Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination sold to undisclosed buyers

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 16 September 2020 16 September 2020

Carnival Cruise Line said Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination, which had previously been put on long-term lay-up, have been sold to undisclosed buyers.

Carnival Fascination was built in 1994 and Carnival Inspiration a year later. Both are of 70,367 gross tons. The company has previously sold two other units of the class - Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration - that comprised eight ships. These were sold for scrap.

The sale is in line with Carnival Corporation & plc's plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet. It said yesterday that a total of 18 ships have ether beendisposed of or would be sold as a result.

“Upon return to operations, Carnival will still operate four upgraded Fantasy-class ships – Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise – which feature additional balcony staterooms as well as enhanced dining and entertainment options that are part of the line's Fun Ship 2.0 enhancement program,” Carnival said.

"While we are sad to see Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination leave our fleet, it is a necessary move as it allows us to focus on ships that offer the greatest variety of features and stateroom accommodations for our guests," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line in the statement.  

Related to its ongoing ship enhancement program and the current pause in cruise operations, Carnival also advised guests and travel agents that it is delaying the return to guest operations for four ships until after scheduled dry dock enhancements are completed in the first half of 2021.

The four impacted ships and resulting cancelled itineraries include:

Carnival Magic itineraries operating from Miami will be cancelled until Mar. 13, 2021

Carnival Paradise itineraries operating from Tampa will be cancelled until Mar. 19, 2021

Carnival Valor itineraries operating from New Orleans will be cancelled until Apr. 29, 2021 (including the transatlantic cruise from New Orleans on Jan. 25, 2021 and the return from Barcelona on Feb. 26, 2021)

Carnival Spirit itineraries operating from Brisbane will be cancelled through May 16, 2021, with the first sailing being the Singapore to Brisbane voyage embarking on June 12, 2021.

"This extended pause in our operations has also impacted shipyard availability, and we've had to reschedule required dry docks.  As we continue to work through issues related to our eventual return to operations, we are committed to providing our guests and travel agent partners with certainty where we can, although we regret disappointing our guests.  We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our guests and hope to welcome them back on board soon," Duffy said.

AIDA Cruises to offer seven day Mediterranean cruises from October to end of November

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 16 September 2020 16 September 2020

AIDA Cruises, German unit of Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it would expand its range of cruises this autumn with new voyages visiting the highlights of Italy, starting on Oct. 17, 2020.

“The new seven-day itinerary departs from Civitavecchia near Rome and travels to Palermo and Catania in Sicily, Naples and La Spezia. In Rome, an overnight stay is planned. The voyages are offered weekly until Nov. 28, 2020,” the company said in a statement.

It noted that the AIDA health and safety programme will be implemented on all cruises. Developed with leading medical experts, the program has been audited and confirmed by the renowned independent auditing company SGS Institut Fresenius and the classification society DNV-GL.

“The measures include a complimentary COVID-19 test, regular temperature measurements for guests and crew, physical distancing and increased disinfection measures,” the company said.

Borealis to cruise from Liverpool 2021-22

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 15 September 2020 15 September 2020

Sailings for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ second new acquisition,  Borealis,  have gone on sale today, with the inaugural programme featuring itineraries setting sail mainly from Liverpool in 2021-22, the company said in a statement.

This follows the launch of Bolette – another new ship for the cruise line – which went on sale last week. 

Borealis’ first cruise will be a six-night ‘Scottish Lochs & Isles’ sailing, departing from Liverpool on 23rd April 2021. This will be followed by a five-night ‘Irish Capitals & Scottish Scenery’ cruise, before the ship ventures further afield to the Mediterranean, Norway, Iceland and more. 

“The ship will sail almost exclusively from Liverpool across the 2021 and 2022 programme, and will be taking on existing itineraries for Black Watch, which was retired from the fleet in August, as well as five brand new itineraries,” the company said. 

Guests who book onto any of Borealis’ sailings for 2021 or 2022 by 30th September 2020 will enjoy free tips and money to spend on board – up to £100 per person.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “It is so exciting to have both of our new ships on sale, and to be able to showcase some of the incredible itineraries that we have on offer.”

“In addition to taking on Black Watch’s sailings, Borealis will also take guests on a number of new cruises, offering opportunities to witness the natural beauty of closer-to-home islands around the UK, seek out the Northern Lights, from where Borealis takes her namesake, and recharge on a short Spanish City Break in the run up to Christmas next year.”

“Importantly, the new ships will still offer that Fred. Olsen experience our guests have come to know and love, with familiar venues and faces on board, but with a range of exciting new facilities, too<’ she said. 

Liverpool City Council Head of City Assets, Angie Redhead said: "We are delighted that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has chosen Liverpool as the home port for its new ship, Borealis. It is a wonderful show of commitment to our city and reinforces the already strong partnership we have with them.”

Wasaline's Aurora Botnia floated out at the Rauma shipyard

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 12 September 2020 12 September 2020

Wasaline’s new car and passenger ferry Aurora Botnia was floated out at Rauma Marine Constructions’ shipyard in Rauma, Finland, on 11 September. The vessel will be completed in spring 2021, after which it will operate between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå in Sweden. The construction of the vessel will have a substantial effect on employment, totalling around 800 person-years.

Friday's float out was a milestone in Aurora Botnia’s history. Established by the city of Vaasa in Finland and the municipality of Umeå in Sweden, the Kvarken team delivered a proposal for safeguarding year-round passenger and cargo traffic in the Kvarken region to the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications on 11 September 2012. Today, eight years later to the day, Wasaline’s new RoPax ferry, Rauma Marine Constructions’ newbuilding NB6002, was floated out.

“We can be proud of the fact that despite the unusual circumstances, we are now celebrating the float-out of Aurora Botnia. People at RMC and in our network of partners have done an excellent job, tackling challenges brought about by the coronavirus and driving the project forward in a determined manner. As this project is unique to both parties, I am extremely happy with the smooth cooperation between our team and the customer. I have every reason to believe it will continue to run on track," says Jyrki Heinimaa, President and CEO of RMC.

Aurora Botnia will be the first car and passenger ferry in the world with a Clean Design class notation. The four main engines, supplied by Wärtsilä, will run on both liquified natural gas (LNG) and biogas (LBG). When the ferry is approaching the harbour or departing, she can operate utilising electrical power. Thanks to these new technologies, the carbon dioxide emissions from the ferry will be significantly lower compared to the ferry that now operates across the Kvarken strait.

“On this special day, I would like to thank Wasaline’s entire personnel both on board and on shore. I also want to say thanks to all our partners and everyone supporting us on this journey. The new ship is the most environmentally friendly RoPax ferry in the world, and it has many innovative features. Wasaline wants to be the most sympathetic, eco-friendly and reliable shipping company operating in the Baltic Sea. Today, we will also set out to update our brand to match this new era”, says Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director of Wasaline.

The launch signals a new stage in building the vessel: the hull is now ready, and equipment assembly and interior work will begin. The focus will shift from steelwork to piping, insulation, ventilation and electrical installation. Moreover, work around the engine rooms and the car deck will be continued.

The ship will slowly come to life as the integration of automation and various systems will turn on the electricity, and water and fuel will start to move in the pipes. The vessel’s interior work will be done during next winter. The outfitting phase will be concluded with sea trials and commissioning for operation in spring 2021.