New Oceania class of ship floated out

Posted on 27 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

New Oceania class of ship floated out

A new ship for Oceania Cruises has been floated out at a shipyard in Italy ahead of planned entry into service in a year’s time.

The 695-cabin Oceania Sonata is the first of five ships planned for the line’s new Sonata Class.

It will be followed by sister ship Oceania Arietta in 2029, with three additional vessels due for delivery in 2032, 2035 and 2037.

At approximately 86,000 gross tons, Oceania Sonata will be nearly 30% larger than Oceania Allura – launched last year – yet will feature only 90 additional cabins.

Suites will make up a third of the accommodation including four Owner’s Suites featuring two bedrooms – a first for Oceania Cruises.

Two new suite categories are also being introduced.

Horizon Suites will offer more than 600 square feet of space, with separate living and bedroom areas, a walk-through closet and an oversized balcony.

The 488-square-foot Penthouse Deluxe Suite will feature an expanded layout and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to frame the ocean views.

Oceania Sonata will include 13 dining venues, including two new culinary concepts – La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Nikkei Kitchen – as well as The Grand Dining Room and specialty restaurants Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill and Toscana.

Oceania Sonata will embark on its inaugural season from August 2027 through to April 2028, visiting more than 90 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, and Central and South America.

The vessel was floated out at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, moving from dry dock to a fitting-out berth, where work will continue on the interiors.

Chief luxury officer Jason Montague said: “The float out of Oceania Sonata is an incredibly exciting moment as we move one step closer to welcoming our first guests aboard next August.

“We are tremendously grateful to our partners at Fincantieri whose expertise and craftsmanship are bringing Oceania Sonata to life.

“As the first ship in our new Sonata Class, she represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the brand and a defining milestone in the continued evolution of Oceania Cruises.”

Wartsila and Carnival Extend Collaboration with Lifecycle Agreement

Posted on 21 July, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Wartsila and Carnival Extend Collaboration with Lifecycle Agreement

Wartsila and Carnival Corporation have entered into an eight-year Lifecycle Agreement covering four cruise ships in the Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line fleets, including two newbuild vessels currently under construction.

The agreement marks the first service contract between the companies covering Carnival LNG-fueled cruise ships.

“The agreement reinforces Carnival Corporation’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence, sustainability and delivering a world-class guest experience,” said Vera Lannek, VP of strategic sourcing and asset management at Carnival.

“By working with Wartsila through a long-term lifecycle agreement, we can further strengthen the performance of the covered vessels while supporting the high standards our guests and operations depend on,” added Lannek.

“This agreement is the latest milestone in the long-standing relationship between Carnival Corporation and Wartsila,” said Andrea Morgante, VP of performance services at Wartsila Marine.

“It reflects our shared focus on ensuring high-performing cruise operations through proactive lifecycle support, data-driven insight and close technical collaboration throughout the vessel lifecycle.”

Wartsila said in a press release that under the agreement, it will provide a lifecycle maintenance solution for the vessels’ Wartsila dual-fuel engines and related equipment.

Wartsila booked the order in Q2 2026, and the Lifecycle Agreement provides long-term lifecycle support focused on optimizing asset performance throughout the vessel lifecycle.

The scope of the agreement includes:

Planned and unplanned maintenance support
Spare parts supply and logistics
Major engine overhauls
Remote monitoring and condition-based maintenance
Technical audits and performance reviews
Advisory services
Crew training, and
Performance management through agreed KPIs and a performance-based framework.

According to the press release, the agreement also provides Carnival with a lifecycle partnership focused on maintaining fleet reliability, increasing asset availability and optimizing total cost of ownership across the covered vessels.

Its performance-based structure also aligns the companies around measurable operational outcomes, including lower unscheduled maintenance costs and fewer unplanned stops.

MSC, Meyer Werft Expect to Seal 4+2 Ship Deal in Coming Weeks

Posted on 29 June, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC, Meyer Werft Expect to Seal 4+2 Ship Deal in Coming Weeks

MSC Cruises and Meyer Werft have issued a joint statement on the status of talks concerning the construction of four next-generation cruise vessels and two additional options.

The deal introducing a new class of vessels, called the “New Frontier,” was announced at the end of last year.

The contract would ensure the shipyard’s capacity well into the next decade.

“In December 2025, Meyer Werft and MSC Cruises announced a letter of intent for the construction of four innovative cruise ships, plus two options, at Meyer Werft. In the meantime, concrete planning for the ships’ design and negotiations for the conclusion of the relevant contracts have reached an advanced stage,” the statement reads.

“This involves an extensive and complex set of contracts, for which at least six months is typically required. Meyer Werft and MSC Cruises are confident that they will successfully conclude the negotiations in the coming weeks. The partners will then inform the public accordingly.”

With a maximum passenger capacity of 5,400 at 180,000 tons, the vessels are due to be delivered annually starting in 2030.