Genting Hong Kong commences construction of Dream Cruises’ second Global Class ship at MV Werften

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 11 September 2019 11 September 2019

Production of Dream Cruises’ second Global Class ship commenced at MV Werften in Rostock-Warnemünde today, almost exactly a year after the keel laying of the flagship of the series. Genting Hong Kong’s Chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay initiated at the press of a button the first steel cutting for the 342m long, 46m wide, 208,000 gross ton cruise vessel.

“We are delighted that our comprehensive investments at the three shipyard locations are bearing fruits and we can already celebrate today the first steel cutting for another technologically advanced vessel for our shipping company Dream Cruises,” Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay stated. “Also thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, Dream Cruises’ second Global Class ship will offer our guests a very interesting, modern and highly comfortable travel experience.”

Dream Cruises’ second Global Class ship is identical in construction to her ship sister ship, which is due to enter operation under the name Global Dream in 2021. Production work on the vessel with the yard number 126 is also being divided up among all three locations of MV Werften. For example, up to 30 large sections are being built in Stralsund for subsequent final assembly in Wismar, where a 125m high crane, purchased specially for the Global project, is currently being installed at the outfitting quay. The keel laying of the ship is planned already for 9 December 2019, with delivery scheduled for 2022.

MV Werften’s CEO Peter Fetten said: “Building these sophisticated high-tech ships is a challenge, but above all an enormous opportunity for us. We would like to thank all colleagues and partners for their great work during the planning and design phase, and we are glad to start now with production.”

Like her sister ship, Dream Cruises’ second Global Class ship is also intended for the fast-growing Asian market. With 2,500 passenger cabins accommodating over 9,000 passengers and a crew of 2,200, Dream Cruises’ Global Dream and the second Global Class ship are the first vessels worldwide capable of carrying more than 10,000 persons. In terms of passenger capacity, they are the largest ships ever built in Germany. They are well equipped with state-of-the-art digital technologies, such as face and speech recognition or climate control, mood lighting etc via app, and are thus optimally designed to meet the advanced digital requirements of the Asian cruise market. The standard cabins are the most spacious in the sector – at 20 m² about 15% larger than those offered on other cruise ships.

With 2,500 passenger cabins and 836 crew cabins for the new ship are being produced as completely prefabricated modules at MV Werften Fertigmodule in Wismar. A total of over 600 firms are involved in the construction of the second Global Class ship. Over half of the partner companies come from Germany, a fifth from the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, contributing to the growth of the local economy.

Norwegian Cruise Line names Kelly Clarkson godmother to Norwegian Encore

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 10 September 2019 10 September 2019

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” that GRAMMY Award-winning artist and superstar Kelly Clarkson will serve as the godmother to its newest ship, Norwegian Encore, debuting in Miami in November.

The cruise line’s President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Stuart appeared on Clarkson’s new nationally syndicated daytime show produced and distributed by NBCUniversal, to invite her to join the Norwegian Cruise Line family as godmother to Norwegian Encore.

As godmother, she will perform at the christening ceremony in Miami on Thursday, Nov. 21, as well as fulfill the longstanding maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming the beautiful Norwegian Encore.

“We knew we wanted someone who represents our core values,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer. “Kelly is a role model who is passionate about family and community, as well as music and entertainment. These are our passions too! We are honored to have her join our family of godparents and look forward to celebrating Norwegian Encore’s debut in Miami with her, this November.”

To celebrate her new title as godmother to Norwegian Encore, Clarkson and Norwegian Cruise Line recognized and awarded 20 deserving music educators on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” with a seven-day cruise, showcasing the mutual appreciation for education and travel as a powerful tool that connects people and promotes awareness and understanding around the world.

“I am so honored to be named the godmother to Norwegian Encore, and to get to be a part of such a special ceremony to christen the new ship in Miami,” said Kelly Clarkson. “I believe that surrounding yourself with the ones you love and taking time for them is important while having the most amazing and unforgettable vacation, which is what Norwegian Cruise Line stands for and provides for its guests.”

Taking the brand’s exclusive, stand-out attractions to the next level, Norwegian Encore will feature the world’s longest race track at sea at 1,100 feet with four high-speed curves extending up to 13 feet over the side of the ship; the largest outdoor laser tag arena at nearly 10,000 square feet with the addition of augmented reality elements; and new immersive escape room and interactive theatre experiences in the 10,000-square-foot Galaxy Pavilion.

In addition to featuring many of the highly rated restaurants and lounges that have made the Breakaway Plus class one of the most innovative and successful in the company’s history, Norwegian Encore will debut a new elevated Italian dining experience, Onda by Scarpetta, in collaboration with LDV Hospitality. The Tony Award®-winning musical, “Kinky Boots” will headline the world-class entertainment on board, with returning guest favorites “The Choir of Man,” “Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical” and the rocking Beatles cover band of The Cavern Club.

Launching this fall, Norwegian Encore will offer seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami beginning Nov. 24, 2019; Bermuda, and Canada and New England itineraries from New York City beginning Apr. 22, 2020; voyages to the Western Caribbean from Miami beginning Dec. 12, 2020; and in the spring of 2021 will make her West Coast debut and sail to Alaska from Seattle.

UK market priority for MSC Cruises – Paradiso

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 10 September 2019 10 September 2019

The UK market is a priority for MSC Cruises, which is the fourth largest cruise shipping group in the world, the company’s UK managing director said, as the company unveiled lengthening and upgrading of MSC Magnifica and operating the ship out of Southampton in 2021.

“The UK market is a priority for MSC Cruises and we have shown our commitment consistently over the last few years. Firstly, with our first ever full ex-UK season in 2018, then with the naming of MSC Bellissima in Southampton in March this year and now with another full EX-UK season on a newly refurbished and enhanced ship with brand new itineraries created specifically with the British holidaymakers in mind,” said Antonio Paradiso Managing Director of MSC Cruises UK & Ireland, in a statement.

The 24 sailings from Southampton beginning in May and ending in October will see the introduction of cruises ranging from 2 to 14 nights with brand new varied itineraries encompassing Canary Islands & Madeira, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltic Capitals. Most of the 24 sailings will begin on a Saturday ensuring guests can make the most of their holiday experience.

Other cruises include a 12-night cruise that calls at three of the Canary Islands - Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote and a 14-night Western Mediterranean cruise in August, including popular destinations for UK guests such as Palma de Mallorca and Monte Carlo will be the perfect choice for the family summer holiday.

MSC Magnifica will offer four different stunning Norwegian Fjord itineraries and will call at two brand new destinations; Skagen in Denmark renowned for hours of sun and unique light plus Rosendal, Norway, which is the world’s fourth largest fjord.

 

In addition to new itineraries MSC Magnifica will be back with all the ‘Best of British’ enhancements that were initially showcased on MSC Magnifica in 2018, including pie & mash, back bacon and sausages available in the buffet and Kettles in cabins with Yorkshire Tea, which is back by popular demand, the company said.

 

 

 

Hanseatic Inspiration to be named on 11 October in Hamburg

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 10 September 2019 10 September 2019

Hanseatic Inspiration, which is the second of the three new expedition ships from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, will be named on Friday 11 October 2019 at ceremony at Uberseebrucke in the Port of Hamburg, the company said in a statement.

The three ships, reach built by Fincantieri’s Vard unit in Norway, have a capacity for 230 passengers and they are financed by TUI AG, which is the parent of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

“The investment highlights the strategy of the global TUI Group, which is focused on its cruise business. The Group is investing in its cruise portfolio and is expanding, modernising and rejuvenating the fleet. Additional new ships will be added to the overall fleet in the coming years,” Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said.