passenger cruise ferry service for both Bahamians and tourists. It has provided consistent service to Grand Bahama, while also assisting with hurricane relief to the island.
Facilities on board the Discovery Sun included two dining rooms, four lounges, one casino, live bands/calypso/disco, video arcade, swimming pool, sun decks, live entertainment & shows, jackpot bingo, duty-free gift shops, kids' club and cabins.
On 20 August 1984, while operating as the Scandinavian Sun, a fire broke as the ship was docking at the Port of Miami. The fire was started by lubricating oil leaking from a diesel generator, and spread through a ladder access way and open passageways to the passenger areas of the ship. One crew member and one passenger were killed, and 57 passengers and crew were injured.
End of life
In September 2011, Discovery Cruise Lines ceased operations, citing high operating costs and lack of profitability. The MV Discovery Sun was subsequently offered for sale, but there was no buyer or charterer. Discovery Sun was broken up for scrap.