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Ocean Cruises News

13 Mar 2020

A Raft of Cruise Lines Have Suspended Operations

© Farida / Adobe Stock

Several major cruise operators have voluntarily suspended operations in response to the developing coronavirus pandemic. For most, the reason given has been "an abundance of caution".On Wednesday, Viking became the first major cruise line to temporarily suspend operations, canceling all river and ocean cruises scheduled to embark between March 12 to April 30. It said it expected to resume sailings on May 1.Princess Cruises, the operator of two coronavirus-stricken ships -- Diamond…

15 Jan 2020

Wasaline Green Newbuild RoPax Moves Forward

The maritime software, services and data analysis provider NAPA has announced the signing of a new contract with the northernmost year-round ferry, Wasaline, for its newbuilding Aurora Botnia.When it launches in 2021 the Aurora Botnia will be the world’s first LNG/LBG battery ship with pods under the vehicle deck, as well as the world’s most environmentally friendly RoPax vessel.Under the agreement, NAPA will provide Wasaline with its industry benchmark software applications, NAPA Emergency Computer, which delivers unmatched integrated emergency decision support, and NAPA Loading Computer, which optimizes vessel load while minimizing stress and safety risk.NAPA Loading Computer and NAPA Emergency Computer have been approved by all major classification societies.Peter Ståhlberg…

15 Dec 2019

Wilhelmsen, NorSea Join Forces for Hydrogen

The Norwegean global maritime industry group Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA and Denmark-based supply chain manager NorSea join forces to develop liquid hydrogen supply chain for maritime applications in Norway.The environmentally friendly liquid hydrogen can be offered to commercial shipping in large scale supply within first quarter 2024, claimed the companies.Together with major industry players such as Equinor, Viking Cruises, Air Liquide, and more, this is a huge and important step towards a sustainable future, and it aligns perfectly with Wilhelmsen’s long-term strategy supporting the UN sustainable development goals.The project was recently awarded a grant of NOK 33.5 million (USD 3.7 million) from the governmental PILOT-E scheme…

05 Nov 2019

Saga Orders 1st Boutique River Cruise Ship

British cruise line Holidays announced plans to launch a newbuild river cruise ship to sail on European rivers in spring 2021.The new ship will be built by Vahali, a Dutch-founded company which has  been building rivers ships since 1923. The new vessel is christened Spirit of the Rhine.This follows  launch of Saga’s new luxury boutique ocean cruise ship, Spirit of Discovery in July 2019, and the launch of her sister ship in Summer 2020."Using more than 60 years of insight gained from providing products and services exclusively to the over-50’s, Saga will be using the inspiration of their boutique ocean cruises to design the new build ship which will echo this luxury styling…

27 Mar 2019

Viking Sky: Low Lube Oil Triggered Shutdown

(Photo: Erik Johan Landa / Norwegian Maritime Authority)

The engines of a luxury cruise ship that narrowly escaped disaster during a storm off Norway on Saturday failed because of relatively low levels of lubricating oil in the engines, the Norwegian Maritime Authority said on Wednesday.The Viking Sky, with almost 1,400 passengers and crew aboard, sent out a mayday signal on Saturday as it drifted in rough waters in the Norwegian Sea to within 100 metres of land.

25 Mar 2019

Cruise Ship Reaches Port after Casualty, Rescues

A luxury cruise ship that had set sail with almost 1,400 passengers and crew aboard arrived at a port in Norway on Sunday after narrowly escaping disaster when its engines failed during a storm.The Viking Sky sent out a mayday signal on Saturday as it drifted in rough waters in the Norwegian Sea to within 100 metres of land.Rescue services airlifted 479 people, hoisting them one-by- one on to helicopters, before the weather subsided on Sunday and a tow could begin. Many of them were senior citizens.A total of 1,373 people had started the voyage and about 900 people were still on board as the ship arrived at the port of Molde on Norway's west coast."It was very nearly a disaster.

24 Mar 2019

Nearly 500 Airlifted from Stricken Cruise Ship

Rescue services had airlifted 479 people to safety from a luxury cruise liner with engine trouble off the coast of Norway by Sunday morning and began towing the vessel to a nearby port.The Viking Sky, with 1,373 passengers and crew on board, sent out a mayday signal on Saturday as it drifted towards land in the Norwegian Sea.The airlift of passengers, many of them elderly, from the Viking Cruises ship by helicopter was halted on Sunday morning as two tugboats started steering the vessel towards the nearest port.Founder and chairman of Viking Cruises, Norwegian billionaire Torstein Hagen, said he hoped the vessel would arrive at the port of Molde on Norway's west coast by Sunday afternoon."They've had a bit of a shocking experience…

17 Feb 2019

Viking Jupiter Met with Minor Accident at Piraeus Port

Piraeus Port Authority S.A welcomed newly built cruise ship of Norwegian Viking Ocean Cruises' Viking Jupiter and handed an honorary plaque to the Cruise Director Mark Andrew Brignone and books for the ship's library.However, the Norwegian cruiser got into a minor accident while docking at a pier in the port.According to media reports, the cruiser with 607 passengers and 483 crew members on board was at the process of arrival when it crashed with the right side due to the stormy winds.Stormy winds were the cause of the cruise accident, since they forcibly hit the vessel’s right hull to the pier. The vessel suffered minor damages include a crack of about 10 cm.The cruise ship Viking Jupiter is 230 meters long with capacity 950 passengers…

07 Oct 2018

Panama Canal to Receive 234 Cruise Ships this Season

The Panama Canal announced that it expects to receive approximately 234 cruise ships through the Panamax and Neopanamax Locks during the upcoming 2018-2019 cruise season.The first transit was on Oct. 5 with the Seven Seas Mariner, on a northbound transit travelling from the U.S. West Coast to the U.S. East Coast."As the second full cruise season with the Expanded Canal, we aim to build off our recent milestones and success," said Panama Canal's Senior International Trade Specialist Albano G. Aguilar. "In the next year, we look forward to welcoming more than 237,000 passengers through the Panama Canal."Ten new cruise ships will transit either the Canal's Panamax or Neopanamax Locks for the first time this season…

07 Jun 2018

Cruise Ship Viking Orion Delivered

Viking Orion, the fifth oceangoing cruise ship for owner Viking Cruises, was delivered June 7 from Fincantieri's shipyard in Ancona (Photo: Fincantieri)

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has delivered the fifth cruise ship in a series of oceangoing newbuilds for ship owner Viking Cruises. The new vessel, Viking Orion, was delivered today from the builder’s shipyard in Ancona.Viking Orion, as its four preceding sister ships, fits into the small cruise ship segment, with a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons. It has 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers.Viking's ocean ships are all equipped high-efficiency engines, hydro…

28 Sep 2017

Panama Canal Expects 230+ Cruise Ships This Season

Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder transiting the Agua Clara Locks in April 2017. (Photo: ACP)

The Panama Canal announced that it expects to receive approximately 235 cruise ships through the Panamax and Neopanamax Locks during the upcoming 2017-2018 cruise season. Beginning in October, this will be the first full cruise season to welcome vessels through the Expanded Canal. “In addition to the existing locks, cruise lines now have the option to include the Expanded Canal as part of their itineraries,” said the Panama Canal’s international trade specialist Albano Aguilar. In April 2017, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder became the first cruise ship to ever transit the Expanded Canal.

25 Sep 2017

Fincantieri Delivers Fourth of Eight Viking Newbuilds

The fourth of eight cruise ships Viking Ocean Cruises has ordered from Fincantieri has been delivered at the shipyard in Ancona. Viking Sun, as its sister ships, is placed in the small cruise ship segment. With a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons, it has 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers, with a total capacity of over 1,400 people, including the crew. The ship’s interior design team included London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios. In addition to the all-veranda staterooms, the ship also has spacious suites with sweeping views, two pools, of which one Infinity Pool off the stern, and a Spa designed according to the wellness philosophy of the Scandinavian tradition, with a sauna and a snow grotto.

18 Apr 2017

Viking Ocean Cruises Extends Order at Fincantieri

Viking Ocean Cruises and Fincantieri signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of two additional cruise ships, with an option for another two. The new builds will be sister ships to the six already ordered and will enter Viking fleet in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The final contracts will become effective upon the fulfillment of financing and other customary closing conditions. The new ships will follow the same design as the current ships ordered and in operation. The entire fleet is comprised of all-veranda staterooms; each ship has a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons and accommodates 930 guests in 465 cabins. As with the other sister ships…

02 Mar 2017

Cruise Shipping's Rising Star

(Photo: Genting Hong Kong)

Genting Hong Kong is a rapidly growing global travel brand, spreading its wings – literally and figuratively – into ocean cruise, yacht, river cruise, air and shipbuilding. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News speaks with key executives at Genting Hong Kong: Mona Lai, SVP Corporate Communication; Gustaf Gronberg, SVP Shipbuilding & Marine Operations; and Jarmo Lakso, Managing Director, MV Werften, for insights on the future growth strategy. Genting Hong Kong has been an active newsmaker in the cruise sector during the past year.

26 Jan 2017

Fincantieri Delivers Viking Sky in Ancona

Viking Sky, the third of six cruise ships Viking Ocean Cruises has ordered from Fincantieri, has been delivered at the shipyard in Ancona. Viking Sky, as its sister ships, is placed in the small cruise ship segment. In fact, with a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons, it has 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers, with a total capacity of over 1,400 people, including the crew. The ship has been designed by experienced naval architects and engineers, including an interior design team of London-based SMC Design, and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios, who transferred on Viking Sky a modern design of Scandinavian inspiration, featuring sophisticated elegance but functional, at the mean time.

18 Nov 2016

Cruiseport Boston Closes Out 2016 Cruise Season

Anthem of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean International)

As Cruiseport Boston closes out its successful 2016 season, 2017 is already shaping up to be a record year with 151 calls scheduled for next cruise season. The 2016 season saw 115 calls by a record 32 unique ships with ten maiden calls to the port, including Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to ever call the Port of Boston. Cruiseport Boston has seen years of steady growth which has contributed to the booming cruise business in Boston.

11 Oct 2016

Viking Ocean Cruises Makes Maiden US Call

Viking Ocean Cruises made its first ever call on a U.S. port when Viking Star docked at Cruiseport Boston. Viking Star began her voyage in Montreal, travelled the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City and Saguenay, continued on to Prince Edward Island and Halifax and, following her stop in Boston, will continue on to New York City later in the week. Officials from Massport and Viking marked the occasion with a traditional plaque and key exchange on board Viking Star while docked at the Cruiseport. “As Cruiseport Boston continues this exciting period of growth, we are thrilled to welcome Viking Ocean Cruises and to offer their passengers the opportunity to explore Boston and the Commonwealth,” said Lisa Wieland, Massport’s Port Director.

27 Sep 2016

Rolls-Royce to Equip Five New Cruise Ships

Promas System (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

Rolls-Royce has announced a new deal to provide propulsion and deck machinery to five cruise ships being built by Fincantieri at their Monfalcone and Ancona Shipyards in Italy. The firm orders are to supply a Promas system, deck machinery and steering gear to two vessels being built for Viking Ocean Cruises. The contract also covers steering gear and deck machinery for a further vessel under construction for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Steering gear is also being provided for two vessels being built for Princess.

24 Mar 2016

Fincantieri Delivers Viking Sea in Ancona

Viking Sea (Photo: Fincantieri)

Viking Sea, the second of six cruise ships Viking Ocean Cruises has ordered from shipbuilder Fincantieri, has been delivered today at the shipyard in Ancona. Viking Sea, as its sister ships, is placed in the small cruise ship segment. In fact, with a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons, it has 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers, with a total capacity of over 1,400 people, including the crew. The ship’s interior was designed by a team from London-based SMC Design, and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios.

13 Feb 2019

Viking Sun Construction Underway

Photo: Fincantieri

A keel laying ceremony was held today for Viking Sun, the fourth of six cruise ships ordered by Viking Ocean Cruises to be built by Fincantieri at its Ancona shipyard. The first building block of the ship, about 11 meters long, 28.8 meters wide and weighing about 280 tons, is part of the central section of Viking Sun, due to delivery in 2017. Viking Sun, as its sister ships, will be placed in the small cruise ship segment. With a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons, it will have 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers, with a total capacity of over 1,400 people, including the crew.

22 Apr 2016

Quartet of Cruise Records in Prospect for Lerwick

The first cruise ship arrival of the year will enter Lerwick Harbour this weekend at the start of a record-breaking season which is expected to see the most passengers and vessels yet at the Shetland port, along with the highest gross tonnage of cruise ships, including the biggest vessels to date. • Almost 54,000 passengers are expected, up on the 2014 record of 43,273. • 78 vessels are currently due, beating the high of 52 in 2012. • The cumulative tonnage at 2,212,023 gross tonnes tops the 1,684,699 gross tonnes set in 2014. • The record for the largest cruise ship will be broken twice – by P&O Cruises 115,055 gross tonne Azura on 30 June, followed by Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette (122,210 gross tonnes) on 14 August, with around 3,100 and 2,900 passenger capacity respectively.

11 Aug 2016

Asian Cruise Market Sees Record Growth

Photo: CLIA

Asia's cruise industry is growing at a record pace and shows no signs of slowing down, according to the latest 2016 Asia Cruise Trends study from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Asian source markets experienced the most growth year over year in ocean cruise passengers with an impressive 24 percent increase from 2014 to 2015 and a total of 2.08 million passengers in 2015, the study found. Asian cruise deployment, capacity and destinations have also shown remarkable growth.

11 Nov 2015

Fincantieri Bags Viking Order

Viking Ocean Cruises and Fincantieri have signed an agreement for the construction of two additional cruise ships. The new units, like the four sister ships which the ship owner has already ordered, will become part of Viking’s fleet respectively in mid-2018 and at the end of 2020. The contract is expected to be operational when the technical and financial conditions will be defined. The first ship was delivered in early 2015; the second and third ships are scheduled for delivery in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Technical and financial conditions are still being defined for the fourth ship option. These additional units, too, will be built for ocean cruises: at about 47…