Skyward was delivered on December 10, 1969, along with her sister, Starward, as the first purpose-built ships of Norwegian Cruise Line.

In 1979 a boiler room fire broke out on board the Skyward, and consequently her engines had to be stopped and her passengers transferred to the Starward.

She was operated by her original owners until 1991, when the Skyward was purchased by Johnson Sembawang Shipmanagement in Nassau to become the Shangri-la World.

In April 2021 New Century Group sold the vessel for US$3.59m for scrap to NKD Maritime, with breaking the ship performed in Alang, India.

Aboard Leisure World there was a karaoke lounge, miniature golf course,[5] sauna, arcade, gift shop,[6] fitness center and hair salon.