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AmaMagna christened in Grein, Austria

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 17 July 2019 17 July 2019

Chef's Table is one of the specialty restaurants on the AmaMagna

Special guests and partners join co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst as Godmother Samantha Brown (fourth from left) christens AmaMagna

AmaWaterways christened its revolutionary new ship, AmaMagna, in Grein, Austria on July 11. The festive ceremony saw guests on board joining AmaWaterways co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst along with Godmother Samantha Brown, respected travel expert and Emmy Award-winning television host, as she officially christened the 23rd ship in the fleet.

“With AmaMagna’s double width design allowing for more personal space, amenities and dining venues, I have had this unique ship on my mind for years and today we are thrilled to officially welcome her to the AmaWaterways family,” said Schreiner. “We are grateful to have so many of our friends and travel partners here with us as we celebrate this exciting time for our company.”

Honoring the long-standing tradition associated with ship christenings that originates more than 4,000 years ago, a priest blessed the ship and crew while Godmother Brown broke a champagne bottle against AmaMagna’s hull, signifying good luck on the journeys ahead.

“Through the years, we have celebrated each new ship the Ama way – with lots of love! Samantha shares many values with our company – most notable through her PBS series “Places to Love”, where she discovers the emotional heart of travel through the people who are changing, challenging and strengthening a destination,” said Karst. “She is a perfect fit as Godmother for this very special ship that is also challenging ideas of what river cruising can offer people in search of personalized travel experiences.”

The striking new ship was welcomed by Grein Mayor Rainer Barth and a distinguished group of regional government and tourism representatives. Afternoon festivities included speeches by Schreiner, Karst and Brown, along with lively local entertainment celebrating the Blue Danube Waltz, Sound of Music and Austrian singer Falco. Following regionally-inspired cocktails and a gala dinner, guests were also treated to a sun deck show featuring dazzling LED performers and fireworks to cap off the festivities.

“I am proud to be Godmother to this incredibly innovative ship,” said Brown. “I have always been impressed by the warmth and attentive care that the crew have shown to me and my family during our previous AmaWaterways cruise, but while traveling on board AmaMagna this week, the ship and the service have exceeded all my expectations of what a cruise experience can be.”

AmaMagna is twice the width of traditional river cruise ships, yet welcomes only 20 percent more guests, allowing generous personal space – with more than half of the 98 staterooms designated as suites measuring between 355 and 710 sq. ft. All staterooms and suites are appointed with stylish décor and natural wood accents. The suites feature full outside balconies, open seating areas and luxurious bathrooms, complete with double sinks and walk-in showers. Six Grand Suites (474 sq. ft.) and an Owner’s Suite (710 sq. ft.) provide even more amenities with separate seating areas and sizable bathrooms complete with spa-like bathtubs.

With four restaurants to choose from, the ship delivers award-winning cuisine and service along with enhanced guest amenities such as an onboard cinema; a large boutique; an expansive Zen Wellness Studio, complete with a large exercise area offering group classes in stretching, cardio and core strengthening and spin classes led by a professionally trained Wellness Host. A juice bar and two massage rooms, along with manicure, pedicure and hair services; and a sun deck with a large heated pool, relaxing whirlpool and sky bar add to the enjoyment on board. All sun deck facilities are easily accessible via an innovative pop-up elevator serving all four decks.

Exclusive to AmaMagna, guests may take advantage of a Concierge Golf Program, providing the opportunity to experience four top-level golf courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany while enjoying the magic of river cruising. AmaMagna’s itineraries include Romantic Danube, Melodies of the Danube and Christmas Markets on the Danube.

Third Icon seen to lift RCCL’s expenditure on newbuildings to $17.4billion in 2019 to 2025

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 03 July 2019 03 July 2019

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd’s (RCCL) decision to contract a third Icon class ship at Meyer Turku in Finland should lift the combined value of the ships the company will build between the start of this year to the mid-2020s to some $17.4 billion, according to a calculation of CruiseBusiness.com

“As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate cost of our ships on order, not including any ships on order by our Partner Brands (TUI Cruises) and the Silversea Cruises ships that remain contingent upon final documentation and financing, was approximately $11.4 billion,” RCCL said in its 2018 annual report.

Since the new year, the company has ordered a sixth Oasis class ship from Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The price was not disclosed, but the Swedish cruise and ferry industry publication Shippax Info gives $1.40 billion as its price.

RCCL has also ordered a fifth Edge class ship for its Celebrity Cruises brand after the new year. Shippax Info says the fourth ship in the class is priced at $900 million. Chantiers de l’ Atlantique is building also these vessels.

These two ships brings the RCCL group’s total capital commitment to newbuildings to $14.70 billion.

Building of the third Icon class ship is subject to financing and neither the yard nor RCCL have disclosed the price of the planned vessel. However, Shippax Info has cited $1.60 billion as the price for the each of the first two 200,000 gross ton, LNG and hybrid powered ships. This can be used as a guideline for the third ship too. This ship is due for delivery in 2025 if final contract is signed.

The figure is $200 million higher than the price of the sixth Oasis class ship, which will be of roughly 230,000 gross tons. The more complex technology on the Icon ships can, however, make them more expensive than the larger but more conventionally powered Oasis class units.

Assuming that $1.60 billion is correct, then RCCL’s newbuilding commitments would reach $16.3 billion in total. No details have been disclose about the price or e.g. size of the two Evolution class ships that Silversea Cruises will build at Meyer Werft in Germany.

On the assumption that these might be about the same size – about 55,000 gross tons - as the two luxury market ships that Regent Seven Seas Cruises has on order at Fincantieri, then each of them could carry a price tag of about 500 million. A small ship will be built for Silversea at de Hoop shipyard in the Netherlands to operate in the Galapagos archipelago. Its price could be in the region of $100 million.

These three ships would add an estimated $1.1 billion to RCCL’s newbuilding commitments, brining the figure to the region of 17.4 billion. RCCL has a 66.7% stake in the Monaco based Silversea Cruises.

RCCL orders third Icon class ship at Meyer Turku

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 02 July 2019 02 July 2019

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) and Meyer Turku have signed a contract to build a third Icon class cruise whip, which is due to be delivered in the spring of 2025, the shipyard said in a statement.

Final contract is subject to financing.

The first one of the 200,000 gross ton LNG powered Icon class ships is due for delivery in 2022 and the second one two years later. Production of the first ship will start next spring.

Battery-powered Roald Amundsen delivered from the Kleven Yard

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 01 July 2019 01 July 2019

These images show Hurtigruten’s hybrid powered 20,889 gross ton and 530-guest Roald Amundsen making maritime history – as the first cruise ship in the world to sail purely on battery power.

The moment – when the brand new expedition cruise ship moved through the water silent and completely emission free, powered by her large battery packs only - was captured off the west coast of Norway.

Specially designed for some of the most spectacular waters of the planet, Roald Amundsen features groundbreaking green technology such as the large battery packs which was put to the test as she left Kleven Yard for her maiden voyage.

"This opens a new chapter in maritime history. Roald Amundsen is the first cruise ship equipped with batteries, something deemed impossible just a few years back. With the introduction of Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten sets a new standard not only for cruising, but for the entire shipping industry to follow," Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam says.

Named after polar hero Roald Amundsen – who led the first expedition to traverse the Northwest Passage, the first expedition to the south pole and the first expedition proven to have reached the North Pole – Roald Amundsen is set to honor his legacy.
20% CO2 reduction

Starting this summer, the hybrid powered cruise ship will explore some of the most spectacular areas of the planet using the battery packs to support her low-emission engines. The hybrid propulsion will reduce CO2 emissions with more than 20 % compared to other ships of the same size.

The stunning scenery will be reflected in a modern Scandinavian design – with features spanning from the high-tech Amundsen Science Center, vast observation decks, an infinity pool, panoramic sauna, wellness center, three restaurants, bars, Explorer Lounge, aft-facing suites with private outdoor hot tubs, and the laidback atmosphere that creates the special Hurtigruten on board feel.

"Roald Amundsen is designed and built with sustainability at core of every little detail. In addition to the green technology, this makes her the first cruise ship in the world designed to be single-use plastic free. Sustainability will also be an integral part of the guest experience. From the hand-picked Hurtigruten Expedition Team to the industry-first Science Center, we will give the guests a deeper understanding of the areas we explore," Skjeldam says.

Hurtigruten took delivery of the world’s first hybrid powered cruise ship from Norway’s Kleven yard last week. She has been built alongside sister ship Fridtjof Nansen, debuting in 2020.

"In the world of ship building, some projects stand out. This is one of them. Roald Amundsen is not only one of the most advanced expedition cruise ships in the world, she is also a premium cruise ship with a number of groundbreaking solutions. We are extremely proud of the ship, which is the result of a tremendous team effort of the Kleven employees and our sub-contractors," Kleven project manager Asbjørn Vattøy says.

Highly experienced Hurtigruten captain Kai Albrigtsen was at helm as Roald Amundsen left the yard for her maiden voyage along the Norwegian coast.

"To captain a new ship and bring her from the shipyard is always an honor. With Roald Amundsen being a green pioneer, makes this moment truly special to me and the rest of the crew. I am extremely impressed of the ship, the technology and how she handles. Now, we are all really looking forward to welcoming the first guests on board and create life-long memories together," Albrigtsen says.

From pole to pole

Roald Amundsen’s maiden season includes expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast, to Svalbard and Greenland, before becoming the first hybrid powered ship to attempt a traverse of the legendary Northwest Passage – following in the wake of the namesake explorer Roald Amundsen’s famed expedition.

In addition to eco-friendly expedition cruises along the west coast of North- and South-America - with destinations bigger cruise ships cannot reach - MS Roald Amundsen will head to the extreme south for a full 2019/2020 Antarctica season.

Helsinki Shipyard and Vodohod sign a contract for two luxury expedition cruise ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 28 June 2019 28 June 2019

Helsinki Shipyard pictured in 2017

Helsinki Shipyard Oy and Russia’s largest river cruise company Vodohod Ltd have signed a contract for two expedition cruise ships. The vessels are intented to operate in high latitude areas both in the Arctic and Antarctic waters as well as in the tropical waters during the spring and autumn seasons.

The design work for the project has already started at Helsinki Shipyard Oy. The first vessel is planned to be delivered in August 2021 and the second vessel in January 2022.

The vessels measure abt. 110 metres in length and 20 meters in breadth. The vessels will have an ice class PC6. The passenger capacity will be 148 persons and the maximum number of crew onboard will be 110 persons.

“We are very proud and happy for the first order of the new shipyard and I believe this now proves to everyone that we have started a new chapter in the operation of Helsinki Shipyard. We will strengthen especially our design department in the near future and in connection with the start of production, also our production department. We invite everyone interested to contact our human resources department.” Says Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard Oy.

Vodohod is a Russian cruise company and river cruise line operator, founded in 2004 by the Volga Shipping Company and named after Ivan Kulibin’s “water-going vessel” or “water-goer”. The company has its headquarters in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia. The company operates more than 50 passenger ships along rivers of Volga, Don, Kama, the Moscow and Volga-Don canals, the Volga-Baltic Waterway, Northern-Western rivers, lakes Ladoga and Onega.