Tag Archives: Naples

Explora II Floats Out and Steel Cut For Explora III

Posted on by
Reply

Explora Journeys today celebrated two maritime milestones at builder Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa in Italy with the float out of the Explora II and the steel cutting of Explora III

The new Explora II will enter service in summer 2024 and spend her first season operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the company said in a press release, as construction of the ship began in October 2021 at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia yard in Naples, Italy where the ship’s keel was laid in May 2022.

The Explora III will launch in the summer of 2026 and be the first of Explora Journeys’ four luxury vessels to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the world’s cleanest maritime fuel available at a scale that plays a key role towards the decarbonization of international shipping.

Construction of the Explora IV, also powered by LNG, will start next year with a completion date of early 2027.

The double ceremony today was witnessed by Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer, of Explora Journeys, Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri’s CEO and General Manager and the Mayor of Genoa, Marco Bucci.

Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer, of Explora Journeys, said, “The double event today marks another major step forward on our mission to redefine ocean travel for today’s discerning luxury travellers.  Following the successful launch of Explora I and the incredibly positive feedback from the first guests, travel advisors and media, who had a chance to experience the Ocean State of Mind, the story continues, and we are now beyond thrilled to witness the next important construction milestones for both Explora II and our first LNG powered ship Explora III. We are proud that our four ships are built by Fincantieri, further underlining our commitment to Italy.”

Costa Atlantica Returns to Southern Europe

Posted on by
Reply

After several months anchored off the island of Cyprus, the Costa Atlantica recently returned to Southern Europe.

Currently, on its way to Marseille, the Spirit-class vessel also visited two Italian ports in March: Augusta and Naples.

Three years after its last drydock, the 2000-built cruise ship is expected to undergo scheduled maintenance at a local shipyard once it arrives at the French port.

Originally operated by Costa Cruises, the Costa Atlantica was sold into Carnival Corporation’s joint venture with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in 2018.

Handed over to its new owners a few days before the COVID-19 pandemic operational pause in early 2020, the vessel has remained out of revenue service.

Despite the change of ownership, Atlantica also retained its original name, in addition to Costa’s colours and features.

In November 2022, the Carnival Corporation – CSSC joint venture revealed plans to launch service in China under the Adora Cruises brand.

With a newbuild under construction in Shanghai, the company intends to welcome its first guests in late 2023.

Plans for the service restart of the Costa Atlantica and its sister ship Costa Mediterranea – which was also sold to the joint venture in 2018 – are yet to be confirmed.

The Atlantica originally debuted in 2000, becoming the first vessel in Carnival Corporation’s Spirit Class.

In addition to the Costa Mediterranea, the series of ships also include four ships operated by Carnival Cruise Line: the Carnival Spirit, the Carnival Miracle, the Carnival Legend and the Carnival Pride.

Built for Costa Cruises, the 2,100-guest ship served the company’s traditional markets in Europe for nearly 15 years before being repositioned to Asia in mid-2013.

Sailing year-round in the region through 2020, the Atlantica served different countries and markets, including Singapore, Taiwan, China and more.

In 2015, the ship also became the first to offer a world cruise from China. Sailing roundtrip from Shanghai, the 86-day itinerary included visits to 28 destinations in 18 different countries.

MHA Culinary Council to Promote Shipboard Crew Talent

Posted on by
Reply

The Marine Hotel Association’s (MHA) new Culinary Advisory Council will be awarding scholarships to the emerging culinary talent on cruise ships sailing globally in a first-of-its-kind initiative.

The not-for-profit MHA is looking ahead to its annual Conference and Trade Show, taking place in Naples, Florida, April 2-4.

The event brings together food and beverage and hotel vendors along with key decision-makers from cruise lines, and the new Culinary Advisory Council features chefs from a number of cruise brands that will be heavily involved in the Florida event.

The Council will be nominating and recommending chefs working onboard cruise ships for the MHA culinary scholarship.

“This allows us the opportunity to highlight our extraordinary talents onboard and feature their commitment to delivering an ever-evolving world-class experience,” said Eric Barale, Vice President of Culinary for the Apollo Group and Maître Cuisinier de France. “I am truly excited to be able to support and recommend our chefs at sea for the MHA scholarships that focus on the culinary education, development, advocacy and career navigation of our talent.

“The MHA conference and Trade Show will also provide a unique one-on-one networking opportunity for our vendors and teams to address, encourage and visualize the future of trade on the high seas,” he added.