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Princess Cruises names second Sphere-class ship Star Princess

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 12 May 2023 12 May 2023

Princess Cruises today revealed the name of its second Sphere-class cruise ship – Star Princess, which will sail an inaugural season of Mediterranean voyages when she debuts in August 2025.

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, Star Princess joins Sun Princess as the largest ships ever built for Princess at 175,500 tons and carrying 4,300 guests. The new ship is built on a platform that is distinctly different and unique to Princess, designed to simultaneously embrace the Princess heritage while celebrating the romance of the sea by offering more dynamic, outward views.

While 20 percent larger than any of the line’s existing ships, Star Princess design retains the more intimate settings Princess is known for, with a number of new and incredibly ground-breaking spaces such as:

– The Dome, a transformational entertainment venue inspired by the terraces of Santorini;
– the next-level Piazza featuring a glass sphere
– the “see it to believe it” Princess Arena, a configurable, technologically-advanced main theater that allows Princess to produce a variety of innovative entertainment concepts; and
– a 3-deck dining room positioned aft of the ship to deliver wake views.

This second Sphere-class ship will also offer a number of spectacular features with an array of new food and beverage concepts; an expanded casino; a two-story Lotus Spa; and entertainment headlined by Cirque Éloize.

Guests also will love the expanded accommodations options with luxurious staterooms and suites, including the new Reserve and Signature Collections.

Star Princess also will showcase the exclusive Princess Medallion service that extends Princess’ leadership position in delivering exceptional personalized experiences.

The new ship will be the second in the Princess fleet to be powered by LNG fuel technology and also is being built with the most advanced sustainable innovations available.

Star Princess debuts August 4, 2025, sailing a nine-day Inaugural Italy & Greece roundtrip voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia), featuring the destinations of Corfu, Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini and Naples (for Capri and Pompeii), followed by a variety of 9- and 10-day cruises sailing from Rome, Athens or Trieste (Venice) that visit idyllic coastal ports. Star Princess cruises go on sale with the larger Europe 2025 program release on June 1, 2023.

“There’s much to be admired about Star Princess - her sleek, eye-catching design, spacious interiors, and of course, the remarkable views of the sea and sky, just like the features found on Sun Princess that have prompted cruise lovers to snap up inaugural year bookings,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “We’ve carefully designed these ships to feel familiar to our guests yet significantly advanced with lots of exceptional new and expanded experiences to embrace and explore.”

Princess’ first Star Princess ship initially launched in 1988 as Sitmar Fair Majesty. With the merger of Sitmar Cruises into Princess, she then entered service as Star Princess in 1989, and was christened by legendary actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. The second Star Princess launched in 2002, as the third Grand-class vessel playing an instrumental role in the evolution of the brand with popular offerings like Anytime Dining, the dining program in the industry at the time to give guests freedom to dine where, when and with whom they wish.

Further details about Star Princess including dining, entertainment, onboard amenities and future itineraries will be shared in the coming months.

Silversea's 12th ship nears completion at Meyer Werft

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 02 May 2023 02 May 2023

Silversea Cruises and the Meyer Werft shipyard celebrated the float out of the new ship Silver Nova in Papenburg, Germany, on April 28, 2023. After water had filled the drydock, tugboats manoeuvred the vessel from one of the world’s largest enclosed construction halls into the adjacent harbour. "Set to become the 12th ship in the leading ultra-luxury cruise line’s fleet when she launches in summer 2023, Silver Nova will be the most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury cruise ship ever built," Silversea said in a statement.

Excitement ran high among onlookers at the Meyer Werft shipyard as the construction hall’s doors parted ahead of the ship’s repositioning. In a matter of hours,Silver Nova was positioned alongside the pier in the neighbouring harbour basin, where the fitting out phase will continue. Commemorating the important milestone and in observance of shipbuilding traditions, Captain Cosimo Pontillo welded a special coin to a wall on the pool deck, which will remain visible to the ship’s future guests as a symbol of good luck. Meyer Werft’s skilled craftspeople cleaned the ship’s hull, attached her funnel, and installed her LNG and radar masts. Unique to the Meyer Werft shipyard, Silver Nova’s next journey – scheduled for the end of May – will entail a conveyance of 32km (approximately 20 miles) down the narrow Ems River to the sea.

“With her float out at the Meyer Werft shipyard, anticipation is building among our guests, travel partner community, and the extended Silversea family for the launch of our 12th ship, Silver Nova,” said Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “Silver Nova embodies the vision of our cruise line and the evolution of our fleet. She has been purpose-built for ocean cruising, ushering an evolution of Silversea’s industry-leading, ultra-luxury cruise experience. We at Silversea and the entire Royal Caribbean Group are looking forward to welcoming her to the fleet.”

“Silver Nova is unlike anything we have seen in the luxury cruise industry so far,” said Roberto Bruzzone, SVP Marine Operations, Silversea Cruises. “The float out marks the completion of the first construction phase and we will now focus on installing the ship’s beautiful interiors. As well as being the most sustainable ultra-luxury ship at sea, Silver Nova will introduce our guests to a new level of comfort, with some of the industry’s most spacious accommodations; the largest array of bars, lounges and restaurants of any ultra-luxury ship; and a host of unprecedented innovations for our cruise line.”

“We have reached another important milestone in the construction process with the float out of Silver Nova. This ship is an important step towards green cruising due to its many technological features, as well as high environmental compatibility and energy efficiency. Beyond that, Silver Nova features a particularly innovative interior design,” said Jan Meyer, Managing Director, Meyer Werft.

Currently under construction in Papenburg as the first of two Nova class ships, the 728-guest Silver Nova is set to become the most sustainable ultra-luxury ship ever launched when she joins Silversea’s fleet in summer 2023. Silver Nova will represent the next iteration of Silversea’s unique take on luxury, with the largest choice of bars, restaurants, and lounges in ultra-luxury cruising; some of the most spacious guest suites at sea; and a range of innovative features – including an asymmetrical design and horizontal layout—that are unprecedented for the leading ultra-luxury cruise line.

Oceania Cruises takes delivery of Vista

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 01 May 2023 01 May 2023

Oceania Cruises has welcomed its newest ship – Vista. Delivered at Fincantieri's shipyard in Genoa, Italy, Oceania Cruises' initial Allura Class ship features several firsts in the realms of dining, accommodation and guest experience.

This 67,000-ton, 791-foot-long ship is one of the most anticipated new ships to join the global cruise fleet in 2023. The 1,200-guest Vista boasts the most spacious standard staterooms at sea, three brand-new dining concepts and operates with a market-leading service ratio of two staff members for every three guests. She is highly anticipated by brand loyal and new guests alike, with only a few select staterooms available for her inaugural summer season in the Mediterranean.

Vista builds on Oceania Cruises' exemplary reputation of destination-rich itineraries with world-class service and The Finest Cuisine at Sea by offering 11 culinary venues, three of which are new concepts – Ember, a signature restaurant featuring elevated American cuisine; Aquamar Kitchen, which brings wellness offerings to a new level; and The Bakery at Baristas, an expansion of popular coffee bar Baristas, serving freshly baked French and Italian pastries. In addition to an elevated mixology program with innovative specialty cocktails, Vista's new Broadway-caliber productions feature recognizable songs by some of the world's most beloved artists and contemporary dance numbers led by "Dancing with the Stars" choreographer Britt Stewart.

"Today we usher in a new era for Oceania Cruises with the delivery of Vista," said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "We could not have built such an exceptional ship without the close partnership enjoyed with Fincantieri. We thank each and every person who had a hand in bringing her to life. From the smallest of design details to the largest per capita galley at sea, Vista is a marvel that will be enjoyed by guests for decades to come."

When constructing Vista, Fincantieri's key intention was to embody Oceania Cruises' commitment to luxury and top-of-the-line guest experiences. The innovative ship is a reflection of Fincantieri's extensive abilities and commitment to quality.

Vista will be christened on May 8, 2023, in an exclusive ceremony in Valletta, Malta, by her godmother, celebrated Italian-American chef, author, restaurateur and Emmy Award-winning food personality Giada De Laurentiis. The christening is due to begin at 9 PM CEST, and the event will be livestreamed at 12 PM PDT/3 PM EDT/8 PM BST/9 PM CEST/5 AM AEST (next day) for anyone who wishes to join. The event site and livestream registration can be found here: www.VistaCelebration.com.

After her summer season in the Mediterranean, Vista will sail to Canada and New England before heading south for a series of winter itineraries exploring the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

Scenic Eclipse II sails inaugural cruise from Lisbon

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 14 April 2023 14 April 2023

Scenic Eclipse II, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours’ new ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, begins its inaugural Mediterranean season with a debut sailing from Lisbon, Portugal on April 13.

Aboard the ship for its maiden voyage – a 12-day Incredible Iberian Discovery cruise to Barcelona, Spain – are Scenic Group Chairman and founder Glen Moroney and his wife, Karen. Along with top tier loyalty guests, they will be joined by a host of specially invited VIPs who have all played a part in the vision and delivery of the much-anticipated new arrival.

An official naming ceremony will be held in Malaga, Spain on June 3, with Godmother Dr. Kathy Sullivan, doing the honors.

The addition of the 114-suite Scenic Eclipse II to the fleet is a milestone moment for Scenic, effectively doubling its capacity in the exclusive exploration cruise market. The 550ft vessel is a near-identical sister-ship to Scenic Eclipse, which set the benchmark for ultra-luxury cruising when it launched in 2019. For the first two months of operation, Scenic Eclipse II will explore the picturesque coastal waters and coves of Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Spain and France before heading north towards Norway for a series of Arctic expeditions.

“The arrival of Scenic Eclipse II really is a dream come true,” said Glen Moroney. “Seeing it here today is testament to the incredible hard work of the team at Scenic Group and MKM Yachts. Guests tell us every day that they simply cannot believe the experiences they get to enjoy when journeying with us – and Scenic Eclipse II will elevate that once again. We have pushed the boundaries to what is possible on an ultra-luxury vessel, both in terms of comfort and technology.”

Under the stewardship of Captain Erwan le Rouzic, guests on the debut sailing will enjoy enhanced ultra-luxury spaces, new culinary experiences, and exclusive cultural moments. Tom Goetter, Director of Food and Beverage for Scenic Group Oceans, will be on hand for a portion of the cruise to oversee the ship’s ten inspiring culinary options, including the new Chef's Garden @ Epicure immersive culinary masterclass experience and presentation area that will see the Executive Chef and his team personally share the secrets of local dishes and cooking techniques. Meanwhile, the yacht’s Discovery Team will provide expert insight during the sailing along with information on the many life-enhancing excursions available.

Among the design enhancement to Scenic Eclipse II are the new Sky Deck, which now features 270-degree views and a brand-new Sky Bar with indoor and outdoor seating including six private cabanas allowing guests to enjoy the stunning views with their favourite drink in hand. Another new feature is the large, oval shaped pool, complete with comfortable furniture by Italian design house Paola Lenti. A perfect venue for sail-away deck parties, the pool now incorporates special jets allowing guests to swim ‘laps’.

Elsewhere on board, guests on the inaugural sailing (and all subsequent sailings) will be able to truly immerse themselves in the ship’s eclectic art collection. In a rare exclusive, British-born artist Carl Hush will be on board for a live installation of his new feature artwork inside Koko’s Asian Fusion restaurant. The acclaimed creator, whose work encompasses street art, collage and painting, draws heavily on Japanese culture to explore representations and constructions of women. Hush previously created a bespoke piece in a similar vein for Scenic Eclipse, and this is a rare opportunity for guests to see an artist at work.

Additional art on board includes an exclusive mural commission by Croatian designer Slaven Kosanovi Lunar in the Night Market @ Koko’s, and the resin mixed media work of Mitch Gobel, who resides in Australia’s Byron Bay, in the Scenic Bar & Lounge and each guest suite.

Scenic Eclipse II’s upcoming voyages have already attracted much interest, with an exciting array of itineraries through 2023 and 2024 now available. From the Arctic in the summer – exploring Norway, Greenland, Iceland and Canada – the Yacht tours the British Isles before heading across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal to South America, and eventually down to Chile, Argentina, and Antarctica for the Winter.

In March 2024, it then takes a turn across the Pacific towards French Polynesia, Tahiti and Fiji, before a series of cruises exploring the Kimberley coastline during Australia’s winter. New Zealand, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands are among more Pacific options up until October 2024.

Of special interest will be Scenic Eclipse II’s first appearance in Canadian waters in August this year as it spends three days exploring Canada’s largest island, Baffin Island, during the 14-day Uncover Greenland & Canada sailing. The yacht’s first visit to the USA will be in Boston on October 12 before she departs Portland, Maine the next day for an 11-day Bermuda & The Bahamas itinerary.

The Eclipse yachts have 114 luxurious suites across five decks, ranging in size from 345 to nearly 2,600 ft², 10 dining experiences, butler service to every suite, a staff to guest ratio of 1:1, a sumptuous 5,920 ft² spa sanctuary, and two on board helicopters and a submarine offering truly unique discovery experiences. Scenic Eclipse II has expanded the SPA steam room to include aromatherapy, added an integrated ice fountain, experience showers, and a KLAFS custom salt therapy lounge with heated beds, and an expanded dedicated infrared ‘ocean view' lounge includes color light therapy to energize and reinvigorate skin cells. The yacht’s electric submersible will hold eight guests.