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American Symphony christened in Natchez, Mississippi

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2022 31 August 2022

American Cruise Lines announced that American Symphony was christened yesterday, August 30th in Natchez, Mississippi – the new riverboat’s official Godmother City. The christening marks the on-time delivery of American’s 5th new modern riverboat in 4 years and the Line’s continued growth on the Mississippi River.

American Cruise Lines and the City of Natchez hosted a joint celebration for the country’s newest ship by welcoming cruise guests, as well as the communities of Natchez and Vidalia, to be a part of the official christening events. A festive presentation was held at the Natchez Convention Center which included musical performances by the Victory Belles, as well as speeches and special appearances from American Symphony’s official Godmother, Asya Branch, Miss USA 2020 & Miss Mississippi 2018; the Honorable Tate Reeves, Governor of Mississippi; the Honorable Delbert Hosemann, Lt. Governor of Mississippi; the Honorable Dan M. Gibson, Mayor of Natchez; the Honorable Buz Craft, Mayor of Vidalia; and Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines, among many others.

Immediately following the celebration at the Convention Center, both cruise guests and the Natchez community joined American Cruise Lines at the Ferry Street Landing for the christening ceremony at the ship. Godmother Asya Branch was joined by honored guests, Cynthia and Denise Patterson in christening the ship. Cynthia and Denise are sisters and American Cruise Lines’ Eagle Society members. Together, with their late mother Lois, they have explored destinations across the U.S.A. on 28 cruises with American Cruise Lines.

“American Cruise Lines led the last decade of river cruising on the Mississippi and, with new boats like American Symphony, will lead the next one. Natchez, Vidalia, and all the towns along the way make the Mississippi the best cruising river in the world. We are so grateful for all the community involvement in tourism on the river and we are honored to make Natchez the Godmother City of American Symphony,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines.

American Symphony is the 5th new modern riverboat American Cruise Lines has introduced in just 4 years. With its new fleet of riverboats, the company has transformed the U.S. river cruise market to compete on a global scale. American Symphony will be quickly followed in early 2023 by sister ship American Serenade, as well as 2 new small Coastal Cats, bringing American’s fleet to 17 small ships, exploring in 34 states.

Accommodating 175 guests, American Symphony features 5 decks and offers 100% private balcony staterooms, including gracious suites and single staterooms. The new riverboat has an elegant design which employs a stunning use of glass, allowing for unparalleled views throughout the ship. American Symphony also showcases American’s Modern Series hallmark—patented opening bow and retractable gangway, as well as the gorgeous 5th deck skywalk with an ellipse skylight, which cantilevers dramatically over the 4th deck café below. American Symphony also offers spacious lounges inside and out, a grand dining room, fitness center, and a wellness-yoga studio.

American Symphony’s sold-out inaugural cruise is following an 8-Day Lower Mississippi River itinerary which originally departed from New Orleans on Saturday, August 27th, and will conclude in Memphis, Tennessee on September 3rd. The new riverboat will continue to explore the Mighty Mississippi throughout 2022, including festive holiday cruises in December, and sail a full season again in 2023.

MSC Seascape to feature ROBOTRON – an ultimate amusement ride

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2022 31 August 2022

MSC Cruises’ new U.S. flagship will be packed with high-tech fun. Today the company announced a range of advanced onboard entertainment options on the upcoming MSC Seascape, starting with ROBOTRON – a thrilling amusement ride coming to the seas for the first time and combining the breath-taking rush of a rollercoaster with personalized music and lighting. The ship will also feature two new VR experiences and additional high-tech entertainment designed for thrill-seekers of all ages.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “We are excited to give our guests more access to cutting-edge experiences, which is why MSC Cruises’ is committed to bringing our newest ships to the U.S. We’re the first cruise line to offer something like ROBOTRON at sea, and we can’t wait for thrill-seekers to discover the ride of their life surrounded by the beauty of the Caribbean. Our new virtual reality motorcycles and flight simulator – plus fan favorites like the MSC Formula Racer and XD Cinema – will also feature truly immersive experiences, providing the most exhilarating line-up of rides we’ve ever offered.”

MSC Cruises is raising the bar when it comes to groundbreaking onboard entertainment options with MSC Seascape. ROBOTRON is a state-of-the-art robotic arm with an attached gondola that seats three guests – flying them nearly 175 feet above the sea. The adrenaline-pumping experience gives riders an unobstructed 360° view of the horizon as they hang over the edge of the deck, flip upside down and move in all directions.

ROBOTRON riders will be able to select their desired thrill level – a first among robotic arm rides – ranging from family-friendly to high-intensity. They can also set the mood with colored lights, music preferences and more. Coupled with the adjacent video screen, ROBOTRON acts as a moving DJ booth, with the rhythm and bass visualized as colorful patterns and pulses of light while the robotic arm is bouncing and twisting in tempo.

Other high-tech entertainment features on board MSC Seascape include:

– VR 360° Flight Simulator: This ride offers the ultimate virtual motion experience, complete with VR headsets and impressive special effects. Guests can choose from various worlds to dive into a thrill-ride like no other.
– VR Motorcycles: Guests with a need for speed will love MSC Seascape’s new VR motorcycles, where players will be transported to the racetrack with wind and water effects to complete the experience.
– MSC Formula Racer: Perfect for car racing enthusiasts ready to get their high-speed fix, this activity puts guests in the driver’s seat for a thrilling racing simulation game with realistic effects that will get their heart rates going.
– Immersive XD Cinema: The minute guests put on their 3D glasses, they dive into alternate worlds where players will battle it out against zombies, skeletons and more. Only one player can be crowned the victor, so guests will need to prove their sharp-shooting skills against each other for ultimate bragging rights.

Cruise lovers and thrill seekers can be first on board by sailing MSC Seascape’s delivery trip across the Atlantic. The 17-night MSC Grand Voyage will offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, departing Civatavecchia (Rome) on Saturday, November 19 with stops in Spain, Portugal, and Bermuda prior to arriving in New York City on Monday, December 5—a memorable way to spend Thanksgiving at sea.

MSC Seascape will be launched in New York at a Naming Ceremony on December 7, 2022 and then go into service from PortMiami, offering year-round Caribbean cruises with two different itineraries.

Royal Caribbean Group to use SpaceX’s Starlink to provide high-speed Internet onboard full cruise fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2022 31 August 2022

Royal Caribbean Group has announced its plan to implement SpaceX’s Starlink – making the Group the first in the cruise industry to adopt its high-speed, low-latency connectivity for a better onboard experience for guests and crew fleetwide. The innovative broadband internet service will be installed on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises ships, along with all new vessels for each of the brands.

Deployment of the Starlink technology across the fleet will begin immediately, leveraging the insights obtained from the trial onboard Freedom of the Seas, which has received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from guests and crew. The installation is slated to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

“Our purpose as a company is to deliver the best vacation experiences to our guests responsibly, and this new offering, which is the biggest public deployment of Starlink’s high-speed internet in the travel industry so far, demonstrates our commitment to that purpose,” said Jason Liberty, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Group. “This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike. It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls. Using Starlink is one more example of our continued focus on innovation and excellence for our guests, our crew, the communities we visit and our shareholders.”

Faster and more reliable internet will also make it easier for guests and crew to remain connected to work, family and friends – no matter where they are in the world.

“Royal Caribbean Group selecting Starlink to provide high-speed, low-latency internet across their fleet will make their passengers’ getaways even more luxurious,” said SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Sales Jonathan Hofeller. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Royal Caribbean Group to ensure travelers at sea can stay connected with a great internet experience.”

“Our work with SpaceX is another example of how Royal Caribbean Group continues to lead the cruise industry in innovation and adoption of cutting-edge technology,” Liberty added.

Silversea officially opens sales on inaugural Antarctica voyages of Silver Endeavour

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 August 2022 26 August 2022

Silversea Cruises has opened general sales for the inaugural season of its new ship Silver Endeavour, strengthening its position as the leading ultra-luxury expedition cruise line. One of the world’s most advanced and luxurious expedition vessels, Silver Endeavour will undertake 12 voyages to Antarctica from November 21, 2022, broadening the industry’s most diverse polar offering. Travelling aboard Silver Endeavour – on voyages that range from five to 20 days and include Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise sailings, as well as an extended ‘Deep South’ expedition and a new 10-day Antarctic Peninsula voyage – the cruise line’s guests will journey in Silversea’s trademark level of comfort, while enjoying some of the most immersive, personalised experiences available in Antarctica. Silversea has also unveiled the ship’s seven suite categories, which include some of the most spacious accommodations in expedition cruising.

“We are delighted to open sales on Silver Endeavour’s inaugural voyages, marking a new era in ultra-luxury expedition cruising,” said Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “Silver Endeavour will unlock some of the planet’s most remote and extreme destinations, welcoming guests in Silversea’s trademark level of comfort. With state-of-the-art technology, one of the highest ice-class ratings of any expedition cruise ship, and industry-leading Zodiac- and expert-to-guest ratios, our newest ship will offer a uniquely immersive expedition experience to our well-travelled guests.”

“Among the most advanced expedition ships at sea, Silver Endeavour will enhance the expedition experience to all new levels for our guests when she sets sail to Antarctica from November 2022,” said Conrad Combrink, SVP Expeditions, Destination and Itinerary Management, Silversea Cruises. “I look forward to accompanying our guests on her maiden voyage, as we fly over the Drake Passage to embark Silver Endeavour in King George Island, journeying deep into Antarctica on this milestone voyage.”

Meyer Werft to float out Arvia this weekend

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 August 2022 25 August 2022

Next Saturday, August 27, the new cruise ship Arvia for the British cruise line P&O Cruises will leave Meyer Werft's covered building dock II (Hall 6). The float out maneuver begins in the morning at around 9:00 am. The newbuilding will then moor at the out-fitting pier in the shipyard harbor, where the masts and funnel will be lifted onto the ship by crane.

The cruise ship will lie in the shipyard harbor until the Ems conveyance in October. The Arvia will thus form the backdrop for the NDR2 Papenburg Festival on 2 and 3 September. Until the conveyance, the interior work on board will be continued and further technical tests will be carried out.

Weather and/or production-related changes to the time when the ship is undocked are possible at any time.

The Arvia measures over 180,000 gross tons, is 344.5 metres long, 42 metres wide and identical in construction to her sister ship Iona, which was already delivered in 2020. After her completion, around 5,200 passengers will be able to go on board. Like Iona, Arvia will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). This ensures significantly lower emissions at sea, as neither sulphur oxides nor soot particles are released. This is currently the cleanest form of propulsion in shipping. Another highlight for the passengers on board is the atrium, which is glazed over three decks and will offer a unique view of the sights and cities visited.

After the undocking of the Arvia, the floating engine room module (FERU) for the Carnival Jubilee, which will be delivered at the end of 2023, will be manoeuvred into the then free building dock II. The forward part of the cruise ship has already been built there in block construction over the past few months. The FERU was built at Neptun Werft in Rostock and was transferred to Papenburg a week ago.