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Royal Caribbean reveals Wonder of the Seas' deployment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2021 20 April 2021

Royal Caribbean International today announced that Wonder of the Seas, the latest evolution of the revolutionary Oasis Class, will set sail from Shanghai and Hong Kong, China in 2022 on 4- to 9-night adventures through the Far East to the best of Japan and more. Currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France, Wonder will be the world’s largest cruise ship and the first of its kind to call China home when it arrives in March 2022. The ship’s inaugural season cruises are now open for bookings.

On the horizon for vacationers with their sights on a getaway aboard Wonder are visits to popular destinations in Asia. Between March and November, guests can sail roundtrip from Shanghai to Japan, where they can immerse themselves in the local sights and sounds. From pleasing their palate in Osaka, to exploring the nation’s oldest official residence in Fukuoka, to tasting the best beef in Kobe and enjoying the natural scenery of the islands of Okinawa, all senses can be fulfilled on these culture-rich itineraries. The combination of ports of call to choose from also include Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Ishigaki and Miyazaki, Japan.

Wonder will transition to warmer climates and homeport in Hong Kong, November 2022 through January 2023, to offer highly anticipated Christmas and New Year’s holiday sailings to several ports of call. Part of the destination lineup are Chan May, Vietnam; Busan and Jeju, South Korea; Kochi and Okinawa, Japan; and Taipei, China.

“China continues to be one of the most important parts of the world for Royal Caribbean. We have won the trust of our partners and the favor of travelers and built on that significantly since we first set sail 12 years ago. By introducing Wonder of the Seas and the iconic Oasis Class to China, our strong commitment to the market’s growth is reaffirmed yet again for years to come,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “It will be a remarkable moment to see years of partnership realized when the industry’s newest, most innovative ship becomes Shanghai’s new city skyline and takes cruise travel beyond imagination.”

Wonder is the fifth ship in Royal Caribbean’s renowned Oasis Class. With a gross tonnage of 236,857, the ship is 362 meters long and 64 meters wide, and it features a total of 18 decks and 2,867 staterooms to accommodate up to 6,988 guests. On deck for travelers of all ages are the signature amenities the world’s largest and unmatched ships are known for since they first revolutionized cruising more than a decade ago, including the unique neighborhood concept. Wonder will be the first of its kind to be designed with eight neighborhoods, introducing the new Suite Neighborhood alongside returning favorites Central Park, the open-air AquaTheater, sporting a new look and where jaw-dropping, high-diving acrobatic and aquatic performances take place; Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; and a 25-meter zip line 10 decks above the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Marella Cruises to offer UK domestic cruises on two ships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 April 2021 15 April 2021

Marella Cruises, which is part of the TUI AG group, said it would operate domestic cruises in the UK on two ships.

Marella Explorer will set sail from Southampton on UK itineraries from June 25, sailing to new ports of call including, Belfast, Dublin and Liverpool.

Marella Explorer 2, the cruise lines adult only ship, will also offer UK sailings from Newcastle from Saturday 10 July, with even more UK ports of call. Newcastle sailings will go on sale by the end of this month.

The company said Marella Explorer will sail seven new UK itineraries during the summer season perfect for those looking to explore via sea the history and culture of some amazing British cities and towns. All itineraries will have recommended excursions from our onboard destination services team to offer guests options to make the most of their time ashore.

"Sail the South Coast itinerary is a great taster and for those new to cruising with a three-night itinerary from Southampton, visiting Dover for Canterbury Cathedral and Portland for the beautiful Abbotsbury Swannery & Gardens. Cruisers looking for a longer break can experience the new Sail the Irish Sea. Departing in August from Southampton, it will visit popular cities including Liverpool, Dublin and Cobh in the Republic of Ireland," Marella Cruises said.

Anyone aged 18-years and older will be required to have had both COVID-19 jabs at least seven days before travelling. All under 18-year-olds, excluding infants under the age of two who will not be able to sail as they are exempt from testing, will be asked to have a lateral flow test.

All guests must also provide proof of a negative lateral flow test before boarding the ships at the start of the cruise, the company said.

Fincantieri delivers Viking Venus in Ancona

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 April 2021 15 April 2021

Viking Venus, the newest ocean cruise ship which Fincantieri is building for the shipowner Viking, has been delivered today at the shipyard in Ancona. The unit will be placed in the small cruise ship segment. As its sister ships, she is about 47,800 tons, 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers.

The ship, seventh of this class, has been designed by experienced naval architects and engineers, including an interior design team of London-based SMC Design, and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios, who gave the Viking Venus a modern design of Scandinavian inspiration, characterized by sophisticated yet functional elegance. In addition to the all-veranda staterooms, the ship also has spacious suites with sweeping views, two pools, of which one infinity pool off the stern, abundant options for al fresco dining, and a spa designed according to the wellness philosophy of the Scandinavian tradition, with a sauna and a snow grotto.

The Viking units are all built according to the latest navigation regulations and equipped with the most modern safety systems, including the “safe return to port”. They also feature energy-efficient engines, optimized hydrodynamics and hull thereby reducing consumption, as well as systems which minimize pollution produced by exhaust gases, meeting the strictest environmental regulations.

Fincantieri started its partnership with Viking in 2012, trusting the shipowner who was entering the ocean cruise market as a start-up. Today, the cooperation which first began with an order for two ships, has reached a total of 20 units, including the order awarded to Vard for two expedition cruise ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, and the options. This is an all-time record, the largest number of units built by a shipbuilder for one sole shipowner.

RMC wins order for two ropax ferries from Australia after delay

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 April 2021 14 April 2021

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), the Finnish shipbuilder, and Tasmanian shipping company TT-Line Company have finalised an agreement for the construction of two car and passenger ferries at Rauma shipyard, RMC said in a statement.

TT-Line had to withdraw from a previous Memorandum of Understanding last summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. Negotiations resumed in March this year, initiated by the Tasmanian government.

The employment impact of the project is approximately 3,500 person-years and will increase the number of ships to be built by RMC to eight. The construction of TT-Line’s vessels will begin in spring 2022.

Jyrki Heinimaa, CEO of RMC, is happy with how the two parties reached the agreement despite a very challenging situation worldwide. “We are very grateful for the trust shown to us by TT-Line Company and their representatives. This agreement means that our customer believes that we can offer a world-class solution that is perfect for their business, even in challenging operating conditions,” he said in the statement.

“We eagerly await these three years of fruitful collaboration with RMC. The vessels will also make extensive use of the expertise of Tasmanian companies,” says Bernard Dwyer, CEO of TT-Line Company.

Construction of the ships will begin in spring 2022. The first vessel will be delivered to TT-Line in late 2023 and the second one in late 2024. Once completed, the vessels will operate in challenging conditions on the Geelong–Devonport route running between mainland Australia and the island State of Tasmania. The ferries will accommodate 1,800 passengers and will have an approximate gross tonnage of 48,000. The vessels will replace the Spirit of Tasmania I and II, both built in Finland in 1998.

The agreement with TT-Line is a positive signal for RMC’s financial outlook for 2021, as it increases the company’s order book to approximately €1.6 billion and increases the number of ship projects at the shipyard to four.

RMC also achieved an excellent financial result last year despite the global coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, the company’s net sales more than quintupled from €38.1 million in the previous year to €220.1 million. Operating profit, on the other hand, increased from €1.9 million in the previous year to €6.7 million, the company said.

SunStone's Sylvia Earle launched in China

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 April 2021 09 April 2021

SunStone Ships and China Merchants Heavy Industries recently launched of Infinity-class vessel (CMHI 196-2) Sylvia Earle. "With a goal of marrying European design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency, the Infinity-class delivers cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies," the company said in a statement

SunStone CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We are very pleased with the quality and high building standards of China Merchants Heavy Industry, which are fully at the level of European Shipyards. We are looking forward to continuing our relationships with all our partners in the Infinity-class project and we, even considering the Covid-19 world crisis, are moving fast forward as planned at very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level.”

The launching ceremony of the Sylvia Earle (CMHI 196-2) took place at China Merchant Heavy Industries in Haimen, China. The vessel is chartered to Aurora Expeditions on a year-round long-term charter.

The companies also recently celebrated the keel laying ceremony of the Ocean Odyssey (CMHI 196-5). The vessel will do worldwide year-round expedition cruises for Vantage Travel.