Tag Archives: technical maintenance

Carnival Sunshine Drydocking in Europe

Posted on by
Reply

The Carnival Sunshine is drydocking ahead of arriving at its new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia.

After completing a final cruise from Charleston earlier this month, the vessel started a trans-Atlantic crossing to France on January 4, 2025.

The Carnival Cruise Line ship was expected in Marseille for its shipyard stay on January 15, 2025.

During the routine drydock, the 2,964-guest ship will undergo technical maintenance, in addition to class work and general upkeep of its hotel spaces.

After the project, the 1996-built vessel is set to return to North America for a series of cruises departing from Norfolk starting in mid-February.

As part of its new deployment, the Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to sail from the Virginia homeport on a year-round basis, offering six- to eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

The Carnival Sunshine is also set to make regular visits to two of Carnival Corporation’s private destinations in the region: Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays.

After offering itineraries to Bermuda during the summer, the vessel adds visits to Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination, Celebration Key, in late September.

Originally built as the Carnival Destiny, the Sunshine underwent a major refurbishment project in 2013, which essentially rebuilt its interiors and public areas.

Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral Getting Upgrades in Drydock

Posted on by
Reply

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral is currently undergoing upgrades at the drydock of the A&P Shipyard in Falmouth, England.

According to an update shared by the company, the 1988-built ship is not only undergoing technical maintenance but also hotel upgrades.

One of the projects being carried out includes the addition of a digital photo gallery, which replaces the vessel’s current photo walls.

The Balmoral is also seeing new central computer systems being set up in the Neptune Lounge. The hardware will be used to control the lounge’s audio and lighting, as well as a new set of LED walls that is also being added.

Wi-Fi coverage and access points are being worked on, Fred. Olsen said, allowing guests to have better access to the internet when on balconies and out on open decks.

On the technical side, the Balmoral is having its lifeboats serviced with general maintenance and upgrades.

Fuel, ballast, potable water and grey water tanks are being emptied, cleaned, inspected and recertified while a new coat of silicon-based antifouling paint is being applied to the ship’s hull.

The 1,340-guest vessel is getting a new propeller that features an optimized design to improve energy efficiency and minimize emissions.

Balmoral’s main engines are also being overhauled to ensure optimal performance, while any steel that is showing signs of corrosion will be replaced.

After completing its drydock, the ship is welcoming guests back for a six-night cruise to Northern Europe on Dec. 16, 2024.

Sailing roundtrip from Southampton, the “European River Cities & Christmas Markets” features visits to destinations in France and Belgium, including Rouen and Antwerp.

Originally built for the Royal Cruise Line at the Meyer Werft shipyard, the Balmoral was acquired by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2007.

Before entering service for the brand, the ship was lengthened at the Blohm + Voss shipyard, receiving a new 30-meter midsection.

P&O Cruises cancels 50-night sailing for ‘technical maintenance’

Posted on by
Reply

Image result for p&o oriana

P&O Oriana

A 50-night cruise has been cancelled by P&O Cruises due to “technical maintenance” required for the ship Oriana.

The 1,880-passenger vessel was due to depart Southampton on January 6 for the voyage to the Caribbean, Mexico and US, returning on February 25.

But the line today issued an apology for cancelling the Caribbean and America Discovery itinerary due to Oriana requiring three weeks of maintenance.

Agents will still receive commission and have been advised to try and re-book their customers on one of four similar cruises early next year.

“We apologise to guests due to travel on Oriana’s X801 but our technical team has advised us that it’s necessary for Oriana to undergo a 3 week technical maintenance from Jan 6, 2018,” the company tweeted. “As a result we will be cancelling this cruise.

“We have contacted all those affected guests today and we are extremely sorry for the late notice and disruption.”

 

P&O Cruises

✔

@pandocruises

We apologise to guests due to travel on Oriana’s X801 but our technical team has advised us that it’s necessary for Oriana to undergo a 3 week technical maintenance from Jan 6 2018. As a result we will be cancelling this cruise. (1/2)

10:30 AM – Nov 21, 2017

 3 3 Replies   5 5 Retweets   9 9 likes

Alex White, VP sales, Carnival UK, said: “We understand how disappointing this is for our guests but our ships sail 365 days a year and they do occasionally require unplanned maintenance, the only available slot for us to undertake this work is in January.

“Via agents, we have written to guests and advised that there are four other similar cruises that sail to the Caribbean from Southampton early next year, including all of the information and itineraries for these departures.

“As a result of this cancellation we are giving guests a 5% Future Cruise Credit of the fare paid on the original Oriana cruise, which is available to use on one of the cruises mentioned or any other P&O Cruises holiday booked before December 31 2019. We will also honour the 500 Peninsular Club loyalty points they would have earned from the original Oriana cruise.

“We have asked them to contact their travel agent by Friday December 8 2017 if they wish to transfer to another cruise. If, by this date they have not done so then the booking for the Oriana cruise will be cancelled and all monies paid will be refunded.

“If they do not wish to book an alternative cruise at the moment, the 5% Future Cruise Credit will be applied to their P&O Cruises unique reference number (URN) until they the new cruise booking is made.”

“P&O Cruises will be paying agent commission on X801 cancelled sailings. If agents are able to transfer guests on to an alternative sailing they will also receive their standard commission on the new booking plus the commission on the X801 booking.”