In news that will no doubt be welcomed across the cruise community, it appears that Peter Deilmann’s lovely MS Deutschland has found a new buyer.

The ship, laid up since the end of November off Gibraltar, was linked back in January with what seemed like a highly unlikely purchase by Crystal Cruises.

According to Reinhold Schmid Sperber, the administrator in charge of disposing of the ship, Deutschland has been purchased by Texan interests who are intent on chartering out the 1998- built, 20,000 ton cruise ship.

While no price has been specified, I understand that an initial deposit has been paid for the ship, and that the balance will be paid at the end of May, when Deutschland will be handed over to her new owners.

It seems that most of the current crew will be retained, and that no real changes will be made to the ship. Readers of this blog may remember that Deutschland was scheduled for a refit prior to the collapse of Deilmann. This would have added a number of Juliet balconies to the ship and, more controversially, a new funnel.

While details are yet to be fleshed out more fully, it is a matter of great satisfaction that this beautiful, finely crafted little jewel box of a ship will once again find gainful employment.

Further details will appear here as they become available. Stay tuned.