News

Fincantieri and Ponant sign MoA for the construction of two new-generation cruise ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 20 November 2019 20 November 2019

Fincantieri has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA), worth about 300 million euro, for the construction and design of two new-generation luxury expedition cruise vessels for the French cruise company Ponant, a subsidiary of Artemis Group (holding company of the Pinault family). The MoA also envisages an option for one further sister ship.

The finalization of the contract is subject to the fulfilment of technical and financial conditions.

The new units, due for delivery both in 2022, will represent an evolution of the Ponant Explorers class vessels. They will be operated in the South Pacific areas for Paul Gauguin Cruises brand as well as the eponymous ship acquired recently by Ponant, thus bringing the number of ships under this brand to three. They will be built by Vard group’s production network, and they will be about 11.000 gross tons with the capacity to accommodate about 230 passengers on board.

They will be equipped with cutting-edge technology in terms of environment protection, featuring the most extensive battery package application in the market, allowing smokeless operation at anchor, in ports and in environmentally sensitive areas. Furthermore, the agreement paves the way to further cooperation between Ponant, Fincantieri and Vard for the development of other environmentally friendly projects.

Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of Ponant, commented: “We are delighted to continue our historic collaboration with Fincantieri. This agreement for two additional ships allows us to develop Paul Gauguin brand acquired a few weeks ago and consolidates our position as the world leader of luxury expedition cruise. For the first time in the world of cruising, these two new vessels will cut their engines and cease all emissions each day during each stop, for nearly ten hours per day. Small-capacity ships at the cutting edge of technology and environmental preservation: this project fully matches our philosophy of sustainable tourism."

The CEO of Fincantieri, Giuseppe Bono, stated: “We cannot but welcome with great pleasure the acknowledgement of the partnership with a ship owner like Ponant for this new-generation project, strongly inspired by environmental protection, which takes us to 13 units for them”. Bono concluded: “The strengthening of the commercial relations with our clients, as well as the consolidation of the production network of the Group and of the synergies we develop within it, are the best possible feedbacks highlighting the success of our strategies."

Valiant Lady, Virgin Voyages second ship, to cruise from Barcelona summer 2021

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 19 November 2019 19 November 2019

Virgin Voyages, the new cruise venture in Sir Richard Branson’s business empire, said their second ship will be called Valiant Lady and that it will sail on three different seven night Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona, Spain when it debuts in May 2021.

Itinerary 1 includes Barcelona, Ibiza, Monte Carlo, Marseille and Olbia.

Itinerary 2 includes Barcelona, Ibiza, Toulon, Ajaccio, Marina di Carrara and Cagliari.

Itinerary 3 includes Barcelona, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and the British port of Gibraltar.

“We are thrilled to unveil the name of our second ship - Valiant Lady - and to deliver on our commitment to offer travelers a sea change in how they can experience cruising in this fantastic part of the world. Our Sailors will fall in love with the places we go and the moments and memories they will be able to create on our gorgeous ship. After all, there is no better way to sail the seven seas than doing it the Virgin way,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages.

The Miami based company has four 110,000 gross ton ships on order at Fincantieri in Italy.

Celebrity Edge to have all female bridge and officer team

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 19 November 2019 19 November 2019

Celebrity Cruises, the premium market unit in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, said its Celebrity Edge will feature all female bridge and officer team from March 2020.

“This historic sailing will take place on International Women's Day – March 8, 2020 – aboard the brand's newest and award winning ship, Celebrity Edge. Captain McCue will be at the helm and will be accompanied by 26 other women to create an all-female bridge and officer leadership team, and Celebrity's President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo,” the company said in a statement.

"We are all passionate about closing the gender gap," said Lutoff-Perlo. "Over the last few years, we have worked hard to diversify the crew on board and bring more women than ever into our industry. None of this could have been possible without the leadership and shared vision of the extraordinary men and women I work with every day, led by Patrik Dahlgren and Brian Abel– who take this challenge to heart and have made it possible. We are fortunate to have many incredible, experienced and beyond-qualified women who have worked tirelessly to achieve these positions. And we also celebrate the many men who continue to support them and help champion having more women crew onboard."

Senior Vice President of Global Marine Operations for Royal Caribbean Crusies Ltd. Patrik Dahlgren, who has spearheaded Celebrity's bridge diversification efforts under the leadership of Lutoff-Perlo, added: "Since 2015, we have raised the percentage of qualified women on our navigational bridges from 3% to 22%. Now, we hope this all-time industry-high will continue to grow; we just need more women to raise their hands for careers at sea, especially in engineering."

"Excitement does not even begin to describe how I'm feeling about working alongside these incredible, barrier-breaking women on Celebrity Edge for this truly historic sailing," added Captain McCue. "I am inspired every day by the amazing women we have working throughout this organization – both on land and at sea. They're proof that there's power in diversity."

The below all-women bridge and leadership team for this historic sailing of Celebrity Edgerepresents 17 different countries, including: