Silversea orders ship to be delivered in 2017

Silversea said the new Silver Muse will become its flagship vessel.

Silversea Cruises has ordered a 596-passenger ship from Fincantieri that the luxury line is calling its new flagship vessel.

To be called Silver Muse, the 40,000-gross-ton ship is expected to be delivered in the spring of 2017. It will be Silversea’s largest ship and the ninth in its fleet.

“This ship contributes to our ambitious growth plans that will ensure our continued leadership in ultra-luxury cruising,” Silversea CEO Enzo Visone said in a statement.

Silversea’s most recent new ship is the 540-passenger Silver Spirit, delivered in December 2009. It has acquired several small expedition-style ships since then. Silversea said additional specifications and details of the new ship would be announced in the near future.

Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Crystal Cruises are among the luxury lines with new ships in the works.

MS Koningsdam Cruise Ship, United States of America

MS Koningsdam is a new cruise ship being constructed by Fincantieri at its Marghera shipyard, Italy, for Holland America Line. It will be the first Pinnacle-class vessel to join Holland America’s cruise ship fleet.

The first steel for MS Koningsdam was cut in February 2014, and a keel laying ceremony was held in August 2014. Delivery is expected in February 2016.

MS Koningsdam design

Koningsdam is designed in a contemporary style to create a perfect harmony with classic elegance. It will feature luxurious interiors that blend fresh air, fluid curves, elegant lines and illuminated spaces. The public spaces are designed to reflect tradition, whereas the architectural elements are inspired by music.

The central atrium with a ceiling skylight will be three decks high and adorned by an airy stainless steel sculpture. The interiors are designed by Adam D Tihany and Bjørn Storbraaten.

The 99,500 gross register tonnage (grt) cruise ship will have a capacity to accommodate 2,650 passengers and 1,025 crew members.

Accommodation aboard the new Pinnacle-class cruise ship

The new Pinnacle-class cruise ship will offer single and family staterooms. The staterooms will be classified into three categories, namely Neptune, Signature and Vista.

The ship will also feature 32 family ocean-view staterooms that occupy between 222ft2 and 231ft2, with two bathrooms and accommodation for five people, and 12 single ocean-view cabins measuring between 127ft2 and 172ft2. The staterooms and suites will be furnished with custom casework, USB ports and frameless glass shower doors.

A grand Pinnacle Suite of 1,290ft2 will comprise a living area, dining area, dressing area, bedroom and personal verandah with whirlpool. The cruise ship will also feature two Neptune Spa Suites and 43 Neptune Suites. The guests of Neptune and Pinnacle suites will have access to the Neptune Lounge, with the personalised service of a concierge.

The fleet-wide lounges offer worktables, a big-screen television, a library, sofas and chairs, complimentary refreshments and wi-fi at a nominal charge in the ship.

Koningsdam will also offer affordable accommodation, including 266 standard or large interior rooms of up to 225ftsq. Most of the rooms will feature verandas. The verandah spa accommodations, which will be located near the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, will offer health and wellness services during the journey.

Dining aboard the Koningsdam

The guests on-board Koningsdam can enjoy dining at six restaurants, namely the Pinnacle Grill, the main dining room, the Lido, Tamarind Asian fusion restaurant, In-Cabin and Balcony Dining, and Canaletto Italian restaurant.

The central bar area will allow the guests to check-in for an alternative-dining reservation at the central podium, and enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before being seated at the restaurant.

The Culinary Arts Centre will offer activities such as hands-on classes and cooking demonstrations during the day, while it will transform into a dining area and the Grand Dutch Café to provide snacks or beverages in the evening.

MS Koningsdam entertainment venues

The Music Walk complex on the ship will encompass the Lincoln Centre Stage, Billboard Onboard and BB King’s Blues Club.

The World Stage, with multiple stage configurations, will feature high-definition 270° LED screen of two stories high and 250ft-long. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art sound systems and lighting for showcasing performances and productions.

Additional facilities will include Digital Workshop, Explorations Café, Fitness Centre, Merabella luxury shop, Signature Shops, Promenade, Casino and Explorer’s Lounge.

MS Koningsdam itineraries

MS Koningsdam will enter service with a seven-day round-trip voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Naples, followed by a series of six 12-day sailings across the Mediterranean.

MSC unveils details of Miami-based ship


A rendering of the MSC Seaside.

A bowling alley and nine restaurants will be among the amenities aboard the MSC Seaside, the first vessel that MSC Cruises will move directly from the shipyard to the U.S.

MSC CEO Gianni Onorato revealed new details about the 154,000-gross-ton, 4,140-passenger ship during the steel-cutting ceremony on Monday at the Monfalcone, Italy-headquarters of shipbuilder Fincantieri. The Seaside is scheduled to arrive at PortMiami in December 2017.

Among the ship’s nine restaurants will be a pizzeria, a seafood house, a steakhouse and a Japanese teppanyaki eatery. The restaurants will be accompanied by 20 bars. The bowling alley will join numerous other entertainment options on the Seaside, including a previously announced elaborate water park with five distinct slides and water features.

The vessel will also be equipped with a variety of eco-friendly features, including an advanced wastewater treatment system and a heat recovery plant that will warm onboard swimming pools, laundry machines and faucets. Passengers, meanwhile, will be able to use cruise cards, RFID bracelets or smartphones to access staterooms, book excursions and shows, geolocate their children and make onboard payments.

The Seaside is one of seven vessels that MSC Cruises either has in production or in the planning stages. The cruise line currently sails 12 ships. One of the vessels under construction is the MSC Meraviglia, for which sales opened on June 22. Holding up to 4,500 passengers, it will sail the Mediterranean beginning in the summer of 2017, embarking from Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona.

Bookings on the Meraviglia are open only to MSC Club members until July 5, when they will open to the general public.