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Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard lays the keel of Seven Seas Splendor

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 June 2018 28 June 2018

The keel laying ceremony was held today at the Ancona shipyard for the Seven Seas Splendor, the second super luxury cruise ship that Fincantieri is building for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, brand of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The delivery is scheduled for 2020.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by Jason Montague, President and CEO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, who was welcomed by Giovanni Stecconi, the Fincantieri Ancona yard manager.

Like her sister ship Seven Seas Explorer, delivered by Fincantieri at the Sestri Ponente (Genova) shipyard in 2016, the new vessel will be 55,000 gross tonnes with accommodation for 750 passengers. She will be built using the very latest in environmental protection technologies. The interiors will be particularly sophisticated, with every attention paid to passenger comfort.

“Seven Seas Explorer has earned remarkable acclaim since debuting in 2016 as the most luxurious ship ever built. Now, her sister Seven Seas Splendor builds upon the success of that lauded ship as it strives to perfect uncompromised luxury on the seas” said Jason Montague, President and Chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “In our pursuit to exceed guest expectations, we are creating a work of art, from bow to stern. Wherever you turn on Seven Seas Splendor, you will be surrounded by elegance, comfort and hospitality."

Luigi Matarazzo, Fincantieri Executive Vice President New Building - Merchant Ships Business Unit, said: “We are satisfied to have the opportunity to partner for the second time with a ship owner like Regent Seven Seas Cruises. It means that we have met all the expectations of a company that has made quality and sophistication the distinguishing features of its business. I am sure that this vessel will represent another success for our shipyard in Ancona, which confirms its mission in the medium-sized luxury ships segment, but also for the Fincantieri Group, a leader in the cruise market."

SunStone Ships celebrates keel-laying of Greg Mortimer

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 June 2018 26 June 2018

SunStone Ships, Inc. announced the June 12, 2018, keel-laying of the first Infinity Class vessel at China Merchants Heavy Industries in Haimen, China. The Greg Mortimer is the first passenger ship to combine European design and technology with the efficiency of Chinese shipbuilding. “We are pleased to have brought together world-class design from Tillberg, ground-breaking X-Bow technology from Ulstein, interior construction by Makinen and over a century of shipbuilding expertise from CMIH. This dream team is helping us pioneer a new age of expedition cruising, and we are proud to be a part of it,” remarked Niels-Erik Lund, SunStone’s President & CEO.

The first Infinity-class vessel, to be named Greg Mortimer, will be delivered in August 2019 to Aurora Expeditions, Australia on a long-term, deck and engine timecharter. The vessel will operate Antarctic cruises in the winter; and Arctic cruises in the summer. The technical management will be the responsibility of Cruise Management International, Miami, while the hotel management will depend on the expertise of CMI Leisure, Miami.

Representing Aurora Expeditions were Messrs. Neville Buch, Chairman, and Robert Halfpenny, President. Also participating in the keel-laying ceremony, were representatives of the partners in all of the Infinity Class vessels: China Merchants Industry Holdings, China Merchants Heavy Industries, Ulstein Design and Solutions, Makinen-Finland, Tillberg Design-US, SunStone Ships and SunStone Marine Advisors-Miami.

The Greg Mortimer is the first in the series of Infinity Class vessels ordered by SunStone in a Framework Agreement for four firm orders and six options.

Costa Cruises and Fincantieri celebrates float out of Costa Venezia – its first ship being built specifically for China market

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 June 2018 22 June 2018

Costa Cruises and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, one of the largest shipbuilding groups in the world, today celebrated the official float-out ceremony of Costa Venezia – Costa first ship designed and built specifically for the China market. The ceremony was held at Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, where the ship is being built.

As part of today’s float-out ceremony, the new Costa ship officially reached the sea for the first time. The celebration followed the protocol provided by the seafaring tradition for such occasions, by flooding the basin where the ship took shape in recent months, following the cutting of the ribbon and the breaking of the bottle by the float-out ceremony’s godmother Chiara Ustulin, an employee of Monfalcone shipyard. Costa Venezia will enter service in March 2019, once the interior fittings have been completed.

More than just a new addition to its existing China-based fleet, the Costa Venezia marks a new milestone for the Italian company and its commitment to the future of the Chinese cruise industry.

“As our first ship built specifically for the Chinese market, Costa Venezia marks a new era not just for Costa Cruises and Fincantieri but for the Chinese cruise industry as a whole,” said Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Group Asia. “From its initial conception all the way through to today’s float-out ceremony and beyond, everything about Costa Venezia has been designed with the Chinese consumer in mind. Costa Venezia will continue to deliver on Costa Cruises authentic Italian experience while also providing a unique vacation experience that will resonate with Chinese guests by being fully tailored to their travel preferences.”

“Today we celebrate a milestone in the construction of Costa Venezia which, together with its sister ship, will strengthen Costa's commitment in an emerging market,” said Luigi Matarazzo, Fincantieri Executive Vice President New Building - Merchant Ships Business Unit. “Thanks to the effort of the Monfalcone shipyard, in a moment of exceptional growth of the cruise industry, we confirm our global leadership in this sector and our long term relationship with Costa Cruises”.

Designed with the specific leisure and entertainment requirements for Chinese guests, Costa Venezia will bring to life the passion of Venetian and Italian culture. The ship’s theatre will be inspired by the Venetian “La Fenice” theatre; the main atrium will recall “Piazza San Marco”, while restaurants will be dedicated to the typical architecture of Venetian alleys. Costa Venezia will also feature original “gondolas”, made by local artisans. An enchanting masked party will recreate on board the magic atmosphere of the famous Carnival of Venice. Guests will also be able to sample the delights of fine Italian dining, luxury Italian shopping and world-class Italian entertainment, while enjoying home comforts such as a range of Chinese cuisines and Chinese-style karaoke and the "Golden Party", with lots of surprises and gifts to be won every ten minutes.

Before arriving to China next May, Costa Venezia will set sail for two cruises, both departing from the Italian port of Trieste. On March 3, 2019 the vernissage cruise to Greece and Croatia, followed on March 8 by a 53-day inaugural cruise, in the footsteps of Marco Polo, making its way through the Mediterranean, the middle east, Southeast and East Asia, before arriving at Tokyo. The vernissage and the inaugural cruises will be the only departures available for European and American guests to enjoy a holiday on the new ship. Starting from 18 May 2019, Costa Venezia will be dedicated to Chinese guests, offering them an Italian twist throughout East Asia, with homeport in Shanghai.

Costa Venezia will mark the latest step in a long list of innovations from the first international cruise company to begin serving the local Chinese market in 2006. At a length of 323 meters and measuring 135,500 gross tons with a capacity of more than 5,100 guests, Costa Venezia will be Costa largest ship operating homeport cruises from China. Costa Venezia will also be followed by the launch of its sister ship in 2020, being built by Fincantieri at Marghera shipyard. These two new ships for Asia will bring to 14 the total number of Costa ships built by Fincantieri in Italy, for a total investment of over 6 billion euros. The projects for construction of the new ships require thousands of shipyard workers and ancillary employees. Employment benefits not only concerns the shipyards but, above all for the interior design, also external companies, most of which are Italian.

Overall, the Costa Group currently has seven new ships on order by 2023. Costa Venezia will be followed by Costa Smeralda, the new flagship of Costa Cruises, scheduled for delivery in October 2019.

Royal Caribbean's reimagined Mariner of the Seas starts her short cruises from the PortMiami

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 June 2018 22 June 2018

Coinciding with the first day of summer, Royal Caribbean International’s much-hyped Mariner of the Seas sailed into its new home at PortMiami today amped up with $120 million of new thrills, restaurants, staterooms and entertainment. Short getaways are forever changed with Mariner’s highly anticipated 4-night weekday and 3-night weekend cruises from Miami to The Bahamas. Giving millennial travelers more ways to play, the ship’s short itineraries pack more adventure than ever with Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience; the cruise line’s first Polynesian-inspired, tiki-chic bar, The Bamboo Room; glow-in-the-dark laser tag, racer waterslides and more.

The young and young at heart are invited to ditch the expected road trip for a short and action-packed cruise vacation on board Mariner of the Seas, where the thrills come alive from day to night.

New activities include:

– Sky Pad – The gravity-defying bungee trampoline experience amped up with virtual reality
– The Perfect Storm – A thrilling pair of three-story-high racer waterslides called Cyclone and Typhoon
– Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z – An epic glow-in-the-dark battle for the last planet in the galaxy
– Escape Room: The Observatorium – Royal Caribbean’s newest escape room challenge
– FlowRider – The cruise line’s signature 40-foot-long surf simulator, perfect for hanging ten

New food and beverage options:

– The Bamboo Room – A laidback Polynesian watering hole with a throwback vibe and kitschy-cool craft cocktails like the Island Old Fashioned and Tiki Tea – the first in Royal Caribbean’s fleet
– Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade – For fans watching their home team on one of more than 25 TV screens, making their own legendary plays at the arcade, or refueling on game-day favorites
– Jamie’s Italian – Serving fresh, handmade and rustic Italian fare by Chef Jamie Oliver, one of Britain’s most famous food exports
– Izumi Hibachi and Sushi – Asian-inspired dining featuring hibachi, sushi and sashimi and more – made to order with authentic flavors, the freshest ingredients and impeccable presentation

“Millennials want more frequent and shorter vacations that offer as much of that exhilarating adventure they seek. We’ve answered that call by investing $120 million in Mariner of the Seas and bringing her to Miami to sail 3- and 4-night cruises,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “With the combination of more thrills than you can count and visits to tropical destinations, Mariner is changing the game and taking the short getaway experience to a whole new level.”

Mariner of the Seas will welcome guests for the first time on Monday, June 25, as it sets sail on a 4-night cruise to The Bahamas. The newly reimagined ship will continue to offer 4-night weekday and 3-night weekend itineraries from Miami, with visits to Nassau and CocoCay. Beginning May 2019, Mariner will sail to the new Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first destination in Royal Caribbean’s recently announced collection of private island experiences around the world.

Along with the recently amplified Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s $900 million commitment to reimagine its fleet through a new effort called Royal Amplified. The program spans 10 ships in four years and will touch every facet of the guest experience. Introducing a wide range of bold, new features and experiences – from experiential dining and nightlife concepts, and first-of-its-kind attractions – Royal Amplified reflects the company’s passion for innovation, relentless attention to detail and commitment to delivering the best vacation.

Saga exceeds half of Spirit of Discovery booking target, unveils Saga Sapphire farewell programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 June 2018 22 June 2018

Saga Cruises, the British company that operates two ships catering for the 50 plus age group, is exceeding booking target of its first newbuilding, while it has also unveiled final cruises of Saga Sapphire.

“Bookings for our new cruise ship, Spirit of Discovery, are now over 55% of our sales target for the first nine months from June 2019, at attractive yields,” said Lance Bachelor, CEO of Saga plc that owns the cruise company, in a trading statement.

Spirit of Discovery is the first of two 55,900 gross ton newbuildings Saga Cruises has on order from Meyer Werft. It is due to enter service next year, followed by a sister ship in 2020.

The first new ship will replace the 1981 buit Saga Pearl II of 18,859 gross tons, while the second ship will take over from the 37,012 gross ton Saga Sapphire, which has been carrying Saga guests since 2012.

Saga Sapphire is to bow out with a 33-night Grand Finale sailing from May 6 to June 8, 2020, immediately after a circumnavigation of the British Isles. The ship’s farewell tour also features the Baltic, a gastronomically-themed cruise to Europe’s Atlantic coast and Morocco, and a Norwegian fjords exploration.

Before her last return to Southampton, Saga Sapphire’s final port of call will be Gibraltar, marking the start of a farewell party for up to 720 guests and 415 crew.It will complete a cruise taking in Valletta, Messina, Alexandria, Israel, the Greek islands, Athens and Istanbul, with chances to visit Bethlehem, dine in the shadow of the pyramids and attend a special event in an underground 4th-century cistern in Istanbul

The 15-night British Coast to Coast cruise from Dover visits Newcastle, Belfast and Liverpool, the Orkney and Channel Islands, as well as the Jurassic Coast, with entertainment including a highland feast, talks on the Royal Family, Shakespeare-inspired performances and a Beatles party.

Among the optional tours are a heritage train ride over the monumental Glenfinnan Viaduct and visits to Trinity College, Dublin, and Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh. The Scandinavian Vistas cruise of beautiful Baltic scenery features visits to fishing communities, plus film screenings and talks on the Nordic Noir dramatic style, before the ship’s final traverse of the Kiel Canal to Dover.

Guests can enjoy flamenco and Andalusian cuisine on the 19-night Tastes of Spain and Portugal sailing from Dover, as well as a cookery class in Casablanca, while the 10-night Musical Norway cruise, also from Dover, features the nine-mile long Geirangerfjord, with musical excursions and on-board jazz, and experience driving a Porsche 911 on a frozen lake.