1982–1999: Song of America
Following a voyage across the Atlantic, the Song of America entered service with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines on 5 December 1982. The ship was named by opera singer Beverly Sills, and the maiden voyage included former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn on a cruise from Miami to Nassau, San Juan and Saint Thomas. This remained her main itinerary for the early parts of her career with Royal Caribbean.[1][6] Beginning the early 1990s the ship would take over the New York - Bermuda run during the summer months.[8]
1999–2005: Sunbird
In May 1998, the Song of America was sold to Sun Cruises, a subsidiary of Airtours. Sun Cruises then chartered the ship back to Royal Caribbean until March 1999. Unlike with earlier ships the Royal Caribbean sold, the 'sky lounge' around the ship's funnel was not removed before she was handed over to the new owners.
The ship was renamed Sunbird,[1][6] rebuilt with additional suites on deck 9 and used for cruising around Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean. Later during her Sun Cruises service the ship received MyTravel colours.[1][6] In 2004, Airtours decided to withdraw from the cruise business, and the Sunbird was sold to Louis Cruise Lines, who chartered her back to Sun Cruises until May 2004.[1]
2005–2012: Thomson Destiny
Following the end of her charter to Sun Cruises, Louis Cruise Lines chartered the Sunbird to Thomson Cruises, who renamed her Thomson Destiny.[1] With Thomson, the ship was used for cruising in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Canary Islands and the west coast of Africa. In the winter of 2004 she cruised in the Caribbean.
2012–2014: Louis Olympia
Thomson Destiny returned to Louis Cruises in April 2012 and started operating under its new name Louis Olympia.[10] She is used on Aegean cruises, to the Aegean Island and the Turkish coast, with its home port being Piraeus.
2014: Floating hotel
Louis Olympia was used as a floating hotel during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
2014–2024: Celestyal Olympia
As part of Louis Cruise Lines re-branding in late 2014, the ship was renamed Celestyal Olympia with an updated livery, to reflect the new corporate identity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic all cruises from 16 March 2020 to 6 March 2021 were suspended.[11] The ship resumed service on 28 June 2021, cruising the Greek Isles.[12]
The ship was laid up at Lavrion in late 2023, following the announcement of Celestyal acquiring the former AIDAaura (renamed Celestyal Discovery) to replace Celestyal Olympia in March 2024.[13][14] In January 2024, following sale, Celestyal Olympia was renamed Bella Fortuna under the Liberian flag, and moved to Çeşme, Turkey.[14][15]
