Tag Archives: MSC Cruise

Preview: The 2023 Cruise Industry

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With the COVID-19 pandemic now in the past, Cruise Industry News looked into the trends and the highlights that are set to headline the cruise industry in 2023.

New Ships

According to Cruise Industry News’ Orderbook data, lots of new builds are set to hit the market in 2023.

The vessels will expand the fleet of 20 operators, including major brands such as Carnival and MSC Cruises, as well as niche cruise lines including American Cruise Line and Swan Hellenic.

Virgin will be the brand adding the most ships, with the Resilient Lady and the Brilliant Lady scheduled to enter service during the year.

Start-Ups

More start-ups are entering the market in 2023 while other new brands are also expanding their fleet.

New brands launching services include Compagnie Française de Croisières and Exploris, as well as Explora Journeys and Adora Cruises.

After debuting in 2022, other start-up operators – including Ambassador and Emerald – are set to add ships to their fleets over the next 12 months.

Additional brands that could debut in 2023 include Foresee Cruises, who acquired the former Sea Princess for a local operation in China.

New Crystal Cruises

Crystal Cruises is making a return in 2023, under new management and ownership.

The brand, along with two former ships, the Serenity and the Symphony, was bought by the A&K Group after the collapse of the luxury cruise line in early 2022.

With details still to be confirmed, the new luxury cruise line plans to launch operations early in the year.

First China-Built Large Ship

The first large cruise ship built in China is going to enter service in late 2023. Currently, in the final stages of construction in Shanghai, the still-unnamed vessel is set to offer year-round cruising in Asia for Adora Cruises.

With a design similar to the one used by Carnival’s Vista-Class ships, the 135,000-ton ship will have a capacity for 5,000 guests, as well as custom-designed features and public areas.

A joint venture between China State Shipbuilding Corporation and Carnival Corporation, the brand also has a sister ship currently under construction at the same shipyard.

Explora Journeys

The MSC Group is debuting a new cruise line in 2023 with Explora Journeys. As part of its expansion, the new brand will offer a luxury experience, with a fleet of purpose-built ships.

Scheduled to enter service in July, the Explora I is the first of the new mid-sized vessels.

The 922-guest ship will debut in Northern Europe, before offering itineraries in North America, the Caribbean, South America and the West Coast.

Japan Reopening

One of the most important markets in Asia, Japan is set to welcome international cruising back in early 2023.

Cruise Lines returning to the country include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Silversea, which are set to offer full seasons in the region starting in March.

Secondhand Market

With several ships looking for new operators, the secondhand market is set to continue warm in 2023.

Vessels like Fred. Olsen’s Braemar, the Astoria, the Pacific Venus and the Birka Stockholm are currently on the market. Meanwhile, Carnival Corporation said it would sell three more ships, including two Costa ships, on this year-end and fourth-quarter earnings call in December.

Other ships potently looking for new owners include the Seajets fleet, which currently includes five ships and remains laid up in Greece, and the former AIDAvita, which remains laid up in Estonia.

Vessels formerly operated by Genting, such as the Explorer Dream, are also present in limbo.

Expedition Market

The expedition market will welcome five new vessels in 2023 as vessels are set to enter service for various brands, including Swan Hellenic, Scenic and Oceanwide according to the orderbook.

Seabourn is also continuing its expansion into the niche with the addition of the Seabourn Pursuit, its second purpose-built exploration ship.

Concluding SunStone’s Infinity class of ships, the Ocean Albatros is also scheduled to debut during the year.

Disney Expansion

Disney Cruise Line is growing its operations in 2023. With the new Disney Wish sailing its first full year, the brand is set to add a new homeport in North America and also debut in Australia and New Zealand.

Starting in November, the brand is set to expand to Port Everglades, offering four- and five-night cruises onboard the Disney Dream.

A few days before that, however, Disney is also arriving in Australia and New Zealand for the first time, with the Disney Wonder offering a local program that includes itineraries sailing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland.

In 2023, Disney is also expected to reveal its plans for the former Global Dream, which was acquired by the brand last November.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ordered to Pay $110 Million in Cuba Court Case

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Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been ordered to pay approximately $110 million in damages for use of the Havana port, according to a U.S. judge who ruled in the case Friday.

The case, ongoing for some time, was ruled in favour of the Havana Docks Corp., which essentially argued that the cruise line’s use of the Havana port “constituted trafficking in confiscated property” as the port is a Cold-War asset seizure.

It is still being determined whether NCLH will or can appeal the nine-figure ruling. Havana Docks Corp. has pending cases against Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and MSC Cruises.

Havana Docks Corp. was awarded $109,848,747.87 in damages plus Norwegian will pay $3 million in legal fees and costs.

With the Obama administration easing the Cuba embargo in 2016, cruise lines lined up to sail to Havana, including all of Norwegian Cruise Line’s brands.

In 2019, the Trump administration undid some of that with a ban on recreational travel to Cuba which put a stop to any major cruise brands calling on the island.

In 2020 a judge ruled in favour of Carnival Corporation in a similar case.

MSC cruise ship demonstrates fuel-cell technology

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MSC Cruises’ latest ship, 

MSC World Europa, demonstrates the company’s strategy to decarbonise by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

This ship was delivered from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s shipyard in Saint-Nazaire 24 October, with the latest power and propulsion technology on board.

MSC Cruise Management (UK) head of electrical engineering Steven Frey said this ship is powered by LNG and has a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) to run as a pilot project.

He told delegates at Riviera Maritime Media’s annual Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cells Conference in Bergen, Norway, 27 October, the importance of testing and investing in technology to cut carbon emissions.

“We are working to get to zero emissions from multiple fronts, including digitalisation, workshops and partnerships, hybrid propulsion solutions, shore charging and new technologies, such as SOFC,” said Mr Frey. “We are starting a demonstration of a 500-kW SOFC on a ship, and we want to scale this technology up to 20 MW.”

Using power from shore during port stays is an important method for MSC to reduce ship emissions.

“All of our newbuilds are ready for shore power and we are retrofitting the existing fleet,” said Mr Frey. “Around 50% of our ships will be ready by 2023 and 65% by the end of next year. We have also signed a memorandum of understanding with Cruise Baltic to use shore power in 32 ports from 2024 when it is available.”

He said smaller cruise vessels need around 4.5 MW of power and MSC’s largest ships to need more than 10 MW from shore power to shut down engines.

Mr Frey said a combination of shore power and technology to reduce energy consumption and fuel usage is needed to cut cruise ship emissions.

“We are looking at ways to decarbonise by reducing energy consumption on the ships, by adding LED lighting and heat recovery, reducing hotel loads and using alternative fuels,” he said.

“We have a dedicated department dealing with energy efficiency and developing solutions for tracking data from our vessels, so we have a clear view of consumption,” Mr Frey added.

On the subject of fuels, MSC has already turned to LNG to cut pollutants and will consider other sources of energy.

“We are considering hydrogen as a fuel of the future and are using LNG now. MSC World Europa uses LNG fuel and has the SOFC pilot project. Other ships could run a fuel cell and LNG,” said Mr Frey.