The ASTOR was originally built to operate line voyages for a revitalised Safmarine passenger service, but the ship would never see South African service.
Rather, she commenced operations for Marlan Corporation in 1987. However ASTOR was quickly sold to the Black Sea Shipping Company of the former Soviet Union.
Here, she was operated as FEDOR DOSTOEVSKIY until 1991, when ownership was moved into a separate line called Fredor Dostoevskiy Shipping Company.
Leaving Russian ownership in 1996, she was transferred to Astor Shipping Co., while Transocean Tours took on the role as the vessel’s operator.
Renamed ASTOR, the liner operated for Transocean Tours until late 2013, when she was chartered by Cruise and Maritime Voyages who operate her today.
http://maritimematters.com/2014/01/astor-australias-latest-cruise-ship/