Tag Archives: new ship

Carnival Cruise Line’s new Excel-class ship, Carnival Celebration, has arrived in Southampton

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The arrival marks the first new Carnival ship in the UK for 20 years

To welcome the ship, Carnival hosted local officials, travel partners and members of the media for a day of guided tours and lunch.

Earlier this week, the line took delivery of Celebration at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

“I can’t tell you how exciting this day has been, finally giving our UK travel partners the opportunity to see our new Excel-class ship,” said Carnival president Christine Duffy.

“Carnival Celebration is the ultimate 50th birthday gift and is a key part of a very unique and exciting period of growth for us.”


The celebration has since departed on a 14-day transatlantic sailing to Miami where the line will host its naming ceremony with godmother, US model and actress Cassidy Gifford.

Including Celebration, Carnival is adding five new ships to its fleet over the next two years in a period of growth “unlike any other” in the line’s 50-year history.

Today, the second ship in Australia will be added as Carnival Luminosa begins guest operations in Brisbane, and next year, the third Excel-class ship Carnival Jubilee will debut from Galveston.

Hebridean Princess owner purchases new ship

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Hebridean Princess owner buys Lord of the Glens ship

HP Shipping Ltd, the owner of luxury small ship Hebridean Princess, has purchased 27-passenger ship MV Lord of the Glens from the Magna Carta Steamship Company Ltd, for an undisclosed sum.

The four-deck vessel features 27 passenger cabins, which were totally refurbished in 2020.

Commencing April 2021, the ship will sail five and seven-night cruises along the Caledonian Canal, between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh including Loch Ness and Oban.

Lord of the Glens will be chartered to Hebridean Island Cruises Ltd with operations and reservations for the vessel moved to Hebridean Island Cruises’ HQ in Skipton, North Yorkshire.

Chairman of HP Shipping and Hebridean Island Cruises, Roger Allard, said: “The Lord of the Glens is a very appealing vessel and a perfect fit for our portfolio and existing customer demographic. ‘Small is beautiful’ is the Hebridean Island Cruises’ mantra and the Lord of the Glens can certainly boast of that accolade.”

Hebridean Island Cruises’ managing director, Ken Charleson, said:  “We are really fortunate to acquire the operation of this unique vessel, which will offer five and seven-night cruises, commencing April 2021 along the beautiful Caledonian Canal, between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh including Loch Ness and Oban.

“Advance bookings for 2021 are very strong and a number of cruises have been chartered to US and European tour operators.

“Lord of the Glens is a ship of similar size to our well-established and well-loved Hebridean Princess which carries a maximum of 50 guests and operates mainly on the west coast of Scotland.”

Disney CEO Confident on Cruise; New Ships Could Be Delayed

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Disney Ship

Speaking on the company’s second-quarter earnings call, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek was bullish on the future of Disney Cruise Line but admitted cruises may be among the company’s last businesses to come back online.

“And in terms of the cruise ship business, we agree that that will probably be the last of our travel-oriented businesses to come back online,” Chapek said.

“Interestingly enough long term all of our data and our research shows that our guests will be just as interested in cruising with us long term. Obviously not in the next few months but much more resilient than any of the competitive businesses because of that love for Disney and assurance that they feel, that they trust our business to act in a responsible way to help to the extent possible protect them against some of the woes that have plagued the industry since COVID has hit.”

Disney Cruise Line operates four ships: the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy.

The brand has three more ships on order for introductions in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The company is also anticipating delays to its newbuild schedule, according to an SEC filing.

“The company has credit facilities to finance three new cruise ships, which were to be delivered in 2021, 2022 and 2023 although delays are now expected as a result of the COVID-19 impact on the shipyard,” Disney stated.