American Cruise Lines announces American Maverick and American Ranger

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 20 October 2024 20 October 2024

American Cruise Lines recently announced the construction of American Maverick and American Ranger. These new 125-passenger ships are the 7th and 8th vessels in the company’s Project Blue series of small ships for the U.S. market. American Maverick and American Ranger will both begin cruising in 2026, directly following the 2025 debuts of American Patriot, American Pioneer, and new riverboat American Encore (2026).

American’s Project Blue series began with four 100-passenger Coastal Cats introduced in 2023 and 2024. The newest Patriot Class ships, American Maverick and American Ranger (2026), and previously announced American Patriot and American Pioneer (2025), represent the latest iteration in the ongoing series. All 12 Project Blue ships are being built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding, the company’s affiliated shipyard in Salisbury, Maryland.

Accommodating 125 guests, American Maverick and American Ranger will be fully stabilized coastwise ships for smooth sailing along the Eastern Seaboard. The Patriot Class ships will increase the itinerary options for the company’s growing array of coastal cruises from Maine to Florida. American Cruise Lines remains the only cruise line in the world with a fleet of 100% U.S. flagged riverboats and small ships, enabling fully-domestic river and coastal itineraries that no other lines offer.

American Maverick and American Ranger will offer 5 decks with elegant interior design and 100% private balcony accommodations—56 spacious staterooms, for both double and single occupancy. The 4th deck on both ships will house all-suite accommodations ranging from 420 to 620 square feet.

The newest and most stunning feature on American Maverick and American Ranger will be the 5th deck Sky Lounge; an entire deck dedicated to relaxation and recreation, offering panoramic views, comfortable lounge seating, a 360° Skywalk (walking track), and a casual outdoor Back Porch Café. Both new ships will also feature an expansive Main Lounge and Restaurant on deck 1, with water views from every seat; a Bow Terrace and Horizon Lounge on deck 3; and an indoor Fitness Center on deck 4—extraordinary amenities for ships of this size.

When American Maverick and American Ranger begin sailing in 2026, American Cruise Lines will operate 24 small ships across the country, sailing the largest collection of fully domestic River and Coastal itineraries ever offered in the United States. The company continues to respond to the demand for 100% U.S. itineraries by introducing new ships with world-class amenities—unlocking amazing new opportunities for cruising closer to home year after year.

Meyer Turku floats out Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 10 October 2024 10 October 2024

 

Floating on air, Royal Caribbean International and thousands of workers celebrated the new Star of the Seas floating one step closer to its highly anticipated debut. The next combination of the best of every vacation reached a major construction milestone as it floated for the first time, a moment marked less than one year ahead of its mic-drop introduction at one of the world’s top travel destinations, Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in August 2025. Next up, the new vacation enters the final stages of construction.

To kick off the milestone, a ceremony – a maritime tradition, complete with a shot from a cannon – took place in the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, to celebrate 19 months (and counting) of hard work put in by the thousands behind Star’s construction. Then, the proverbial floodgates opened to fill the dry dock with 92 million gallons of water – an overnight process that took nearly nine hours. Star was then floated out of the dock and into the outfitting pier, where it will continue to take shape inside and out. From the dry dock to the water, how the moment unfolded can be seen here.

Royal Caribbean will double the world’s best vacation count with Star, bringing new twists and acclaimed experiences introduced by Icon of the Seas to the greater Orlando area. Across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in themselves, there are ways for every type of family and vacationer to make memories, from thrills like six of the fastest and tallest waterslides to 40-plus ways to dine and drink and the Surfside neighborhood designed for young families. And it’s all combined with seven nights of island hopping to idyllic destinations like the cruise line’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

Silversea to develop the southernmost hotel on Earth

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 03 October 2024 03 October 2024

Silversea, the leaders of luxury expedition travel experiences, has announced it is developing a hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile – the southernmost city on Earth – to create an unrivaled experience for guests to explore the rugged landscape of Antarctica.

The hotel will facilitate a uniquely frictionless journey to the ‘White Continent,’ allowing guests to enjoy Silversea’s personalized service and warm hospitality throughout their voyage. Guests embarking on the cruise line’s innovative Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program – the fastest and most direct route to Antarctica – will fly directly to Puerto Williams from Santiago, Chile’s capital city, for a superior experience.

The new 150-room hotel will be built in partnership with a consortium of Chilean investors with completion scheduled for the end of 2025. The start of construction was celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony where the partners were joined by Chilean government representatives and key stakeholders.

Silversea is the only cruise line that homeports from Puerto Williams during the Antarctica season. Located in the sub-Antarctic zone of the Patagonia region of Chile at the southern tip of South America, Puerto Williams is an ideal gateway for travelers seeking to explore the world’s least visited continent. From there, Silversea guests can immerse themselves in the natural wonders of Antarctica, where they can discover uninhabited islands, snow-covered mountains, magnificent icescapes and a vast array of diverse wildlife.

“As we continue to push the boundaries on the ultimate vacation experience for our guests, this new hotel allows us to offer an unmatched Antarctic expedition that further enhances our diverse portfolio of world-class vacations across our brands,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Partnering with our experienced teams in Chile, we are providing guests with a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most breathtaking and remote destinations that advances our promise to deliver a lifetime of vacations.”

“We’re thrilled to enhance the Antarctic travel experience by offering seamless journeys that remove traditional barriers for guests to this region,” said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. “This development not only differentiates us from other polar expeditions but also reaffirms our commitment to innovation and excellence as Silversea continues to set the standard in experiential luxury travel.”

Overlooking the Beagle Channel and surrounded by pristine forest, the hotel will feature views of the water and snow-capped Patagonian mountains. Amenities will include an expansive restaurant ideal for group gatherings, a bar and lounge, fitness center and gift shop showcasing handicrafts and art by local artisans. Due to its innovative architectural design, the hotel will blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment drawing inspiration from local traditional art, architecture, and materials.

Silversea is committed to fostering long-term partnerships with the communities of Puerto Williams. The cruise line will work with stakeholders to create opportunities for economic growth while preserving the unique cultural heritage and minimizing environmental impact in the area.

Silversea has a history of leadership and innovation in luxury expedition experiences, having led explorations to the far-flung Polar regions for over 15 years. With the opening of this hotel, the brand will further expand the most diverse polar offering in experiential luxury travel and strengthen its leadership in the expedition segment. Among the world’s most luxurious expedition ships, Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind and Silver Cloud will offer a diverse range of six to 20-day Antarctic voyages appealing to every traveler seeking to discover the region in uncompromised luxury. For guests with limited time, the Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program provides the option to skip the Drake Passage and fly in comfort straight to Antarctica to start their expedition. Expeditions are led by a team of specialists who are experts in their field. With a crew-to-guest ratio of nearly 1:1, guests enjoy Silversea’s hallmarks of luxury, including butler service for every suite and some of the most spacious accommodations in expedition cruising.

Grupo Vidanta announces VidantaWorld’s Elegant cruise vessel

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 01 October 2024 01 October 2024

Grupo Vidanta has announced the launch of VidantaWorld’s Elegant cruise ship, an addition to the world of luxury cruising. "This one-of-a-kind vessel redefines cruising, combining the exclusivity of a private yacht with the opulence of a luxury liner, setting a new benchmark for high-end experiences. Sailing this year, this adults-only experience offers travelers the opportunity to explore some of the world’s most coveted destinations, with breathtaking itineraries across the Caribbean and Europe now open for booking on the official website," the company said in a statement.

VidantaWorld’s Elegant has been completely reimagined to offer a state-of-the-art masterpiece that showcases the pinnacle of luxury, technology, and design. At over 500 feet long, It features six public decks, 149 staterooms and suites, 13 bars and lounges, a full-service spa and fitness center, three top-deck pools, and multiple jacuzzis. This extraordinary mega yacht, transformed through a visionary project led by world-renowned architects Rockwell Group and SMC Design, preserves the charm of a timeless vessel while integrating cutting-edge innovations and world-class amenities. Crafted to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the vessel boasts an expanded superstructure with more spacious common areas, shimmering pools, gourmet dining options, and stylish lounges. Every space aboard has been designed to provide expansive terraces and open deck spaces, creating a true yacht-like experience. The cabin layout was carefully curated, prioritizing fewer but far more luxurious cabins, ensuring each guest enjoys an indulgent and personalized journey.

The marine operations of VidantaWorld’s Elegant will be managed by Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Cruise Services (BSM Cruise), one of the world’s most reputable ship management companies in business for more than 140 years. BSM Cruise ensures that the vessel adheres to the highest standards of safety, security, and operational excellence.

“At Grupo Vidanta, we continually strive to redefine luxury travel, and VidantaWorld's Elegant is the perfect embodiment of that vision,” said Iván Chávez, executive vice president of Grupo Vidanta. “This one-of-a-kind luxury vessel offers the exclusivity of a private yacht combined with the world-class amenities of a premier cruise line, granting access to the globe’s most desired destinations. Every moment on board captures the essence of timeless elegance, blending classic luxury with modern indulgence like never before.”

“We are excited to bring a truly unique product to the market with VidantaWorld’s Elegant,” said Martin Springer, president of BSM Cruise & Hospitality at Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement. “With our 140 years of maritime expertise, we are proud to ensure that this vessel operates at the highest levels of safety and performance. Partnering with Grupo Vidanta on this incredible project allows us to deliver the gold standard of operational excellence for a seamless and luxurious experience at sea.”

Before its official launch, VidantaWorld’s Elegant will offer exclusive one-night escapes for guests of Vidanta Riviera Maya throughout this November and December. These special previews will allow guests to explore the ship and experience its grandeur firsthand. Additional preview itineraries are also set to be announced, with some beginning as early as the Christmas holiday week. Full itineraries for 2025 are also open for booking, including voyages to the Caribbean and Europe. Guests are encouraged to call for the most up-to-date itinerary information.

The ship will explore some of the world’s most exclusive and hard-to-reach destinations, including tropical paradises in the Caribbean, the stunning volcanic landscapes of the Azores, the glamour of the French Riviera, the breathtaking coasts of Greece and Italy, and many more. Travelers can expect an ongoing rollout of new itineraries, with the latest information available at elegant.vidantaworld.com.

A hallmark of the VidantaWorld’s Elegant experience is its unparalleled attention to service. With a nearly 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, each traveler will enjoy personalized concierge service and a level of care designed to meet their every need. VidantaWorld’s Elegant also provides a robust and elevated onboard culinary experience with 13 restaurants and lounges, featuring gourmet dishes crafted by renowned chefs using the finest local ingredients. Evenings come alive with live music and exclusive performances at Amura Lounge, while days are filled with curated cultural experiences and exciting onboard activities. Other high-end amenities include the Mosaico Lifestyle Boutique, featuring everyday essentials and unique souvenirs, alongside Modern Mexico, an onboard shopping experience highlighting Mexico’s rich heritage and craftsmanship and offering a series of exclusive workshops. Additionally, the serene onboard spa offers comprehensive treatments, while the fitness center boasts panoramic sea views, creating a truly rejuvenating experience.

The launch of VidantaWorld’s Elegant represents a significant milestone for Grupo Vidanta, expanding the company’s renowned luxury and attention to detail to the seas and the most spectacular reaches of the earth. This new chapter in Grupo Vidanta’s journey promises to set the bar even higher for the future of luxury cruising, offering guests an extraordinary experience where timeless sophistication blends seamlessly with modern indulgence.