--- title: "World’s Largest Cruise Ship Headed Straight From Shipyard to Junkyard" description: "A maritime tragedy! Sadly, the nearly-completed mega cruise ship Global Dream II will never take to the high seas, and instead will be scrapped." date: "2022-06-22" modified: "2022-06-22" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/mega-cruise-ship-shipyard-junkyard" categories: - "Advanced Transport" tags: - "boat" - "cruise" - "the digest" - "waste" --- # World’s Largest Cruise Ship Headed Straight From Shipyard to Junkyard ![A maritime tragedy! Sadly, the nearly-completed mega cruise ship Global Dream II will never take to the high seas, and instead will be scrapped.]() *\Image: Dream Cruises\* ## Junkyard Pinball In a bleak financial and maritime saga, the nearly-completed mega cruise ship Global Dream II will never take to the high seas, and instead will be scrapped — because its builder ran out of cash, and no one wants to buy it, [*The Guardian* reports](). Once destined to each hold 9,000 seaward travelers, Global Dream II and its sister ship, Global Dream, would together have been the top record-holders for largest cruise ship by passenger capacity, and sixth in the world by size. But those dreams were shattered when German shipbuilder MV Werften filed for bankruptcy back in January of this year, and lacking the funds to finish the colossal cruiseliner themselves, the company sought a buyer for the hulking vessel. Alas, there were no takers, and now the company is forced to throw the boat out with the bathwater. MV Werften reportedly sold its facilities to a German naval unit, which according to *Guardian* will now use the establishment to build military ships — but unfortunately, since Global Dreams II isn't outfitted for war, the 260,000 ton boat will be removed from the marina and sold as scrap metal. ## Ghost Ships Looming in the background of the story is that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on the cruise market. Once a popular vacation of choice for those seeking open seas and all-you-can-eat buffets, the passenger ships became [nightmare central]() during the [initial waves of the pandemic](), and have since had to juggle a number of coronavirus-related restrictions, [shutdowns](), and staffing shortages. Stocks [continue to fall](), and companies — like MV Werften — are struggling to get cruise enthusiasts back onboard. If there is a silver lining for the industry to hang onto, Global Dream I is reportedly safe from the scrapyard. For now. **More on cruise alternatives:** [*Luxurious Submarine for Rich People Looks Just as Cool as a Space Vacation*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()