Port of Civitavecchia opens new Terminal Amerigo Vespucci

Posted on 24 May, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

The new Terminal Amerigo Vespucci is the first purpose-built, permanent cruise terminal in Civitavecchia (Image: Roma Cruise Terminal)

Port operator Roma Cruise Terminal (RCT) opened the first purpose-built permanent cruise terminal at Italy’s port of Civitavecchia on 18 May 2018.

Designed by Studio Vicini Architetti, the new €20 million (US$23 million) Terminal Amerigo Vespucci covers an area of 12,500 square metres, making it one of the largest in Europe. It was built during an 18-month project that started in November 2016 and involved almost 60 local companies.

Terminal Amerigo Vespucci will be able to handle large cruise ships and around 5,000-6,000 passengers. The ground floor of the terminal boasts an atrium and a 4,200 square metre luggage hall, while the first floor features a VIP area, a bar, a waiting area and 60 check-in desks. There is also space to increase the number of check-in points to 120 to accommodate any future growth in cruise traffic. In addition, there are offices for port staff and a small museum that will showcase historical artefacts from the local Lazio region.

Passengers will embark or disembark cruise ships from two passenger boarding bridges designed by ADELTE.

RCT is jointly owned by Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

The race to build the world’s biggest cruise ship is over

Posted on 2 April, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas

Can we call it now?

The race to build the biggest cruise ship ever is over, I think.

And the winner is Royal Caribbean International.

Will anyone ever build a cruise ship bigger than Royal’s Oasis-class ships, the fourth of which was delivered last week? It might happen, but the evidence suggests that it won’t. The reason why I think not is that many cruise companies, including Royal itself, have had a chance to design something bigger since the Oasis of the Seas first took to the oceans in 2009.

No one has.

Of the 36 cruise ships over 120,000 gross tons delivered since 2009, none are bigger than the 228,081-ton Symphony of the Seas, which is on its way from the shipyard in France to Barcelona, Spain, where it will begin seven-day cruises on April 7.

Of the 43 cruise ships over 120,000 gross tons on order or about to be delivered, none are bigger than the Symphony.

Those orders include ships for nearly every major cruise operator besides Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., including Carnival Corp., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Walt Disney Co., MSC Cruises and Genting Hong Kong.

MSC Seaside.

Each had an opportunity to design the new biggest cruise ship in the world. The closest will be Dream Cruises, which is building a pair of 204,000 gross ton Global class ships for delivery in 2020 and 2021.

Royal Caribbean also has had two chances to top itself but has designed the smaller Quantum class at 168,666 gross tons and the upcoming Icon class at 200,000 gross tons. Royal is still cranking out Oasis-class ships the next is due in 2021. So perhaps when it is finished with that class, it will design something bigger.

For decades, the biggest cruise ship in the world was the 70,327 gross ton Queen Elizabeth 2, which reigned for 21 years from 1967 to 1988 when the 73,192 gross ton Sovereign of the Seas de-throned it.

RMS Queen Elizabeth 2nd

Thereafter, in the 20 years from 1988 to 2009, a series of newbuilds followed that each topped the last in size. Now there has been a nine-year lull. To match the QE2’s longevity as No. 1, the Symphony of the Seas would have to be the biggest until 2039.

Maybe that won’t happen. There’s always economies of scale to be reaped by building bigger, although the evidence seems to suggest that beyond 5,500 passengers, operators reach a point of diminishing returns.

But for now, long live the Symphony of the Seas.

MSC Meraviglia: ‘8 Golden Pearls’ from Bureau Veritas

Posted on 26 March, 2018 by Spacejunkie2

Sergio Castellano, Environmental Director, MSC Cruises -- Philippe Donche-Gay, President Marine & Offshore, Bureau Veritas -- Mattia Manzi, Master of MSC Meraviglia

Bureau Veritas has recognized MSC Cruises with the “8 Golden Pearls” award for sustainability and environmental stewardship onboard the MSC Meraviglia, the company announced. MSC becomes the first cruise line to take home the honours.

Philippe Donche-Gay, President Marine & Offshore, Bureau Veritas commented: “MSC Cruises has demonstrated its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of their operations and we commend the company for its wide-ranging, ongoing efforts in this space. The various sustainable and environmental technologies installed on the MSC Meraviglia put the ship at the forefront of cleaner cruise operations. The Bureau Veritas 8 Golden Pearls award reflects MSC Cruises’ commitment to excellence and continual improvement in environmental performance.”

Bud Darr, Executive Vice President Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC Group said: “We are honoured to receive this award, and we thank Bureau Veritas for their recognition and ongoing support. They are an invaluable partner on this journey and we look forward to continuing making further progress in the area of environmental stewardship.”

Image result for msc meraviglia

Among the highlights onboard are an exhaust gas cleaning system and advanced wastewater treatment.

In addition to the wastewater treatment, the ship has a holding capacity and Non-Discharge Operation for two days allowing for more autonomy and more flexible navigation, the company said.

In addition, the ship meets the high ISO 22000 standard for food safety. This certification covers food safety management systems across the entire food supply and preparation chain from “farm to fork.”