Fincantieri delivers Viking Mira in Ancona

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 May 2026 26 May 2026

Fincantieri and Viking celebrated today the delivery of Viking Mira at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona.

The ceremony was attended by Jeff Dash, Viking’s Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development, Giorgio Gomiero, Senior Vice President Operations of Fincantieri and Gilberto Tobaldi, Director of the Ancona Shipyard.

With a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, Viking Mira features 499 staterooms and can accommodate up to 998 passengers. The vessel, which will offer itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, belongs to the small cruise ship segment and joins Viking’s ocean fleet, all built by Fincantieri.

The collaboration between Fincantieri and Viking, which began in 2012, continues to be a strong partnership in the cruise sector. Considering the ships already ordered, the contracts signed and the options agreed in recent months, whose effectiveness remains subject to the usual financing conditions required by the market, the overall portfolio between the two groups now reaches 26 units.

The Ancona shipyard is one of the Group’s main production hubs. In recent years, the site has undergone a comprehensive development program aimed at strengthening its competitiveness through infrastructure, technological, and logistics upgrades jointly supported by the company and the public port system. Covering an area of 360,000 m², the yard has a production capacity of 60,000 gross tons, lifting systems capable of handling up to 500 tons, and hull production potential of 1,200 tons per month. Since 2009, more than 20 ships have been delivered, thanks to the daily commitment of approximately 3,700 workers from different nationalities, backgrounds, and generations. The shipyard is also an active part of the Operations Excellence program, which includes the introduction of advanced technologies, robotics, and AI to increase efficiency and improve quality of work.

Crystal unveils dedicated crew recreation area aboard new Crystal Grace

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 26 May 2026 26 May 2026

Crystal, the leader in exceptional experiences, shared details of a dedicated crew recreation area aboard Crystal Grace, its newest ship set to debut on June 11, 2028. Set on Deck 12 and designed as a space for relaxation and social connection, the crew recreation area will feature both indoor and outdoor amenities created exclusively for onboard team members. The indoor space will include a crew gym, a sundries shop offering convenient everyday items, bar, table seating area and lounge anchored by a 98-inch television. Outdoors, crew members will have access to sun loungers, a jacuzzi and shower area.

The crew recreation area measures 1,582 square feet (147 square meters) and is designed to accommodate up to 100 crew members, with 74 dedicated seats in the indoor social spaces. The crew gym has a maximum occupancy of 30, providing a dedicated fitness environment for onboard team members. Featuring Technogym equipment, the 24-hour fitness center will offer a range of cardio, strength, skill and group training equipment designed to support crew well-being and active lifestyles while onboard.

In addition to the recreation area, Crystal Grace will also feature two crew dining areas located on Deck 3. The plans reflect Crystal’s continued focus on onboard crew spaces as part of the vessel’s overall design.

“Our crew consistently delivers an exceptional level of service and care, and it was important to us that Crystal Grace reflects that same standard in return. This dedicated recreation space was created with real intention, a place for our team to unwind, recharge and feel supported after bringing the Crystal experience to life each day," said Cristina Levis, CEO of AKTG.

“Our crew members are at the center of the Crystal experience. Every day, they deliver the personalized service and genuine care that our guests have come to expect and appreciate. Because of this, it is important that we create an environment on board where our crew feel comfortable, valued, and supported,” said Othmar Hehli, Director, Fleet Human Resources. “When designing this space, we took into consideration how our crew spend their time, what is important to them, and what contributes to their overall well-being on board. The goal was to create a space that is welcoming, practical, and truly theirs, while also reflecting Crystal’s commitment to supporting the people who make our guest experience possible.”

HX Expeditions appoints Cinzia Amadio to lead its global marketing

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 22 May 2026 22 May 2026

HX Expeditions, the world’s longest-running expedition cruise company and the largest operator in Antarctica, announces the appointment of Cinzia Amadio as SVP of Global Marketing to lead all aspects of marketing, reinforcing the company’s commitment to a more connected brand experience and a stronger end-to-end journey for both guests and trade partners.

Reporting directly to CEO Gebhard Rainer and joining the Executive Team, Amadio will drive stronger alignment across teams, clearer priorities, and a more seamless experience at every stage of the HX brand journey – from first inspiration on website travelhx.com to booking, pre-departure and post-voyage communications.

Amadio brings international experience across luxury travel, brand building, and digital transformation, combining a foundation in computer science engineering with expertise in branding, storytelling, and AI. Most recently, she served as Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at ROAR AFRICA, the ultra-luxury safari company, where she led the marketing function across brand and performance.

She also brings extensive cruise and expedition experience from her nine years at Silversea, where she held several senior leadership roles across global marketing, consumer and trade marketing, marketing planning and execution, and expedition business development. In her own words, she is “Excited to return to an industry she fell in love with.”

With a strong track record of building high-performing teams, aligning global marketing operations and connecting brand strategy with commercial growth and customer experience, her appointment reflects HX’s continued investment in bringing brand, marketing and digital capabilities closer together so the business can move faster, communicate more consistently and deliver a more joined-up experience across every touchpoint.

“I'm excited to join HX at such an important moment for the business” said Amadio. “There's a real opportunity to build on the strong brand foundations already in place and connect brand storytelling, marketing performance, and digital capability more closely. By working together across these areas, we can deliver clearer, more consistent experiences for our guests and strengthen every stage of their journey with HX.”

CEO Gebhard Rainer added: “We are delighted to welcome Cinzia to HX. She brings a unique combination of digital expertise, brand-building capability, and deep experience in both the luxury and cruise sectors, which will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the guest experience and grow the business.”

This leadership appointment supports HX’s ambition to strengthen collaboration across functions, sharpen execution and ensure the business is even better positioned to deliver outstanding guest experiences alongside sustainable growth.

 

Meyer Turku donates EUR 800,000 to Aalto University

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 May 2026 21 May 2026

Meyer Turku is investing in shipbuilders of the future by donating EUR 800,000 to Aalto University. With the donation, Aalto will establish a five-year Professor of Practice to accelerate developments in marine technology and secure expertise in the field in Finland. This new donation is part of Meyer Turku’s broad collaboration with educational institutions and research.

Aalto University’s new Professor of Practice in Interdisciplinary Naval Architecture will combine marine technology and engineering with economics, finance, contract law, as well as architecture and design. The aim is to develop shipbuilding holistically and strengthen collaboration between research and industry. This cross-disciplinary approach supports the renewal of the marine industry and responds to the sector’s growing competence needs. Recruitment for the five-year Professor of Practice will begin later this year.

“Our order book extending to 2030 and a framework agreement with our customer through 2036 bring unprecedented predictability to the company’s operations. They enable exceptionally long-term investments in competence, research, and international collaboration. These investments support the education of a new, broadly qualified generation of shipbuilders and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Finnish marine industry," says Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku.

“We are extremely grateful for Meyer Turku’s significant donation, which further strengthens Aalto’s top-level research and education in marine technology. The interidisciplinary perspective of the new Professor of Practice in shipbuilding reflects Aalto University’s core idea and creates excellent conditions for cooperation with industry," says Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University.

Aalto University’s Professor of Practice continues Meyer Turku’s long-term investments in competence development. The donation-funded professorship in mechanical engineering launched at the University of Turku in 2021 has strengthened the region’s technical expertise and responded to companies’ concrete needs.

Meyer Turku promotes awareness of the marine industry starting from primary and secondary education. Collaboration with vocational institutions is extensive and includes Meyer Turku’s own Shipbuilding School (Laivanrakennusoppilaitos), which has operated for over 60 years. With universities and universities of applied sciences, cooperation ranges from improving the industry’s visibility and attractiveness to research.

A key platform for research collaboration is the MERiON program co-funded by Business Finland, which develops technologies, competencies, and operating models for the marine industry. Meyer Turku’s GTLab coordinates the program’s projects in close cooperation with partner institutions. In addition, the company participates in international NORSI collaboration, which connects the Finnish marine industry to global technology and innovation networks.