News

Viking Mississippi touches water in Louisiana

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 07 March 2022 07 March 2022

Viking celebrated today that the new 386-guest Viking Mississippi was floated out in Louisiana, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in June 2022, the Viking Mississippi will sail Viking’s highly-anticipated voyages on the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul.

“It is a proud moment that this new ship has met an American waterway for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Our guests have long wanted to sail the Mississippi River with Viking, and we very much look forward to welcoming them on board this summer. We are grateful to our American partner, Edison Chouest Offshore, who has helped bring to life our vision of exploring the Mississippi in the ‘Viking way.’”

The traditional float out took place at Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, Louisiana and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. In keeping with maritime tradition, the ship’s ceremonial godmother, Dionne Chouest, General Counsel of Edison Chouest Offshore, assisted with the float out.

Viking’s arrival to the Mississippi will represent a major commitment to tourism and economic development in many communities along the river, with the new voyages expected to bring more than 7,500 guests to the region in 2022 and 17,600+ during the first full sailing season in 2023. Currently scheduled ports of call on Viking’s new Mississippi River itineraries comprise seven U.S. states: Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville); Mississippi (Natchez and Vicksburg); Tennessee (Memphis); Missouri (Hannibal, St. Louis); Iowa (Burlington, Dubuque and Davenport); Wisconsin (La Crosse); and Minnesota (Red Wing, St. Paul).

Silversea unveils new suites debuting on Silver Nova

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 24 February 2022 24 February 2022

Silversea Cruises has unveiled details of its highly anticipated collection of suites set to debut on Silver Nova in Summer 2023. With 364 suites across 13 categories, Silver Nova – the first vessel in the cruise line’s Nova class – will feature an entirely new design approach for the leading ultra-luxury cruise line, with an asymmetrical configuration and horizontal layout introducing a new generation of suites. Silver Nova’s innovative interiors provide a more intimate guest experience.

“Marking a new era in ultra-luxury cruise travel, the Silver Nova suite experience represents an evolution of Silversea’s industry-leading offering,” says Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer of Silversea Cruises. “With her asymmetrical configuration and horizontal layout, Silver Nova will offer guests a new generation of spacious suites that are unseen in Silversea’s fleet. Not only will Silver Nova surpass our guests’ expectations in terms of comfort, but she will be one of the most environmentally conscious cruise ships ever built, paving the way for the future of ultra-luxury, sustainable cruising.”

An unprecedented collection of suites

A first in Silversea’s history, Silver Nova employs a horizontal layout, meaning suites run the entire length of the ship on four decks. Enhancing the luxury of choice, Silver Nova will introduce an unprecedented collection of suites that are among the most luxurious at sea, including seven new categories. The collection comprises greater variety, including brand new premium aft suites – a first for Silversea. Among these new suite categories are:

The Signature Suite:
The Signature Suite offers an immersive destination experience with sweeping views from all interior spaces. The Signature Suite not only offers comfortable and spacious interiors, including a dining, living and sleeping area and a luxurious bathroom, but it also features one of the largest balconies on board with ample space in which to relax and unwind. The Signature Suite also includes custom-made luxury mattresses, two large flat-screen televisions, a sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, and an espresso machine.

– Total size: 65 sq. m. or 700 sq. ft.
– Balcony: 16 sq. m. or 172 sq. ft.

The Otium Suite
Inspired by Silversea’s new wellness programme, Otium, the Otium Suite offers the most spacious interiors aboard Silver Nova for the ultimate suite experience at sea, located in the premium aft corner position. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows in all living areas, it unlocks unprecedented 270-degree views from the inside, while its balcony is the most spacious on board and features a private whirlpool. The Otium Suite also includes custom-made luxury mattresses, two large flat-screen televisions, a sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, and an espresso machine.

– Total size: 123 sq. m. or 1324 sq. ft.
– Balcony: 40 sq. m. or 431 sq. ft.

The luxury of space

Among the most spacious suites at sea, Silver Nova’s suites range in size from 33 sq. m. (357 sq. ft.) to 123 sq. m. (1324 sq. ft.). All 364 suites ensure a superlative sense of comfort and personal space, achieved through a thoughtful re-design – particularly the bathrooms and walk-in closets. The bathroom has been refined to include a modern oversized mirror, a large vanity with two faucets, a spacious walk-in shower, and a lavish bathtub or whirlpool. The walk-in closet has been reimagined to provide a more significant openness, particularly in the Veranda Suites, and includes a set of intuitive design details, such as dedicated compartments for personal jewellery. Furthermore, all suites benefit from large balconies, ranging from 5 sq. m. to 40 sq. m., with 270-degree ocean and land views from select suites.

Heritage meets evolution

Recently named a ‘Legend of Design’ at the inaugural Cruise Ship Interiors Awards, architect Giacomo Mortola and his firm GEM spearheaded the design of the suites on board Silver Nova. Leveraging four decades of expertise and a long-lasting collaboration with Silversea, Mortola and his team took inspiration from the ‘whispered luxury’ of Silversea’s recent ships – Silver Muse, Silver Moon, Silver Dawn and Silver Origin.

The suites’ materials and textures have been thoughtfully selected, representing exceptional quality and the finest Italian craftsmanship. Silver Nova introduces new, intuitive and modern design details, including elegant, soft lighting; headboards with integrated reading lights; and a reimagined walk-in closet design. Layered and curated, the color palette features a blend of soft and neutral tones, with deeper but subtle accents inspired by the sea and earth.

“Our longstanding relationship with Silversea Cruises enabled us to perfectly blend heritage with design innovation in Silver Nova,” says Giacomo Mortola of GEM – Design for Cruise Ships. “It was important to maintain Silversea’s elegant, Italian DNA, with whispered luxury and a consistent brand vision. But with Silver Nova, we had the opportunity to create something that is truly pioneering in the industry. The crowning accomplishment is the Otium suite, complete with a Jacuzzi on the balcony and 270-degree views, which is among the most luxurious suites at sea.”

Openness to destination

Through an innovative structural design – in which the superstructure is brought inside the ship and enlarged floor-to-ceiling windows replace exterior walls in select suites – each suite provides guests with an immersive connection with the outside world. All suites feature a private balcony with a stunning glass balustrade and spectacular views from most living spaces, enabling a seamless openness to the destination.

Guests in all suites aboard Silver Nova will enjoy enhancements from Silversea’s new Otium wellness program, which includes indulgent sleeping and bathing experiences; the first balcony experience at sea; and a new comfort food menu, available 24-hours per day, which is designed to enhance guests’ movie nights, pre-dinner aperitifs, and other moments of leisure with snacks that include lobster and caviar in brioche rolls, a selection of gourmet popcorns, and other premium bites. Moreover, as part of Silversea’s comprehensive all-inclusive offering, all suites feature butler service, complimentary in-suite dining around the clock, a minibar stocked with guests’ preferences, plush bathrobes and slippers, a pillow menu, luxury bath amenities, and complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.

Photos from top to bottom: Otium Suite; Signature Suite; Otium Suite

World's largest cruise ship arrives in the Port Everglades

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 21 February 2022 21 February 2022

The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas, arrived in the U.S. yesterday evening ahead of its official debut on March 4, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Vacationers of all ages have in store a combination of new adventures and returning favorites across eight unique neighborhoods. Highlights include the eighth neighborhood, a Royal Caribbean first, named the Suite Neighborhood; new southern restaurant and bar The Mason Jar, serving up southern staples and new twists on classics for brunch, dinner and the late night; and Wonder Playscape, an all-new interactive outdoor play area. Also on deck are signature experiences like The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; the FlowRider surf simulator; rock-climbing walls; and the Central Park neighborhood lined with more than 20,000 real plants.

The ultimate vacation will first set sail on 7-night cruises to the Caribbean and Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale before heading to Barcelona, Spain, and Rome to kick off summer vacations in the Mediterranean in May 2022. In November, Wonder returns to explore the tropical shores of the Caribbean and The Bahamas from its year-round home, Port Canaveral, Florida.