American Song, first modern riverboat in U.S. history passes sea trials

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 29 August 2018 29 August 2018

American Cruise Lines announced that brand new ship American Song has successfully passed sea trials and is now on its way to the “Big Easy.” The first modern riverboat in U.S. history is expected to arrive in New Orleans the first week in September.

American Song passed sea trials with flying colors and is the second new vessel completed and delivered to American Cruise Lines by Chesapeake Shipbuilding this year. American Harmony, the second modern riverboat in the series, will be completed and delivered in the first quarter of 2019.

Now that American Song’s sea trials are completed, the Line is looking forward to the ship’s inaugural cruise from New Orleans to Memphis, October 6th. American Song will cruise a full schedule of 8-day Lower Mississippi River cruises throughout the remainder of 2018 and then will reposition to the West Coast in 2019, for American’s Columbia and Snake Rivers cruises beginning in March.

American Cruise Lines is proud of its commitment to building only new advanced ships. Every new ship in the Line’s expanding fleet is built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and showcases the finest American design and craftsmanship. American maintains the largest U.S. flag fleet and continues to expand year after year – offering guests the widest range of gracefully appointed and technically superior ships in the industry.

MAN PrimeServ to retrofit two Baleària ferries to dual-fuel running

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 29 August 2018 29 August 2018

[MAN Energy Solutions exhibits at the SMM, Hall A3, Stand A3/200]

MAN PrimeServ, the after-sales division of MAN Energy Solutions, has won the contract to convert two RoPax ferries from Spanish operator, Baleària Eurolineas Maritimas, S.A., to dual-fuel operation.

Sister ships, the Nápoles and Sicilia, are currently each powered by 2 × MAN 9L48/60A main engines, which will all be converted to 9L51/60DF units that will enable running on LNG.

Dr Thomas Spindler, Head of Upgrades & Retrofits, PrimeServ Four-Stroke, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “We showed – with the conversion of Wessels Reederei’s Wes Amelie containership – that operational MAN engines can successfully be converted to LNG operation with a tremendous effect on exhaust emissions and the environment. We are very happy that Baleària has seen fit to bring these benefits to a new segment and application and look forward to the conversion procedure.”

Director General of Operations at Baleària, Ettore Morace, stated that the company’s commitment to the environment: “is a strategic line for the company based on the use of liquefied natural gas and other clean energies as well as fleet eco-efficiency”. He also specified that LNG helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) by 30% and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 85% in addition to eliminating sulphur and particle emissions.

The conversion of the Nápoles is due to take place in Spain between November 2018 and January 2019, with the conversion of Sicilia to take place from October to December 2019. The Sicilia operates on the Barcelona – Ibiza route, while the Nápoles serves currently the Algeciras – Tanger Med route.

The Maritime Energy Transition

The conversion to LNG operation is part of MAN’s wide-ranging engagement for the establishment of LNG as a shipping fuel. Calling for a Maritime Energy Transition the company considers the use of natural gases as the fuels of choice in global shipping as the most promising way to supporting the goal of a climate- neutral shipping industry. Launched in 2016 after COP 21, MAN’s initiative has since found broad support within the shipping industry and politics.

The Wes Amelie conversion

This noteworthy project involved the retrofitting of the 1,036-teu feeder container ship’s MAN 8L48/60B main engine to a multi-fuel, four-stroke MAN 51/60DF unit that enables dual-fuel operation – the first such conversion of its type the world had ever seen.

Wessel’s Reederei’s Wes Amelie operates in the highly regulated Nordic and Baltic Seas. Since both bodies of water lie within Emission Control Areas, the vessel needed to meet the highest environmental standards and strictest limits for emissions.

The dual-fuel conversion has enabled the ‘Wes Amelie’ to significantly reduce its SOx emissions by >99%, NOx by approximately 90%, and CO2 by up to 20%. The vessel now meets both the Tier II and Tier III emission requirements set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

P&O Cruises’ Iona to feature SkyDome for views, entertainment and more

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 24 August 2018 24 August 2018

Iona, the first of two 180,000 gross ton newbuildings P&O Cruises in the UK has on order, will feature a skyDome that will connect guests with the sea, sky and shoreline and be the place to go for relaxation, effortless dining and contemporary entertainment, the company said in a statement.

“The first of its kind in the cruise industry, the two-deck SkyDome on decks 16 and 17 will include a swimming pool that transforms into a stage at night, as well as a glass dome roof which creates a temperate climate while providing guests with fabulous views as they cruise through the scenic Norwegian Fjords,” P&O Cruises said. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc group .

By day, SkyDome will offer a relaxed, poolside environment, with tantalising dining and drinking options including a grill, pizzeria and street food as well as premium ice cream with flavours reflecting popular ports of call.

With the feel of an English park in summer, the area will feature a central pool and two whirlpools. Sun loungers, reclining chairs, greenery and artworks will all create a peaceful environment and make it a tranquil space during the day.

As the sun goes down SkyDome will come alive as the space seamlessly transitions into an entertainment venue, showcasing spectacular aerialist performances and playing host to party nights under the stars.

The mood will change from daytime to showtime with stunning audio-visual effects including light shows creating a dynamic ambience. The swimming pool will transform into a stage for the night’s entertainment, while aerial acrobatic shows will make full use of SkyDome’s height. After the show, the space will transition into a party night, with DJs playing as guests dance under the night sky, whatever the weather.

The glass dome roof was designed by award-winning British engineers Eckersley O'Callaghan, renowned for their work on such innovative structures as Bulgari Glass House in Italy and Apple Park in California. The inviting living space underneath the dome was created by cruise ship specialists Partner Ship Design.

P&O Cruises senior vice president, Paul Ludlow said: “SkyDome promises to be one of Iona’s star attractions, providing guests with a magical venue in which to spend quality time whatever the weather. With stunning views of the ocean by day and of starry skies at night, I’m confident that this extraordinary venue will prove popular with our guests, whether they are early birds or night owls. With sunshine, swimming, dining and dancing all in one contemporary, visually spectacular space, SkyDome will raise the bar for entertainment spaces at sea.”

 

Samantha Brown to christen AmaWaterways' revolutionary AmaMagna

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 23 August 2018 23 August 2018

AmaWaterways today announced that travel expert and television host Samantha Brown will serve as Godmother of the AmaMagna. Brown will “bless” the one-of-a-kind ship alongside AmaWaterways’ executive team and special guests during a Christening ceremony in Vilshofen, Germany in July 2019.

“For this incredibly innovative ship, we wanted to choose a Godmother who shares our passion for innovation within the travel industry,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice-president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “Samantha is an icon in both the travel and television industries, known as much for her warm personality as for her expansive travel knowledge. We are so thrilled to welcome her to the AmaWaterways family as Godmother of our 23rd ship the stunning AmaMagna.”

Throughout her 17-year career, Brown has hosted a variety of travel television series for The Travel Channel including, among others, “Passport to Europe,” “Great Hotels,” “Great Weekends” and “Samantha Brown’s Asia.” In 2017, Brown launched her PBS series, “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love,” which AmaWaterways proudly sponsors. Mirroring AmaWaterways’ commitment to providing authentic, immersive travel experiences for its guests, the series encourages viewers to experience the passion of people and soul of a place that only traveling can provide.

A well-respected and seasoned traveler, Brown has visited more than 250 cities in 62 countries and 40 states. She has charted more than 160 hours of programming, with that number continuing to grow.

“I am so excited and honored to have been asked to be the Godmother of AmaMagna,” said Brown. “I had the great pleasure of sailing on board AmaPrima this summer as we filmed an episode for my new PBS series. The total experience was remarkable but what impressed me the most was the incredible team on board the ship who took such good care of me, my film crew and my family who joined us during the cruise.”

Description generated with very high confidenceDefining contemporary elegance, AmaMagna features a total of 98 elegantly-appointed staterooms, most of which are spacious, full balcony suites measuring between 355 and 710 sq. ft. At twice the width of traditional river cruise ships, she offers various dining options, including two new dining venues to entice guests: Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant, named for AmaWaterways’ late co-founder Jimmy Murphy, and the Al Fresco Restaurant, with retractable ceiling and side windows for guests to indulge in the views of the picturesque Danube and the towns that dot its shores.

Guests on board AmaMagna will be able to personalize their river cruise experience with a robust complementary daily excursion program that includes escorted hiking and biking tours and group fitness classes led by a trained Wellness Host. Additional features include a large heated Sun Deck swimming pool; an expansive Zen Wellness Studio with massage, hair and nail salon services; and an innovative Water Sports Platform complete with the Sundowner boat for evening river excursions at no extra charge. Exclusive to AmaMagna, guests may also take advantage of the new Concierge Golf Program, providing the opportunity to experience five top-level golf courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic while enjoying the magic of river cruising.

AmaMagna will start her much-anticipated inaugural season on May 5, sailing the Romantic Danube itinerary from Vilshofen to Budapest. In addition to the Romantic Danube, AmaMagna’s itineraries include Melodies of the Danube and the festive Christmas Markets on the Danube.