MS Tropicale (also known as Costa Tropicale, Pacific Star, Ocean Dream) was a cruise ship that entered service in 1982, and was one of the pioneering cruise ships in the modernization of the cruise industry. She was Carnival Cruises Line's first newly built ship, initially operating mainly in the Mexican Rivera and the Caribbean. Tropicale was transferred to the Costa fleet in July 2001, and renamed the Costa Tropicale. The Costa Tropicale was transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in 2005 as the Pacific Star in December of that year. In March 2008, P&O Cruises Australia sold the Pacific Star to Pullmantur Cruises becoming the Ocean Dream. After Pullmantur, the ship's final operator was Peace Boat, sailing as the Ocean Dream until 2020. After 38 years of service, the former Tropicale was scrapped in January 2021. History Carnival Cruise Line The vessel was originally intended to be constructed in Japan, after Carnival's most recent acquired ship the TSS Festivale had received a major refit there. However, the construction ended up being awarded to the Danish shipyard Aalborg Vaerft. The Tropicale was launched in 1981, and was the first cruise ship custom-built for the company, introducing Carnival's characteristic winged funnel, designed by Joe Farcus. The interiors were also designed by Joe Farcus, evolving Carnival's signature themed lounges. As the company expanded and acquired larger ships, Carnival decided that Tropicale would be their 'test ship' for new cruise destinations, and as such was the first Carnival ship to be based in San Juan, New Orleans, Alaska, and Tampa. In 1985 the vessel appeared in an episode of the A-Team called "Judgement Day (part 2)". The ship also appeared in a season four episode of Growing Pains. On September 19, 1999, the vessel's engine room caught fire en route from Cozumel to Tampa. While disabled in the Gulf of Mexico, the ship was nearly struck by Tropical Storm Harvey. Luckily one of the engines was restarted and the ship was able to get out of the way of the storm before it hit. No crew or guests were injured during the two days the Tropicale spent without propulsion. The vessel was slated to replace the SS Dolphin IV of Cape Canaveral Cruise Line in 2001, but before Carnival Tropicale could enter service, the vessel was transferred to Carnival Corporations division of Costa Cruises, where she was renamed Costa Tropicale. Costa Cruises & P&O Australia