River cruise operator Pandaw Expeditions goes out of business

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 26 October 2021 26 October 2021

 

The south-east Asia focused river cruise operator Pandaw Expeditions has been forced to close in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the political situation in Myanmar, the Singapore based company said in a statement.

Bookings for 2022 had been strong, but the company had not been able raise funds to keep its 17 ships in lay up and then refurbish them before bringing them back to service, presumable for the 2022/23 season, although this remained uncertain, it said.

Pandaw had been founded in 1995 by Paul Strachan, a Scotsman by origin.

AIDAcosma completes Ems river passage

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 October 2021 26 October 2021

AIDA Cruises' newbuilding, AIDAcosma, has successfully completed its first voyage on the river Ems. On Saturday, October 23, 2021, at around 6 p.m., the ship reached Eemshaven.

Around 1 o'clock in the night, AIDAcosma departed from the Meyer Werft in Papenburg with typhoon greetings. Two tugs pulled the ship backwards through the dock lock of the shipyard. AIDAcosma then passed through the Weener Friesenbrücke and Jann Berghaus bridges without any problems.

This was the ninth Ems passage of an AIDA ship since 2007. Numerous AIDA fans followed the spectacular passage from the Ems dikes and accompanied AIDAcosma on her voyage from Papenburg to Eemshaven.

In Eemshaven, the next step will be sea trials and further outfitting of the ship.

AIDA Cruises' second newbuilding, powered entirely by liquefied gas, impresses with technical innovations and a huge variety of offerings. In addition to the features familiar from AIDAnova, such as the Beach Club, the Theatrium with its 360° stage, the TV studio and the spacious Body & Soul Organic Spa, guests can expect many other highlights: a bouldering wall, the Fun Park with double water slide and Water Slide, and the spacious pool deck at the stern, which extends across the entire width of the ship. The breathtaking infinity pool offers magnificent views of the sea. Culinarily the guests are spoiled in 17 restaurants and 23 bars.

Carnival Cruise Line christens Mardi Gras

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 25 October 2021 25 October 2021

Carnival Cruise Line christened Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral, Fla. at a “Universe of Fun” celebration on October 23.

Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal attended the festivities and cut the ribbon of his first Big Chicken restaurant at sea that debuted on Mardi Gras when she began cruise operations on July 31.

Miss Universe, Dominican Republic, Kimberly Jimenez served as the ship’s Godmother and officially named the ship and was joined by Miss Universe, Andrea Meza and Miss USA, Asya Branch who sang the national anthem. The event featured a “World of Nations” flag procession to highlight the diversity of the 120 nationalities of Carnival crew members, and, of course, a Mardi Gras parade with a Second Line Band.

“Today’s naming ceremony of our flagship Mardi Gras, the first in the industry since our restart of operations, signifies excitement and optimism as we look to bring our entire fleet back into guest service by spring 2022,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “This ship has been amazing guests during her pre-inaugural season and the celebration today with our Chief Fun Officer Shaq, our Godmother Kimberly, and so many special guests, was extremely gratifying and emotional.”

Following remarks by Duffy and Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald, Carnival friends and partners Romero Britto, Emeril Lagasse, Kathie Lee Gifford, Vanna White and Guy Fieri provided their congratulations on the ship’s naming and helped bring the champagne bottle to the ship.

Godmother Jimenez blessed the ship in both English and her native Spanish and activated the traditional champagne bottle break, officially naming the ship. In a celebration of the ship’s name, a special Mardi Gras parade with Duffy, Donald and O’Neal leading it, capped off the festivities.

Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas to be powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the first to feature a roller coaster. The 180,000-ton ship boasts six distinct themed zones with a variety of food, beverage and entertainment options, including dining venues from Lagasse, Fieri, O’Neal and Rudi Sodamin. Mardi Gras sails weekly from Port Canaveral on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

Silversea's Project Evolution to introduce trio of sustainable power sources

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 22 October 2021 22 October 2021

The cruise industry’s first hybrid powered ship is set to debut summer 2023 as part of Royal Caribbean Group’s ultra-luxury brand Silversea Cruises. The new class of ships, known as Project Evolution, will operate using a trio of power sources including a fuel cell system, battery technology and dual fuel engines using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the main fuel. This hybrid solution, using fuel cell technology, allows the ship to be free of local emissions while at port — another industry first.

“Silversea’s newest ship class is a significant leap forward in our commitment to sustainable ship design and our journey to reduce our environmental footprint,” said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We first announced our fuel cell ambitions several years ago. Through dedication and perseverance, we are now proud to introduce the first ship with large-scale fuel cell technology capable of achieving emission-free port operations.”

“Incorporating fuel cells into our ships now is one example of how Royal Caribbean Group is preparing to use new technologies as we move to a non-carbon-based future,” Fain continued. “This pioneering approach builds on our spirit of innovation.”

The new hybrid technology not only helps in port, but also allows Project Evolution to achieve a 40% overall reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions per double occupancy when compared to the brand’s previous class of ships. The ship class is also projected to achieve an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) rating approximately 25% better than applicable International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements.

“Being at the forefront of sustainable shipping design and innovation is a testament to our team’s drive for continuous improvement,” said Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “These advancements support our desire to showcase the world to our guests and to do so in a mindful and environmentally responsible way.”

Royal Caribbean Group is already known for a robust portfolio of technologies enhancing energy efficiency, waste treatment, and water management. This steady progress remains rooted in the company’s mantra of continuous improvement. It will drive The Group’s future as alternative, non-carbon-based solutions become available to support its overall decarbonization journey.

Project Evolution’s full suite of initiatives, developed in partnership with Meyer Werft Shipyard, will bring energy efficiency to a new level and will include both first-of-its-kind initiatives and successful features previously introduced such as:

– Fuel Cell System – this hydrogen-based technology will supplement the main power supply and carry the ship’s total hotel load — up to four megawatts — the first large-scale fuel-cell installation at sea in the cruise industry.
– LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) – a cleaner burning fuel, LNG-fueled propulsion systems emit less CO2 and 97% fewer particulates than normal fuel oil used on ships.
– Battery – a bank of batteries supports optimizing the overall ship power system, saving fuel.
– Waste to Energy – newly developed Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) reduces onboard waste volume, resulting in lower incineration emissions.
– Progress to Carbon Neutral Construction – in partnership with Meyer Werft Shipyard, Project Evolution is thoughtfully designed and built taking into consideration the carbon footprint of ship construction and creating a path to overall reduction.

For more than 30 years Royal Caribbean Group has invested in its commitment to sustainability. In partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2016, the company set specific, ambitious and measurable 2020 sustainability targets to reduce its environmental footprint, increase sustainable tourism, respect coastal communities and cultural heritage, and support WWF's global ocean conservation work.

In addition, the company continues to advocate for sustainable practices globally, including collaborating with the United Nation's High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy and committing to deliver on the promise of the Paris Agreement through partnership with the We Are Still In coalition.