Adventure Cruises News

Shipbuilder VARD has delivered Viking Polaris, the second of two ice-strengthened expedition vessels for operator Viking.Built at Vard Søviknes in Ålesund, Norway, Viking Polaris is specifically geared for adventure cruises in polar destinations. The vessel has a length of 205 meters and a beam of 23.5 meters, especially designed and developed for expeditions in Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. The vessel hosts 378 guests in 189 staterooms."Together with her sister…

Gibraltar-based Gibdock has recently completed a drydocking contract for UK-based Saga Holidays. Last month, the niche cruise operator docked the 9,570gt, 139m long Spirit of Adventure for a 10 day program of works, including steel repairs to the bulbous bow and a comprehensive external clean and repaint. Richard Beards, Gibdock Commercial Director, comments: “This is another important breakthrough for the yard, as it is the first time we have had the opportunity to work for Saga, which has in the past used other yards in the region.

Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) of Wailuku, Hawaii recently welcomed the Ocean Voyager, to its fleet of excursion vessels. The all-aluminum catamaran, constructed by Kvichak Marine of Seattle, Washington, is the third catamaran constructed by Kvichak for PWF. Constructed to USCG regulations for 149 passengers, and based on Pacific Whale Foundation's 23 years of marine research and leading high quality marine ecotours, the Ocean Voyager is a Crowther Multihulls design. This hull design offers unsurpassed stability and an ultra-smooth ride for passengers. The 64 x 28-ft. vessel operates for PWF's Eco-Adventure cruises, which include snorkeling, wild dolphin watching, and whale watching tours out of Maui's Maalaea Harbor.

ConAgra Inc., the second largest U.S. food manufacturer, has agreed to sell American Commercial Lines LLC (ACL) its large U.S. inland barge fleet and operations. Financial terms of the deal, which ConAgra said was part of ongoing series of strategic divestments, were not announced. ACL will acquire 930 owned and chartered barges, nine chartered towboats and one dry dock, the companies said in a joint statement. The deal includes Peavey Barge Lines, Brown Water Towing Inc. and Superior Barge Lines, Inc. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval but is expected to be completed in the next 30 days, the companies said. Greg Heckman, president and CEO, ConAgra Trade Group, said, "Our decision to sell the barge company is a strategic one.

Kvichak Marine recently delivered a fifth catamaran to Hawaii, the all-aluminum Ocean Odyssey, to Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) of Maui. Ocean Odyssey not only marks Kvichak's fifth Hawaiian catamaran, but it also represents PWF's second Kvichak built cat within 16 months. Constructed to USCG regulations for 149 passengers, Ocean Odyssey is a Crowther Multihulls design. The 64-x 28-ft. vessel operates for PWF's Eco-Adventure cruises, which include snorkeling, wild dolphin watching, and whale watching tours out of Maui's Maalaea Harbor. The combination of open deck space and stadium-style seating offers ideal viewing of whales and dolphins without increased vessel maneuvering. Cummins KTA19-M4 engines provide power for Ocean Odyssey.

Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF), in Kihei, Hawaii, took delivery of a 54 ft. all-aluminum catamaran built by Kvichak Marine Industries. Ocean Explorer, measuring 54 x 14 ft., is rated for 49 passengers and will operate for PWF's Eco-Adventure cruises, which include snorkeling, dolphin watching and whale watching tours. The vessel includes such features as skewed propellers, a sound-deadening hull and a high-tech muffler system to reduce the amount of underwater noise generated by the boat. Twin Cummins 6CTA diesel engines power Ocean Explorer. Each engine is rated for 430 bhp @ 2,600 rpm and drive Teignbridge 28 in. diameter four-blade propellers through ZF IRM 305A down-angle marine gears.

Kvichak Marine Industries is readying its 54 ft. all-aluminum catamaran, Ocean Explorer, for a December delivery to Pacific Whale Foundation of Kihei, Hawaii. The 54 x 14 ft. vessel, which will operate year-round for the Foundation's Eco-Adventure Cruises, holds the designs of both Kvichak and Morrelli & Melvin of San Diego, Calif. Ocean Explorer's venue includes snorkeling, dolphin watching and whale watching tours of Maui's Lahaina Harbor. Propulsion power will be provided by twin Cummins 6CTA diesels, each rated for 430-bhp at 2,600-rpm driving 28-in. diameter four-blade, stainless steel propeller through a ZF down-angle marine transmission. Cruising at a speed of 23 knots, passengers will be seated in Ocean Outdoor model all-weather seats constructed by Beurteaux of Australia.

NOA Marine, Inc. recently built and delivered 56 ft. pirate ship Royal Conquest to Buccaneer Adventure Cruises of St. Petersburg, Fla. The three-masted motor vessel was designed by naval architect Daniel J. Avoures to resemble a 17th century pirate ship, and is certified to carry 46 passengers on protected routes and 38 passengers on partially protected waters. Royal Conquest was designed to Lloyd's rules for wood and composite construction and is constructed of double-planked epoxy saturated plywood over Douglas fir and White Oak framing. The entire hull was sheathed with fiberglass epoxy laminate. The superstructure and bulwarks are planked with white cedar. The vessel's rigging sails are for appearance only.

Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with SeaAmerica Cruise Lines, Inc., based in Hollywood, Fla. Under the MOA, LSS and SeaAmerica will develop a ship design leading to contract negotiations for the construction of two 42,000-ton, 1,000-passenger cruise ships. The program will include options for two additional ships. Construction of the ships would utilize both of Litton Ship Systems' production facilities, Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula and Litton Avondale Industries in New Orleans, and would maximize the resources and experience of both shipyards to achieve operating synergies. Accommodations will include 87 percent outside cabins (most with private balconies)…