November will be a busy month for drydocks as Cruise Industry News looks at some of the key drydock jobs taking place during the month, which not only include routine maintenance but also major modernization and refurbishment projects, as well as emergency repairs.
Norwegian Encore
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Capacity: 4,200 guests
Tonnage: 164,600
Year Built: 2019
Drydock Timeframe: Nov. 18 to Dec. 2, 2024
Shipyard: Damen Brest (Brest, France)
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Encore is scheduled to undergo a major refurbishment at Damen this month in France.
Completing five years of service in 2024, the 4,200-guest vessel is set to get updated public areas, new cabins and refreshed dining venues.
Among the new features being added is Spice H2O, an adults-only complimentary sun deck. The Encore will also see part of its Observation Lounge converted into new balcony cabins, while two specialty restaurants, Cagney’s and Teppanyaki, will be expanded.
Voyager of the Seas
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Capacity: 3,430 guests
Tonnage: 142,000
Year Built: 1999
Drydock Timeframe: Oct. 24 to Dec. 9, 2024
Shipyard: Navantia (Cádiz, Spain)
The Voyager of the Seas entered drydock in Spain in late October following a summer deployment in the Mediterranean.
The 1999-built ship is currently undergoing regular maintenance, as well as technical work, class surveys and overhauls.
Minor updates to public areas and facilities are also expected to take place before the Voyager welcomes passengers back for a trans-Atlantic crossing to Florida on Dec. 9, 2024.
Artania
Cruise Line: Phoenix Reisen
Capacity: 1,200 guests
Tonnage: 45,000
Year Built: 1984
Drydock Timeframe: Nov. 6 to Dec. 1, 2024
Shipyard: Lloyd Werft (Bremerhaven, Germany)
The Artania is currently in a shipyard in Germany for what Phoenix Reisen describes as a major modernization project.
According to the company, the ship will see a 20-million-euro investment during its month-long drydock, which will include the addition of new balcony cabins, as well as upgrades to public areas and facilities.
Before resuming service in early December, the Artania is also scheduled to undergo technical updates that focus on efficiency in areas such as air conditioning and fuel consumption.
Scenic Eclipse
Cruise Line: Scenic Cruises
Capacity: 228 guests
Tonnage: 16,500
Year Built: 2019
Drydock Timeframe: Oct. 28 to Nov. 27, 2024
Shipyard: Gulf Copper (Galveston, United States)
After having three cruises cancelled due to a propulsion issue, the Scenic Eclipse arrived at the Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston in late October.
The expedition vessel is now undergoing repairs, which include the replacement of one of its Azipods, before resuming service in Antarctica later this month.
According to Scenic, the new propulsion unit will replace one that is currently inoperable. The new pod arrived in Texas via a chartered Antonov 124 aircraft.
Scarlet Lady
Cruise Line: Virgin Voyages
Capacity: 2,770 guests
Tonnage: 110,000
Year Built: 2020
Drydock Timeframe: Nov. 15 to Nov. 27, 2024
Shipyard: Fincantieri (Palermo, Italy)
Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady, is entering drydock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo for significant upgrades.
According to the company, the 2020-built ship will see the addition of new dining and entertainment experiences, as well as the creation of new suites.
About to complete five years of service, the ship is also seeing an expansion of its non-smoking casino before resuming service on Nov. 28, 2024.
