Cunard Officially Welcomes Queen Anne with Ceremony at Fincantieri Shipyard

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The Queen Anne has officially joined Cunard’s fleet during a handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, according to a press release.

The event was attended by the Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, and Italian Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani.

Also present were Katie McAlister, president of Cunard; Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri; Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division; and Marco Lunardi, director of Fincantieri Shipyard.

McAlister said: “We are so excited to welcome Queen Anne to our fleet as she completes a remarkable quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria – marking the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service. We are now fully focused on readying her to welcome guests for her maiden voyage on May 3 before she embarks on a historic British Isles Festival Voyage, including a momentous Naming Ceremony in Cunard’s spiritual home of Liverpool on June 3.”

The 3,000-passenger ship will now set sail for Southampton ahead of its seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3.

Folgiero added: “We are very pleased and eager to deliver Queen Anne to Cunard, a pioneering figure in luxury sea travel, renowned for setting new standards in oceanic voyages for over 180 years. This beautiful and iconic ship testifies to the longstanding partnership between our two companies, underscoring our shared commitment to excellence and tradition in the maritime industry. Queen Anne, as Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, the other two ships we built for Cunard, proudly bear Fincantieri’s signature, embodying our enduring expertise, reliability, and craftsmanship in shipbuilding.

“Constructing a liner for such a distinguished shipowner not only reconnects us to our origins but propels us towards the future with a determination to blend tradition and innovation. Fincantieri thus confirms its leadership in the cruise shipbuilding sector, a fundamental pillar of the company’s business project, as both the Group’s Business Plan and the vitality of the post-pandemic cruise sector clearly show.”

Carnival Lists Miami Headquarters for Sale; Looking to Downsize

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Carnival Corporation has listed its headquarters in Miami for sale, after owning it for nearly three decades.

According to Bloomberg, the company is now looking to downsize to about 300,000 square feet of new office space in the Miami area in the next two years. 

Cruise Industry News understands many Carnival employees work fully remotely following the pandemic.

A spokesperson confirmed that the company is “exploring options for new office facilities,” according to the Bloomberg story. 

Located 15 miles from the Port of Miami, the 470,000 square feet Doral headquarters has served as Carnival’s base since it was acquired in 1983. The Miami space is being listed with commercial real estate broker Cushman & Wakefield Plc.

MSC Cruises Introduces 7 Districts on World America

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MSC Cruises announced seven distinct districts onboard its upcoming ship, the MSC World America, designed to provide tailored experiences, set to launch in 2025.

From a dedicated family area or tranquil zen area to a busy promenade with entertainment, shops and bars, guests can choose among a variety of options to relax.

Combining bars, restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities, each district will be tailored to the needs and moods and desires of guests throughout their time onboard.

MSC World America’s seven districts include:

MSC Yacht Club: MSC Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship experience opens up to guests staying in this secluded retreat with keycard-only access. This relaxed and elegant atmosphere offers personalized service with 24/7 butler service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, exclusive lounge and dining areas and more.

Family Aventura: Located at the top of the ship, Family Aventura features The Harbour, a new outdoor park for families. The park will feature a new attraction never before seen at sea that will soon be revealed, along with a family dwelling area and a playground modeled after the lighthouse at Ocean Cay island.

Aqua Deck: Home to the ship’s two main pools, the Aqua Deck offers experiences such as wellness offerings in the morning and parties at night.

Zen Area: The adults-only Zen Area, located at the stern of the ship, offers the ideal space for sunbathing, waterside lounging and taking in breathtaking ocean views.

Galleria: In the central heart of the ship is the Galleria, offering dining options, exclusive shopping, games, live music at the Dolce Vita Bar and more.

The Terraces: Featuring nine restaurants and bars, four retail shops and a comedy club, The Terraces offer a diverse range of entertainment from DJ sets to comedy.

Promenade: The half-covered outdoor promenade on deck 8, the area has plenty to offer. From morning coffee at the Emporium coffee bar to drinks and dinners with spectacular water views, the Promenade has something for every guest.