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Fincantieri floats out Viking Mars

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 July 2021 16 July 2021

Viking announced its newest ocean ship – the 930-guest Viking Mars – was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Viking also announced that Viking Mars, which is scheduled to debut in early 2022, will officially be named by her ceremonial godmother, Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the eighth Countess of Carnarvon. The ship will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe before embarking on voyages in Asia and Australia.

“The day that a new ship meets water for the first time is always a special moment in time, and today is especially meaningful because for the second time, my dear friend Lady Carnarvon will honor us by serving as godmother to a new Viking ship,” said Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Viking. “The last year and a half has been a period of uncertainty for all of us, and it is in those times that you know your true friends. Lady Carnarvon has done so much to help Viking, including opening her home almost weekly for our guests to experience life ‘At Home at Highclere’ on Viking.TV. She is truly a like the sister I never had. We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone, and we look forward to welcoming Viking Mars to our award-winning ocean fleet next year.”

"I am both honored and privileged to be chosen as godmother to the Viking Mars, the latest addition to Viking’s beautiful cruise ships. I’ve no doubt she will delight the many guests who travel with her across the seas and oceans," said Lady Carnarvon.

The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of Viking Mars began at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time when a member of the Viking team cut a cord that signaled water to begin flowing into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set Viking Mars afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

SunStone Ships takes delivery of the second Infinity-class vessel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 July 2021 15 July 2021

SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful delivery of their second next-generation, IInfinity-class vessel.

With a goal of marrying European design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency, the Infinity-class delivers cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies.

SunStone CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We are very pleased with the quality and high building standards of China Merchants Heavy Industry, which are fully at the level of European shipyards. We are looking forward to continuing our relationships with all our partners in the Infinity-class project and we, even considering the Covid-19 world crisis, are moving fast forward as planned at very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level.”

The vessel will do worldwide year-round expedition cruises for Vantage Travel.

The vessel will depart China Merchants Heavy Industry, Haimen, shortly after delivery and be on its way to Manila to pick up crew, then a short stop in Malta to get the remaining hotel crew and supplies onboard, and from there to Poole in the UK where cruising will begin in late August.

SunStone Ships plans new class of newbuildings

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 July 2021 15 July 2021

SunStone Ships, the Florida based tonnage provider for the expedition cruise market, is planning to order newbuildings that would be larger than the Infinity class it is currently building, CEO Niels Erik Lund told CruiseBusiness Online.

To be called the Boundless class, the projected vessels would have a gross tonnage of about 12,000 to 13,000 compared to 8,500 of the Chinese built Infinity class vessels and their 124 metre length would exceed the figure of infinity ships by 20 metres.

SunStone Ships plans to build at least three units of the new class, which would replace Ocean Endeavour, Ocean Atlantic and Ocean Diamond. However, it is possible that the series will be longer as SunStone Ships plans to grow its business.

The Infinity class ships feature X-Bow, a feature patented by the Norwegian shipbuilding group Ulstein. This significantly enhances the seakeeping qualities of the ships.

Lund declined comment on whether the Boundless class would feature it as well. However, he noted that in any case, the bow of the new ships would be an inverse design as such a feature improves seakeeping, a very important aspect in expedition cruising that often includes voyages to regions where the conditions are demanding.

SunStone Ships is at an advanced stage in the design of the new class and the first order could be placed before the end of this year, he said.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s new ships fuel demand for cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 July 2021 14 July 2021

Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s (FOCL) acquisition of what are Bolette and Borealis now from Holland America Line last year has increased the capacity of the line and fuelled demand for cruises, parent company Bonheur ASA said in a statement

The acquisition of the former Rotterdam and Amsterdam formed part of an optimisation of FOCL’s fleet composition and increased the fleet’s capacity by approximately 25%. The ships, both built in the mid-1990s, replaced Black Watch and Boudicca, both of which dated from the early 1970s.

“With a higher yielding cabin mix, large attractive public spaces and with upgraded exterior and interior to FOCL’s customer-appreciated line of style, these vessels are expected to enhance FOCL’s earnings capabilities above pre Covid-19 levels. This is now further supported by a substantial increase in demand for cruises,’ Bonheur said in a statement.

FOCL reported a deeply negative EBITDA in the second quarter, mainly due to lay-up, mobilisation cost and overhead costs. EBITDA in the quarter was negative NOK 179 million compared to a figure negative by NOK 172 million in the same period last year.

MSC Virtuosa to be named in Dubai

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 July 2021 14 July 2021

MSC Cruises’ new flagship debuting the world’s first humanoid robotic bartender at sea — will officially be named in a ceremony to be held in Dubai, the company said in a statement.

Following the naming ceremony, MSC Virtuosa will depart for its maiden Arabian Gulf voyage on November from Dubai as the first of a series of seven night cruises with visits to the ports of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Dammam in Saudi Arabia and Doha.

MSC Virtuosa was delivered in February, bringing brand new features, the latest in environmental technology and expansive spaces on board for guests to enjoy.

A few highlights of the ship include:

The brand-new MSC Starship Club featuring the world’s first humanoid robotic bartender offering a futuristic immersive bar and entertainment experience

An enhanced MSC Yacht Club, with stylish private facilities and accommodation including a panoramic lounge, gourmet restaurant and private pool and sun deck

A choice of 10 restaurants and 21 bars including two brand-new specialty restaurant concepts – HOLA! Tacos & Cantina and Indochine

A 945-seater theater with live productions and shows every night

Extensive kids’ facilities including with LEGO® play areas and a Chicco baby club

367 ft. long Mediterranean promenade lined with boutiques, bars and restaurants topped with a breathtaking LED sky screen with animations throughout the day and night

Five swimming pools including an extensive magrodome pool and a 10,764 sq. ft. aquapark

A dedicated entertainment area with an F1 simulator, bowling and XD cinema

The luxurious MSC Aurea Spa with a full range of treatments and the state-of-the-art MSC Gym by Technogym®

The largest shopping area at sea with 12,572 sq. ft. of retail space with 11 boutiques and 250 different brands

Interior photos by Ivan Sarfatti