Tag Archives: Fincantieri shipyard

P&O Cruises’ Britannia starts sea trials

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P&O Cruises’ £500 million new ship Britannia took to the ocean for the first time yesterday, starting sea trials off Italy.The vessel, due to be named and launched in a ceremony in Southampton in a March, is the first British ship to have a cookery school, which will be run by celebrity chef James Martin.

The state-of-the-art ship will carry Britain’s biggest art collection at sea, a multi-million pound collection of more than 6000 pieces of original artwork.

The sea trails will continue this week before Britannia returns to its shipyard in Italy for final fitting out.

Holland America Line Announces Name For New Ship

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Holland America Line’s new Pinnacle Class ship, set to debut in February 2016, will be named ms Koningsdam.

ms Koningsdam, Dutch for king, pays tribute to the line’s proud, Dutch heritage and King Willem-Alexander, the first king of the Netherlands in over a century. The name not only continues the Holland America Line tradition of naming ships with the dam suffix, but is the first time in Holland America Line’s 141 year history a ship will sail under the Koningsdam name.

“In choosing the name Koningsdam, we are honoring our rich Dutch heritage while reflecting that we’re entering a new era as a company,” said Stein Kruse, chief executive officer of the Holland America Group. “This new Pinnacle Class ship will be our largest, most contemporary vessel, and it was only fitting to give it a name that embodies great achievement for the future, while embracing timeless tradition.”

Holland America Line has also released a rendering of ms Koningsdam, showcasing her exterior and general layout. At first glance, the ship appears to share similar traits with the earlier Vista Class ships with the exception of a single funnel versus a double. On the upper decks, the tops of cabanas can be seen just aft of the radar, confirming the presence of the Cabana Club. It would appear that Holland America Line’s signature teak promenade will also have a place aboard the new ship.

ms Koningsdam is currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard and is slated to debut with the line in February of 2016. The new 99,500 ton ship will launch a new class of ship for Holland America Line, introducing new dining experiences, entertainment, and other onboard venues. In addition to new venues and features, ms Koningsdam will also feature a more modern and contemporary interior design compared to her earlier fleetmates.

Costa Cruise’s Latest New Addition.

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Costa Diadema

Costa Cruises has received its newest cruise ship the Costa Diadema from the Italian ship builder Fincantieri.

The ship was built at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard which is a popular choice for Carnival owned cruise ships. The large vessel will also be the new flagship of the Costa fleet. Costa Cruises has invested a total of around 550 million euro in the construction of the Italian based cruise lines most advanced ship.

The project has involved approximately 1,000 shipyard workers plus another 2,500 subcontractors and about 400 contracted suppliers, most of which are Italian firms, engaged for the fitting-out of the interiors of the cruise ship. Costa Diadema is the 12th cruise ship built-in Italy by Fincantieri for Costa, with a total investment worth more than 5 billion euro.

“Costa Diadema is our new flagship, she will set new standards in the European cruise industry and further strengthen Costa’s leadership in Europe. She is the best expression of our new brand positioning: Italy’s finest. It`s passion and modern Italian lifestyle, hospitality and elegance” commented Costa Crociere S.p.A CEO, Michael Thamm.

At 132,500 gross tons, more than 300 meters long and 37 meters wide, Costa Diadema has 1,862 guest cabins and will be an Ambassador of Italy’s finest offering the best of Italian lifestyle, entertainment, gastronomy and hospitality. The new flagship’s interiors are even cozier, roomier and more modern in terms of facilities and layout of her public areas. She is a cutting-edge vessel which offers large, split-level rooms directly overlooking the sea and conveniently interconnected, thus evoking the atmosphere of a buzzing Italian seaside resort.

The perfect example is the outside promenade on deck five – a real “terrazza all’italiana”, extending over 500 meters, where guests can go for a stroll and enjoy the spectacular view over the sea, or, even better, relaxing in one of the several bars and restaurants, drinking a cocktail or having a romantic dinner.

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri S.p.A. said:“Costa Diadema is the 44th cruise ship we have built since 2002, the 12th cruise ship we have built for our friends from Costa Crociere. This is thus a very special occasion to us and we are very proud to present the latest result of the Italian excellence, which confirms our leading position in ship design and construction for cruise sector, a sector without parallel in terms of technological complexity and competitiveness.” Bono concluded: “Today, during this day of celebration, I express my wish that this fruitful cooperation between two main national companies may continue and bring good luck to the whole country.”

After the delivery, Costa Diadema will set sail from Venice on October 30 and will reach Trieste, from which her “vernissage cruise” will start on November 1, then will call at Dubrovnik, Corfù, Malta, Naples, to then end in Genoa on November 7, for the Christening event. After the vernissage, from November 8, she will depart for three 7-day inaugural cruises.

As “Regina del Mediterraneo”, Costa Diadema will be deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. From November 8 until the end of 2015 Summer season, the new flagship will leave from Savona on 7-day cruises in the western Mediterranean Sea, calling every week at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Naples and La Spezia. They will offer the chance to visit during a single cruise Florence and Naples, two of the most popular Italian cities, and beautiful Mediterranean cities like Barcelona and Marseille.