Fincantieri Delivers Mein Schiff Flow in Monfalcone

Posted on 15 June, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Fincantieri Delivers Mein Schiff Flow in Monfalcone

Fincantieri and TUI Cruises celebrated the delivery of Mein Schiff Flow at the Monfalcone shipyard. The vessel is the second of two next-generation InTUItion-class cruise ships, designed for dual-fuel operation (liquefied natural gas and marine gas oil).

“With the delivery of Mein Schiff Flow, we celebrate a new milestone in our collaboration with TUI Cruises and reaffirm the strategic role of the Monfalcone shipyard as a center of excellence in global shipbuilding,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri.

“Here, innovation, sustainability and industrial expertise are transformed every day into productive capacity and international competitiveness. This achievement demonstrates the strength of an ecosystem that continues to evolve, investing in the technologies of the future and enhancing Italy’s industrial know-how,” added Folgiero.

“I would like to thank all those who, through their professionalism, passion and dedication, have helped make this important milestone possible.”

The delivery ceremony was attended by the Prefect of Gorizia, Ester Fedullo, the Mayor of Monfalcone, Luca Fasan, and the civil and military authorities of the region.

It was also attended by Folgiero, Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, Biagio Mazzotta, chairman of Fincantieri, Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division and Cristiano Bazzara, director of the Monfalcone shipyard.

Fincantieri said in a press release that the delivery of Mein Schiff Flow strengthens its partnership with TUI Cruises.

The relationship was reinforced by the contract signed last September for the construction of two additional InTUItion-class vessels, sister ships to Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow, scheduled for delivery in 2031 and 2032, respectively.

The delivery also reinforces Monfalcone’s central role in the construction of next-generation cruise ships and its position as the group’s main shipyard.

Designed to operate on LNG propulsion, Mein Schiff Flow is equipped with catalytic converters compliant with Euro 6 standards, a steam turbine that uses the residual heat from the diesel generators, and an electrical shore power connection.

According to Fincantieri, the features will enable virtually emission-free operations while the vessel is berthed in port, accounting for approximately 40 percent of its operational time.

The ship also features a waste treatment system that transforms organic materials into recyclable components via a thermal process.

Legend of the Seas Delivered to Royal Caribbean Ahead of July Debut

Posted on 12 June, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Legend of the Seas Delivered to Royal Caribbean Ahead of July Debut

Royal Caribbean has welcomed the Legend of the Seas, its third Icon-class ship, to its fleet.

Following nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, and sea trials that started in April, the ship is ready to make its European debut in July 2026, the cruise line said in a statement.

More than 1,200 crew members and partners gathered for a ceremony led by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm.

The event marked the transfer of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku.

“Today’s delivery of Legend of the Seas marks another important milestone in our ambition to continuously redefine the vacation experience. This new ship reflects the strength of the vacation ecosystem we are building – combining industry-leading ships, innovative technology, and exceptional experiences for our guests,” noted Liberty.

“It is an achievement only possible through the extraordinary partnership and expertise of Meyer Turku and the thousands of talented people whose creativity and commitment continue to help us design the future of vacations.”

The ship is scheduled to travel from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, soon, for finishing touches by Royal Caribbean.

After that, it will operate seven-night Western Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, this summer, as part of its inaugural season.

In November, the ship will arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to deliver six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Southern Caribbean cruises.

The delivery is part of the company’s long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku, securing shipbuilding capacity through 2036.

Under it, the shipyard will build the Icon 5, to be delivered in 2028, as well as the sixth and seventh Icon Class ships, coming in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

“Legend of the Seas is the third Icon Class ship built at our shipyard, and constructing the series has enabled us to develop our production processes in a systematic way. We have built on the experience gained from the previous vessels and further improved efficiency with the customer and our extensive partner network,” added Lindholm.

“The ship is an exceptional project in terms of both scale and technical complexity, requiring strong expertise and seamless collaboration across the entire maritime cluster. At the same time, Legend of the Seas moves shipbuilding towards more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions.”

The Legend will be the company’s fourth ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) as it continues on its journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

MSC World America Completes First Year of Service

Posted on 24 May, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC World America Completes First Year of Service

The MSC World America recently completed its first year of service after entering service for MSC Cruises on April 12, 2025.

As part of the company’s World-class series, the vessel was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

Along with its sister ship, the MSC World Europa, the 5,400-passenger ship debuted as the largest ship in MSC’s fleet.

With a series of tweaks aimed at the U.S. market, the MSC World America was designed for year-round service in the Caribbean.

After crossing the Atlantic with no guests onboard, the vessel made its official debut in Florida, following a christening ceremony at MSC’s new cruise terminal in PortMiami.

Actress Drew Barrymore served as the vessel’s godmother, cutting the ribbon that broke a celebratory bottle on the bow of the ship.

The MSC World America then kicked off a series of seven-night cruises to destinations in the Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas.

For its maiden voyage, the LNG-powered ship sailed to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and San Juan in Puerto Rico, as well as MSC’s private island destination of Ocean Cay.

As it enters its second year of service, the MSC World America will continue to offer weeklong cruises from its homeport of Miami.

In 2026, the vessel’s schedule includes itineraries to both the Western and Eastern Caribbean, visiting a range of destinations, such as Cozumel in Mexico and Roatán in Honduras.

MSC is now getting ready to add two additional World Class ships to its fleet in the near future, including the MSC World Asia.

While its name pays homage to Asia, the 208,500-ton vessel is set to offer year-round cruises in the Western Mediterranean starting in December 2026.

In late 2027, the company is welcoming the MSC World Atlantic, which will sail from Port Canaveral to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.