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Royal Caribbean Group to use SpaceX’s Starlink to provide high-speed Internet onboard full cruise fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2022 31 August 2022

Royal Caribbean Group has announced its plan to implement SpaceX’s Starlink – making the Group the first in the cruise industry to adopt its high-speed, low-latency connectivity for a better onboard experience for guests and crew fleetwide. The innovative broadband internet service will be installed on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises ships, along with all new vessels for each of the brands.

Deployment of the Starlink technology across the fleet will begin immediately, leveraging the insights obtained from the trial onboard Freedom of the Seas, which has received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from guests and crew. The installation is slated to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

“Our purpose as a company is to deliver the best vacation experiences to our guests responsibly, and this new offering, which is the biggest public deployment of Starlink’s high-speed internet in the travel industry so far, demonstrates our commitment to that purpose,” said Jason Liberty, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Group. “This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike. It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls. Using Starlink is one more example of our continued focus on innovation and excellence for our guests, our crew, the communities we visit and our shareholders.”

Faster and more reliable internet will also make it easier for guests and crew to remain connected to work, family and friends – no matter where they are in the world.

“Royal Caribbean Group selecting Starlink to provide high-speed, low-latency internet across their fleet will make their passengers’ getaways even more luxurious,” said SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Sales Jonathan Hofeller. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Royal Caribbean Group to ensure travelers at sea can stay connected with a great internet experience.”

“Our work with SpaceX is another example of how Royal Caribbean Group continues to lead the cruise industry in innovation and adoption of cutting-edge technology,” Liberty added.

Silversea officially opens sales on inaugural Antarctica voyages of Silver Endeavour

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 August 2022 26 August 2022

Silversea Cruises has opened general sales for the inaugural season of its new ship Silver Endeavour, strengthening its position as the leading ultra-luxury expedition cruise line. One of the world’s most advanced and luxurious expedition vessels, Silver Endeavour will undertake 12 voyages to Antarctica from November 21, 2022, broadening the industry’s most diverse polar offering. Travelling aboard Silver Endeavour – on voyages that range from five to 20 days and include Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise sailings, as well as an extended ‘Deep South’ expedition and a new 10-day Antarctic Peninsula voyage – the cruise line’s guests will journey in Silversea’s trademark level of comfort, while enjoying some of the most immersive, personalised experiences available in Antarctica. Silversea has also unveiled the ship’s seven suite categories, which include some of the most spacious accommodations in expedition cruising.

“We are delighted to open sales on Silver Endeavour’s inaugural voyages, marking a new era in ultra-luxury expedition cruising,” said Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “Silver Endeavour will unlock some of the planet’s most remote and extreme destinations, welcoming guests in Silversea’s trademark level of comfort. With state-of-the-art technology, one of the highest ice-class ratings of any expedition cruise ship, and industry-leading Zodiac- and expert-to-guest ratios, our newest ship will offer a uniquely immersive expedition experience to our well-travelled guests.”

“Among the most advanced expedition ships at sea, Silver Endeavour will enhance the expedition experience to all new levels for our guests when she sets sail to Antarctica from November 2022,” said Conrad Combrink, SVP Expeditions, Destination and Itinerary Management, Silversea Cruises. “I look forward to accompanying our guests on her maiden voyage, as we fly over the Drake Passage to embark Silver Endeavour in King George Island, journeying deep into Antarctica on this milestone voyage.”

Meyer Werft to float out Arvia this weekend

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 August 2022 25 August 2022

Next Saturday, August 27, the new cruise ship Arvia for the British cruise line P&O Cruises will leave Meyer Werft's covered building dock II (Hall 6). The float out maneuver begins in the morning at around 9:00 am. The newbuilding will then moor at the out-fitting pier in the shipyard harbor, where the masts and funnel will be lifted onto the ship by crane.

The cruise ship will lie in the shipyard harbor until the Ems conveyance in October. The Arvia will thus form the backdrop for the NDR2 Papenburg Festival on 2 and 3 September. Until the conveyance, the interior work on board will be continued and further technical tests will be carried out.

Weather and/or production-related changes to the time when the ship is undocked are possible at any time.

The Arvia measures over 180,000 gross tons, is 344.5 metres long, 42 metres wide and identical in construction to her sister ship Iona, which was already delivered in 2020. After her completion, around 5,200 passengers will be able to go on board. Like Iona, Arvia will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). This ensures significantly lower emissions at sea, as neither sulphur oxides nor soot particles are released. This is currently the cleanest form of propulsion in shipping. Another highlight for the passengers on board is the atrium, which is glazed over three decks and will offer a unique view of the sights and cities visited.

After the undocking of the Arvia, the floating engine room module (FERU) for the Carnival Jubilee, which will be delivered at the end of 2023, will be manoeuvred into the then free building dock II. The forward part of the cruise ship has already been built there in block construction over the past few months. The FERU was built at Neptun Werft in Rostock and was transferred to Papenburg a week ago.

Celebrity Cruises and Chantiers de l'Atlantique lays the keel of Celebrity Ascent

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 August 2022 25 August 2022

Sparks flew as workers at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard welded a ceremonial coin to a massive steel docking block forming the ship’s keel, officially marking the beginning of construction on the fourth ship in Celebrity Cruises® transformational Edge Series - Celebrity Ascent.

Placing the coin in this time-honored maritime ceremony were Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises; and Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. According to the legend – and a tradition that has spanned centuries – the laying of the coin is thought to bless and bring good fortune to the ship.

“Today, we celebrate the incredible Celebrity Ascent, a ship name that fittingly represents the climb, the rise and, ultimately, the upward trajectory of both Celebrity Cruises and the Royal Caribbean Group,” said Liberty. “It’s exciting to have our entire fleet back in the water, again, and moments like this reaffirm our bright future. We are grateful to all who have and will continue to lend their creativity and craftsmanship to this ship, as we work together to reach new heights in our industry.”

“Bringing another magnificent Celebrity Edge Series ship to life is absolutely thrilling for me and another wonderFULL development for our guests,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “While exploring the wonders of the world, our guests will be surrounded by the wonders of our Celebrity world - forward-thinking design, culinary excellence, thoughtful well-being experiences, and our uniquely intuitive service. Celebrity Ascent will be the epitome of a relaxed luxury resort at sea.”

“This new ship will be another great success in the continuity of the previous ships of the Celebrity Class built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique.” said Castaing. “We know our respective teams have been giving each other enough proofs of mutual confidence so that they can work smoothly on this new project.”

Celebrity Ascent is the fourth ship in the line’s ground-breaking Edge Series, a class of ships hailed as engineering and design marvels. Like her industry-changing sister ships, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond, Ascent will connect guests to the breathtaking world around them like never before. Standing at 17 decks tall and 20 meters longer than the original Celebrity Edge, Ascent will also feature more space and more luxury onboard.

Celebrity Ascent will debut in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades on December 3, 2023 for her inaugural Caribbean season of alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

Viking's newest ship on the Nile named in Luxor, more new builds to follow

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 August 2022 25 August 2022

Viking named its newest river ship, the Viking Osiris, with a celebration in Luxor, Egypt on August 22. As part of the intimate event, the company’s first ceremonial godfather, George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship – an evolution of the naval tradition that dates back thousands of years. Designed specifically to navigate the Nile, the state-of-the-art ship was built at Massara shipyard in Cairo and will sail Viking’s bestselling Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

The naming of the Viking Osiris comes as Egypt marks several key events this year, including the highly anticipated opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum outside of Cairo on the Giza Plateau and the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by the world’s most famous Egyptologist, Howard Carter, and his benefactor and co-explorer, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon.

“Egypt has always drawn curious explorers for its rich history and ancient antiquities, and ever since we first began operating on the Nile River in 2004, our guests continue to be amazed by the country’s many cultural treasures. Today we are pleased to officially welcome the Viking Osiris to our growing fleet on the Nile River, which allows us to welcome even more curious explorers to this incredible destination,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.

“During this milestone year for Egypt, we are also very grateful for the continued close friendship with the Carnarvon family, and that Lord Carnarvon has honored us by serving as the first godfather in our history.”

“It is a great honor to be asked to be godfather to the Viking Osiris, one of the most beautiful river vessels to have ever graced the Nile. This is especially the case in the centenary year of my great-grandfather’s discovery of the tomb of the Pharoah Tutankhamun, and no doubt he and my great-grandmother, Lady Almina, would have been delighted to board the Viking Osiris had it been sailing in their day,” said Lord Carnarvon. “The 5th Earl of Carnarvon was one of the great explorers and excavators of his time, and today you may join in his love of the glories of ancient Egypt, all in the exceptional comfort and style of the Viking Osiris.”

Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new, state-of-the-art Viking Osiris is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. The vessel features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. The Viking Osiris joins the Viking Ra, which launched in 2018. Additionally, in response to strong demand, the Viking Aton, an identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris, will join the fleet in 2023. During the naming event in Luxor, Hagen also announced that two more sister ships, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek, are already under construction and will be delivered in 2024 and 2025, respectively.