Mika Heiskanen appointed as CEO of Davie Shipyards in Finland

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 05 September 2025 05 September 2025

Mika Heiskanen’s responsibility covers Davie’s operations in Finland encompassing both Helsinki Shipyard and the recently acquired SATA Shipbuilding in Pori. As a CEO, Heiskanen is coordinating all Finland operations in a moment of pivotal growth and will be working in close coordination with Helsinki Shipyard Managing Director Kim Salmi and SATA Shipbuilding Managing Director Niko Suomela.

Heiskanen has been part of the Finnish and global shipbuilding industry for the past 18 years, holding leadership roles across shipyards and as a shipowner. His career has taken him through Finland, Germany, France, and the United States, where he has driven major newbuilding, design, and innovation programs. Heiskanen holds a master’s degree in naval architecture and industrial engineering from Aalto University

“I am thrilled to join Davie at such a pivotal moment in its growth. Together with Finland’s strong maritime expertise, we have the opportunity not only to position Davie as a global leader in specialized vessels and advanced shipbuilding technologies, but also to ensure that the Finnish maritime industry remains at the forefront of competence well into the future. The direct workforce of Davie companies in Finland is expected to rise by at least 650 employees during the next two years," said CEO Mika Heiskanen.

“Mika brings the leadership and international experience we need at this important stage of Davie’s growth in Finland. With the construction of Polar Max now underway for the Canadian Coast Guard, his expertise in ship design, production, and global shipbuilding programs will be key to uniting Helsinki Shipyard and SATA Shipbuilding as a world-class operation. Finland has long been a leader in maritime excellence, and with Mika’s guidance we will build on that legacy while setting new standards in specialized vessels and Arctic shipbuilding," said James Davies, CEO and co-owner of Davie Shipbuilding

Updated: Meyer Turku floats out Legend of the Seas

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 30 August 2025 30 August 2025

Legend of the Seas, which is being built at the Meyer Turku shipyard, floated out with a festive ceremony on Friday, August 29, 2025. The traditional float out ceremony included speeches by representatives of the shipyard and the vacation company, a salute fired by a gun salute group, and a playful competition to open the water valves of the construction basin. During the weekend following the ceremony, the ship was moved to the outfitting dock, where finishing work will continue for just under a year.

Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku: "Legend of the Seas continues the state-of-the-art Icon Class, which allows the Finnish maritime industry to showcase its unique expertise at its best. The shipyard, Royal Caribbean, and an extensive network of partners work together to develop the processes and concepts from ship to ship. Alongside its sister ships, Legend of the Seas will also mark an important milestone in increasingly responsible shipbuilding."

At 365 meters long, nearly 50 meters wide, and with a gross tonnage of approximately 248,000, Legend of the Seas is the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class. The first ship in the class, Icon of the Seas, was delivered to the brand in November 2023, and the second, Star of the Seas, in July 2025. The fourth Icon Class ship, currently under construction at the shipyard and yet to be named, will be completed in 2027. Royal Caribbean’s agreement also includes options to build fifth and sixth Icon Class ships.

In keeping with the hallmarks of the Icon Class, a giant glass and steel dome, the AquaDome, has been lifted on the bow of the ship. Inside Legend, you will also find the familiar Pearl, also a part of the ship's load-bearing structure. The ship also offers passengers eight distinct neighborhoods, numerous pools, and a variety of restaurants and bars.

The Icon Class ships are the first ships in the fleet to run on natural gas. Icon’s record-breaking energy efficiency in Legend has been further improved with new-generation TSDF main engines, among other things. Together with other features, such as shore power connections and waste heat recovery systems, they are pioneers in sustainable development.

Legend of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in the summer of 2026.

Nearly 165,000 traveled with Birka Gotland during the summer

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 29 August 2025 29 August 2025

Almost 165,000 travelers chose the Baltic Sea's only dedicated cruise ship Birka Gotland during June, July and August 2025. Compared to the summer of 2024, 6,000 more have visited Visby, while the number of families with children on board has increased by 27 percent.

The cruise ship Birka Gotland, with its home port in Stadsgården in central Stockholm, is now completing its second summer since its relaunch in 2024. During the summer, in addition to Åland and Gotland, the ship has also visited the High Coast, Ystad, Bornholm and Riga.

New for this year is the major focus on families with children, with Pelle Svanslös and Maja Gräddnos as the ship's school holiday mascots.

"We are really satisfied with the cruise summer, and especially happy that families have discovered how nice it is to travel with us. Of the total of 165,000 passengers, families with children have increased the most, with a full 27 percent more children on board compared to the summer of 2024," says Kenneth Gustavsson, CEO of Gotland Alandia Cruises.

The ship's sales statistics also show that interest in Visby and Gotland remains. Despite fewer calls, nearly 6,000 more people have visited Gotland with Birka Gotland this summer, compared to last year. Slightly more Gotlanders have also chosen to travel with the ship than in the summer of 2024. The longer cruises have also attracted holidaying Swedes, not least thanks to Birka Gotland's close collaboration with the various Baltic Sea destinations.

"After a great summer, we are now looking forward to a packed autumn of experiences. In September, we are offering a special cruise to the harvest festival on Åland for the first time. We are also welcoming star chef Danyel Couet on board, investing in a sparkling disco concept on Fridays and presenting popular Swedish artists on Saturdays. Just in time for the autumn holidays, Pelle Svanslös and Maja Gräddnos will be joining us again! This will be a Birka autumn you just don't want to miss," says Kenneth Gustavsson.

Carnival Cruise Line re-deploys Carnival Firenze from West to East Coast

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 27 August 2025 27 August 2025

Carnival Cruise Line opened reservations for a lineup of new 2027 cruises aboard Carnival Firenze, including three distinct, unforgettable Carnival Journeys voyages across South America and 10 new Caribbean cruise options from Miami. The new sailings coincide with Carnival’s plans to reposition the popular “Carnival Fun Italian Style” ship to the east coast of the U.S.

“Carnival Firenze is a beautiful ship and our plan to bring her east creates a perfect opportunity to offer our guests sailings to culture-rich destinations. The South America journeys we’ve opened today truly stand out even among our already impressive lineup of Carnival Journeys cruises that combine our signature fun with spectacular longer itineraries,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival Journeys voyages across South America

At the start of 2027, Carnival Firenze will sail three South America sailings. Each cruise will include visits to ports that are rare stops for Carnival ships.

– 15-Day South America from Long Beach to San Antonio (Santiago), Chile: Departing Jan. 4, 2027, guests will journey along the Pacific coast and visit four countries, with calls to Acapulco, Mexico; Manta, Ecuador; Callao (Lima), Peru, and San Antonio (Santiago), Chile, plus a memorable Equator crossing.

– 14-Day South America from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina: Departing Jan. 19, 2027, this journey offers scenic cruising through the Darwin Channel, Chilean Fjords, and Cape Horn, plus port calls in Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

– 16-Day South America from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Miami: Departing Feb. 2, 2027, this special voyage features stops in Brazil during the first day of the world-famous Brazilian Carnival, with a visit to the city of Rio de Janeiro as well as the Brazilian port Maceio. The sailing features a memorable crossing of the equator, a chance at viewing an annular solar eclipse at sea and visits to the beautiful Caribbean islands of Grenada, Martinique and St. Maarten before arriving in Miami.

Caribbean sailings from Miami

Beginning Feb. 2027 through May 8, 2027, Carnival Firenze will homeport temporarily in Miami and offer a variety of itineraries that range from four to 13 days and explore The Bahamas, Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Highlights include a four-day Bahamas getaway visiting RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, six- and seven-day Caribbean cruises featuring Cozumel, Isla Tropical; Belize; Grand Cayman; Montego Bay; San Juan; St. Thomas, along with extended Carnival Journeys cruises (10 to 13 days) to the Southern Caribbean, visiting ports such as Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Croix, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, and Martinique.

Following its time in Miami, Carnival plans to reposition Carnival Firenze to New York for the summer of 2027. New cruises will be announced in the coming weeks for Carnival Firenze and the rest of the fleet as part of Carnival’s 2027/28 cruise schedule.