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Largest Cruise Ship News

12 Feb 2024

Royal Caribbean Upbeat on 2024 Profit

© Roberto Sorin / Adobe Stock

Royal Caribbean Group projected 2024 profit above Wall Street expectations after robust demand for cruise vacations and steeper ticket prices helped it beat fourth-quarter earnings estimates on Thursday.With travelers opting for cruises instead of more expensive land-based vacation options, operators are experiencing record levels of bookings compared to pre-pandemic levels, giving them enough room to mark up ticket prices."2023 was an exceptional year, propelled by unmatched demand for our brands from new and loyal guests…

29 Jan 2024

World's Largest Cruise Ship Sets Sail, Bringing Concerns About Methane Emissions

Icon of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean International)

The world's largest cruise ship is set for its maiden voyage on Saturday, but environmental groups are concerned that the liquefied natural gas-powered vessel - and other giant cruise liners to follow - will leak harmful methane into the atmosphere.Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas sets sail from Miami with capacity for 8,000 passengers across 20 decks, taking advantage of the surging popularity of cruises.The ship is built to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which burns more cleanly than traditional marine fuel but poses greater risks for methane emissions.

02 Jan 2024

Great Ships of 2023: Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean Group)

“Turku is building the real big ships,” said Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer.Meyer is not exaggerating. The yard’s latest newbuild, Icon of the Seas—the first ship of Royal Caribbean’s Icon class—is 248,655 GT, making it the largest cruise ship ever constructed.In general, the cruise ships rolling out of the nearly 300-year-old Finnish shipyard have been steadily increasing in size since the Meyer Group took full ownership in 2015. “We are proud to say Turku has been a first-mover in building these big new classes for Royal Caribbean…

27 Nov 2023

World's Largest Cruise Ship: Meyer Turku Delivers Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas. (Photo: Meyer Turku / Lavea Media)

Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku on Monday delivered the world's largest cruise ship, the 248,655 GT Icon of the Seas, to U.S.-based Royal Caribbean International.The 365-meter-long cruise ship has 20 decks (including 18 guest decks) and surpasses the previous world's largest, Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class Allure of the Seas. With 2,805 staterooms, Icon is able to carry 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or up to 7,600 passengers if every cabin is maxed out—another cruise industry record.

21 Jun 2023

World's Largest Cruise Ship Starts Sea Trials

(Photo: Dirk Schwarz, courtesy Meyer Turku)

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas—the world's largest cruise ship—has commenced sea trials in the Baltic Sea.The 250,800 GT vessel, the first in Royal Caribbean's new Icon-class, has been under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland since June 2022. The fully assembled ship was floated out in December and is now undergoing final outfitting and testing.This first set of sea trials—which tests the performance of the ship's propulsion systems, navigation systems and other ship features…

12 May 2023

Video: World's Largest Cruise Ship Taking Shape in Finland

Icon of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas—the world's largest cruise ship—is taking shape at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.The 250,800 GT vessel, the first in Royal Caribbean's new Icon-class, has been under construction since June 2022. The fully assembled ship was floated out in December and is now undergoing final outfitting ahead of scheduled delivery in October or November 2023.First announced in 2016, the 1,198-foot-long Icon of the Seas will have 20 decks (including 18 guest decks) and will be bigger than the world's current largest cruise ship…

08 May 2023

Meyer Turku Increased Turnover in 2022

Icon of the Seas under construction at Meyer Turku shipyard © Finmiki / Adobe Stock

Meyer Turku Group has published its 2022 financial results indicating a positive turnaround on the previous year.The Group’s turnover was 1.30 billion euros, up about 200 million euros on 2021. The loss for the financial year was 15.6 million euros, which was less than the previous year's 17 million euros.Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer comments on the result: "During 2022, we were particularly affected by the difficult availability of materials and overall increased costs, especially on materials and financing.

14 Dec 2022

Royal Caribbean Inks Shipbuilding Partnership Agreement in Finland

(Photo: Meyer Turku)

One of the world's largest cruise companies Royal Caribbean Group announced it has signed a declaration with the aim to chart the way forward for innovative and sustainable shipbuilding in Finland.The declaration, signed with the Finnish government, represented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (MEAE) and shipbuilder Meyer Turku Oy, has been signed with the goal to advance innovation, strengthen competitiveness and bolster the maritime industry's ecosystem, U.S.

09 Dec 2022

World's Largest Cruise Ship Floated Out in Finland

©Meyer Turku

Finland's Meyer Turku shipyard has floated out what it says is the world's largest and Royal Caribbean International’s most environmentally friendly cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.During the upcoming weekend, the ship will be moved to the outfitting dock, where its now fully assembled hull will be finished into "a magnificent cruise ship" during next year."Outfitting of the ship is a challenging job, the end result of which is to build an unprecedentedly versatile vacation possibilities on the ship.

08 Nov 2022

Wonder of the Seas Equipped with ABB's Ability Marine Braking Assistance

(Photo: Royal Caribbean)

As the world’s largest cruise ship Wonder of the Seas, departed on her maiden voyage in the beginning of March 2022, she was the first in the world to feature the new ABB Ability Marine Braking Assistance. Designed for safe and smooth emergency stops, the automatic braking system is the result of collaboration between supplier and owner, initiated at Royal Caribbean Group’s request.Following full sea trials by shipbuilder Chantiers d’Atlantique and acceptance by the owner, the…

20 Oct 2022

Royal Caribbean Unveils World's Largest Cruise Ship Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas (Image: Meyer Turku)

Royal Caribbean has unveiled new design details for what is set to be the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.The 250,800 GT vessel, the first in Royal Caribbean's new Icon-class, is being built by Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku, who began construction in June. First announced in 2016, the mega cruise ship is scheduled for delivery in October or November 2023.The 1,198-foot-long Icon of the Seas will have 20 decks (including 18 guest decks) and will be bigger than the world's current largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class Allure of the Seas.

11 Apr 2022

Harland & Wolff Wins Contracts for Dry Docking of Two Cruise Vessels

P&O Cruises Aurora / Photo By MacdonaldAndy - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://bit.ly/3E2kroB

Harland & Wolff Group has been awarded a dry dock contract for two cruise ships from P&O Cruises and Cunard respectively that will occupy the Belfast drydock for 33 days in total. The companies have selected Harland & Wolff's 81-acre Belfast shipyard to undertake drydocking works on two of its ships - Aurora and Queen Victoria. The works due to be undertaken on both ships are standard drydocking operations.The first ship to dock under this agreement will be Cunard's Queen Victoria which entered service in December 2007.

21 Feb 2022

World's Largest Cruise Ship Makes US Debut

Wonder of the Seas (Photo: Port Everglades)

Port Everglades once again welcomes the largest cruise ship in the world. Royal Caribbean International's Wonder of the Seas docked at her homeport, Port Everglades, this weekend for her inaugural season beginning March 4. This is the fourth Oasis-Class ship to make its U.S. debut at Port Everglades.Built by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the new 236,857 GT cruise ship takes the title of world's largest from its 228,081 GT sister ship Symphony of the Seas, in service since 2018.

28 Jan 2022

World's Largest Cruise Ship Wonder of the Seas Delivered to Royal Caribbean

Wonder of the Seas (Photo: Sigrun Sauerzapfe aka SIGGI / Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery of its fifth Oasis Class cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, from French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, in Saint-Nazaire, France.At 236,857 GT, the new cruise ship takes the title of world's largest from its 228,081 GT sister ship Symphony of the Seas, in service since 2018.The 1,188-foot-long, 210-foot-wide Wonder of the Seas has 18 decks, including 16 guest decks, with accommodations for up to 6,988 passengers in 2,867 staterooms, plus 2,300 crew.

26 Jul 2021

Largest Italy-built Cruise Ship Delivered

MSC Seashore - Credit: Fincantieri

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has said it has delivered the MSC Seashore - the largest cruise ship to be built in Italy - to the cruise division of MSC GroupAlso, Fincantieri said Monday that MSC Seashore's sister ship MSC Seascape was under construction at the Monfalcone shipyard. MSC Seascape is expected to enter service in the winter of 2022.Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, said the construction of MSC Seashore is an investment that generates an impact on the Italian economy of almost 5 billion euros and the employment of up to 4…

12 Oct 2020

VIDEO: Meyer Werft Delivers Iona, Lagest Cruise Ship Ever Built for UK Market

Iona - Credit: Meyer Werft

German shipbuilder Meyer Werft shipyard last Friday delivered to P&O Cruises the cruise ship Iona, dubbed the largest cruise ship ever built for the UK market.Apart from being the largest, with 185,000 tonnes, 345 meters in length with 17 guest decks, Iona is also the first British cruise ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). It features four low-emission dual-fuel engines from Caterpillar, which can be operated 100% with LNG at seaand in port.The cruise ship had…

20 Jul 2020

Delivery of World's Largest Cruise Ship Delayed Due to COVID-19

File photo: The keel laying ceremony was held for Wonder of the Seas at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard n October 2019. (Photo: Bernard Biger –Chantiers de l’Atlantique)

Delivery of the world's largest cruise ship Wonder of the Seas has been delayed due to coronavirus impacts at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The shipyard delays mean Royal Caribbean's new record-breaking cruise ship will not enter service from Shanghai in spring 2021 as planned, a spokesperson for the cruise line confirmed to MarineLink after the news was announced on Royal Caribbean's Chinese website. A new delivery has not been specified. The 362-meter Wonder of the Seas will be slightly larger than its 228…

13 May 2020

Royal Caribbean Pledges 28 Ships as Collateral in $3.3 bln Bond Offer

(File photo: Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean Cruises on Wednesday launched a $3.3 billion bond offering, pledging 28 of its ships as collateral and forecast heavy losses for the first quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic brings the sector to a virtual standstill.Royal Caribbean, which was forced to suspend its cruises globally and cut about 26% of its U.S. workforce, said the health crisis has dented its first-quarter net income by about $453 million.The cruise operator’s shares, which have sunk over 72% this year…

26 Feb 2020

Seven Seas Splendor Named in Miami

Godmother and international icon Christie Brinkley named Seven Seas Splendor in a star-studded ceremony during black-tie festivities Friday evening at PortMiami.The Luxury ocean cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises stated that Seven Seas Splendor is the sister of 2016's Seven Seas Explorer."Every ship we launch gets even better, and Seven Seas Splendor is magnificent," said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. "The collaboration between the designers, engineers, craftsmen, hotel and restaurant teams and the crew on board all brings the renowned Regent experience to life on this beautiful ship."Seven Seas Splendor is helmed by 30-year veteran Captain Serena Melani…

29 Oct 2019

Fincantieri Presents "Carnival Panorama" in Marghera

Photo courtesy of Fincantieri

“Carnival Panorama”, the new ship of Carnival Cruise Line, a brand under Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise ship operator, was presented at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera (Venice) at the presence of the Italian Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Paola De Micheli.The ceremony was attended, among others, by Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, who was welcomed by the Chairman of Fincantieri Giampiero Massolo and the CEO Giuseppe Bono.The new unit is a sister ship of “Carnival Vista”…

15 Oct 2019

Princess Cruises Takes Delivery of Newest Ship

Princess Cruises, the Carnival-owned cruise line, has taken delivery of its fourth Royal-class ship, Sky Princess, at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard in Trieste, Italy.The vessel is the 17th ship Fincantieri has built for Princess, but it is the first to be custom built with the line's MedallionClass technology integrated into its infrastructure.The new unit, at 145,000 gross tons with accommodation on board for 4,610 passengers in 1,830 cabins and 1,411 crew members crew, is built on the basis of the successful sister ship project of Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess, all built from the same shipyard of Monfalcone starting from 2013…

08 Aug 2019

Fincantieri Floats Out Enchanted Princess

The largest shipbuilder in Europe Fincantieri has floated Princess Cruises’ new Enchanted Princess out of the building dock at its yard in Monfalcone, Italy.The Italian shipbuilding company based in Trieste said in a press release that interior fittings will now begin, leading the fifth Royal-class ship to its delivery, scheduled in 2020.The ceremony was attended by Firouz Mal, Princess Cruises director new build services, while Fincantieri was represented, among others, by Roberto Olivari, director of the shipyard in Monfalcone. The Godmother of the ceremony was Miss Marinella Cossu, a historic employee of the yard.The new unit, at 145…

03 Jul 2019

Boskalis Floating Dock to Fix Carnival Vista

Florida-headquartered Carnival Cruise Line has contracted the Dutch marine engineering company Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. to lift its cruise ship Carnival Vista out of the water onto the world’s largest heavy lift ship, Boka Vanguard, and transport it to Grand Bahama shipyard for a dry docking operation.The operation, the first of its kind in the world, will take place in the coming weeks in Freeport, Bahamas. The BOKA Vanguard is the world’s largest semi-submersible ship uniquely positioned to lift and transport extremely heavy cargoes in a dry and safe manner.Carnival Vista is the second largest cruise ship in the Carnival fleet with a capacity of nearly 4,000 passengers and a length in excess of 300 meters.

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