Tag Archives: SHIPPING

Adora to Take Delivery of New Ship Sooner than Planned

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Adora to Take Delivery of New Ship Sooner than Planned

Adora Cruises will take delivery of its new cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, ahead of schedule.

Based on an agreement with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard, the vessel will be delivered on November 6, 2026, the company said in a press release.

The ship will then launch international routes from Guangzhou, the capital of South China’s Guangdong Province.

Adora’s CEO, Roger Chen, said: “We are now fully focused on the early delivery of Adora Flora City and on preparations for her launch.  We will continue to optimise the deployment, deepen our ‘Cruise + Culture’ strategy and refine the guest experiences, bringing fabulous cruise vacations to more travellers at home and abroad.”

After being floated out on March 20, 2026, the vessel has now fully entered the commissioning phase.

According to Adora, the overall construction progress has reached 96 per cent, with interior outfitting 87 per cent complete and commissioning work 76 per cent complete. At the same time, sea trials are set to follow in mid-May.

Chen added that the ship’s maiden voyage plan would be announced soon.

Norwegian Aura Floated Out at Fincantieri

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Norwegian Aura Floated Out at Fincantieri

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) floated out the Norwegian Aura during a ceremony held on April 16 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

Now that the external hull construction is complete and the ship has touched water for the first time, work will continue on the ship’s interior development, according to a statement.

Said to be the largest vessel in company’s history, the ship is set to debut in May 2027.

“Norwegian Aura’s float out is a proud and meaningful moment for our entire team. She builds on the legacy of our award-winning Prima Class while taking our commitment to thoughtfully designed guest‑first experiences even further,” said NCL President Marc Kazlauskas.

“Created in close partnership with Fincantieri, the ship is purposefully constructed to deliver an elevated, multi‑generational vacation experience, with expansive outdoor spaces like Ocean Heights, that bring families and friends together for fun-filled days.”

Nearly 1,130 feet long and weighing approximately 170,000 tons, the ship will feature over 1,970 staterooms accommodating around 3,880 guests at double occupancy.

“Norwegian Aura’s float out marks a highly symbolic and operationally significant milestone in our shared journey with Norwegian Cruise Line,” noted Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division.

“This vessel reflects the strength of a long-standing partnership and our ability to turn design vision and innovation into tangible solutions, helping to redefine onboard experience for future generations of guests.”

The Norwegian Aura will set sail on her maiden voyage on May 21, 2027, with a seven-day Mediterranean voyage departing from Trieste, Italy and calling to ports in Italy and Malta.

After that, she will embark on a 14-day transatlantic crossing to the United States.

Starting June 10, 2027, she will homeport in Miami and offer seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean during her inaugural season.

Norwegian Sky Repositions to Europe for Farewell Season

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Norwegian Sky Repositions to Europe for Farewell Season

The Norwegian Sky recently kicked off a repositioning voyage ahead of its farewell season for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Having completed its winter season in the Southern Caribbean, the 1999-built vessel departed from the Dominican Republic on April 6, 2026.

The 13-night trans-Atlantic crossing sails to Le Havre and includes visits to destinations in the British Virgin Islands, Portugal, Spain and France.

Ports of call set to welcome the Norwegian Sky include Tortola, Ponta Delgada, Lisbon, Vigo and La Coruña.

Once in France, the 2,000-passenger ship offers seven-night cruises to Northern and Western Europe between April and May.

Sailing between Le Havre and Copenhagen, the itineraries feature visits to ports in France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and more.

In mid-May, the Norwegian Sky sails to the British Isles with a series of ten- and 11-night cruises departing from Southampton.

The itineraries will be offered through late August, when the ship repositions to the Mediterranean for a short season.

In addition to a repositioning voyage, the deployment includes a nine-night cruise between Barcelona and Piraeus in late August.

Sailing to destinations in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the itinerary is highlighted by visits to ports in France, Italy and Greece, such as Villefranche, Salerno and Santorini.

In early September, the Norwegian Sky is set to offer a final cruise before being handed over to Cordelia Cruises.

The 21-night cruise sails from Piraeus to Dubai and features a transit of the Suez Canal, in addition to visits to a range of destinations in the Middle East and the Red Sea.

As part of a deal announced in April 2025, the ship will be leased to Cordelia Cruises, launching cruises from Mumbai in September 2026.

In late 2027, the Norwegian Sun is also scheduled to join the fleet of the India-based cruise line, which currently operates the Empress.