Fincantieri delivers Sky Princess

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 15 October 2019 15 October 2019

From left to right: Roberto Olivari, Monfalcone Shipyard Director; Captain Heikki Laakkonen; Arnold Donald, President and CEO of Carnival Corporation; Jan Swartz, Group President of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia; Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri; Gianluca Castaldi, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers; Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation; Stein Kruse, Group CEO of Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Carnival Australia and Carnival UK

Sky Princess, the fourth in a series of six Royal Princess class ships built by Fincantieri for Princess Cruises, which is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, was delivered today at the Monfalcone shipyard.

 “This ship marks the 17th that Fincantieri delivered to Princess Cruises cruises, all built at the Monfalcone shipyard. The  debut of Sky Princess marks the first time a ship has been purpose built as a Princess MedallionClass ship, a leading-edge technology that delivers personalized service on a large scale through enhanced guest-crew interaction, as well as enabling interactive entertainment,” Fincantieri said in a statement.

The ship is of about 145,000 gross tons with accommodation for 4,610 passengers in 1,830 cabins and 1,411. The class will continue with the upcoming Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess, who will be delivered respectively in 2020 and 2021.

“The partnership between the Monfalcone yard and Princess Cruises will continue with two next-generation cruise ships. These will be the largest built in Italy with a gross-tonnage of 175,000 tons, expected to be delivered at the end of 2023 and in spring 2025. The vessels will accommodate approximately 4,300 guests and will be the first of the ship owner’s fleet to be dual-fuel powered primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG),” the shipbuilder said.

 

 

 

 

Azura to Malta and Oceana again to Gulf in P&O Cruises’ 2021-22 programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 14 October 2019 14 October 2019

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, will position Azura in  Malta for a series of summer cruises and Oceana again back to the Arabian Gulf as parts of the line’s 2021-22 programme, it said in a statement.

Oceana’s 2019-20 winter programme in the Arabian Gulf was cancelled due to security concerns a few weeks ago. The ship will return top the region for the 2020-21 winter season as well.

“In its biggest launch to date, P&O Cruises is putting its summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022 holidays on sale with over 400 cruises visiting 186 unique ports in 68 countries worldwide,” the line said.

The line’s largest ship, Iona, which will enter service in the summer of next year, will offer  second year of itineraries featuring the Norwegian Fjords and a winter season of Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands and Northern European City Escapes.

P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow said: “P&O Cruises offers much more than just a holiday. The world is full of life-enriching experiences which give our guests the chance to delve deeper, to really get under the skin of a destination and explore more whilst creating life long memories.”

Pre-registration opens on October 14 and the programme will go on sale to Top Tier Peninsular Club members from 21 October and on general sale on 23 October, 2019. Deposits are low at just 5% and discounts of up to 10% are available on Select Price cruises if booked by December 9, 2019.

Iona

In summer 2021, Iona will continue to offer a season of seven-night Norway Fjords cruises from April through to September which will include calls into Stavanger, Olden, Geiranger and Haugesund as well as seven calls to Alesund at the start and end of the season. On the morning of the calls to Geiranger, Iona will also offer a brief stop in Hellesylt to provide an opportunity for guests on tour to disembark.

For the 2021/2022 winter season, Iona will continue to offer a mixed season of Spain and Portugal; Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands and Northern European City Escapes; as well as a 16-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands cruise over Christmas & New Year, with guests celebrating Christmas whilst at sea between islands and New Year’s Eve festivities on board while returning to Southampton.

Britannia

In April 2021, Britannia will offer four sailings comprising a Southern Cruise Break; a Short Break; a Northern European City Escape and a Spain and Portugal itinerary. The ship will then begin a dedicated summer season of Western Mediterranean cruises between May and October 2021.

Britannia will return to the Caribbean for winter 2021-22, starting with a Transatlantic sailing from Southampton to Barbados followed by 14-night holidays from Barbados and seven-night holidays from St Lucia.

Azura

Azura will take over from Oceana and operate a Fly/Mediterranean season throughout the summer. The first sailing will be a repositioning cruise Barbados to Malta in March and Azura will then be based out of Malta from April to October operating a choice of seven and 14 night Central, Eastern and Western Fly Mediterranean itineraries

Azura will start kick off its winter season with a Transatlantic sailing from Malta to Barbados in October 2021 and will spend the winter in the Caribbean operating 14 night turnarounds from Barbados focusing on the Northern and Eastern Caribbean. Azura’s winter 2021/2022 season will end with a positioning sailing back to Malta.

Ventura

Ventura will take over from Azura for summer 2021, operating alternating 14 night Western Mediterranean and Baltic cruises between May and October. Ventura’s Western Mediterranean itinerary features destinations including Cagliari and Naples which maintain the exploration focus.

Ventura’s winter season will focus on Spain and Portugal; Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands and long Caribbean cruises from the UK including a cruise to New Orleans. A Christmas and New Year cruise will give guests the opportunity to watch the spectacular New Year fireworks in Madeira.

Oceana

Oceana will take over from Ventura to operate the programme of 12-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands; seven-night Southern Cruise Breaks and two-night Short Breaks.

For winter 2021/2022, Oceana’s Dubai & Arabian Gulf programme will continue with a programme consisting of two alternating seven-night itineraries; one to the north-west, featuring Qatar and Bahrain, and the other to the east, featuring an overnight call in Muscat. Oceana will be in Abu Dhabi for New Year fireworks.

Aurora

For summer 2021, Aurora will continue to offer a diverse mix of holidays designed to appeal to experienced cruisers, with itineraries specifically designed to include lesser frequented destinations. The ship will operate three discovery-oriented Baltic cruises; a 14-night Iceland cruise including an overnight call in Reykjavik and a 30-night discovery itinerary to Canada which then travels south to Boston for an overnight then onto New York for three full days.

Aurora’s 99-night western circumnavigation of the world  in 2022 includes two full days in Tokyo, as well as other iconic destinations including San Francisco; Auckland; Sydney; Hong Kong and Singapore. A variety of shorter exotic fly/cruises from the longer itinerary will also be available at launch varying from 14 nights to 57 nights.

Arcadia

The highlight of Arcadia’s summer 2021 season will be a 23-night discovery cruise taking in Iceland and Norway, including an overnight in Reykjavik, scenic cruising of the North Cape and calls in Honningsvaag; Tromso; Leknes and Narvik. Arcadia will also offer a 14-night Iceland cruise with an overnight in Reykjavik. Arcadia will then transit the North Atlantic in September 2021 on a 24-night cruise focusing purely on Canada with an overnight visit to Quebec as well as calls to hidden gems such as Saguenay; Sept Iles and Gaspe. 

A 55-night Grand Tour (J201) on Arcadia departing Southampton on January 7, 2022. Highlight ports include a transit of the Amazon; Barbados; St Lucia; Antigua; St Maarten; Tortola; Bonaire; Aruba; Curacao; Roatan; Cozumel and Bermuda.

Holland America Line launches major section of Ryndam at Fincantieri’s Palermo Shipyard

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 11 October 2019 11 October 2019

Holland America Line reached a milestone in the building of Ryndam – its next Pinnacle Class ship – with the successful launch of the forward lower section of the ship, also known as the “troncone,” at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard in Italy on October 3. After an official blessing by Padre Giovanni Cassata, Madrina Giuseppa Catalano cut the rope to release the celebratory bottle of Champagne that smashed against the ship’s hull for good luck. Ryndam is expected to be delivered in May 2021.

Measuring 269 feet (82 meters) long, 115 feet (35 meters) wide and weighing 4,400 tons, the section will soon leave the Palermo yard and be moved to Marghera for an early-November arrival. Jan Koller, project manager, newbuilds for Holland America Line, was at the ceremony.

“This is Ryndam’s first major milestone since the steel cutting, and it’s so exciting to see a large portion of the ship taking shape and already in the water,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Watching a new ship come together piece by piece builds anticipation, and we will soon be announcing the inaugural itineraries for Ryndam cruises in summer 2021. Like her sister ships Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, Ryndam will be a true masterpiece.”

Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard also is building sections of Ryndam that are being assembled, and the Palermo section will be added when it arrives.

The 2,668-guest Ryndam’s next major milestone will be the keel laying when the ship’s first block is placed into the drydock. From there, blocks will be added weekly until the steel structure is complete (July 2020) and the dock can be flooded for the official float out.

As the third in the series, Ryndam will feature the highly successful Pinnacle Class amenities and innovations including the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Grand Dutch Café, Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Rolling Stone Rock Room.

[Cruisebusiness.com will sail on the Nieuw Statendam at the end of this month – you can follow our journey from our social media accounts.]

Dream Cruises' newbuild to feature world's longest roller coaster at sea

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 11 October 2019 11 October 2019

Dream Cruises will feature the world’s longest roller coaster at sea on board its new Global-class ship which is currently under construction in Germany and slated to debut in early 2021. The Space Cruiser will be the highlight of the Dream Park at the Pier - first-ever theme park concept at sea that will push the envelope of entertainment and leisure facilities available at sea for discerning cruise passengers looking for unique experiences.

“Dream Cruises is excited to unveil the innovative and exciting Space Cruiser on board the newest addition to our fleet, the first Global-class ship named Global Dream, which is set to debut in early 2021,” said Michael Goh, President of Dream Cruises & Head of International Sales, Genting Cruise Lines. “As part of our commitment to develop the most technologically advanced cruise ships in the world, the newly constructed Global Class ships will dazzle guests with cutting edge features and facilities that will optimize convenience for our passengers and also provide innovative leisure, entertainment and recreation options to appeal to a broad range of guests.”

Dream Cruises has teamed up with Maurer Rides to develop the world's longest roller coaster on a cruise ship with the innovative, interactive Space Cruiser on the forthcoming Global-class vessel.

“Outfitted with powerful electric motors and positive-locking drive system, the coaster defies the physical limits experienced by conventional roller coasters, thus allowing acceleration over 1g almost everywhere on the 300-metre track,” said Marco Hartwig, Project Manager, Maurer Rides. “All this guarantees a spectacular and breathtaking ride at up to 60 km/h (37 mph) over the heads of fellow passengers.”

Each of the three Spike carts will provide interactive driving excitement for up to two riders per vehicle with inline seats and an integrated throttle allowing guests to control the speed of the ride. Due to the unusual perspective, the driver of the Space Cruiser will have the feeling of flying over the sea.

As part of the ground-breaking Dream Park at the Pier, the first-ever theme park at sea on the new Global-class ship, the Space Cruiser will be one of the many fun and exciting attractions that will thrill and dazzle guests of all ages while cruising at sea.

With something for everyone, Dream Park at the Pier ssembles a myriad of attractions including:

– Bounce Activity Park – Spread out over the size of a basketball court, this inflatable park isn’t the same old bouncy castles found at kiddie parties. Guests can run, bounce, dance and jump their way around the massive bouncy obstacle course for the ultimate nostalgia trip.

– Jump! – Bounce around to your heart’s content in a special trampoline park that will have you jumping for joy!

– Shark Bay – Unleash your inner daredevil on our bungee trampoline. Accomplish acrobatic feats while attached to a safety harness for maximum fun.

– Wipe Out – Ride the waves at our on board surf simulator. Whether you hang ten or hang out, you’ll have a wet and wild time with your friends.

– Cosmic Chaos – Spin, twirl, give it a whirl. Become a human gyro and get ready to tumble.

– Kranky Kraken – Kiddies can make friends with our amiable octopus and fly around in one of his many arms.

– Little Dreamers Ride – Tiny tots can test their driving skills in our mini karts for some race-car hijinks – all in a safe and controlled environment.

Global Dream is designed for the rapidly growing Asian cruise market and will join the Dream Cruises award-winning fleet, allowing Dream Cruises to offer cruise itineraries across the world as “Asia’s Global Cruise Line”. Apart from the theme park, amenities will include a Cineplex, Asian and Western spas, ample shopping facilities as well as authentic Asian and international dining experiences and fast food restaurants. Her 2,500 cabins will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 passengers on a twin share basis and can cater to over 9,000 passengers during peak holiday periods. Global Dream will also feature Dream Cruises’ signature 151-suite luxury “ship-within-a-ship’ concept, “The Palace”.

State-of-the-art technology will include Bluetooth locks and a new smart system allowing passengers to control different functions such as the LED mood lighting and climate control with a smartphone app, voice recognition or through a touch-screen control panel. Smart sensors will also be able to detect occupants in the cabin to automatically adjust the lights and temperature for better energy efficiency and triple vent air-conditioning outlets ensure even air distribution for maximum comfort.