What Happens to Cruise Ship Furniture?

By Anna Duncan

Cruise ships are often filled with luxurious furniture, from plush bedding to opulent dining chairs. But what happens to all that furniture when the ship is taken out of service?

Cruise ships are designed to be used for many years, sometimes as much as 25 years or more. While many of the interiors can be updated during the course of its lifetime, some of the furniture remains in place. When a ship is retired, this furniture is either donated to charity or sold at auction.

Donations are often made to charitable organizations that use the items for various purposes. In some cases, the furniture may be used in the organization’s own facilities, such as a shelter or soup kitchen. In other cases, the items may be re-purposed for another purpose or given away for free.

Auctions are another popular option for disposing of cruise ship furniture. These auctions are typically held by international brokers who specialize in selling off items from cruise ships and other vessels. The buyers at these auctions range from individuals looking to buy a piece of history to corporations looking to stock their offices.

Recycling is becoming an increasingly popular option for disposing of cruise ship furniture. Many companies are now offering services that allow old furniture and materials from ships to be recycled into new products. For example, carpet can be recycled into insulation and wood can be turned into flooring.

Conclusion:

When cruise ships reach the end of their useful life, their onboard furniture must also be disposed of. This can either take place through donations to charities or by being sold at auction. Recycling is also becoming an increasingly popular option for disposing of cruise ship furniture as it allows old materials and products to be reused and given new life.