Top Headlines

Meyer Werft hands over Silver Nova

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 21 July 2023 21 July 2023

Meyer Werft handed over its newest cruise ship, the Silver Nova, to Silversea Cruises. Thanks to its innovative fuel concept, the Silver Nova is one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in the world.

Before the handover in Eemshaven, the Silver Nova proved its seaworthiness during technical and nautical sea trials and successfully completed extensive tests. The ship is 243 metres long, 30 metres wide and has room for 728 passengers.

"We are very pleased to once again deliver a ship that will set new standards on the way to climate-neutral cruising. With the propulsion system, a combination of LNG, fuel cell system and batteries, the ship has the best possible measures to reduce emissions," says Jan Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft.

A fuel cell system will be used on board to supplement the LNG machines and will later be able to supply the entire hotel operation. Pollutant emissions during berthing times in port are thus completely avoided. In addition, a battery system increases the overall efficiency of the ship by absorbing peak loads, thus significantly reducing fuel consumption. A newly developed Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) converts waste on board into thermal energy, further increasing the vessel's efficiency.

Silver Nova represents the next iteration of Silversea’s unique take on luxury, with the largest choice of bars, restaurants, and lounges in ultra-luxury cruising; some of the most spacious guest suites at sea; and a range of innovative features – including an asymmetrical design and horizontal layout – that are unprecedented for the leading ul-tra-luxury cruise line. Silver Nova accommodates 728 guests in 364 spacious suites across 13 categories – the most suite categories in Silversea’s history – including a new generation of premium suites on the ship’s aft.

We will onboard the Silver Nova in early August.

Explora Journeys takes delivery of Explora I

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 July 2023 20 July 2023

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, today officially took delivery of Explora I, the first luxury ship to join the brand`s fleet from the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The investment of the new ship amounted to over €500 million, with a total investment plan of €2.5 billion for the four ships on order.

Explora I’s delivery ceremony marks a new chapter for the brand, one that offers today’s discerning luxury traveller the opportunity of a truly transformative and purposeful ocean travel experience like no other.

The traditional maritime event was attended by Gianluigi Aponte, Founder and Chairman of the MSC Group; Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group's Cruise Division, the godmother of the ship Zoe Africa Vago, for Fincantieri Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer as well as representatives of MSC's construction team together with managers and workers from the shipyard.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group, said, “Today is a historic day, and represents a decisive step in our growth path, because it marks the entry of the MSC Group into the luxury travel sector. This segment has strong growth prospects, in which we strongly believe and whose standards we aim to redefine, focusing as always on excellence and luxury.”

Michael Ungerer, CEO, Explora Journeys added, “This traditional maritime moment marks the most important milestone for Explora Journeys as we will finally be able to showcase our highly anticipated, extraordinary new ship. We have pushed the boundaries of innovation and design to create a ship that embodies our commitment to excellence. With the delivery of Explora I our vision to provide unparalleled luxury experiences has become an incredible reality. We invite our guests to embark on transformative journeys, offering an opportunity for inner and outer discovery inspired by the ocean, resulting in physical, intellectual and spiritual rejuvenation. We call this the ‘Ocean State of Mind’.”

Explora I will set sail on her maiden journey from Copenhagen, Denmark on 1 August 2023. This remarkable seven-night sailing will take guests through the majestic landscapes of Lerwick, Shetland Islands and Kirkwall, Orkney before heading to Reykjavik, Iceland.

The luxury ship will spend several weeks in Northern Europe, offering a range of different itineraries, both on and off the beaten path, and will then cross the Atlantic Sea via Greenland to spend the autumn in North America, the winter in the Caribbean and spring on the US West Coast and Hawaii before returning to Europe in Summer 2024 for a collection of journeys in the Mediterranean Sea. During all sailings the ship will call lesser-travelled ports for guests to enjoy a more authentic experience,

With journeys from seven to 11 nights which are all combinable, a best-in-class guest experience will ensure relaxed mornings and exhilarating evenings. Non-conventional arrival and departure times combined with overnight stays in port will allow Explora Journeys to offer guests exclusive access to once in a lifetime experiences and a slower pace of travel.

Explora I will seamlessly blend elegant Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship and has been thoughtfully designed in partnership with the world`s foremost superyacht and hospitality designers to stimulate the senses and encourage an ‘Ocean State of Mind’. The philosophy of the brand is informed by the family’s European roots, sense of style, and intuitive approach to design and luxury.

Explora II is currently being built at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Genoa Sestri Ponente, Italy and will come into service in August 2024. Explora III will become the first of two LNG-powered vessels to join the Explora Journeys’ fleet with the ship due to be delivered in 2026 and Explora IV in 2027.

All of the Explora Journeys vessels will be equipped with the latest environmental and marine technologies, including selective catalytic reduction technology, shore power plug-in connectivity, underwater noise management systems to help protect marine life, and a comprehensive range of onboard energy efficient equipment to optimise engine use to further reduce emissions.

Royal Caribbean Group's executives take a sneak preview of Silver Nova

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 July 2023 12 July 2023

Embarking the ship in Eemshaven, Netherlands, on July 11, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain, and Silversea’s President Barbara Muckermann enjoyed a sneak preview of Silver Nova, the most environmentally conscious ultra-luxury cruise ship ever built. As well as representing an important milestone on Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to Destination Net Zero, Silver Nova and future Nova-class ships are set to introduce an unparalleled openness to the world and an entirely new take on luxury at sea.

Royal Caribbean Group’s executives were welcomed by MEYER WERFT Managing Directors Jan and Bernard Meyer, and had the opportunity to enjoy an extensive tour of the ship and thank the MEYER WERFT workers for their dedication and hard work.

“Innovation drives our mission to provide the best vacations, responsibly, and Silver Nova embodies this commitment in every way. This stunning ship revolutionizes ultra-luxury cruising and represents an important step on our sustainability journey,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “I would like to officially thank and congratulate the Meyer family, and the talented teams at Meyer Werft, Royal Caribbean Group, and Silversea for pushing industry boundaries to create such a pioneering ship.”

“Silver Nova embodies the vision of our brand and the evolution of our fleet, demonstrating the extent to which our guests are benefitting from our brand being part of Royal Caribbean Group,” said Barbara Muckermann, President of Silversea. “Silver Nova introduces an industry-leading approach to sustainability, an unprecedented openness to the world, and an entirely new take on luxury at sea. She is a beauty and I can’t wait to personally greet our guests on board, introducing them to the future of ultra-luxury cruise travel.”

Silver Nova is scheduled to depart on her maiden voyage on August 14, sailing round-trip from Fusina (Venice) over seven days. After unlocking immersive experiences in the Mediterranean for guests, Silversea’s newest addition will cross the Atlantic to the United States of America, undertaking voyages in the Caribbean and Central America, before embarking upon on the 71-day Grand Voyage South America 2024 on January 4, 2024.

World's largest cruise ship begins sea trials

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 19 June 2023 19 June 2023

Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas is on the move to sail the open ocean for the first time and reach its next construction milestone. Ahead of a highly anticipated debut in January 2024, the first-of-its-kind vacation left the Meyer Turku shipyard – where it’s under construction in Turku, Finland – to begin its multiday sea trials. On board are more than 450 specialists carrying out crucial, preliminary tests with Icon’s main engines, hull, lifeboats, thrusters and more in preparation for the new ship’s second round of sea trials later this year, where it will be pushed to its limits.

Fincantieri to build a second ship for Four Seasons Yachts

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 19 June 2023 19 June 2023

Fincantieri has signed a contract with Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator of Four Seasons Yachts, for the construction of the second ultra-luxury Four Seasons vessel. This second vessel’s order is worth more than 400 million euros, and the ship will be delivered in 2026.

The contract is subject to access to financing as per industry practice.

In 2022 Fincantieri acquired the order for the first ship of the class, which will be delivered in Q4 2025.

Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator of Four Seasons Yachts: “The signing of our second vessel contract with Fincantieri is another milestone in the development of Four Seasons Yachts. Our partnership with Fincantieri and Four Seasons creates a powerful triumvirate of expertise that is committed to delivering a “category of one” luxury lifestyle yacht experience. I am proud of the talented team and collaboration behind this stunning enterprise project”.

Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO, Four Seasons: “With each Four Seasons experience we deliver, we have an unwavering commitment to excellence. In the case of Four Seasons Yachts, we are achieving this by collaborating with exceptional partners like Fincantieri and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings who share our vision for a one-of-a-kind luxury yachting experience. We are proud to extend our partnership with Fincantieri on this next vessel and look forward to embarking on our first nautical journey together soon”.

Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri: “The confirmation of trust from a prestigious brand like Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings who are responsible for marine and technical, and sales & marketing of Four Seasons Yachts, is a great satisfaction for us and a further proof of the validity of a unique entrepreneurial project destined to change the world of cruises in terms of design, technology and sustainability. Today’s result also bears witness to the start of the orders recovery for the sector, at the same time reinforcing Fincantieri’s leadership in the new extra-luxury segment based on haute hôtellerie”.