MSC Cruises: Six Drydocks for 2024
The MSC Fantasia drydocked in October in Malta for general hotel and technical work, as well as the installation of shore power, said Emilio La Scala, president and managing director for MSC Cruises Management UK. The company also sent the MSC Bellissima to the Huarun Dadong Dockyard in Shanghai in November. “This was the first…
Royal Caribbean Eyes More Shore Power Installations
The Royal Caribbean Group is making significant progress in adding shore power to its ships, said Lotfi Trabelsi, director of EMEA, speaking at the MedCruise General Assembly in Burgas, Bulgaria, this past October. He said the Royal Caribbean brand has shore power ready on eight ships and has plans for six more and is evaluating…
Oceania: Upper Premium Niche
Oceania Cruises is defined by three brand pillars, according to Frank A. Del Rio, president: Number one is having the finest cuisine at sea, number two is the curated travel experience, and number three is the mid-sized upper-premium market ships. “We created a niche,” Del Rio told Cruise Industry News. “We never wanted to be…
New Global Fresh Fish Program for Holland America
Holland America Line has launched a global fresh fish program whereby the cruise line is sourcing some 80 different types of fish from 60 ports worldwide, according to Michael Stendebach, vice president, food and beverage. Stendebach promised that fresh fish sourced locally is served onboard in less than 48 hours, going from port to plate….
Fincantieri: Expansion Strategy
Fincantieri’s business plan covers both newbuildings and conversions and upgrades, according to Andrew Toso, senior vice president, Fincantieri Services. Although they are two distinct activities, he said, they are complementary, ensuring the continuity and expansion of the cruise fleets. While cruise operators continue to invest in new ships, existing ships can remain competitive and attractive…
MSC Cruises: ‘Investing More’
2024 will be about building up in the North American market and the return of China, said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. “We are investing more in North America,” he said, pointing to the Meraviglia’s program year-round out of New York, the Magnifica sailing short cruises out of Miami, and the expansion of Ocean…
V.Ships Leisure: The Cruise Incubator
Providing vessel management services for various cruise lines, V.Ships Leisure is a flexible behind-the-scenes incubator for cruise brands. “For new brands, start-ups and transformations, we can help take an existing company and transform them,” said Per Bjornsen, CEO. Recent examples include the refurbishment and technical management of both the Crystal Symphony and Serenity. “They wanted…
Great Lakes Cruising: Variety of Attractions
“Great Lakes destinations provides a variety of opportunities for cruise lines to develop unique itineraries. Starting with transiting the locks along the St. Lawrence Seaway and St. Mary’s River and visiting up to 35 destinations in the five Great Lakes,” said Rebecca Yackley, director, Office of Trade and Economic Development, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway…
Carnival Corporation Is Accelerating Efficiency Goals
Carnival Corporation’s 2030 carbon-intensity-reduction goal of 40 percent has been moved up to 2026. “What we thought we could do by 2030 (compared to a 2008 baseline) we are now comfortable we can do by 2026,” said Admiral Bill Burke, chief maritime officer at Carnival Corporation. “That’s a big one.” How? It goes beyond a…
Viking On Course to Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Viking is moving firmly in the direction of hydrogen fuel cells, according to Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman. Operating 10-ocean going cruise ships now and 10 more slated for deliveries by 2030, he said that the thirteenth ship will be equipped with a 6 MW fuel cell installation, providing a third of the ship’s power…
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings: Methanol Ready
In light of their commitment to pursue net zero (emissions) by 2050, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) recognizes that the design decisions made today will significantly impact its ability to transition to the future, Jessica John, vice president of investor relations, ESG, for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, told Cruise Industry News. “Though we do not…
Fincantieri: Driving Innovation
Cross-fertilization drives innovation at the Fincantieri Group, according to CEO Pierroberto Folgiero, who referred to the company’s different business sectors for cruise, naval and offshore and specialized vessels, in addition to several subsidiaries in automation, engine manufacturing and more, including fuel cells for submarines. “Cruise ships are of course very different from naval combat vessels,…
Hurtigruten’s Sea Zero Concept: Maximizing Efficiency with Latest Tech
“We wanted to focus on how to reduce energy consumption on the ships instead of going straight into what kind of fuel type or energy source we will use,” said Gerry Larsson-Fedde, chief operating officer at Hurtigruten Norway. The company’s new Sea Zero concept, in partnership with various suppliers, aims to produce an energy-efficient Norwegian…
Adora Will Be Largest Brand in China in 2024
Adora Cruises will be the number one cruise line in China in 2024 with ships sailing from a variety of homeports as the new, built-for-China, built-in-China Adora Magic City debuts into revenue service on January 1 from Shanghai, according to Ranfeng Chen, managing director. The cruise line is a joint venture dating back to 2018…
‘Efficient Solutions’ from Chantiers de l’Atlantique
Looking ahead, Chantiers de l’Atlantique will deliver the Celebrity Ascent this November, which is another project delivered on time despite headwinds coming out of the pandemic followed by the Ukraine war and supply chain hurdles, said Arnaud Le Joncour, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the shipyard. Earlier this year, the yard delivered…