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Viking Line records 30% rise in Helsinki-Tallinn business in June

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 June 2017 28 June 2017

Viking Line, the Finnish cruise ferry company, said it has carried 30% more passengers between the Finnish and Estonian capitals in June compared to last year.

The growth has been led by a strong incresase in the number of passengers that take the crossing in order to travel further, but also the day cruise trade has performed well.

The company has up to 12 sailings a day between the two cities in the summer season, from 17 June to 6 August, as the Gabriella and Mariella that serve the Helsinki-Stockholm overnight route make a return crossing to Tallinn during the day, in addition to the ropes vessel Viking XPRS that serves it year round.

Wang Leehom names Norwegian Joy in Shanghai

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 June 2017 28 June 2017

Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first custom-designed ship for the Chinese cruise market, has been named in a ceremony held onboard the vessel in Shanghai that featured an over-the-top performance by the ship’s Godfather, singer songwriter, music producer, actor and film director, Wang Leehom, the company said in a statement

“At 167,725 gross-tons and accommodating 3,883 guests, Norwegian Joy features an innovative design, world-class finishes and amenities tailored to provide a “First Class at Sea” experience for Chinese guests, along with Norwegian’s signature cruising style that offers guests the freedom and flexibility to design their perfect vacation experience,” the company said in a statement.

“After years spent carefully designing this amazing vessel, my team and I are both proud and thrilled to finally christen the world’s first cruise ship custom-designed for the wonderful people of China,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“This is truly a special moment for the entire Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings family, our valued travel partners, honored guests and dedicated officers and crew across our fleet.”

In homage to Norwegian Joy’s eye-catching hull art, designed by famed Chinese artist Tan Ping and featuring a majestic phoenix, the christening ceremony began with a performance by renowned dancer and choreographer Yabin Wang, with her interpretation of the spirit of the phoenix through dance. Tan Ping, who also made a special guest appearance at the ceremony, selected the phoenix as the focal point for the ship’s hull artwork, as the iconic bird represents beauty and good luck in Chinese culture, the company said in a statement.

Viking Sky named in Norway

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 June 2017 23 June 2017

Viking Cruises, the premium market ocean cruise operator, said that its third ship, Viking Sky, was named during a public celebration in Tromsø, Norway.

Located above the Arctic Circle on Norway’s northwest coast, Tromsø is a popular destination for viewing the northern lights – and a key port of call on Viking’s popular Into the Midnight Sun itinerary, which sails between Bergen and London, allowing guests to explore the northernmost reaches of Scandinavia.

“Viking’s ocean ships are classified as “small ships” by Cruise Critic, and the 930-guest, 47,800-ton Viking Sky navigated into the Tromsø harbor this morning, where she received a warm welcome with coordinated water cannons from Norwegian redningsskøyten boats, music from local bands and flag-waving Tromsø residents,” the company said in a statement.

Trimline completes work on Seabourn Odyssey in Genoa

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 June 2017 23 June 2017

Trimline, the UK based passenger ship refit specialist, has completed work on Seabourn Odyssey of Seabourn, the luxury brand in the Carnival Corporation & plc group. The work involved refurbishment of 229 cabins, 58 bathrooms, the Colonnade Restaurant, replacement of 4 km of alleyway skirting and a general update of the vessel. The project involved 170 members of the Trimline staff and it was carried out in Genoa in Italy, the company said in a statement.

ASENAV building Polar expedition vessel for Antarctica XXI

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 June 2017 22 June 2017

ASENAV (Astilleros y Servicios Navales), the Chilean shipbuilder has announced that it is building a 100-pax expedition vessel for Antarctic deployment, Alan Lam reports

The Valdivia-based facility has already begun design and building process. The 4,900 gross ton ship will be named Magellan Explorer. Its owner Minke Shipping will charter the vessel to Antarctica XXI, a Chilean Antarctic expedition specialist that has a ship based on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. For the 2017-18 season, the company charters Ocean Nova and Hebridean Sky for it eight-day-seven-night Antarctic fly-cruise itinerary, departing Punta Arenas.

The vessel will feature 50 cabins, including a number of them designed for single occupants. 42 cabins will have balconies. It will have a large forward observation lounge and an observation deck.

ASENAV is not new to passenger ship building. It has already built several small cruise vessels in recent years. As recently as 2010, it delivered the 210-pax Stella Australis to Cruceros Australis, another Chilean cruise operator.Powered by two Tier III class MAN diesel engines and Polar Class 6 compliant, the new ship will be the most advanced passenger vessel the company has ever built.

ASENAV is also in an advanced stage of building another 200-pax passenger vessel for Cruceros Australis. The builder is an off-shore vessel specialist. It has recently delivered three service vessels to Maersk of Denmark for off-shore exploration purposes.