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  • Almaco Completes Modernization Project on Harmony of the Seas
  • MSC Breaks Ground on Sandy Cay Private Island in The Bahamas
  • Carnival UK expects a single-digit percentage headcount cut amid restructuring
  • Ambassador acquires Oceania ship to establish German cruise brand
  • Royal Caribbean Group Buys 50% of Sandals Resorts

about

I love all things Cruise and add that to my hobby Photography I’m in dreamland, I’m an exTravel agency owner with the inside contacts, so I will try to keep you updated in all things travel related with a side serving of images and other maritime stories.
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    Premium Cruise Brands Accelerate Global Restart

    16 August, 2021

    A big Thank You to https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news for this Article.

    With more cruise vessels sailing again, premium cruise brands are quickly resuming operations around the world.

    Here are the latest plans from eight key brands:

    Celebrity Cruises
    First sailing: In service since June 5, 2021
    Ships: Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Xpedition, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Xploration
    Regions: Caribbean, Mediterranean, United Kingdom, Galapagos and Alaska

    As part of its phased restart plan, Celebrity Cruises currently has eight vessels back in service. After first resuming guest operations in the Caribbean and in the Mediterranean, the Royal Caribbean-owned brand welcomed the passengers back in the United Kingdom and in the Galapagos.

    In June, Celebrity also pioneered the restart in the United States, with the Celebrity Edge becoming the first vessel to sail from the country with paying passengers in 15 months. Now, three Celebrity ships are sailing from U.S. ports, including the Celebrity Millennium, which relaunched service for the brand in Alaska.

    A ninth vessel is set to welcome the guests back in September, as the Celebrity Xploration resumes its regular schedule of Galapagos expeditions.

    Holland America Line
    First sailing: In service since July 24, 2021

    Ships: Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam 
    Regions: Alaska, Mediterranean, Mexico, Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal and California

    Holland America Line relaunched service in July, with a series of Seattle-based Alaska sailings. Now, the brand is expanding its restart to Europe, as the Eurodam sails a program of Mediterranean cruises from Greece.

    The Carnival-owned brand also plans to welcome the guests back in the Caribbean, the West Coast and other destinations. Starting in September, six ships are set to sail from Port Everglades and San Diego, including the new Rotterdam.

    The recently delivered newbuild is set to enter service in October, offering a transatlantic crossing before starting its inaugural season in the Caribbean.

    Princess Cruises
    First sailing: In service since July 25, 2021
    Ships: Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Regal Princess, Grand Princess, Ruby Princess, Enchanted Princess, Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess
    Regions: Alaska, United Kingdom, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii and California 

    Princess Cruises returned to guest operations in the United States, as the Majestic Princess kicked off a shortened Alaska season in July. Based in Seattle, the vessel remains in the region through late September, before repositioning to Los Angeles for a series of West Coast cruises.

    The premium cruise line also resumed service in Europe, with two vessels offering a series of “Seacations” around the British Islands through the end of summer.

    This fall, Princess is also welcoming the passengers back in San Francisco and Port Everglades. Between September and November, eight Princess vessels will once again offer cruises to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii and the California Coast.

    Oceania Cruises
    First sailing: August 29, 2021
    Ships: Marina, Riviera, Insignia and Sirena
    Regions: Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean and World Cruise

    Oceania Cruises plans to resume service in August, with the Marina welcoming the guests back for a Northern Europe season. The 1,250-guest vessel will resume her originally published voyage schedule, starting in Copenhagen.

    A second ship, the Riviera, will restart operations in October, sailing a series of Mediterranean voyages, prior to a winter season in the Caribbean.

    Phased restart dates for the balance of the fleet are in the plans, with two additional ships resuming service between December 2021 and January 2022.

    Cunard Line
    First sailing: August 13, 2021
    Ships: Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2
    Regions: United Kingdom, Transatlantic Crossings, Western Europe, Atlantic Islands and Caribbean

    Before resuming international operations, Cunard is restarting service in the United Kingdom. Starting on August 13, the Queen Elizabeth offered a series of domestic scenic cruises around the British Islands, sailing from Southampton.

    Following its local program, the vessel is offering new UK-based itineraries to Western Europe and the Atlantic Islands.

    The Queen Mary 2, meanwhile, resumes service in November, offering transatlantic crossings before sailing new short breaks in Western Europe. Later in the year, the vessel is also sailing in the Caribbean with three new cruises.

    Dream Cruises
    First sailing: In service since July 26, 2020
    Ships: Genting Dream, World Dream and Explorer Dream
    Regions: Asia – Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong

    Asia-based Dream Cruises is currently offering “Super Seacations” from two different homeports. In line with local government protocols, the World Dream is sailing short cruises to nowhere from Singapore, while the Genting Dream offers a similar product from Hong Kong.

    The first vessel to resume service for the brand, the Explorer Dream had started to offer Taiwan island-hopping itineraries in July 2020. According to Dream’s website, after a service suspension, the sailings are now set to resume on August 18, 2021.

    Azamara
    First sailing: August 28, 2021

    Ship: Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey
    Region: Mediterranean and Caribbean

    Currently being prepared for its restart, the Azamara Quest will be the first vessel back in action for Azamara.

    Now an independent brand, Azamara will relaunch operations on August 28, with a series of sailings in the Eastern Mediterranean.

    After cancelling and replacing many sailings due to ongoing complexities of cruise operations in several regions of the world, the company is also planning a revised 2021-2022 season.

    The new program has the Azamara Journey resuming service on October 13, with a series of Europe sailings that will be extended through the winter. The Azamara Questwill offer an expanded season in the Caribbean after the initial sailings in the Mediterranean.  

    The Azamara Pursuit and the new Azamara Onward will resume cruising in 2022.  

    Saga Cruises
    First sailing: In service since June 27, 2021
    Ship: Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure
    Region: Europe – United Kingdom, Northern Europe and Mediterranean

    After welcoming its passengers back on the Spirit of Discovery in June, Saga Cruises is currently offering domestic cruising in the United Kingdom with its two-ship fleet.

    Now, the British brand plans to step up its restart with international cruises. Set to return later this month, the multi-country itineraries include sailings to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and more from Dover, England.

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    New Norwegian Prima Floated Out at Fincantieri

    13 August, 2021

    The new Norwegian Prima was recently floated out at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Venice, the first of six in a class of newbuilds for the Miami-based cruise line.

    A ship’s float out is always a significant milestone, but this one is particularly special”, said Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Our eighteenth ship, Norwegian Prima represents an exciting new chapter for our Brand and the first vessel to be delivered in our groundbreaking new Prima Class.

    “We’ve worked closely with our partners at Fincantieri to deliver a truly remarkable vessel. Their passion, skill and craftsmanship have brought to life one of the most stylish and innovative ships to ever set sail. I’m thrilled we’re now one step closer to welcoming our guests onboard in just 12 months’ time,” Sommer concluded.

    “The float out of Norwegian Prima signifies a renewed confidence in cruise and a new era for shipbuilding,” said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri. “We are glad to celebrate not only many months of hard work, but also the true spirit of collaboration between our brands – a partnership that will lead the way for a pioneering class of ships in NCL’s Prima Class.”

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    Drydock Frenzy as Cruise Lines Restart

    12 August, 2021

    The resumption of global cruise operations is keeping drydock busy around the world. With more cruise ships restarting service, cruise companies are rushing to get necessary work done before welcoming the passengers back onboard, as predicted by Cruise Industry News earlier this year.

    In Europe some drydocks have seen a dramatic increase in the number of cruise ships projects, almost seemingly overnight.

    Popular among several cruise lines, the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, has been one of the busiest facilities.. Working on vessels from brands such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Marella and Azamara, the yard currently has five ships in  Cádiz, with two more on the way.

    According to the local press, Navantia plans to work on18 cruise ship projects through the end of the year. the year.

    The work performed by the facility includes necessary classification society inspections,  technical maintenance and modernization. Recent work included the Liberty of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Celebrity Constellation, which underwent repairs and revision of propulsion and steering equipment, hydro blasting and application of silicone paint.

    Marseilles, has also been a the hotspot, working closely with Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Group’s Silversea.

     Carnival completed four drydocks in the facility recently, with all vessels undergoing regular maintenance and a change of hull colors. A fifth Carnival vessel – the Carnival Legend – is currently at the shipyard, along with Silversea’s Silver Spirit.

    Also recently,, the Palumbo Malta Shipyard worked on several MSC ships for their restart operations. Located in Valletta, the yard was partly acquired by the MSC Group in 2020 and currently has the MSC Preziosa docked there.

    Bigger Projects Making a Comeback

    While most of the current drydock projects are limited to mandatory and technical work, some vessels are also seeing significant refurbishment and conversion projects in 2021.

    After virtually all those projects scheduled for 2020 were cancelled or postponed, a few are now being carried out.

    In April, the former Star Princess was converted into a P&O ship in Singapore. Also in Singapore, Ponant’s Paul Gauguin emerged renovated a few weeks before, with revamped interiors and cabins.

    Work on Carnival Victory was also resumed recently. The vessel is set to be transformed into the Carnival Radiance with all new interiors and revamped cabins in a $200 million project. 

    Another big project confirmed for the year is the conversion of the Silver Wind into an ice-class expedition vessel. Previously scheduled for 2020, the project is now set to be completed by the end of 2021.

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