Built as a cruise vessel under yard No 394 by the yard of O/Y Wärtsila A/B, Helsinki, Finland for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line at Oslo, Norway.
27 November launched under the name SUN VIKING.
Tonnage 18.559 gross, 9.733 net, 3.202dwt, dim. 171.7 x 24.0 x 6.7m. (draught).
Powered by four 9-cyl. Sulzer Bros-O/Y Wärtsila diesels, 18.000 bhp., speed 21 knots, twin propellers.
Passenger accommodation for 880 passengers, crew 320.
10 November 1972 delivered to owners.
Registered owners were Sameiet ms ‘Sun Viking’, Oslo.
09 December 1972 sailed for her first cruise from Miami to the Caribbean, mostly used in this service, but also used for other cruise voyages.
January 1998 sold to Superstar Sagitarius Ltd., Panama, managed by Star Cruises, Panama, renamed SUPERSTAR SAGITTARIUS.
Used then for cruise voyages from Port Kelang, Malaysia to Asiatic ports.
September 1998 sold to Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Panama, renamed HYUNDAI PONGNAE.
From November 1998 used in a service between South and North Korea.
2001 Laid up and put on the sales list.
2002 Chartered by Tropical View.
August 2002 used as a casino vessel from Haikou to Hainan, both in China to Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
September 2002 renamed in PONGNAE, laid up at Pusan, South Korea.
April 2003 sold to Kong Way Shipping, Hong Kong, after a US 10 million dollar refit, managed by Conning Shipping, Hong Kong, renamed OMAR III, under Panama flag and registry.
Used as casino vessel sailing from Hong Kong, for short day and night cruises.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2005, sails for same owner and manager, IMO No 7125861, Panama flag, call sign 3FDZ8.
July 2005 according to Lloyds List was she up for sale, or for bareboat charter.
June 2007 sold to Real Win Ltd., Panama and renamed in LONG JIE.
2009 as given by http://www.equasis.org managed by Sanyang Marine Pte Ltd, Singapore.
Netherlands Antillen 1989 70c sg 983, scott 610.
Seychelles 1984 3r sg 585.
Marine News 1998/494. Some web-sites. http://www.faktaomfartyg.com/sun_viking_1972.htm