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Tuesday, May 14, 2024
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Cruise Ships News

14 May 2024

Silversea Takes Delivery of New Cruise Ship Silver Ray

Silver Ray (Photo: Meyer Werft)

Royal Caribbean Group’s Silversea has taken delivery of Silver Ray, the second ship in its Nova Class, from shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Germany.The 54,700 GT Silver Ray has capacity for 728 passengers. It joins sister ship, Silver Nova, as one of the most energy efficient ultra-luxury and expedition cruise ships ever built Other notable features of Silversea’s Nova Class include an asymmetrical design and 4,000m2 of exterior glass.“Silver Ray, the second ship in our cutting-edge Nova Class…

14 May 2024

Carnival Rolls Out Starlink Across Its Entire Global Fleet

© K.A. / Adobe Stock

Cruise giant Carnival Corporation on Tuesday announced it has installed Starlink across the entirety of its global fleet, unlocking high-speed, low-latency global internet connectivity for all of its vessels.The world's largest cruise company said the completed installation further enhances the onboard experience for its guests and crew to provide even faster service, greater capacity, and more reliable Wi-Fi on its fleet of 90-plus ships across its portfolio of cruise brands.

12 May 2024

Cruise Ship Arrives in New York with 44-foot Whale Carcass on Its Bow

Screenshot from a video circulating on social media that shows a whale carcass on the bow of cruise ship MSC Meraviglia in New York's Port of Brooklyn.

Marine conservationists and government scientists are seeking clues to the mystery of how a 44-foot whale carcass ended up on the bow of a cruise liner, where it was discovered as the ship approached New York City's Port of Brooklyn over the weekend.A necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, identified the deceased marine mammal as a mature female sei whale, an endangered species typically found in deep waters far from land, the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society said on Wednesday.One key question is whether the whale's death came before or after its contact with the vessel…

07 May 2024

Royal Caribbean Recruiting Thousands to Meet Surging Demand

© Joni / Adobe Stock

Cruise operator Royal Caribbean Group is in discussions with new and existing markets around the world to recruit thousands of workers to staff its ships and private destinations to keep up with record cruise demand.The number of people taking cruises hit a record in 2023, and with the surge in demand and larger vessels, labor needs are growing. Tourism boards and port operators from around the world said Royal Caribbean is looking to hire worldwide and the company confirmed it will hire around 10…

01 May 2024

Cruise Operator Viking Makes Strong NYSE Debut

© NAN / Adobe Stock

Shares of Viking Holdings rose 9% in their debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, giving the travel and cruising company a valuation of $11 billion.Viking opened at $26.15 compared with its initial public offering (IPO) price of $24 in a stellar debut, amid a rebound in stock market listings and at a time when cruise stocks have delivered outsized returns.Founded in 1997, Viking provides destination-focused itineraries including a shore excursion at every port and an onboard and onshore program through performances of music and art, cooking demonstrations, port talks and guest lect

30 Apr 2024

Princess Revises 2025 Cruise Routes Amid Red Sea Tensions

© peter / Adobe Stock

Carnival's Princess banner is revising itineraries of two of its cruises undertaking a global voyage next year, amid uncertainties in the Red Sea, the cruise operator said on Tuesday.The company said the banner's two "2025 World Cruises"—Island Princess and Crown Princess—would no longer be visiting the Middle East and Asia, and instead would offer new port stops in Africa and Europe.Cruise operators such as Carnival and rival Royal Caribbean are exercising caution as attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi militants on vessels in the Red Sea disrupt shipping in the Suez Canal…

25 Apr 2024

Cruise Boom: Royal Caribbean Lifts Profit View Again

© Nate Hovee / Adobe Stock

Royal Caribbean Group raised its annual profit forecast for a second time and beat expectations for first-quarter profit and revenue on Thursday, with half of its growth coming from higher ticket pricing.Soaring demand for vacations at sea has given cruise operators ample room to raise ticket prices as the industry looks to close the pricing gap with land-based vacations and give their profits a lift."What transpired over the past three months was even better than our already elevated expectations," Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said.

15 Apr 2024

Bert Hernandez Named President of Royal Caribbean's Silversea

Bert Hernandez (Photo: Royal Caribbean Group)

Royal Caribbean Group announced to has tapped Bert Hernandez to succeed Barbara Muckermann as president of its Silversea brand.Most recently serving as senior vice president, international, Hernandez has been with the Royal Caribbean Group for the past 20 years. He previously served as president of China operations for Royal Caribbean International and was chief operating officer for the group’s former luxury cruise line, Azamara.Muckermann is departing Royal Caribbean Group after 14 years with Silversea to pursue other opportunities…

12 Apr 2024

Cruise Industry Reports Record Passenger Volumes

© Mariakray / Adobe Stock

The global cruise industry reported record passenger volumes in 2023 as the sector continues its rebound following the lows of the COVID-19 pandemic.Cruise ships carried 31.7 million passengers in 2023, up 7% from previous highs recorded in 2019, according to latest figures published by the trade group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).Most increases were in the United States—which remains, by far, the world's largest cruise market—with an incremental increase of 2.7 million passengers…

10 Apr 2024

YSA Design Unveils Sail Powered Cruise Ship Catamaran

(Image: YSA Design)

A newly unveiled concept for a sail-powered catamaran cruise ship aims to offer a luxury cruising experience on board a vessel that can travel emissions free.The unique vessel design--codenamed "Seabreeze"--comes from Norway-based YSA Design, who engineered the 104.5-meter-long ship to feature four 50-meter-high foldable sails mounted on 6-meter-high bases on deck for emissions-free propulsion.“Sustainability is critical but cruise shipping also needs to continuously reinvent itself,” said Trond Sigurdsen, Senior Architect and Partner, YSA Design.

09 Apr 2024

Carnival Signs LTSA with MAN PrimeServ

(Image: MAN Energy Solutions)

MAN Energy Solutions, MAN Energy Solutions USA and Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, have signed a service agreement (LTSA) for five of Carnival’s Vista Class cruise ships powered by MAN 48/60CR type engines. The scope of the agreement covers the management of all maintenance, including planning, parts, technical advisory service, training and remote monitoring support. MAN Energy Solutions will manage the agreement via MAN PrimeServ, its after-sales brand.Riccardo Cordara…

09 Apr 2024

Marlink Integrates Starlink LEO Connectivity for TUI's Mein Schiff Fleet

(Photo: TUI Cruises)

Marlink reports it is providing new capabilities to long-term customer TUI Cruises on its Mein Schiff fleet, augmenting its managed hybrid network solution with Starlink LEO connectivity.Marlink will install its Sealink NextGen network solution – combining low-latency LEO connectivity with global 4G/5G and C/Ku-band VSAT - on the combined fleet of six existing Mein Schiff vessels and two newbuildings. These different connectivity links will be orchestrated by Marlink’s SD-WAN solution…

09 Apr 2024

Fincantieri Lands Norwegian Cruise Line Order for Four Next-Gen Cruise Ships

© NAN / Adobe Stock

Fincantieri has received a highly significant order from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings for the construction of four new next-generation cruise ships.The order entails the construction of two cruise ships for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises and two for the Oceania Cruises brands respectively.The ships designated for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2029, will boast a gross tonnage of 77,000 tons and accommodate approximately 850 passengers.Meanwhile…

08 Apr 2024

American Cruise Lines to Receive Two New Ships in 2025

(Image: American Cruise Lines)

American Cruise Lines is set to take delivery of two more new small ships in 2025.The 125-passenger sister ships, American Patriot and American Pioneer, represent the fifth and sixth ships in the company’s Project Blue series of 12 new small ships for the U.S. market. The ships will be built at the company’s affiliated shipyard, Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland.American Patriot will begin sailing in June 2025, and American Pioneer in November 2025 and both new ships will operate a host of American’s U.S.

28 Mar 2024

Carnival Raises Profit Forecast on Record Cruise Demand

© Daniel / Adobe Stock

Carnival Corp raised its annual profit forecast on Wednesday, anticipating a record year of bookings as the company benefits from a rise in people seeking cruise vacations for the first time.Cruise operators are recording all-time high booking rates as more travelers switch to cheaper sea-borne experiences over expensive land-based alternatives such as booking hotels or flights, providing them more room to raise prices.U.S.-listed shares of the company were flat in volatile trading.

26 Mar 2024

Carnival Orders Excel-class Cruise Ship

Carnival Jubilee (File photo: Meyer We3rft)

Fresh on the heels of its first newbuild order in five years, the world's largest cruise company has placed an order for an additional vessel.U.S.-based Carnival Corporation on Tuesday announced it has signed an agreement with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft to build an Excel-class cruise ship for its Carnival Cruise Line brand for expected delivery in 2028.The ship will be the 11th Excel-class ship for the corporation's fleet across four of its brands, and the fifth to be sailed by Carnival Cruise Line.

20 Mar 2024

Meyer Werft Lays Keel for Next Disney Cruise Line Ship

(Photo: Meyer Werft)

The construction of the next cruise ship for Disney Cruise Line has reached another milestone: assembly of the ship's hull began today with the traditional keel-laying ceremony. The ship is the sister ship of the Disney Treasure, which is also under construction, and the Disney Wish, which launched in 2022.The keel was laid in the 504-meter-long covered building dock at Meyer Werft in Germany. Philip Gennotte, portfolio project management executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Germany…

13 Mar 2024

RINA to Chart Decarbonization Path for Cruising Sector

© biletskiyevgeniy.com / Adobe Stock

Italian marine engineering consultancy RINA has secured a contract from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to carry out a comprehensive Global Investment Plan Study aimed at steering the cruise sector towards a sustainable future.The research will provide a worldwide scenario focused on the cruise sector, mapping real-time energy needs, infrastructure and regulations with foresight scenarios extending to 2050.The cruise sector is recognized as one of the most active in driving the shipping industry towards greater sustainability.Today…

01 Mar 2024

Havila Voyages Announces Leadership Appointments

(Photo: Havila Voyages)

Norway's Havila Voyages announced it has appointed Mette Øyen as its new chief marketing officer and Aleksander Røynesdal has started in the role of new chief financial officer.Røynesdal was hired in December but officially entered his new role March 1. He comes from the position of COO at Norgas Carriers and has extensive experience in the finance and capital markets within the shipping and maritime transport industry.Øyen is scheduled to start in her new role on September 1, 2024.

28 Feb 2024

Mauritius Allows Norwegian Dawn Cruise Ship to Dock After No Trace of Cholera Found

© Björn Wylezich / Adobe Stock

Mauritius will allow a ship belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to dock after no trace of cholera was found in samples taken from passengers on board, a senior health official said on Monday.Authorities on the island nation off the coast of east Africa prevented the Norwegian Dawn from docking over the weekend over what they said were "health risks," without elaborating.Samples were taken from around 15 passengers who were experiencing a mild stomach illness.Bhooshun Ori…

26 Feb 2024

Mauritius Stops Norwegian Cruise Line Ship from Docking, Cites Health Risk

© Björn Wylezich / Adobe Stock

Mauritius stopped a ship belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings from docking at its ports due to what it said was a health risk and took samples from about 15 passengers who were in isolation on board, its port authority said on Sunday.The Norwegian Dawn had been scheduled to dock in Port Louis on Sunday, but since it had not gone to Reunion Island, it arrived in Port Louis a day earlier, the Mauritius Ports Authority said in a statement."The decision not to allow the cruise ship access to the quay was taken in order to avoid any health risks…

20 Feb 2024

ABB to Power First South American Built Hybrid-electric Polar Expedition Cruise Ship

(Image: Antarctica21)

ABB has been selected by the Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. (ASENAV) shipyard based in Chile to provide a power and propulsion system for Antarctica21’s newbuild boutique expedition ship Magellan Discoverer. Due for delivery in 2026, the vessel is the first hybrid-electric polar cruise ship featuring Azipod propulsion to be built in the Americas. Accommodating up to 96 passengers and 67 crew members, the vessel will be operating in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and…

15 Feb 2024

Royal Caribbean Orders New Cruise Ship at Chantiers de l’Atlantique

French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique is currently building another Oasis-class cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, for Royal Caribbean Group. (Photo: Royal Caribbean Group)

Royal Caribbean Group announced it has entered into an agreement with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique to order a seventh Oasis Class ship for delivery to its Royal Caribbean International fleet in 2028.“While we eagerly anticipate the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas this summer, we’re already dreaming up her sister ship and the next installation in the brand’s extremely popular Oasis Class,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.