More News

Vanuatu to host the next Royal Caribbean's private island

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 October 2019 15 October 2019

Vanuatu, one of the natural gems of the South Pacific, will be the new home of Royal Caribbean’s newest private island destination – Perfect Day at Lelepa, Vanuatu.

The announcement of the new project was made by Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, and Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.

Salwai and Bayley said the destination will be created in partnership with the community of Vanuatu to showcase the distinct natural ecological beauty and diverse local culture of the island nation as well as provide employment and education opportunities.

Perfect Day at Lelepa will also be built with sustainability features designed to safeguard the island’s ecosystems and will be the first carbon neutral* private cruise destination in the world. Cox Architecture, a sustainable, design-focused contemporary architectural firm based in Australia, will serve as the lead architect on the project.

“We believe our destinations should be sustainably designed,” Bayley said. “That idea goes beyond simply protecting the ecological features of Lelepa and includes showing respect for the people and traditions that make this a special place.”

Vanuatu Prime Minister Salwai said, “Vanuatu is a true paradise for both our people and the visitors we welcome to our shores each year. Today marks a major step forward in our island nation’s close relationship with Royal Caribbean and one that will support sustainable growth for future generations. The Ni-Vanuatu people look forward to welcoming Royal Caribbean guests from around the world to enjoy extraordinary adventures and relaxation during their Perfect Day at Lelepa.”

Bayley said, “Anyone who has encountered the tremendous natural beauty of Lelepa can understand why it is the perfect setting for ‘Perfect Day.’ Our guests who travel to the South Pacific are seeking authentic adventures and genuine relaxation, and they will find both here.”

Perfect Day at Lelepa will have a different look and feel from Royal Caribbean’s wildly popular Perfect Day at CocoCay “because our guests around the world all have different definitions for their perfect day — and all of them are right. Our designers and nature have created the ideal South Pacific experience and we expect the results will be stunning.”

First building block of AIDAcosma laid

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 October 2019 15 October 2019

The first building-block AIDAcosma, AIDA Cruises’ second LNG-powered cruise ship was put in place at the Meyer's Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock on 15 October. “The two trainees, Charleen Hoffmann (AIDA Cruises) and Kenny Schaft (Meyer Werft shipyard) placed the traditional lucky coin beneath the first of a total of 90 blocks,” AIDA Cruises said in s statement.

The ship will be cruising from Kiel to the Norwegian fjords and the Baltic Sea from summer 2021, its maiden season.

In 2018 AIDA Cruises alone contributed over €1.6 billion to northern Germany’s economic growth. The company’s economic performance in Rostock alone (exclusive of ship-building) amounted to around €160 million, according to a study carried out by Deloitte & Touche in conjunction with the Universities of Hamburg and Genoa, said AIDA Cruises’ President Felix Eichhorn

With gross tonnage of 183,900 and a length of 337 meters, AIDAcosma will have 20 decks, and space for 2,600 staterooms. AIDA Cruises’ first LNG powered ship, AIDAnova, entered service last year. The same platform is being shared by Costa Crociere, P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, all of which are parts of Carnival Corporation & plc.

Fincantieri delivers Sky Princess

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 October 2019 15 October 2019

From left to right: Roberto Olivari, Monfalcone Shipyard Director; Captain Heikki Laakkonen; Arnold Donald, President and CEO of Carnival Corporation; Jan Swartz, Group President of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia; Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri; Gianluca Castaldi, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers; Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation; Stein Kruse, Group CEO of Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Carnival Australia and Carnival UK

Sky Princess, the fourth in a series of six Royal Princess class ships built by Fincantieri for Princess Cruises, which is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, was delivered today at the Monfalcone shipyard.

“This ship marks the 17th that Fincantieri delivered to Princess Cruises cruises, all built at the Monfalcone shipyard. The debut of Sky Princess marks the first time a ship has been purpose built as a Princess MedallionClass ship, a leading-edge technology that delivers personalized service on a large scale through enhanced guest-crew interaction, as well as enabling interactive entertainment,” Fincantieri said in a statement.

The ship is of about 145,000 gross tons with accommodation for 4,610 passengers in 1,830 cabins and 1,411. The class will continue with the upcoming Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess, who will be delivered respectively in 2020 and 2021.

“The partnership between the Monfalcone yard and Princess Cruises will continue with two next-generation cruise ships. These will be the largest built in Italy with a gross-tonnage of 175,000 tons, expected to be delivered at the end of 2023 and in spring 2025. The vessels will accommodate approximately 4,300 guests and will be the first of the ship owner’s fleet to be dual-fuel powered primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG),” the shipbuilder said.

Azura to Malta and Oceana again to Gulf in P&O Cruises’ 2021-22 programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 October 2019 14 October 2019

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, will position Azura in Malta for a series of summer cruises and Oceana again back to the Arabian Gulf as parts of the line’s 2021-22 programme, it said in a statement.

Oceana’s 2019-20 winter programme in the Arabian Gulf was cancelled due to security concerns a few weeks ago. The ship will return top the region for the 2020-21 winter season as well.

“In its biggest launch to date, P&O Cruises is putting its summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022 holidays on sale with over 400 cruises visiting 186 unique ports in 68 countries worldwide,” the line said.

The line’s largest ship, Iona, which will enter service in the summer of next year, will offer second year of itineraries featuring the Norwegian Fjords and a winter season of Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands and Northern European City Escapes.

P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow said: “P&O Cruises offers much more than just a holiday. The world is full of life-enriching experiences which give our guests the chance to delve deeper, to really get under the skin of a destination and explore more whilst creating life long memories.”

Pre-registration opens on October 14 and the programme will go on sale to Top Tier Peninsular Club members from 21 October and on general sale on 23 October, 2019. Deposits are low at just 5% and discounts of up to 10% are available on Select Price cruises if booked by December 9, 2019.

Iona

In summer 2021, Iona will continue to offer a season of seven-night Norway Fjords cruises from April through to September which will include calls into Stavanger, Olden, Geiranger and Haugesund as well as seven calls to Alesund at the start and end of the season. On the morning of the calls to Geiranger, Iona will also offer a brief stop in Hellesylt to provide an opportunity for guests on tour to disembark.

For the 2021/2022 winter season, Iona will continue to offer a mixed season of Spain and Portugal; Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands and Northern European City Escapes; as well as a 16-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands cruise over Christmas & New Year, with guests celebrating Christmas whilst at sea between islands and New Year’s Eve festivities on board while returning to Southampton.

Britannia

In April 2021, Britannia will offer four sailings comprising a Southern Cruise Break; a Short Break; a Northern European City Escape and a Spain and Portugal itinerary. The ship will then begin a dedicated summer season of Western Mediterranean cruises between May and October 2021.

Britannia will return to the Caribbean for winter 2021-22, starting with a Transatlantic sailing from Southampton to Barbados followed by 14-night holidays from Barbados and seven-night holidays from St Lucia.

Azura

Azura will take over from Oceana and operate a Fly/Mediterranean season throughout the summer. The first sailing will be a repositioning cruise Barbados to Malta in March and Azura will then be based out of Malta from April to October operating a choice of seven and 14 night Central, Eastern and Western Fly Mediterranean itineraries

Azura will start kick off its winter season with a Transatlantic sailing from Malta to Barbados in October 2021 and will spend the winter in the Caribbean operating 14 night turnarounds from Barbados focusing on the Northern and Eastern Caribbean. Azura’s winter 2021/2022 season will end with a positioning sailing back to Malta.

Ventura

Ventura will take over from Azura for summer 2021, operating alternating 14 night Western Mediterranean and Baltic cruises between May and October. Ventura’s Western Mediterranean itinerary features destinations including Cagliari and Naples which maintain the exploration focus.

Ventura’s winter season will focus on Spain and Portugal; Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands and long Caribbean cruises from the UK including a cruise to New Orleans. A Christmas and New Year cruise will give guests the opportunity to watch the spectacular New Year fireworks in Madeira.

Oceana

Oceana will take over from Ventura to operate the programme of 12-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands; seven-night Southern Cruise Breaks and two-night Short Breaks.

For winter 2021/2022, Oceana’s Dubai & Arabian Gulf programme will continue with a programme consisting of two alternating seven-night itineraries; one to the north-west, featuring Qatar and Bahrain, and the other to the east, featuring an overnight call in Muscat. Oceana will be in Abu Dhabi for New Year fireworks.

Aurora

For summer 2021, Aurora will continue to offer a diverse mix of holidays designed to appeal to experienced cruisers, with itineraries specifically designed to include lesser frequented destinations. The ship will operate three discovery-oriented Baltic cruises; a 14-night Iceland cruise including an overnight call in Reykjavik and a 30-night discovery itinerary to Canada which then travels south to Boston for an overnight then onto New York for three full days.

Aurora’s 99-night western circumnavigation of the world in 2022 includes two full days in Tokyo, as well as other iconic destinations including San Francisco; Auckland; Sydney; Hong Kong and Singapore. A variety of shorter exotic fly/cruises from the longer itinerary will also be available at launch varying from 14 nights to 57 nights.

Arcadia

The highlight of Arcadia’s summer 2021 season will be a 23-night discovery cruise taking in Iceland and Norway, including an overnight in Reykjavik, scenic cruising of the North Cape and calls in Honningsvaag; Tromso; Leknes and Narvik. Arcadia will also offer a 14-night Iceland cruise with an overnight in Reykjavik. Arcadia will then transit the North Atlantic in September 2021 on a 24-night cruise focusing purely on Canada with an overnight visit to Quebec as well as calls to hidden gems such as Saguenay; Sept Iles and Gaspe.

A 55-night Grand Tour (J201) on Arcadia departing Southampton on January 7, 2022. Highlight ports include a transit of the Amazon; Barbados; St Lucia; Antigua; St Maarten; Tortola; Bonaire; Aruba; Curacao; Roatan; Cozumel and Bermuda.

Holland America Line launches major section of Ryndam at Fincantieri’s Palermo Shipyard

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 October 2019 11 October 2019

Holland America Line reached a milestone in the building of Ryndam – its next Pinnacle Class ship – with the successful launch of the forward lower section of the ship, also known as the “troncone,” at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard in Italy on October 3. After an official blessing by Padre Giovanni Cassata, Madrina Giuseppa Catalano cut the rope to release the celebratory bottle of Champagne that smashed against the ship’s hull for good luck. Ryndam is expected to be delivered in May 2021.

Measuring 269 feet (82 meters) long, 115 feet (35 meters) wide and weighing 4,400 tons, the section will soon leave the Palermo yard and be moved to Marghera for an early-November arrival. Jan Koller, project manager, newbuilds for Holland America Line, was at the ceremony.

“This is Ryndam’s first major milestone since the steel cutting, and it’s so exciting to see a large portion of the ship taking shape and already in the water,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Watching a new ship come together piece by piece builds anticipation, and we will soon be announcing the inaugural itineraries for Ryndam cruises in summer 2021. Like her sister ships Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, Ryndam will be a true masterpiece.”

Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard also is building sections of Ryndam that are being assembled, and the Palermo section will be added when it arrives.

The 2,668-guest Ryndam’s next major milestone will be the keel laying when the ship’s first block is placed into the drydock. From there, blocks will be added weekly until the steel structure is complete (July 2020) and the dock can be flooded for the official float out.

As the third in the series, Ryndam will feature the highly successful Pinnacle Class amenities and innovations including the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Grand Dutch Café, Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Rolling Stone Rock Room.

[Cruisebusiness.com will sail on the Nieuw Statendam at the end of this month – you can follow our journey from our social media accounts.]