Austal Launches New Cruise Yacht

Austal USA launched its fifth vessel from its yard in Mobile, Ala., a 135-ft., monohull, on March 31. This vessel, to be delivered in May to Cloud Nine of New York, is the second dinner cruise yacht built at Austal’s shipbuilding facility. The vessel’s owner, New York-based Cloud Nine, specializes in offering private, luxury dinner cruises for social and corporate groups and has developed a large base of repeat customers. It currently operates an 85-ft., dinner cruise monohull and this new, larger Austal USA vessel, will enable the company to cater to larger corporate groups and add their signature touch of freshly made dinners prepared onboard: all meals are cooked by their chef in the well equipped galley below decks. A dumb-waiter then brings meals up to a feature buffet. The new vessel, accommodating up to 149 guests, will operate at a service speed of 16 knots, offering New York Skyline Tours, departing from Queens or Manhattan. The cruises typically operate for a period of four hours and incorporate the East River and part of the Hudson River. One of the typical highlights is a run close to the Statue of Liberty. The yacht appearance of this sleek monohull is expected to make a head-turning impression in Manhattan as she cruises by. Onboard, guests will revel in the sweeping, stylish staircase that takes them from the main dining deck up to the upper deck for dancing and further enjoyment of the New York skyline. The vessel features a large overhead atrium on the upper deck which creates a wonderfully high and airy space which will also be used for onboard weddings. A small bridal suite is featured on this deck. Designed and built by Austal USA to 46 CFR Subchapter T regulations, Cloud Nine is powered by two Cummins KTA 38M0 diesel engines, each rated at 800bhp. A 120 hp tunnel thruster fitted forward will ensure precise maneuvering.