Feature: Miracle on Ice
Kvaerner Masa-Yards has delivered the $375 million, 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle, to Carnival Cruise Lines - its 20th Fun Ship - in the traditional handover ceremonies in Helsinki. For anyone who has ever had the privilege to attend such a delivery, seeing a new cruise ship rolled out in the middle of the Finnish winter is truly an awe-inspiring, if not one of the most ironic, sights. However, it is a testament to accrued cruise industry expertise and a stable infrastructure of equipment and system suppliers that keeps the shipyard at the forefront. Carnival Miracle is the sixth cruise ship in the Spirit class series of new Panamax-size cruise ships for Carnival Cruise Lines (four ships) and Costa Crociere (two ships).
Passenger Vessels With Pedigrees
Italian prowess in the field of passenger vessel design, outfitting and technology is near legendary status in the international marine community. Even as the grip on these high-value, niche vessels loosens — largely due to cost-cutting competition from the Far East — a quick peak a the world orderbook and recent deliveries of cruise ships quickly tells who currently reigns supreme in the cruise shipping market. Evidence of Italian influence in the passenger vessel segment is undeniable, and over the years the country's shipbuilders have catered to some of the world's most discerning and quality demanding customers, such as U.S.-based Disney Cruise Line.
Carnival Legend
MS Carnival Legend, newbuilding no. 501, was delivered to Carnival Corporation at Kvaerner Masa-Yards' Helsinki shipyard this past August. Legend is the fourth cruise ship in a series of new Panamax-Max size cruise ships under construction for Carnival Corporation and operated by Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Crociere. The first ship in the series, Costa Atlantica, was delivered in June 2000, and the sisterships Carnival Spirit and Carnival Pride in 2001. Measuring 960 ft. (292.5 m) with a maximum breadth of 127 ft. (38.8 m), a breadth of 106 ft. (32.2 m) and a draft of 25 ft. (7.8 m), Carnival Legend entered service August 21 with a three-day cruise from Harwich, U.K. to Amsterdam.
Carnival's New Spirit
The latest testament to Finnish cruise ship building prowess is embodied in the recently delivered Carnival Spirit, a ship that will become well-known not only for what it contains within, but for what it does not let out. Carnival Spirit, newbuilding no. 499, was built at Kvaerner Masa-Yards' Helsinki New Shipyard for Carnival Cruise Lines, and is the second ship in a series of "Panamax-Max" size ship. (The first, Costa Atlantica for Costa Crociere, was delivered in June 2000). Interestingly, the ship is unique because of its similarity to other vessels. The joint development of the Spirit-class series actually started in the mid-1990s, with KMY presenting its "Project 8000" vision to Carnival in 1994.
