P&O Cruises’ newbuilding to feature Dome entertainment centre with pools and informal eating

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 27 October 2016 27 October 2016

The 180,000 gross ton newbuilding P&O Cruises in the UK has on order from Meyer Werft in Germany will feature The Dome, an entertainment hub on upper decks. “Featuring an impressive clear sky dome, a pool with a retractable stage, water feature and whirlpools, The Dome will act as an all-weather venue for all day entertainment and informal dining.,” the company said in a statement

At night The Dome – one of four primary entertainment spaces the ship - would come alive with aerial performances, projection onto the roof and immersive shows, P&O Cruises said. The as yet un-named ship would also feature an uninterrupted half-mile Promenade around the ship on Deck 8 that provides easy access to al fresco dining at a range of restaurants and relaxation areas under shaded pavilion awnings.

This, too, marks a major change compared to the Britannia that P&O Cruises introduced in 2015, which has no such wrap around promenade deck and all its swimming pols are exposed to the elements. The Dome concept itself appears to be an adaptation of a similar venue on board AIDA Prima, the first of two 124,500 gross ton ships of AIDA Cruises. The new P&O Cruises' ship is based on a new platform also used by AIDA Cruises, Costa Crociere and cArnival Cruise Line, all contemporary market units in the Carnival Corporation & plc group.

Glass walls spanning three decks will flow natural light into P&O Cruises signature Atrium, the central heartbeat and focal point of the 5,200-guest ship, complete with a grand staircase, gallery and overhead walkways.

“Initial concepts for differentiated cabins will be created by Acumen (London), a contemporary design practice behind British Airways’ first-ever lie-flat beds, Air France first class and The Residence, Etihad Airways’ opulent three-room suites in the sky,” P&O Cruises said.

The ship will be the most environmentally efficient in P&O Cruises history with “green cruising” design using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to generate the primary source of power both in port and on the open sea. This will significantly reduce exhaust emissions to help protect the environment in support of the company's sustainability goals.

Guests will be spoilt for choice for dining, entertainment, socialising and relaxation options:

 

• 17 places to eat
• 7 speciality restaurants
• 12 places to enjoy a drink and see the sea
• 13 entertainment venues from the theatre to adult only venues
• Three pop-up entertainment spaces/venues
• 16 whirlpools
• 4 swimming pools (three outside, one inside)
• 9 places to have breakfast
• 5 places to enjoy afternoon tea
• 7 places to have coffee

 

Built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, cruises on the new ship will go on sale in autumn 2018.

Shipyards ponder outlook as only passenger ship building shines

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 26 October 2016 26 October 2016

Top executives from major shipbuilders from Japan, Europe, China, South-Korea and the United States (JECKU) met in Gyeongju (South-Korea) on 19 and 20 October in the context of the 25th JECKU, to discuss the industry’s challenges in supply and demand and in addressing regulatory matters.

This year’s meeting took place under extraordinary circumstances, notably against a background of a global shipbuilding industry experiencing very harsh demand contractions. Newbuilding demand has been low in practically all market segments of the shipbuilding industry, with the exception of passenger ships.

All delegations expressed deep concerns about the current world economic situation. The decrease in new shipbuilding orders and few positive signs of recovery in the near future cause a difficult situation to most of the shipbuilding nations. Signs of protectionism in many parts of the world form a worrisome trend and geopolitical risks will add to the uncertainty of global trade.

Corrado Antonini, Honorary Chairman of SEA Europe and chair of the European JECKU delegation said: “Without painful measures to reduce excess capacity, in shipping like in shipbuilding, the markets cannot return to equilibrium. For decades we have discussed time and time again how to address harmful factors in global shipbuilding such as overcapacity, market distortions and unsustainable pricing”.

Unfortunately, also the demand side, i.e. our customers, provided in the past little encouragement in addressing the problem. We believe, our efforts towards international rules, safeguarding normal competitive conditions in world shipbuilding, could have served as a stabilizing factor also with regard to the imbalanced shipping markets. I find it encouraging that also at Tripartite level involving owners, class and yards, the need to address together, not only technical issues but also shared concerns in the market, has now been recognised. Perhaps this could be a new a key element aiming at finding collective solutions together with our customers.”

While the delegations acknowledged that the difficult market situation in shipbuilding is linked to a slow and uncertain economic recovery and a mismatch between shipbuilding capacity and demand, they also recognized that the challenges of tighter environmental requirements could provide the opportunity for innovation. And innovation in shipbuilding technologies will be of core importance for a steady development of the eco-friendly maritime industry. It could also open-up new business areas.

The top executives shared the view that shipbuilders need to urge regulatory authorities to implement worldwide environmental regulation which stimulates innovation, while at the same time safeguard intellectual property.

All delegations agreed to make constant disciplined efforts for a continued sound development of the shipbuilding industry and for intensifying corporate social responsibility for the industry.

The 26th JECKU Top Executive Meeting will be hosted by the United States in San Diego (California) and take place on 15 and 16 November 2017.

MedCruise general assembly to be held at Gibraltar 14 to 17 June

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 26 October 2016 26 October 2016

The next general assembly of MedCruise, the organisation that promotes the Mediterranean region to the cruise industry, will be held from 14 to 17 June next year at Gibraltar, the organisation said in a statement. It is the 50^th time the event would be held, it added.

Black Watch upgrade to launch Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ major investment programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 24 October 2016 24 October 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said its 804-guest Black Watch will be entering dry dock at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany in November 2016, in preparation for the forthcoming 2017/18 cruise season.

“The ship will undergo various engineering works, general maintenance and refurbishment during the dry dock, as well as the creation of several new public areas and guest facilities, as part of a multi-million pound investment,” the company said in a statement.

“Our significant investment in refurbishing and upgrading Black Watch will ensure that our guests will be able to enjoy her classic looks and unique, intimate ambience for many years to come,” said Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of the line, in the statement. Similar refurbishments and upgrades are expected to the rest of the Fred. Olsen fleet – Balmoral, Braemar and Boudicca – in the coming years.

Black Watch will depart from Tilbury, UK for Hamburg on 18 November 2016, following a seven-night ‘European Cities & Waterways’ cruise. Work on the dry dock is expected to start at Blohm + Voss on 20 November 2016.

Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Black Watch is one of Fred. Olsen’s most popular cruise ships, and it is important that she always looks her best. During her 26-day dry dock in Hamburg, as well as the usual maritime inspections and maintenance work, we will also be undertaking major upgrades to the cabins and public areas throughout the ship, to ensure that we continue to provide the best facilities possible to meet our guests’ expectations.

A key focus of Black Watch’s refurbishment will be the 423 cabins across the ship, on Marquee Deck 9, Bridge Deck 8, Lido Deck 7, Main Deck 5, Atlantic Deck 4, and Marina Deck 3. A new interactive in-cabin TV system will be installed across the ship, equipped with all the latest features and connectivity. Bathrooms will be refurbished, and all cabins will feature safes and mini-bars, as standard.

During the dry dock, Black Watch’s Braemar Garden Café, on Lounge Deck 6, will be converted into a new restaurant, to be called ‘Brigadoon’, in keeping with Fred. Olsen’s close Scottish connections. The new restaurant will feature modern new décor and will offer a stylish, intimate dining experience, for up to 54 guests – continuing to serve the wide range of British and international cuisine for which Fred. Olsen is renowned.

The Braemar Courtyard, on Lounge Deck 6, will be converted into a separate speciality dining area, called ‘The Club’, offering an à la carte dining experience, including expertly-prepared steaks cooked to order, with seating for up to 46 guests. A new dedicated Galley will be created to service this new dining facility. The existing Grill restaurant, situated on Lounge Deck 6 aft, by the main pool area, will be rebranded and redesigned, to offer a new Mediterranean-themed dining experience.

Black Watch’s main 340-guest restaurant, The Glentanar, on Lounge Deck 6, will undergo extensive refurbishment, with a spacious new layout and ‘new look’, featuring new furniture, carpet and curtains.

Considerable attention will also be given to the various bar areas on board Black Watch during the dry dock. The Observatory Lounge, on Marquee Deck 9, will receive a refresh to the décor and fittings, and the Lido Lounge, on Lido Deck 7, will receive an extensive overhaul, with new furniture, fabrics and carpets being fitted throughout, as well as the installation of a full-width sliding door to the aft.

The Morning Light Pub – an iconic feature across the whole Fred. Olsen fleet – will be moved to the area currently occupied by the Braemar Lounge, on Lounge Deck 6, replacing the existing Pub next to the Neptune Show Lounge. New furniture and fabrics will be a key feature of the larger, more spacious Pub, along with a new bar. The area vacated by the existing Morning Light Pub will be renamed the ‘Neptune Bar’.

To enhance the onboard experience for guests, the Marina Cinema on Marina Deck 3 will be upgraded with the latest ‘3D’ technology, enabling the Black Watch team to show 3D films and other programmes.

Black Watch’s Guest Services area, on Main Deck 5 – the focal point and ‘hub’ of the ship – will also be renewed, making it more inviting and user-friendly for guests.

 

Following Black Watch’sdry dock, the ship will recommence her cruise season from Tilbury, UK, with a seven-night ‘German & Danish Christmas Markets’ cruise, departing on 15 December 2016.