News

Emerald Cruises takes delivery of first superyacht, Emerald Azzurra

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 09 February 2022 09 February 2022

Emerald Cruises has taken delivery of Emerald Azzurra, the first of the brand’s two ground-breaking superyachts. After departing Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam last night, the 100-guest yacht is headed to Aqaba, Jordan to welcome guests on board its inaugural sailing on March 11 - an 8-night itinerary in the Red Sea.

After its highly anticipated inaugural sailing, Emerald Azzurra will transit the Suez Canal to embark on a series of sailings in warm water of the Mediterranean and along the Adriatic coast over the summer before returning to the Red Sea next winter.

Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman, Scenic Group (which includes Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours) comments: “Today marks a major moment for our team at Emerald Cruises as the first in our fleet of ocean-going superyachts takes a giant step towards completion. We look forward to welcoming our first guests on board Emerald Azzurra and we are confident she will exceed all expectations. The demand has been unprecedented with her inaugural season almost fully sold.

“This yacht represents the next generation of yacht cruising, taking guests to new destinations with on board luxury amenities that are unlike any other small-ship experience. Her sister yacht – Emerald Sakara – will follow early next year, providing double the opportunities for guests to join us on board our ground-breaking vessels.

“On behalf of everyone in the Scenic Group of companies we’d like to sincerely thank the shipyard, all our subcontractors and our local management team who have worked on this beautiful yacht. We understand the difficulties the pandemic has caused which makes this accomplishment even more remarkable. We look forward to smooth sailing ahead for Emerald Azzurra along with a speedy build of Emerald Sakara.”

A first for yacht cruising, Emerald Azzurra features an innovative infrared sauna for longer, relaxing guest experiences. Of the 50 luxuriously appointed suites, more than 88% of them boast balconies, with more space per guest than similar vessels of her size. The yacht also features a large infinity pool, spa, gym and marina platform, with SEABOBs, paddleboards and snorkeling equipment available for guests to enjoy. A fleet of the very latest in electronic bikes from Gocycle are also available on board, ideal for local village trips and active explorations.

Emerald Azzurra will be joined by sister yacht Emerald Sakara in February 2023, with itineraries to the Seychelles, Black Sea and Middle East, on sale now.

World's largest cruise ship officially joins Royal Caribbean fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 January 2022 27 January 2022

Today, on January 27, Royal Caribbean International took delivery of Wonder of the Seas, the next highly anticipated and innovative ship in the cruise line’s fleet. Marking the completion of three years of construction, a traditional flag-changing ceremony took place in Marseille, France, with shipyard partner Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Wonder will make its official debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 4, to begin sailing 7-night cruises to the Caribbean before heading to Barcelona, Spain; and Rome to offer summer adventures in the Mediterranean.

Welcoming Wonder to the Royal Caribbean family was Royal Caribbean Group Chairman Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint- Nazaire, France.

“Wonder of the Seas will energize cruising in a bolder and bigger way. Adding this ship to our already best-in-class fleet elevates the company in continuing to lead the industry with new features and innovation,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “This is one more way that we’re delivering world-class and memorable vacations, responsibly, to guests around the world.”

“Taking delivery of Wonder of the Seas is the culmination of 30 months of ingenuity and partnership across more than 2,000 committed crew members and workers who are among the best at what they do,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Along with taking the revolutionary Oasis Class ships to a new level of wonder, innovation and adventure, Wonder sets the stage for the spring and summer vacations families and all travelers alike are looking forward to in the new year. The combination of brand-new features and favorites that span thrills, entertainment, dining and nightlife is unparalleled, and it’s what will make our latest and most innovative ship the world’s newest wonder and the ultimate vacation in the Caribbean and Europe.”

“Wonder of the Seas represents a new step forward in the Oasis Class ships. Our teams have worked under difficult conditions but in a very united way to finally make major changes that enhanced the ship performance,” said Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “Wonder is really an outstanding new ship.”

The fifth in Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary Oasis class of ships, Wonder has adventures across eight unique neighborhoods – a Royal Caribbean first – in store for vacationers of all ages. The young and the young at heart can discover, wonder and make memories in a variety of ways and places designed for family bonding and me time,

Wonder will set sail to the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale between March and April 2022. The 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries include visits to the cruise line‘s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, The Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Starting in May, the new Oasis Class ship charts course for summer vacations in the Mediterranean. The 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises will visit marquee destinations like Naples and Florence, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Provence, France.

Year-round adventures on Wonder begin in November 2022, when the newest addition to the Royal Caribbean lineup cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral. The destinations vacationers have in store range from Perfect Day at CocoCay and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Cozumel, Mexico.

American Cruise Lines unveils a new fleet and concept

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

American Cruise Lines has revealed details of Project Blue – a brand new fleet of go-anywhere ships for the U.S. market. The company announced plans for 12 identical sister ships that will more than double the nation’s current capacity for domestic coastal cruises. Featuring an innovative hybrid catamaran design, these distinct boats will have unprecedented near-shore operating versatility.

The new U.S. built fleet will operate exclusively in the United States, with a focus on small towns and close-to-home adventures.

Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines, said: “Project Blue started as a design challenge to create a boat small enough for New England harbors and stable enough for the Alaska Inside Passage, with a draft shallow enough for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. These boats can run almost anywhere, and because there will be 12 of them, they will be deployed all over the United States.”

American’s unprecedented Project Blue expansion further reinforces the growing interest in small ship experiences and personalized cruising. Like all of American’s new ships, the entire Project Blue fleet will be built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD. The first two Project Blue ships are already under construction and are due for delivery in 2023.

Each boat in the Project Blue fleet will accommodate 109 passengers and 50 crew. They will be 241 feet long, 56 feet wide, and feature the hybrid catamaran design that enables both shallow draft access and stable sailing along lakes, rivers, bays, and America’s coastline. Their go-anywhere agility combines the adventure of an expedition with the luxury of the finest river cruises.

“Together with Chesapeake Shipbuilding, we built the first modern riverboats in the country. Now we are proud to introduce another new ship design for domestic exploration. American has specialized in small ship cruising for over 30 years, and continuing to innovate and expand the possibilities for cruising close to home is central to our mission,” Robertson elaborated.

The new fleet will feature elegant modern décor by Studio DADO of Miami, FL. Each ship will offer 56 spacious staterooms – including a range of large standards, suites, and singles – nearly all with private balconies. Observation and sitting areas will be available at the bow, both inside and outside, and each ship will showcase an expansive forward lounge with 270 degree views. At the stern, the ships will have a new adventure deck equipped with kayaks, tender, and other activity related options relevant to the itinerary. American’s new go-anywhere ships will also feature two dining venues, as well as room service, a rarity for small ships of this size.

The first two ships will debut along East Coast itineraries and will be named American Eagle and American Glory – namesakes of the company’s first two small U.S.-built ships. American Cruise Lines has been introducing 100% U.S.-built, crewed, and registered ships for over 30 years, and the company is proud of its all-American tradition specializing in close-to-home cruising across the U.S.A.