With December shaping up as another busy month for drydocks, Cruise Industry News looks at some of the key jobs taking place before the end of 2024.
Balmoral
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Capacity: 1,340 guests
Tonnage: 43,537
Year built: 1988
Drydock Period: Nov. 30 to Dec. 15, 2024
Shipyard: A&P Falmouth (Falmouth, England)
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral is currently undergoing a drydock at the A&P Falmouth shipyard in England.
According to the cruise line, the 1988-built vessel is undergoing a program of repairs and refurbishments, including updates to technical aspects and public areas.
Work being carried out includes modifications to the propeller and rudder to improve the vessel’s performance and maneuverability, as well as overhauls of the propeller hubs, bow thrusters, stabilizers and main engine gearbox.
MSC Magnifica
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Capacity: 2,550 guests
Tonnage: 89,600
Year built: 2010
Drydock Period: Dec. 2 to Dec. 26, 2024
Shipyard: Palumbo Malta (Valletta, Malta)
The MSC Magnifica recently arrived at the Palumbo Malta shipyard to undergo routine maintenance and technical work.
After completing a year-round program in the United States in November, the ship is also undergoing class inspection and various other work.
The 2010-built vessel is also set to undergo general upkeep of its hotel areas and cabins before resuming service in late December.
Wind Surf
Cruise Line: Windstar Cruises
Capacity: 312 guests
Tonnage: 14,745
Year built: 1990
Drydock Period: Nov. 8 to Dec. 6, 2024
Shipyard: Navantia (Cádiz, Spain)
As part of the first phase of a major renovation, the Wind Surf recently underwent a month-long drydock at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain.
According to Windstar Cruises, the project included a full redesign of public areas, with updated layouts, furniture, lighting and custom artwork.
Staterooms also underwent significant updates with new technologies, including interactive TVs installed in all cabins and suites.
Noordam
Cruise Line: Holland America Line
Capacity: 1,900 guests
Tonnage: 82,348
Year built: 2006
Drydock Period: Nov. 24 to Dec. 8, 2024
Shipyard: Seatrium Tuas Shipyard (Singapore)
Set to spend the upcoming winter season in Asia and the Pacific, the Noordam is undergoing a drydock in Singapore.
After arriving at the drydock facility in late November, the ship is seeing technical maintenance and class work ahead of resuming service on Dec. 8, 2024.
The project also includes general maintenance to public areas and cabins, including the replacement of carpets, upholstery, tiles and more.
Celestyal Discovery
Cruise Line: Celestyal
Capacity: 1,270 guests
Tonnage: 42,200
Year built: 2003
Drydock Period: Nov. 22, 2024 to TBD
Shipyard: Skaramangas Shipyards S.A (Skaramangas, Greece)
The Celestyal Discovery arrived at the Skaramangas Shipyards in Greece in late November. Set to undergo a major refurbishment, the ship will receive several updates before resuming service in March 2025.
Work includes the addition of two new suites above the ship’s bridge, as well as 47 new staterooms in different areas of the vessel.
After being acquired from AIDA Cruises earlier this year, the Celestyal Discovery is set to spend the upcoming summer season in the Eastern Mediterranean.
