Genesis Keel Laid
December 13, 2007 by admin ·
The first of the Genesis class of cruise ship has had its Keel laid in the Aker shipyard in Turku, Finland. The 570-ton hull portion was placed in position in front of numerous Royal Caribbean executives and guests.
Eurodam Maiden Voyage Announced
December 13, 2007 by admin ·
Eurodam, the first new build in what will be HAL’s Signature class is a 86,000 ton, 2,104 passenger ship, which will be the largest in the HAL fleet when it enters into service.
Her maiden Voyage has been set for July 5th 2008 and she will depart Copenhagen (Denmark) and visit Norway, England and Scotland. Her christening is on July 1st in Rotterdam, Holland the day before setting off on a 3 day introductory cruise from Rotterdam to Copenhagen, where the first paying guests will join the ship.
Aida Get Two New Builds
December 13, 2007 by admin ·
Aida Cruises, a Germany based company and part of the Carnival Corporation are to receive two new builds, they will be 71,000-ton, 2,174-passengers vessels and scheduled to enter service in April 2011 and May 2012. The cost Euro 380 million each. A third new build has had its design modified to be the same size as the two new orders, this as of yet an unnamed ship will arrive in service in 2010.
Already on order are the AIDAbella, due out in April 2008, and an as-yet-unnamed sister ship in April 2009. AIDAdiva, was introduced earlier this year when Aida Cruises lost AIDAblue to Ocean Village a division of P&O Cruises, which at the time looked good for Ocean Village and yet they would probably benefit more from a new build than Aida Cruises.
Aida Cruises are in direct competition with TUI AG, the other German line that is being bought by Royal Caribbean.
Second “Genesis” Ship confirmed
April 2, 2007 by admin ·
Royal Caribbean Cruise have annonced the news that they have cofirmed the order for a second “Project Genesis” ship for 2010. They already have one of these giants due in the fall of 2009. Both will be a massive 220,000 tons and have a capacity of 5,400 passengers.
Royal Caribbean Cruise are yet to name either of the ships, but “of the Seas” will be part of it, there is no doubt. Further updates will appear here soon.
Seven New Ships due in 2007
March 2, 2007 by admin ·
Estimated Inaugural: February, 2007
Cruise Line: Carnival Ship Name: Carnival Freedom
Size: GRT: 110,000 Capacity: 2974 (double occupancy)
Builder: Fincantieri – Sestri, Italy
This is an additional Conquest class vessel ordered as part of a four-ship deal with Fincantieri, two of which ended up going to the Carnival brand. As a Conquest-class, it will not fit through the Panama Canal. Given that there is an almost two-year lag between this ship and the previous one of this class delivered (Carnival Liberty), there will likely be some progressions in the design.
Estimated Inaugural: April, 2007
Cruise Line: MSC Ship Name: MSC Orchestra
Size: GRT: 89,600 Capacity: 2,550 lower berths – 3,000 total & 1,000 crew
Builder: Aker France – St. Nazaire, France
This will be the second of the Musica class.
Estimated Inaugural: May 19, 2007
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Ship Name: Liberty of the Seas
Size: GRT: 160,000 Capacity: 3600 lower berths
Builder: Aker Finnyards – Finland
This will be the second of the “Ultra Voyager-class” When it is delivered the class will still have bragging rights to being the largest passenger ships in the world.
Estimated Inaugural: Spring, 2007
Cruise Line: Princess Ship Name: Emerald Princess
Size: GRT: 116,000 Capacity: 3100
Builder: Fincantieri – Monfalcone, Italy
This is an additional Caribbean-class vessel ordered as part of the four-ship order with Fincantieri, the only one in the order designated for Princess. It will be the third in the series. It has not necessarily been designated for the Caribbean as the previous two were, but it will likely have a long life in whichever ocean it starts since it will not fit through the Panama Canal.
Estimated Inaugural: May, 2007
Cruise Line: Costa Ship Name: Costa Serena
Size: GRT: 112,000 Capacity: 3000 (double occupancy), total capacity 3,780
Builder: Fincantieri – Sestri, Italy
This will be the second of Costa’s Concordia class. Deployment is thought to be year round in the Mediterranean.
Estimated Inaugural: October, 2007
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Name: Norwegian Gem
Size: GRT: 92,000 Capacity: 2,384 lower berths
Builder: Meyer Werft (Papenburg Germany yard)
This will be the third in the Norwegian Jewel series with 540 staterooms and suites with private balconies.
Estimated Inaugural: December 11, 2007
Cruise Line: Cunard Ship Name: Queen Victoria
Size: GRT: 90,000 Capacity: 2000
Builder: Fincantieri – Marghera, Italy
This ship will be similar to HAL’s line of Vista-class vessels, but with Cunard’s own twists in the design and slightly larger. It will be built to Panamax standards, so it can be used in both the Atlantic and Pacific. 86% of the cabins will be outside, 71% of those with private verandahs. In September 2004 the design was enlarged as part of an order of four other ships from Fincantieri. It was originally slated for 88,000 tons and a capacity of 1968. Eleven meters were added to the length raising the tonnage to 90,000 and increasing the capacity to 2000, but the ship will still be able to transit the Panama Canal.
Initial Deployment: The first two voyages will be round trips from Southampton. Cunard says it will be used for a mix of cruises, ocean crossings and world cruises.
Carnival Receives Freedom
February 28, 2007 by admin ·
Carnival Freedom, the 110,000-ton, 2,974-passenger new build has been handed over to Carnival in time for her inauguration on Sunday, in Venice, Italy.
She is due to complete a series of 12 night Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter.
Disney Cruises Plan Two New Builds
February 23, 2007 by admin ·
Disney is no longer just a company offering theme parks and a few films. They are determined to become a big player in the cruise industry. Already having two ships, Disney Cruise Line recently submitted plans to more than double in size with an order for two new 1,250-cabin ships. The new builds due to enter service in 2011 and 2012 and at 122,000 tons, will be larger than the line’s current ships, Disney Wonder and Magic (each 83,000 tons).
Carnival Dream Up Magic Names!
February 9, 2007 by admin ·
Carnival Cruise Lines has announced the names of the two 130,000-ton, 3,652-passenger new-builds: Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic.
Due to be launched in October of 2009 and June of 2011 respectively these two ships will be the largest Carnival ships built after the arrival later this year of Carnival Freedom and next year the slightly larger (112,000 ton) Carnival Splendor.
Celebrity Name Third Solstice Class Ship
January 9, 2007 by admin ·
Celebrity Cruises has announced the name of its third Solstice-class ship: Celebrity Eclipse. The 118,000-ton, 2,850-passenger new-build will bring Celebrity’s fleet total to 13.
Like her predecessors, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox (launching in 2008 and 2009 respectively), Celebrity Eclipse will be built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and is scheduled for delivery in 2010.
P&O Order New Build
January 3, 2007 by admin ·
P&O Cruises have announced they are building a new 116,000-ton, 3,076-passenger cruise ship to be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri at its Monfalcone yard in Trieste, Italy. The initial estimated cost is 535 million euros (approximately $706 million) with an expected delivery in the spring of 2010.
