When Cruise Ships Retire, They Go To This Unexpected Destination
By Amanda Finn
VACATIONS
Cruise ships are full of life, but after about 30 years or so, it comes time to retire. They'll likely be sent to a dismantling or ship-breaking yard in Turkey or India.
These yards will take the ships apart and reuse as much of the material as they can. The largest of these yards are Alang and Aliaga, where the ships are "gradually cut down."
The process of cutting pieces away from the ship will differ from yard to yard, according to journalist and ocean liner historian Peter Knego. It is a very difficult task.
While the task of breaking down cruise ships can be dangerous, the graveyard may not be its final destination. Many husks will be sunk into the ocean to become artificial reefs.