Chinese Eye 80,000-Ton Cruise Newbuild

n 80,000-ton cruise newbuild concept in China has obtained a China Classification Society in Principle approval certificate, a key item needed in moving forward with the construction process.

The ship was designed and developed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and its CSSC Cruise Technology Development subsidiary.

CSSC announced last week that its homegrown domestic Chinese brand, in partnership with Carnival Corporation, will launch service soon under the name Adora Cruises.

While two 135,000-ton Vista-class new ships are slated for Adora Cruises, this 80,000-ton ship could also join the brand should construction commence.

According to a statement, the ship is 293.5 meters long and features a high proportion of balcony cabins with approximately 70 per cent of accommodations featuring a balcony.

Next, CSSC will complete the basic design of the ship and submit plans to the China Classification Society for final approval.

Cruise Stocks Soar on Market Rise

Cruise line stocks surged on Thursday along with the market which went up on better-than-expected inflation reports.

Carnival Corporation saw its shares soar 14.3 per cent, closing at $9.78, compared to a 52-week low-high of $6.11 to $23.86.

Royal Caribbean saw a 9.9 per cent rise to $57.72 from a 52-week range from $31.09 to $90.55.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings rose 8.2 per cent to $17.09, compared to a 52-week low-high of $10.31 to $27.05

Lindblad Expeditions rose 6.5 per cent to $10.55 compared to a 52-week low-high of $5.91 to $19.13.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average had surged more than 1,000 points or more than 3% on the news that the October’s consumer price index rose only 0.4 per cent for the month and is up 7.7% from a year ago. It is the lowest monthly increase since January.

Cunard Pushes Back Introduction of New Queen Anne

Cunard Line has announced a delay to the introduction of its newest cruise ship, Queen Anne.

Originally set to enter service in early 2024, the 3,000-guest ship will now debut in early May, with the Carnival Corporation-owned brand citing numerous challenges in shipbuilding, including the supply chain and energy shortages.

The ship is under construction for the iconic brand at Fincantieri.

“As a result, our new ship Queen Anne will be arriving slightly later than expected,” the company said in a statement.

“We have automatically transferred guests booked or waitlisted on the maiden voyage to the new seven-night maiden voyage, which will depart from Southampton on May 3 2024, visit La Coruna on 5 May 2024, Lisbon on May 7, 2024, and then return to Southampton on May 10 2024.”

Queen Anne’s new maiden season voyages will include sailings from Southampton to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, and the Norwegian Fjords. Voyages go on sale this December.

Joining Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne makes it four ships for Cunard Line in 2024.