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Rauma Shipyard waves off Spirit of Tasmania V ropax ferry designed for challenging seas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 October 2025 30 October 2025

The Spirit of Tasmania V car and passenger ferry built at the Rauma Shipyard, and her crew, today started the voyage to Tasmania via Europe. The vessel was completed and officially delivered to the client, TT-Line Company PTY Ltd in June of this year. The two Spirit of Tasmania RoPax ferries, Spirit of Tasmania IV and Spirit of Tasmania V, were built in Rauma as the largest single export contract ever between Finland and Australia.

An historic moment was today witnessed at the Rauma Shipyard when the second Spirit of Tasmania RoPax ferry started the voyage towards her home port Devonport. The start of this voyage was a symbolic conclusion for the largest single export contract ever between Finland and Australia. Officially the vessel was delivered to the client already in June of this year.

Bob Moss, the Master of the Spirit of Tasmania V, was also at the helm of sister ship Spirit of Tasmania IV on her voyage to Tasmania earlier this year.

"Spirit of Tasmania vessels are technologically advanced in almost every respect. They are extremely powerful and nimble manoeuvrable," commented captain Bob Moss, praising the craftsmanship and dedication of the Rauma shipyard.

The car and passenger ferries built by RMC will be used on the open sea route between Geelong and Devonport in Australia, in the Bass Strait known for challenging navigation conditions for which they were specifically built. The vessels replace their sister ships built in Finland in the 1990s. The new vessels provide clearly higher passenger, vehicle, and cargo capacities than their predecessors. The employment impact of the project was more than 3,500 direct person-years.

– RMC has during the ten-year history of the company built five car and passenger ferries, the two Spirit of Tasmania RoPax vessels being the most recent ones. We specialise in building vessels demanding navigation conditions and the four multi-purpose corvettes of the ongoing Squadron 2020 project are also designed for challenging seas. There could not be better testimony to the capabilities of our personnel to successfully complete different types of total deliveries in good cooperation with demanding partners, RMC’s CEO Mika Nieminen gives praise.

In addition to the four multi-purpose corvettes currently under construction for the Finnish Navy as part of the Squadron 2020 project, RMC is making preparations for the icebreaker deliveries to the United States which are estimated to have an employment impact of thousands of person years.

"We look forward to the new projects which will give us the opportunity to leverage the significant investments we have made in the recent years as well as the continuous efforts to strengthen our competencies," Nieminen confirms.

RMC believes that when it comes to icebreaking expertise, the company is a strong alternative also in Finnish icebreaker sourcing and in fulfilling the future needs of Nato countries for government vessels. A significant future potential in terms of ropax vessels lies in the electrification of shipping and RMC has taken steps to prepare for both new build projects and modernisation of existing ships.

Main data on Spirit of Tasmania V vessel:

Length: 212 m
Beam: 31 m
Draught: 7 m
Gross tonnage: 48,000 t
Speed: 26 knots (48 km/h)
Lane metres: 3,700 m
Passengers: 1,800
Cabins: 301

Sea Cloud Cruises appoints industry icon Bill Smith as Brand Ambassador for North America

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 October 2025 29 October 2025

Sea Cloud Cruises, one of the world’s most storied names in cruise travel, has appointed William “Bill” Smith as Brand Ambassador for North America. In this newly created role, Smith will collaborate closely with Mirell Reyes, CEO of Sea Cloud Cruises North America, and Kevin Smith, Chief Sales Officer (CSO), to further elevate brand awareness and deepen engagement with the travel advisor community and past guests.

As Brand Ambassador, Smith will play a key role in enhancing Sea Cloud Cruises’ profile among luxury travelers and the travel trade, further strengthening brand visibility in the North American market. Representing the boutique cruise line on roadshows, fam and press trips, co-hosting webinars with the CSO, and establishing an Advisory Board, he will also develop loyalty and top advisor programs.

“Bill Smith’s vast experience, industry respect, and innovative spirit make him an invaluable advisor and addition to our leadership circle,” said Mirell Reyes, CEO of Sea Cloud Cruises North America. “He brings not only expertise, but also a driving passion for authentic luxury travel, which aligns with our brand. I am excited to welcome Bill to our team having him work alongside with his son, Kevin Smith, as we continue to build meaningful connections for our guests and travel advisors increasing brand awareness.”

Photo: Bill Smith, Guest Chef Laurent Tourondel and Kevin Smith

Smith’s remarkable career in the cruise industry has earned him widespread recognition, culminating in his 2016 induction into the CLIA Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement. His extensive background includes senior leadership roles with industry-leading cruise lines such as Crystal Cruises and Silversea Cruises, in addition to luxury travel consortia Virtuoso, where he was instrumental in developing sales, marketing, and trade engagement strategies that helped shape the modern luxury cruise landscape.

“As I have closely watched the growth of Sea Cloud Cruises in North America over the last two years, I was intrigued to return to the industry once again, with such respect for the boutique sailing yachts and of course its leadership team of Mirell Reyes and Kevin Smith,” said Brand Ambassador Bill Smith. ”I am honored to step into the role of Brand Ambassador as we immerse our partners in the authentic luxury lifestyle brand and unparalleled romance of sailing that truly sets Sea Cloud Cruises apart.”

Known for his strategic acumen and deep relationships within the advisor community, Smith has long been a respected voice in advancing collaboration between cruise lines and travel professionals.

Windstar Cruises opens 2027 Europe voyages for Star Explorer

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 October 2025 28 October 2025

Windstar Cruises is charting new territory in 2027 with the debut of Star Explorer, the second of two new all-suite yachts being added to the fleet. Hosting just 224 guests, this sleek new ship will sail year-round in Europe. Now open for booking, its first full season of Europe cruises runs through March 2028, featuring a lineup of classic journeys and new itineraries. From Circumnavigating Ireland to discovering the Seven Gems of the Baltic, Star Explorer is all about immersive, port-intensive experiences with longer stays and overnight visits in the heart of Europe’s most captivating cities.

Star Explorer launches in December 2026 and will enjoy a stylish welcoming ceremony with a May 31, 2027 christening on London’s River Thames – a scene perfectly matched to her personality: refined, intimate, and full of possibility. The next morning, she’ll pass under Tower Bridge and set sail on a circumnavigation of Ireland filled with cliffs, castles and pubs.

“Windstar has a long history of exploring in the Mediterranean and Europe, and the small size of this ship opens even more interesting places – including rivers,” says Christopher Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. “We specialize in creating itineraries that meld the bucket list with the unknown and unexpected that we know our guests will love.”

What makes Star Explorer unique

Star Explorer was built to navigate where big ships can't – gliding into places like Rouen, Caen, Bordeaux, and even right into central London. Itineraries include overnights and longer stays in port for more exploration time ashore. She’ll also debut Windstar’s first call to Puerto Banús in Spain, the stylish marina gateway to Marbella, and return to San Sebastián and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, bringing guests closer to the Basque coast’s culinary soul.

On board, Star Explorer offers 112 spacious suites, including two Horizon Owner’s Suites with expansive wraparound balconies ideal for catching sunrises, and many suites with full verandas or infinity windows. Guests will enjoy Windstar favorites like the Yacht Club Café, the signature Marina with watersports activities, the line’s famously friendly crew, and a relaxed, upscale ambiance.

American Cruise Lines to introduce 10 new U.S. built ships through 2028

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 October 2025 27 October 2025

American Cruise Lines today announced 10 new ships for the U.S. market beginning with American Pioneer debuting in Florida on October 31st. American Pioneer is the 2nd new Patriot Class ship the company has launched this year. The balance of the order will be delivered over the next 3 years, underscoring the company’s commitment to the development and modernization of the U.S. market. All American’s new boats will continue to sail domestically, operating itineraries across the Line’s growing portfolio, including the Mississippi River, Alaska, and the East Coast. The new ships will also accelerate American’s expansion into new niche markets such as the Great Lakes, the Arkansas River, and National Parks cruises.

“American’s order book reflects our confidence in the domestic cruise market and the product we have pioneered in the U.S.,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “The new ships will roll out at an average pace of one every four months and keep us on a disciplined growth trajectory.”

Following American Pioneer’s inaugural sailing, the company’s orderbook will feature 5 new American Riverboats, and 4 more Patriot Class ships which are a part of the Line’s ongoing Project Blue series. The Project Blue ships to date have included 4 innovative new Coastal Cats and Patriot Class flagship, American Patriot, which launched in June 2025.

American Cruise Lines 10 new ships through 2028:

– American Pioneer, small Patriot Class ship, 2025
– American Encore, modern American Riverboat, 2026
– American Maverick, small Patriot Class ship, 2026
– American Ranger, small Patriot Class ship, 2026
– American Anthem, modern American Riverboat, 2027
– American Mariner, small Patriot Class ship, 2027
– American Navigator, small Patriot Class ship, 2027
– American Grace, modern American Riverboat, 2028
– (American’s 29th ship): modern American Riverboat, 2028
– American’s 30th ship): modern American Riverboat, 2028

New Patriot Class ships

This week, American Pioneer begins sailing the company’s new 16-Day Grand Florida Coast & Keys cruise, from Amelia Island to St. Petersburg, Florida. Both American Pioneer and American Patriot will be sailing several of the company’s popular, new Florida coastal itineraries through April 2026.

The next 4 new Patriot Class ships are American Maverick and American Ranger, launching in 2026, and American Mariner and American Navigator, launching in 2027. American Maverick and American Ranger will begin sailing the company’s domestic East Coast itineraries in June and September 2026, respectively. American Mariner and American Navigator will also sail an array of the company’s East Coast itineraries beginning in June and July 2027.

Featured amenities include: 130 guest capacity; 5 decks; luxurious Singles, Doubles, and Suites with private balconies; multiple guest lounges, including a top deck lounge with fresh-air walking track; bow terrace/observation area; fitness center; a grand dining room and casual café; complimentary laundry room; and elevator access to all decks.

New modern American riverboats

American Cruise Lines launched American Song in 2018, the flagship in the company’s acclaimed American Riverboat™ series and the first modern riverboat in the country. Following its debut, American Song was lauded by TIME Magazine as one of The World’s Greatest Places. Since then, the company has introduced 5 more American Riverboats, including 2023’s American Encore – the first U.S. built riverboat to be named Best New Riverboat of the Year by Cruise Critic.

2026 will mark the highly anticipated debut of American’s 7th new modern riverboat, American Encore. The 180-guest riverboat will sail the Columbia and Snake Rivers beginning in May 2026. American Encore is the latest iteration in the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art new American Riverboats for U.S. cruising, and will be quickly followed by sister ships, American Anthem in 2027 and American Grace in 2028 (also slated to operate on the Columbia and Snake Rivers where demand continues to grow, especially for American’s exclusive National Parks cruises). Two more presently unnamed American Riverboats will follow American Grace in 2028.

Featured amenities include: 180 guest capacity; 5 decks; stunning multi-story glass atrium at the center of the ship; 100% private balcony accommodations, including the first-ever Signature Suite (1,000 sq/ft); a grand dining room and casual café; multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, including top deck lounge and outdoor walking track; fitness center; complimentary laundry room; and elevator access to all passenger decks.

American’s cruises, including those operated by these new ships, are open to book now. Full cruise schedules are available on the company’s website through 2028.

Meyer Werft strengthens the management board

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 October 2025 24 October 2025

The Management Board of Meyer Werft GmbH, consisting of Bernd Eikens and Ralf Schmitz, is being expanded by two additional positions: The Supervisory Board of Meyer Werft GmbH has appointed Melanie Freytag and Jörg Heidelberg to the Management Board.

With this reinforcement, the course is being set to consistently continue the restructuring course in the coming years and position the company for the future.

Melanie Freytag will serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) within the Management Board effective November 1, 2025. She will take over this area of responsibility from Ralf Schmitz, who will fully concentrate on his role as Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) within the Management Board in the future. Jörg Heidelberg will be appointed to the Management Board in his role as Chief Operating Officer effective January 1, 2026.

Dr. Klaus Richter, Chairman of the Supervisory Board: "The expansion of the management team is a significant step on the path to restructuring the Group. With Melanie Freytag and Jörg Heidelberg, we are gaining two personalities for the management team whose experience and expertise will make a decisive contribution to making the company future-proof and competitive."