KONE has signed a contract with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the delivery of elevators to two new cruise ships. The ships will be built at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. At 141,000 gross tons, the two new vessels, which have a maximum passenger capacity of 3,600, will be the largest cruise ships ever built by Fincantieri for the U.S.-based Carnival Corporation.

For each ship, KONE will design, supply and install altogether 38 units tailored for passengers and service use, of which 28 will be custom-designed elevators, four platform lifts and six stair lifts for passengers with impaired mobility.

Scheduled for delivery in 2013 and 2014, these two ships, as prototypes, are considered to become the most exclusive and innovative in the world, and they will be the flagships of Princess Cruises’ fleet. Princess Cruises is the premium brand of the world’s largest cruise ship company Carnival Corporation & plc. The first ship has been named Royal Princess.

“We are very pleased to work with Fincantieri again, and we are proud to have met the requirements of both Fincantieri and Carnival,” says Heikki Leppänen, EVP, New Equipment, KONE. “With this collaboration, KONE continues its long-term commitment to the marine industry and strengthens its market leader position as the number one elevator and escalator solution provider for the cruise ship segment.”