Next Generation: Optimizing Ship Designs
The next generation of ships needs to be of flexible design, according to Giuseppe Torrente, head of the design department at Fincantieri’s Merchant Ship Business Unit. He said they need to be energy efficient and economical to operate. “Already more hydrodynamic hull forms require less propulsion power,” he explained. “The starting point is the speed….
Shipbuilding: Yards Battle for Orders
There were 22 ships on the orderbooks at press time, including options and memoranda of agreement, for deliveries from 2012 through 2016. While all the new ships are trending larger, they are not going anywhere near the size of the Oasis class. Instead, Royal Caribbean International’s new so-called Sunshine class is the largest among the…
Azamara: Flaunt Your Stuff!
Why is Azamara Club Cruises such a carefully kept secret in this industry? It is perplexing that this excellent product has to work so hard to rise above the marketing noise and clutter. Word of mouth still counts, however, particularly now with instant user internet reviews. We hope and feel strongly that Azamara will hold…
Disney: Legacy of Storytelling
Disney Cruise Line created the blue print for family cruising, according to Karl Holz, president of the cruise brand. He said the product is based on the story-telling legacy of Walt Disney and world-class entertainment. “Since its launch in 1998, the cruise line has continued to evolve, driven by its focus on innovation and leveraging…
Green: Environmental Society on Explorer
Onboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas, the eco-culture extends from a recently advanced wastewater purification(AWP) system installation to garbage processing, recycling, fuel savings, education and more, as showed by Richard Pruitt, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ associate vice president of environmental programs, and Explorer of the Seas Environmental Officer Bridget Sullivan, on an exclusive ship visit…
In Person: ‘Continuous Improvement’
His title sounds daunting, but Doug Santoni, senior vice president of strategic planning and continuous improvement at Royal Caribbean Cruises, seems to have both feet planted solidly on terra firma. He and his team work mainly for the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands. The strategic planning horizon is five to 10 years, going…
New Ships: Gains From New Hull
The new Princess Cruises’ ships will each have a 52 MW powerplant, consisting of two 12-cylinder and two 14-cylinder Wartsila F series engines. The engines will feature dual pumps to optimize fuel consumption, according to John Gunner, senior vice president of technical operations. With a hydro-dynamically improved hull form, the required propulsion power to run…