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Finnlines’ Superstar ro-paxes celebrate launching and keel laying

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 September 2022 01 September 2022

Finnlines is building two Superstar ro-pax vessels. The first vessel, Finnsirius, was launched on 30 August 2022 and the keel laying of the second one, Finncanopus, was celebrated on 1 September 2022. The two freight-passenger vessels will start to operate from Finland to Sweden and Åland Islands in 2023.

Finnlines has successfully completed the launching of the first Superstar ro-pax vessel, Finnsirius, construction on water will now continue. Construction of the second Superstar ro-pax vessel is also proceeding and a keel laying ceremony took place at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) to officially mark the start of the construction, i.e. hull erection.

Finnsirius and its sister vessel Finncanopus will operate on the Finland–Sweden route where Finnlines has sailed since 1997. The ports of call are Naantali in mainland Finland, Långnäs on the Åland Islands and Kapellskär in Sweden.

The combined freight-passenger vessel will have capacity for about 300 lorries, 200 cars and 1,100 passengers. The vessels are 235 metres long and they utilise the latest innovative technologies.

“Superstar ro-paxes will be larger than the existing Star class and they will be Finnlines’ flagships both in terms of size and technology, scaling up the connection and raising the standard offered to our customers,” says Antonio Raimo, Line Manager Finnlines.

Compared with the Star class vessels, the cargo carrying capacity of the Superstar ro-paxes will increase by 20%. Finnlines has designed cargo handling procedures so that they will be highly efficient for the Finland-Sweden route.

With comfortable cabins, large public spaces and upgraded services the vessels offer a new travel experience for passengers. “We offer the most convenient schedules for crossing the Baltic Sea,” says Raimo.

“We are proud to introduce the next generation of ro-pax vessels, which will enter service in 2023. With the latest technologies and sustainable innovations, these large vessels will not only bring economies of scale to our customers, but also a lower environmental footprint. Our drive to continuously improve both operational and financial efficiency ensures that we can continue to invest in our fleet and grow with our customers,” says Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO of Finnlines.

The next milestone for the Finnlines EUR 500-million Newbuilding Programme will be launching of the Finncanopus in January 2023. The ro-pax vessels are expected to be delivered in the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2023. The Newbuilding Programme also includes three hybrid ro-ro vessels already operating on Finnlines’ routes.

American Symphony christened in Natchez, Mississippi

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2022 31 August 2022

American Cruise Lines announced that American Symphony was christened yesterday, August 30th in Natchez, Mississippi – the new riverboat’s official Godmother City. The christening marks the on-time delivery of American’s 5th new modern riverboat in 4 years and the Line’s continued growth on the Mississippi River.

American Cruise Lines and the City of Natchez hosted a joint celebration for the country’s newest ship by welcoming cruise guests, as well as the communities of Natchez and Vidalia, to be a part of the official christening events. A festive presentation was held at the Natchez Convention Center which included musical performances by the Victory Belles, as well as speeches and special appearances from American Symphony’s official Godmother, Asya Branch, Miss USA 2020 & Miss Mississippi 2018; the Honorable Tate Reeves, Governor of Mississippi; the Honorable Delbert Hosemann, Lt. Governor of Mississippi; the Honorable Dan M. Gibson, Mayor of Natchez; the Honorable Buz Craft, Mayor of Vidalia; and Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines, among many others.

Immediately following the celebration at the Convention Center, both cruise guests and the Natchez community joined American Cruise Lines at the Ferry Street Landing for the christening ceremony at the ship. Godmother Asya Branch was joined by honored guests, Cynthia and Denise Patterson in christening the ship. Cynthia and Denise are sisters and American Cruise Lines’ Eagle Society members. Together, with their late mother Lois, they have explored destinations across the U.S.A. on 28 cruises with American Cruise Lines.

“American Cruise Lines led the last decade of river cruising on the Mississippi and, with new boats like American Symphony, will lead the next one. Natchez, Vidalia, and all the towns along the way make the Mississippi the best cruising river in the world. We are so grateful for all the community involvement in tourism on the river and we are honored to make Natchez the Godmother City of American Symphony,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines.

American Symphony is the 5th new modern riverboat American Cruise Lines has introduced in just 4 years. With its new fleet of riverboats, the company has transformed the U.S. river cruise market to compete on a global scale. American Symphony will be quickly followed in early 2023 by sister ship American Serenade, as well as 2 new small Coastal Cats, bringing American’s fleet to 17 small ships, exploring in 34 states.

Accommodating 175 guests, American Symphony features 5 decks and offers 100% private balcony staterooms, including gracious suites and single staterooms. The new riverboat has an elegant design which employs a stunning use of glass, allowing for unparalleled views throughout the ship. American Symphony also showcases American’s Modern Series hallmark—patented opening bow and retractable gangway, as well as the gorgeous 5th deck skywalk with an ellipse skylight, which cantilevers dramatically over the 4th deck café below. American Symphony also offers spacious lounges inside and out, a grand dining room, fitness center, and a wellness-yoga studio.

American Symphony’s sold-out inaugural cruise is following an 8-Day Lower Mississippi River itinerary which originally departed from New Orleans on Saturday, August 27th, and will conclude in Memphis, Tennessee on September 3rd. The new riverboat will continue to explore the Mighty Mississippi throughout 2022, including festive holiday cruises in December, and sail a full season again in 2023.

MSC Seascape to feature ROBOTRON – an ultimate amusement ride

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2022 31 August 2022

MSC Cruises’ new U.S. flagship will be packed with high-tech fun. Today the company announced a range of advanced onboard entertainment options on the upcoming MSC Seascape, starting with ROBOTRON – a thrilling amusement ride coming to the seas for the first time and combining the breath-taking rush of a rollercoaster with personalized music and lighting. The ship will also feature two new VR experiences and additional high-tech entertainment designed for thrill-seekers of all ages.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “We are excited to give our guests more access to cutting-edge experiences, which is why MSC Cruises’ is committed to bringing our newest ships to the U.S. We’re the first cruise line to offer something like ROBOTRON at sea, and we can’t wait for thrill-seekers to discover the ride of their life surrounded by the beauty of the Caribbean. Our new virtual reality motorcycles and flight simulator – plus fan favorites like the MSC Formula Racer and XD Cinema – will also feature truly immersive experiences, providing the most exhilarating line-up of rides we’ve ever offered.”

MSC Cruises is raising the bar when it comes to groundbreaking onboard entertainment options with MSC Seascape. ROBOTRON is a state-of-the-art robotic arm with an attached gondola that seats three guests – flying them nearly 175 feet above the sea. The adrenaline-pumping experience gives riders an unobstructed 360° view of the horizon as they hang over the edge of the deck, flip upside down and move in all directions.

ROBOTRON riders will be able to select their desired thrill level – a first among robotic arm rides – ranging from family-friendly to high-intensity. They can also set the mood with colored lights, music preferences and more. Coupled with the adjacent video screen, ROBOTRON acts as a moving DJ booth, with the rhythm and bass visualized as colorful patterns and pulses of light while the robotic arm is bouncing and twisting in tempo.

Other high-tech entertainment features on board MSC Seascape include:

– VR 360° Flight Simulator: This ride offers the ultimate virtual motion experience, complete with VR headsets and impressive special effects. Guests can choose from various worlds to dive into a thrill-ride like no other.
– VR Motorcycles: Guests with a need for speed will love MSC Seascape’s new VR motorcycles, where players will be transported to the racetrack with wind and water effects to complete the experience.
– MSC Formula Racer: Perfect for car racing enthusiasts ready to get their high-speed fix, this activity puts guests in the driver’s seat for a thrilling racing simulation game with realistic effects that will get their heart rates going.
– Immersive XD Cinema: The minute guests put on their 3D glasses, they dive into alternate worlds where players will battle it out against zombies, skeletons and more. Only one player can be crowned the victor, so guests will need to prove their sharp-shooting skills against each other for ultimate bragging rights.

Cruise lovers and thrill seekers can be first on board by sailing MSC Seascape’s delivery trip across the Atlantic. The 17-night MSC Grand Voyage will offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, departing Civatavecchia (Rome) on Saturday, November 19 with stops in Spain, Portugal, and Bermuda prior to arriving in New York City on Monday, December 5—a memorable way to spend Thanksgiving at sea.

MSC Seascape will be launched in New York at a Naming Ceremony on December 7, 2022 and then go into service from PortMiami, offering year-round Caribbean cruises with two different itineraries.

Royal Caribbean Group to use SpaceX’s Starlink to provide high-speed Internet onboard full cruise fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2022 31 August 2022

Royal Caribbean Group has announced its plan to implement SpaceX’s Starlink – making the Group the first in the cruise industry to adopt its high-speed, low-latency connectivity for a better onboard experience for guests and crew fleetwide. The innovative broadband internet service will be installed on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises ships, along with all new vessels for each of the brands.

Deployment of the Starlink technology across the fleet will begin immediately, leveraging the insights obtained from the trial onboard Freedom of the Seas, which has received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from guests and crew. The installation is slated to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

“Our purpose as a company is to deliver the best vacation experiences to our guests responsibly, and this new offering, which is the biggest public deployment of Starlink’s high-speed internet in the travel industry so far, demonstrates our commitment to that purpose,” said Jason Liberty, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Group. “This technology will provide game-changing internet connectivity onboard our ships, enhancing the cruise experience for guests and crew alike. It will improve and enable more high-bandwidth activities like video streaming as well as activities like video calls. Using Starlink is one more example of our continued focus on innovation and excellence for our guests, our crew, the communities we visit and our shareholders.”

Faster and more reliable internet will also make it easier for guests and crew to remain connected to work, family and friends – no matter where they are in the world.

“Royal Caribbean Group selecting Starlink to provide high-speed, low-latency internet across their fleet will make their passengers’ getaways even more luxurious,” said SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Sales Jonathan Hofeller. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Royal Caribbean Group to ensure travelers at sea can stay connected with a great internet experience.”

“Our work with SpaceX is another example of how Royal Caribbean Group continues to lead the cruise industry in innovation and adoption of cutting-edge technology,” Liberty added.

Silversea officially opens sales on inaugural Antarctica voyages of Silver Endeavour

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 August 2022 26 August 2022

Silversea Cruises has opened general sales for the inaugural season of its new ship Silver Endeavour, strengthening its position as the leading ultra-luxury expedition cruise line. One of the world’s most advanced and luxurious expedition vessels, Silver Endeavour will undertake 12 voyages to Antarctica from November 21, 2022, broadening the industry’s most diverse polar offering. Travelling aboard Silver Endeavour – on voyages that range from five to 20 days and include Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise sailings, as well as an extended ‘Deep South’ expedition and a new 10-day Antarctic Peninsula voyage – the cruise line’s guests will journey in Silversea’s trademark level of comfort, while enjoying some of the most immersive, personalised experiences available in Antarctica. Silversea has also unveiled the ship’s seven suite categories, which include some of the most spacious accommodations in expedition cruising.

“We are delighted to open sales on Silver Endeavour’s inaugural voyages, marking a new era in ultra-luxury expedition cruising,” said Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “Silver Endeavour will unlock some of the planet’s most remote and extreme destinations, welcoming guests in Silversea’s trademark level of comfort. With state-of-the-art technology, one of the highest ice-class ratings of any expedition cruise ship, and industry-leading Zodiac- and expert-to-guest ratios, our newest ship will offer a uniquely immersive expedition experience to our well-travelled guests.”

“Among the most advanced expedition ships at sea, Silver Endeavour will enhance the expedition experience to all new levels for our guests when she sets sail to Antarctica from November 2022,” said Conrad Combrink, SVP Expeditions, Destination and Itinerary Management, Silversea Cruises. “I look forward to accompanying our guests on her maiden voyage, as we fly over the Drake Passage to embark Silver Endeavour in King George Island, journeying deep into Antarctica on this milestone voyage.”