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Dream Cruises' newbuild to feature world's longest roller coaster at sea

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

Dream Cruises will feature the world’s longest roller coaster at sea on board its new Global-class ship which is currently under construction in Germany and slated to debut in early 2021. The Space Cruiser will be the highlight of the Dream Park at the Pier - first-ever theme park concept at sea that will push the envelope of entertainment and leisure facilities available at sea for discerning cruise passengers looking for unique experiences.

“Dream Cruises is excited to unveil the innovative and exciting Space Cruiser on board the newest addition to our fleet, the first Global-class ship named Global Dream, which is set to debut in early 2021,” said Michael Goh, President of Dream Cruises & Head of International Sales, Genting Cruise Lines. “As part of our commitment to develop the most technologically advanced cruise ships in the world, the newly constructed Global Class ships will dazzle guests with cutting edge features and facilities that will optimize convenience for our passengers and also provide innovative leisure, entertainment and recreation options to appeal to a broad range of guests.”

Dream Cruises has teamed up with Maurer Rides to develop the world's longest roller coaster on a cruise ship with the innovative, interactive Space Cruiser on the forthcoming Global-class vessel.

“Outfitted with powerful electric motors and positive-locking drive system, the coaster defies the physical limits experienced by conventional roller coasters, thus allowing acceleration over 1g almost everywhere on the 300-metre track,” said Marco Hartwig, Project Manager, Maurer Rides. “All this guarantees a spectacular and breathtaking ride at up to 60 km/h (37 mph) over the heads of fellow passengers.”

Each of the three Spike carts will provide interactive driving excitement for up to two riders per vehicle with inline seats and an integrated throttle allowing guests to control the speed of the ride. Due to the unusual perspective, the driver of the Space Cruiser will have the feeling of flying over the sea.

As part of the ground-breaking Dream Park at the Pier, the first-ever theme park at sea on the new Global-class ship, the Space Cruiser will be one of the many fun and exciting attractions that will thrill and dazzle guests of all ages while cruising at sea.

With something for everyone, Dream Park at the Pier ssembles a myriad of attractions including:

– Bounce Activity Park – Spread out over the size of a basketball court, this inflatable park isn’t the same old bouncy castles found at kiddie parties. Guests can run, bounce, dance and jump their way around the massive bouncy obstacle course for the ultimate nostalgia trip.

– Jump! – Bounce around to your heart’s content in a special trampoline park that will have you jumping for joy!

– Shark Bay – Unleash your inner daredevil on our bungee trampoline. Accomplish acrobatic feats while attached to a safety harness for maximum fun.

– Wipe Out – Ride the waves at our on board surf simulator. Whether you hang ten or hang out, you’ll have a wet and wild time with your friends.

– Cosmic Chaos – Spin, twirl, give it a whirl. Become a human gyro and get ready to tumble.

– Kranky Kraken – Kiddies can make friends with our amiable octopus and fly around in one of his many arms.

– Little Dreamers Ride – Tiny tots can test their driving skills in our mini karts for some race-car hijinks – all in a safe and controlled environment.

Global Dream is designed for the rapidly growing Asian cruise market and will join the Dream Cruises award-winning fleet, allowing Dream Cruises to offer cruise itineraries across the world as “Asia’s Global Cruise Line”. Apart from the theme park, amenities will include a Cineplex, Asian and Western spas, ample shopping facilities as well as authentic Asian and international dining experiences and fast food restaurants. Her 2,500 cabins will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 passengers on a twin share basis and can cater to over 9,000 passengers during peak holiday periods. Global Dream will also feature Dream Cruises’ signature 151-suite luxury “ship-within-a-ship’ concept, “The Palace”.

State-of-the-art technology will include Bluetooth locks and a new smart system allowing passengers to control different functions such as the LED mood lighting and climate control with a smartphone app, voice recognition or through a touch-screen control panel. Smart sensors will also be able to detect occupants in the cabin to automatically adjust the lights and temperature for better energy efficiency and triple vent air-conditioning outlets ensure even air distribution for maximum comfort.

First steel cut for Cunard newbuilding in Italy

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 October 2019 11 October 2019

Cunard Line, the UK based upper emd of the market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group and the Italian shipbuilder and Fincantieri celebrated the start of construction on the 249th ship of the line.

The yet unnamed ship will be the second largest ship to fly the Cunard flag with an estimated gross tonnage of 113,000

The first section of the ship is under construction at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia ship yard. The shipbuilding group previously delivered Queen Victoria in 2007 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010 to Cunard.

The steel cutting ceremony marks the commencement of building works that will culminate in its delivery in Monfalcone, Gorizia, Italy, in 2022.

Of the occasion, Simon Palethorpe, President, Cunard said, “After years of planning and design, we are delighted to see building works commence on our newest ship. The 249th Cunarder will be our fourth luxury liner for the 21st century. The new ship is taking inspiration from the successes of our past, integrating the Cunard spirit with exciting new concepts and ideas that will provide a uniquely luxurious travel experience for our guests.”

With construction underway, the new ship’s interior designers will work alongside Fincanteri to deliver a one of a kind on board experience.

Led by globally acclaimed designer Adam D. Tihany, the award winning design team includes Simon Rawlings (David Collins Studio), Terry McGillicuddy (Richmond International) and Sybille de Margerie (Sybille de Margerie Paris).

Each brings experience from various world-class international hotels and resorts with the aim of delivering a new standard of Cunard luxury.

Cunard’s new ship is set to enter service in 2022 with bookings commencing next year.

Braemar becomes biggest ship to transit Corinth Canal

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 October 2019 11 October 2019

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 24,344 gross ton braemar became the biggest shipo to transit the Corinth Canal, when it made a passage through the 6.4 km waterway in Greece on 9 October, the UK based company said in a statement.

The ship has a length of 195.82 metres and beam of 22.52metres. The canal is only 24 metres wide, but it has no locks and thus no maximum length limit.

The 929-guest capacity Braemar is currently sailing on a sold-out 25-night M1925 ‘Corinth Canal & Greek Islands’ cruise, which set sail from Southampton, UK on 27th September 2019.

The Corinth Canal is a waterway that separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese, turning it into an island. It is an important navigational route, which once allowed ships to enter the Aegean Sea. Whilst the Canal is steeped in over two millennia of history, the structure that we now know was completed and used for the first time on 28 October 1893.

Britannia to undergo refit at Damen in Brest this month

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 October 2019 09 October 2019

P&O Cruises' Britannia will undergo a refit a the Damen shipyard in Brest in France that includes refreshed interiors and new details on a broad scale, the company said in a statement.

The atrium will be given a new lease of life creating a lively social hub at the heart of the ship, day and night. This space will have new eye-catching colour schemes, fresh design direction, relaxed entertainment, live music and informal performances all under the Starburst chandelier.

Following the success of temporary art exhibitions on Britannia, P&O Cruises is introducing a permanent new art gallery next to Blue Bar. The deck 5 experience can be completed by savouring some sweet treats from master pâtissier and Food Hero Eric Lanlard at The Market Café. The popular spot has already benefitted from new furniture and décor, as well as a menu with decadent ice cream creations made in exclusive collaboration with Hampshire dairy, Jude’s.

Guests will now have even more reason to check into the Oasis Spa and Salon with the creation of two ‘express spa’ pods boasting a range of treatments. In one pod, guests will enjoy high-tech massages; in the other, a zero-gravity lounger will offer express skin treatments as well as LVL lash treatments. For longer, deeper relaxation, guests can enjoy two new experiences in the thermal and hydropool suite: an Arctic cold room, with therapeutic benefits as well as an aroma steam room.

On deck 7, Java café will now serve alcoholic drinks; guests can relax with a drink and enjoy the birds-eye view of the action below. Also on deck 7, the photo gallery will include a Dixons electronics hub featuring the latest imaging, computing and audio tech from Amazon, Apple, Beats, Bose, Canon, Fitbit, GoPro, Microsoft, and Sony, among others.

Britannia is extending the shops, to give guests more choice and an immersive experience. As well as a host of new premium brands to choose from there will be a more interactive environment, including try-before-you-buy, tasting tables and consultation areas in the beauty and make-up zones. New brands include Jo Malone, Tom Ford, Edinburgh Gin, Michael Kors accessories and exclusive fine jewellers, Clifton, P&O Cruises said..

Elomatic to merge fully owned subsidiary companies with group parent

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2019 08 October 2019

Elomatic, the Finnish consultant engineering group, will merge its six fully owned subsidiary units to the group parent in a move to increase efficiency and simplify cooperation with its customers, it said in a statement.

Elomatic Marine Engineering Oy, which is the group naval architecture and marine services unit, was merged with Elomatic Consulting & Engineering Oy at the end of September. Two other subsidiaries were merged with the parent at the same time, while other three will follow at the end of October.

The mergers would not affect the business of the group and all contracts, responsibilities and liabilities of the subsidiaries will be transferred to the group parent in their entirety, Elomatic said.