Riverside Luxury Cruises to launch its third vessel in March 2024

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 31 December 2023 31 December 2023

Riverside Luxury Cruises, the new luxury river cruise brand, will launch of its third all-inclusive, all-suite luxury river ship, Riverside Debussy, in March 2024. Riverside Debussy offers an expansive selection of more than 40 departures in 2024 with her inaugural voyage sailing from Brussels, Belgium, to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on March 23. On the special, six-day itinerary, guests will visit Gent, Belgium; Middleburg, Germany; and Vissingen, Wilemstad, Dordrecht and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Riverside Debussy will join Riverside Mozart and Riverside Ravel to bring travellers to some of Europe’s most picturesque and culture-rich locales along the Rhine, Rhône, Main and Danube rivers. To celebrate Debussy’s upcoming launch and the holiday season, Riverside is offering 500 euros onboard credit per suite to travellers when they make a new booking aboard any of the brand’s all-inclusive, 2024 luxury river cruises.

“Riverside’s three elegant ships are floating, luxury boutique hotels that bring guests on immersive and all-inclusive, Europe vacations,” said Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, Americas. “Riverside Debussy, Riverside Mozart and Riverside Ravel dock daily in a new town- and city-centre so guests can walk off and immediately experience the beauty and culture of inland locales that cruise ships cannot reach. We look forward to welcoming discerning travellers and delivering more culture, more celebrations and more luxury in 2024.”

Travellers can take advantage of Riverside’s holiday offer and choose a grand variety of memorable itineraries along the Rhine, Rhône, Main and Danube rivers aboard Riverside Debussy, Riverside Mozart and Riverside Ravel. Guests can apply their onboard credit to indulge in a complimentary spa treatment; experiences in the Vintage Room, an exclusive, gourmet dégustation and wine pairing; or a private shore excursion. Throughout, guests will enjoy Riverside’s signature, intuitive service and savour unmatched gourmet dining; and bask in exceptional comfort throughout the ships’ expansive spaces and plush accommodations.

The new Riverside Luxury Cruises is Europe’s premier luxury river cruise brand offering all-inclusive vacations along the Rhine, Rhône, Main and Danube rivers. The brand’s all-suite Riverside Mozart, Riverside Ravel, and the soon-to-launch Riverside Debussy are regarded among the most luxurious ships on Europe’s waterways. All guests enjoy Riverside’s signature intuitive and attentive service from every staff and crew member; personal butlers service in every suite; StarLink broadband Wi-Fi; gourmet cuisine paired with the region’s best wines; and shore excursions to delve further afield into the region’s history, culture and attractions.

Carnival Jubilee arrives to Galveston

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 December 2023 21 December 2023

Waving from the newest Fun Ship, Santa Claus swapped his sleigh for the day so he could help deliver Carnival Jubilee – the first brand new cruise ship to debut in Galveston, Tex. Carnival Cruise Line’s new flagship, which dons a Texas Star on its bow, was welcomed home with a grand water salute as she docked at Galveston Wharves’ Terminal 25 for the first time.

The official debut of the 26th Fun Ship in the Carnival fleet signals the start of a significant expansion strategy in Galveston, which has grown among Carnival’s top homeports since the company became the first cruise line to operate there year-round more than two decades ago. In addition to bringing Carnival’s most innovative and dynamic entertainment and dining offerings, the ship will now significantly expand capacity from the port. Carnival Jubilee joins Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream at the port as part of a four-ship deployment plan that will be complete when Carnival Miracle repositions to Galveston next fall.

“The Texas star on her bow isn’t just decoration, it’s a symbol of our gratitude to our guests sailing from Texas who’ve made us the number one cruise line in Galveston, and our commitment to the future of cruising from this great city and state,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “When we cut the ribbon to welcome our first guests on this ship this weekend, we’ll be celebrating the beginning of a new era of operations here.”

Along with bringing the first roller coaster on board a cruise ship to Texas, Carnival Jubilee will also usher in the use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Galveston. Enhancements were made at the port to accommodate the use of LNG and additionally, Carnival’s decision to deploy the new ship at its Texas homeport generated a $53 million investment in terminal improvements. In a Dec. 20 column, The Galveston County Daily News described Carnival Jubilee as a significant addition to the port and said, “The fact Carnival is willing to base its newest, biggest asset in Galveston is testament to the port’s standing in the industry and further evidence that past investment in cruise facilities was, and more investment would be, prudent.”

“The terminal, which has been home to Carnival ships since 2000, has been renovated top to bottom, inside and out. From a new roof, expanded dock and exterior colors to new interior finishes and furniture, the terminal has a fresh, new look,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO. “We are happy the time has come for this historic event and honored to host this beautiful, state-of-the-art ship.”

Now, Carnival Jubilee’s 1,750 team members are preparing to welcome more than 6,000 guests aboard for a maiden departure on Saturday. The ship is set to sail on a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise, visiting Mahogany Bay as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will continue sailing week-long cruises year-round.

Meyer Turku lays the keel of second Icon-class ship

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 December 2023 21 December 2023

Icon of the Seas, handed over from the Meyer Turku shipyard at the end of November, is getting a sister ship. Star of the Seas, the second ship of the Icon series to be built for Royal Caribbean International, is at the beginning of its hull assembly phase. The lowering of the keel and the related coin ceremony were celebrated at the Meyer Turku shipyard on Friday, December 15.

The lowering of the keel and the related ceremony have long traditions. At the Meyer Turku shipyard, a crane lowered a massive steel block to the bottom of the construction pool on trestles to signal the start of assembling the ship's hull. Under the steel block, the coins placed there by the ship's customer and builder's representatives a moment before were left. Since ancient Roman times, such lucky coins have sailed with ships, bringing them protection.

"Star of the Seas is very important for both the shipyard and the partner network: the 13,000 man-years spent on building the ship create employment and business in Finland proper and, with the supply chains, significantly wider. After completion, Star of the Seas will strengthen a completely new kind of cruise experience with the standards set by its sister ship Icon," says CEO Tim Meyer.

Star of the Seas will begin operating in the Caribbean from its home port of Port Canaveral, Florida in August 2025.

Asuka III progresses at Meyer Werft

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 December 2023 21 December 2023

Meyer Werft and NYK Cruises recently celebrated the traditional keel-laying ceremony for the new cruise ship Asuka III. With the lowering of the first steel block into building dock I (hall 5), the assembly of the ship's hull has now begun. The component weighs 345 tonnes and is 12,8 metres wide, 24,6 metres long and 7,4 metres high.

"With today's keel laying, we are celebrating the next important milestone in the construction of the Asuka III. All of us at Meyer are proud to be building this special cruise ship for the Japanese market. The speciality of designing the ship to meet the needs and requirements of Japanese passengers is unique. We are working very closely and passionately with the NYK Cruises team," says Managing Director Jan Meyer.

‘I am delighted to announce the successful completion of the Keel Laying Ceremony. I appreciate the continued collaboration from the Meyer Werft shipyard team, and I feel confident that with their ongoing support, we will successfully welcome the launch of Asuka III in 2025.‘‘‘says Hiroyuki Endo, President NYK Cruises.

Meyer Werft will use numerous solutions customised for the Japanese market for the new cruise ship. These include, for example, the spa areas, which will be specially developed according to Japanese wishes and customs. In addition, the Asuka III is the first cruise ship to be built under the supervision of the Japanese flag state in around 30 years. The ship is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), one of the cleanest fuels currently available for shipping. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, this means that emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter can be almost completely eliminated and sulphur oxides completely avoided.

Delivery of the abt. 52,000 gross ton ship is planned for 2025. With a length of 230,2 metres and a width of 29.8 metres, it will offer space for around 740 passengers.