More News

Fincantieri delivers Resilient Lady

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 December 2022 10 December 2022

The delivery of Resilient Lady, the third of four ships which Virgin Voyages (new cruise operator and a brand part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group) ordered to Fincantieri, took place at the Sestri Ponente (Genoa) shipyard. The ship was moored in the port of Palermo since July.

Resilient Lady, as well as her sisterships Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Brilliant Lady, which was floated out just two weeks ago, measures about 110,000 gross tons, are 278 meters long and 38 wide. They all feature over 1,400 guest cabins designed to host more than 2,770 passengers, accompanied by 1,160 crew members on board to deliver the famed Virgin service. The quality of life on board is guaranteed by the “comfort class” certification, testifying minimum levels of noise and vibration, as well as by an extensive use of home automation. Thanks to this, by installing an app on their smartphones, guests are able to manage a wide range of cabin functions (air conditioning, lightening, opening and closing of blinds, music, and television).

This class of ships stands out for the design, as well as for the particular attention paid to energy recovery, featuring cutting-edge alternative technologies that reduce the ship’s overall environmental impact. For example, the ships are equipped with an energy production system of approximately 1 MW, which uses the diesel engine’s waste heat. In addition to a scrubber system, that is a device for the sustainable waste management of sulfur dioxides, the units are also fitted with a catalytic converter which reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides. They are entirely equipped with led lights to reduce energy consumption, while the hydrodynamic design of the hull provides excellent performance with consequent fuel saving.

Icon of the Seas floated out at Meyer Turku

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 December 2022 09 December 2022

Icon of the Seas, which is being built at the Meyer Turku shipyard, has been launched on Friday, December 9, 2022. During the weekend, the ship will be moved to the outfitting dock, where its now fully assembled hull will be finished into a cruise ship during next year, the shipbuilder said in a statement.

Outfitting of the ship is a challenging job, the end result of which is to build an unprecedentedly versatile vacation possibilities on the ship. One of the interesting novelties and eight neighborhoods on Icon is the AquaDome neighborhood: a tranquil oasis by day, where guests can enjoy ocean views. By night, it becomes a vibrant place great for a night out with the AquaTheatre that takes entertainment to next level.

Icon of the Seas is its cruise line's first ship that runs on liquefied natural gas and utilizes fuel cell technology. Together with its other features, such as shore power connections and waste heat recovery systems, the ship becomes a pioneer in sustainable development.

365 meters long, almost 50 meters wide and with a gross tonnage of approximately 250 000, Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the Icon series, which in the Meyer Turku shipyard's order book so far has the length of three ships.

"Icon of the Seas is a state-of-the-art ship that challenges the know-how of our shipyard and raises the entire Finnish shipbuilding industry to a new level. We are proud to be responsible for the design and construction of Icon of the Seas in cooperation with the customer and all our partner companies. This is also a significant step for the sustainable development of the shipbuilding industry," says Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku.

The float out of a new ship is a defining moment, and in the case of Icon of the Seas, it marks the next step in the start of a new era of vacations,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We set out to create the world’s best family vacation more than five years ago, the culmination of 53 years of Royal Caribbean firsts and favorites that combine the best of every vacation. That is now a reality more than ever as Icon touches water for the first time.”

Photo: A gun salute is part of the float out ceremonies at Meyer Turku

First Explora II itineraries open for booking

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 December 2022 07 December 2022

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, today announced the inaugural itineraries of its second ship, Explora II, launching in summer 2024, are now open for booking.

“A new unique set of journeys and new destinations will allow guests to explore renowned and off the beaten path locations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India, the Indian Ocean and Africa marking the first time the luxury lifestyle brand will sail in these regions,” the company said in a statement.

Featuring 25 journeys and 14 extended journeys between August 2024 and end of April 2025, the itineraries will include 82 unique ports across 26 countries. At each stop, guests will have opportunities to discover the local nature and culture through exclusive activities, while exploring exotic ‘bucket list’ destinations and delving into the locations through sustainable and tailored experiences. All journeys are designed for the discerning traveller who wants to stay longer, leave later and travel deeper.

Explora II will first traverse the Mediterranean reaching ports in Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Croatia, where guests will immerse themselves in the ancient history of each country, enjoy their traditional and signature culinary flavours, and soak up the surrounding art, colours and architecture.

“After exploring the magnificence of Israel, Explora II will pass through the Suez Canal and allow its guests to enjoy the beauties of Egypt, the pharaohs’ land, with its heritage, time-honoured traditions, immense deserts and vibrant oases. The ship will then sail onto the Arabian Peninsula towards Saudi Arabia, cruising the coastline of the Red Sea and visiting the world-heritage sights of Al Ula and Hegra,” the company said

The ship will then sails to the Arabian Gulf to visit cities such as Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, after which it will reach the coast of India. The voyage of discovery will continue to the islands of the Indian Ocean including Seychelles and Maldives to then reach the natural sanctuaries of Africa with stops in Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, Kenya, Mauritius and South Africa.

“During each stop, guests are invited to ‘linger longer’ and delve into some of the oldest cultures. A combination of old and modern cities, wild flora and fauna, music, festivals, crystal-clear water, desert experiences and UNESCO sites, all accompanied by incredible cuisines featuring old classics, spices, herbs, teas and recipes passed down through generations,” the company said.

Icon of the Seas to be floated out 9 December

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 December 2022 07 December 2022

Meyer Turku said that its new building number 1400, Icon of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International, would be floated out from its building dock on 9 December. A ceremony that would take about half an hour will commence at 11.00am local time, the Finnish shipbuilder said in a statement.

P&O Cruises to name Arvia in Barbados in March

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 December 2022 06 December 2022

P&O Cruises said it would officially name its newest ship Arvia in a beachside ceremony in Barbados on Thursday March 16, 2023.

The event, which will include some of Britain’s most contemporary, popular performers and presenters, would be broadcast live online to a global audience.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said in a statement: “We always aim to do things differently, to create stand out and memorable moments for our current and future guests.”

“Arvia, which will be delivered in December, will spend her first season sailing in the Caribbean so it is fitting that we mark her naming in one of our favourite ports of call with a week of celebratory performances and experiences on board.This naming event, which has never been done before, will showcase our extraordinary new ship Arvia, the beauty of Barbados and will include some very special surprises."

“The ship will be positioned off one of the island’s most stunning beaches so the audience at home will be able to see both the striking new interior design of the ship as well as the performances and events taking place on the shore. It will be an unmissable event.”

Prime Minister of Barbados, The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley said: “I want to thank P&O Cruises for choosing Barbados as the location for this unique event. Barbados continues to share a rich relationship with our sea and tourism, and the cruise industry has been of vital importance to our island and our economy.”

“I am delighted that Barbados can be that place that continues to bring more “firsts” to the world, and through this beachside ceremony, give thousands of people the opportunity to see a glimpse of what we have to offer to visitors.”

Arvia is the second and final Excellence class ship to be built for P&O Cruises that is part of the Carnival group. The first unit is called Iona and it was completed in 2020. Both ships were built by Meyer Werft in Germany.