While the number of cruise ships entering drydock during the summer season is usually slim, this summer has seen plenty of refurbishment projects.
From major conversion works to regular maintenance and class inspections, Cruise Industry News looks at some of the key cruise ship drydocks taking place between June and August.
For a complete overview of the market, see the 2024 Drydock and Refurb Report.
Villa Vie Odyssey
Cruise Line: Villa Vie Residences
Capacity: 977 guests
Tonnage: 23,344
Year built: 1993
Drydock Period: April 28 to TBD
Shipyard: Harland & Wolff (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
After arriving in Belfast in late April, Villa Vie’s Odyssey spent most of the summer in a drydock at the Harland & Wolff shipyard.
Formerly operated by Fred. Olsen as the Braemar, the 1993-built vessel is now operating forfor Villa Vie Residences, a startup cruise operator that aims to offer a continuous world cruise.
With guests set to live onboard, the Odyssey was initially expected to leave the shipyard in mid May. However, a series of delays pushed the ship’s debut back by over two months.
Nautica
Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises
Capacity: 684 guests
Tonnage: 30,200
Year built: 2000
Drydock Period: June 19 to June 28
Shipyard: Damen (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Oceania Cruises’ Nautica recently underwent a routine drydock at Damen’s shipyard in Rotterdam.
During a nine-day drydock, the 2000-built vessel underwent extensive upgrades, as well as regular maintenance and class inspections.
After resuming service in late June, the Nautica continued its summer program in Northern Europe, offering ten- to 12-night cruises to the Baltic Sea, the British Isles and Scandinavia.
Piano Land
Cruise Line: Astro Ocean Cruises
Capacity: 1,806 guests
Tonnage: 69,000
Year built: 1995
Drydock Period: June 20 to July 10
Shipyard: COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Zhoushan, China)
Before resuming service for Astro Ocean Cruises on July 25, the Piano Land underwent a drydock at the COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry shipyard in Zhoushan, China.
Formerly operated by P&O Cruises as the Oriana, the 1995-built vessel was prepared to welcome guests back with regular maintenance, technical overhauls and class inspections.
The project also included significant updates to the vessel’s security and Wi-Fi systems, as well as repairs to outdoor teak and plastic decks, replacement and overhaul of pipes, the laying of over 8,000 meters of cables and more.
Azamara Quest
Cruise Line: Azamara
Capacity: 710 guests
Tonnage: 30,200
Year built: 2000
Drydock Period: July 28 to August 10
Shipyard: Damen (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
The Azamara Quest is currently at one of the drydocks of the Damen shipyard in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
One of the four Azamara ships set to undergo regular maintenance in 2024, the 2000-built vessel is receiving hull cleaning and painting, underwater inspections, inspections of stabilizers, rudders, propellers and bow thrusters.
With the ship set to resume service on August 10, the project also includes the modernization of various onboard systems, including HVAC.
Carnival Splendor
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line
Capacity: 3,000 guests
Tonnage: 113,300
Year built: 2008
Drydock Period: August 5 to August 24
Shipyard: TBD (Singapore)
Carnival Cruise Line’s Australia-based vessel, the Carnival Splendor, is set to undergo a 19-day drydock in Singapore starting on August 5.
In addition to regular maintenance, class work and technical upgrades, the 2008-built vessel is set to receive new dining options, updated amenities and refreshed spaces.
Before resuming service on August 24, the Splendor is also expected to receive Carnival’s livery and hull colors.
