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Crystal signs order with Fincantieri for third ocean ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 November 2024 08 November 2024

Crystal announced today the finalization of an order with renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for construction of a third ocean ship. This comes as a result of the option granted under the two-unit agreements announced earlier this summer.

Similar to its sister ships, the 690-passenger (based on double occupancy), 61,800-gross-ton ship will feature a host of amenities and innovative designs, ensuring unparalleled comfort and indulgence for guests. Developed by renowned international architectural firms, the interior designs will use the finest materials and the best craftsmanship.

A standout feature will be a promenade extending through the whole ships’ perimeter, similar to those loved by guests on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, for leisurely strolls with stunning ocean views. Culinary enthusiasts will be delighted by a variety of dining options, showcasing a variety of world-class cuisines including Umi Uma, the only Nobu at sea as well as Beefbar, the brainchild of visionary restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi along with dishes created in collaboration with world-renowned chef Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo. Additionally, Crystal will continue its legacy of offering exclusive entertainment along with Casino de Monte-Carlo which is set to debut on Crystal Symphony this month and Cystal Serenity in December.

The new ships will feature all-suite accommodations, with private verandas including a popular single occupancy category, with veranda, designed for solo travelers. This commitment to comfort is complemented by one of the highest crew-to-passenger ratios in this segment, ensuring personalized service and attention to detail.

“Exercising this option and agreeing to build a third ship together showcases the trust and partnership between my family and Fincantieri, dating back to Sitmar Cruises and evolving through Silversea to our present vision with Crystal,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group.

Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, added, “We’re pleased to bring an expanded fleet to our guests, offering even more ways to explore the world with the extraordinary service and style synonymous with Crystal.”

The announcement comes two years after A&K Travel Group acquired Crystal in 2022, marking a new chapter for the cruise line. Under A&K Travel Group’s leadership, Crystal has been focusing on enhancing its offerings both at sea and on shore and expanding its fleet to provide unparalleled experiences for its guests.

Resorts World Cruises celebrates maiden sailing from Dubai

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 November 2024 04 November 2024

Resorts World Cruises has arrived in Dubai with the Resorts World One commencing her first sailing from 1 November 2024 onwards. The 1,800-passenger cruise ship departs from the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal 2 in Dubai three times a week to the Gulf destinations.

A special celebratory event was held on the ship on November 1 with close to 600 invitees to commemorate this milestone event. Resorts World Cruises’ President, Michael Goh and its senior management welcomed onboard regional dignitaries, authorities, members of the press and key influencers. The port-stay event included a series of special memento presentations with invitees having the chance to experience the onboard LIVE performances, the wide array of cuisines and a guided ship tour of the ship’s accommodations, facilities and offerings.

As part of the inaugural sailing celebration, guests can look forward to special added-value promotions. This includes receiving complimentary Food & Beverage Onboard Credits valued at AED 700 or US$190 per cabin for sailings in November for both the 3-Night Oman Cruise and the 2-Night Qatar Cruise. During the deployment, the Resorts World One will provide exciting new vacation options from Dubai for the weekend with the 2-Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise departing Fridays. Guests can also look forward to the 2-Night Doha (Qatar) Cruise departing Wednesdays and the 3-Night Muscat-Khasab (Oman) Cruise departing Sundays. For longer cruises, guests may combine the itineraries to become a 4-, 5- and 7-Night cruise.

“We have been counting down the days and we are delighted that the Resorts World One has arrived in Dubai and is ready to sail. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the local and regional governments, authorities, travel business partners, media and our guests for the support. We are looking forward to bringing unique experiences to the Gulf region and we are excited to launch our first cruise with a special onboard Diwali celebration for the entire week,” said Michael Goh, President, Resorts World Cruises.

Saud Hareb Almheiri, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Dubai extends its warmest congratulations to Resorts World Cruises on the successful launch of its new services, which it is proud to be the homeport for. This significant development underscores Dubai's ongoing growth as a premier cruise destination, attracting world-class operators, and providing exceptional experiences for global travellers seeking to explore the region, as envisioned by our leadership, and in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. As we embark on an exciting new season, we would like to extend our gratitude to our partners and stakeholders, whose unwavering support has made this possible. Together, we look forward to further reinforcing Dubai’s position as the cruise hub of the region.”

The Resorts World One is certified by the highly reputable Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and The Standards and Metrology Institute with the ship offering certified Halal cuisines, including vegetarian / Jain cuisine; and Muslim-friendly onboard offerings, which will provide peace of mind for Muslim guests from the Gulf and across the region.

Ten new U.S. ships in three years for American Cruise Lines

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 November 2024 04 November 2024

American Cruise Lines has announced that it has signed contracts with Chesapeake Shipbuilding for 4 more new ships, bringing the Line’s total orderbook with Chesapeake to 10 ships over the next 3 years. All the newbuilds are expressly for the U.S. cruise market; the fastest growing segment of the river cruise industry. American Cruise Lines has been a trailblazer in that market for more than 50 years and will operate 21 small ships around the country next year.

The 10 new ships from Chesapeake begin with the delivery of American Legend this week. The newest Coastal Cat in American’s fleet passed sea trials and is on schedule for its first cruise on November 25th. The remaining newbuilds on order will roll out every few months over the next 3 years. They include 3 riverboats and 6 additional coastal ships. Now available for booking are: American Patriot and American Pioneer (2025); American Maverick and American Ranger (2026), and new riverboat American Encore (2026). More details on the 4 additional newbuilds for 2027 will be released soon.

American’s commitment to U.S. River cruising is longstanding, but the rapid expansion of the company’s fleet in just the past several years is demonstrative of the growing interest and demand for world-class cruise experiences in the United States. American has introduced 19 of the 24 cruise ships built in the U.S. in the past 20 years.

The company operates the only 100% U.S. flagged fleet of riverboats and small ships in the world and remains fully committed to introducing only new small ships built specifically for domestic cruising. The company’s unique fleet enables all-domestic river and coastal itineraries that no other lines offer.

American Cruise Lines will operate 21 small ships in 2025; sailing the largest collection of 100% domestic River and Coastal itineraries ever offered in the United States. The company will continue to introduce new ships with top-notch amenities that are unusual for small ships – unlocking amazing new opportunities for cruising closer to home and exploring America year after year.

International Cruise Summit to discuss latest trends in Madrid next week

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 November 2024 04 November 2024

The cruise industry is moving full steam ahead and is set to close the year with 34.7 million global passengers, marking a 17% growth over 2019 figures. A testament to this growth is the order of 27 new ships to be built in 2024.

The strict emissions regulations implemented in 2020 have led all ships to cut their emissions by 85%. Although recent studies confirm that the impact on air quality in cities visited by cruises is minimal, cruise lines are waiting for ports to invest in shore power supplies so that ships can connect and turn off engines, aiding their goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Leading international cruise industry professionals will meet in Madrid on 12-13 November to discuss these and other issues at the fourteenth edition of the International Cruise Summit, the prestigious annual conference held at the Hotel Meliá Castilla.

Over two days, several round tables and presentations will explore and debate the latest trends and challenges facing the sector, including new electronic information requirements for entering European borders, port investment priorities, and crisis management. Several new cruise lines will be introduced, including the legendary Orient Express Silenseas, the first Arab cruise line Aroya Cruises, and Spanish brand Alma Cruceros, which will begin operations next year.

Additional topics will cover the impact of artificial intelligence in the sector, chartering of cruise ships, and entrepreneurship in the industry, along with the increasing trend for some cruises to stay overnight in port. Health topics will also be addressed, including dialysis treatments on board, which allow hundreds of passengers with renal insufficiency to cruise.

Top Executives, international cruise line representatives, port authorities, travel agents, companies, and industry experts will attend one of the world’s most important cruise conferences. The event will feature prominent speakers from the executive leadership of cruise companies, including Andrea Kruse, CEO of VIVA Cruises; Dr. Jorg Rudolph, President of Aroya Cruises; Eithne Williamson, Vice President for the UK and Europe at Princess Cruises; Leonardo Massa, Vice President for Southern Europe of MSC Group’s Cruise Division; Birgit Vadlau, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Silversea Cruises; Giles Hawke, Vice President & Managing Director EMEA at Celebrity Cruises; as well as Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Simone Maraschi, President of Cruise Europe, and Theodora Riga, President of MedCruise; among others.

Ten years old Meyer Turku aims for carbon-neutral shipbuilding

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 October 2024 30 October 2024

This autumn, it was ten years since the Meyer family's shipbuilding company became the host of the Turku shipyard. Over the past years, the shipyard has, typically for the industry, experienced both victories and challenges. In the anniversary year, the direction of Meyer Turku however remains clear: Both the world's most advanced cruise ships and the shipyard's own operations aim for carbon neutrality.

CEO Tim Meye said: "We are proud to continue Turku's shipbuilding tradition dating back to 1737. The acquisition we made ten years ago was mainly based on two grounds: First, Turku has a long shipbuilding tradition and world-class know-how. The people of Meyer Turku and of the entire network form a community, the like of which is impossible to build in a short time. Secondly, thanks to the former, it is possible to build very large ships in Turku.

In today's situation, where we are building the world's most advanced ships and pioneering in green transition, we are also constantly looking for more experts and employees for various tasks. We are committed to remaining owners of the Turku shipyard and to continuing the joint journey with all our partners towards increasingly sustainable shipbuilding. I am aiming at adding another zero behind the 1 in Meyer Turku's age."

During its ownership, the Meyer family company has invested roughly 300 million euros in the development of the Turku shipyard and daughter companies. Changes have been made to the shipyard's crane fleet, hull production and to the premises of network companies. The daughter company Piikkio Works has also received new production facility for its modular cabin factory in Piikkiö.

Meyer Turku's anniversary has been celebrated among others with a staff party and by opening an updated shipbuilding exhibition at Forum Marinum.