MEYER WERFT Contracts ALMACO for NYK Cruises Newbuild Project

In September 2022, ALMACO signed an agreement with MEYER WERFT to provide the newbuild S721 of Japanese NYK Cruises with ALMACO’s Provision Cooling Plant. The scope of work includes the supply and commissioning of chiller units and air coolers. The vessel will be the second luxury cruise ship of NYK Cruises and serve the Japanese cruise market.The vessel will carry 744 passengers and 470 crew members. It will be 228.86 meters long and 29.8 meters wide with a tonnage of 51,950 GT.
World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship to Debut 2026

Viking and Fincantieri have announced that the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, capable of operating with zero emissions is scheduled for delivery in 2026.The vessel is already under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, and Viking’s subsequent ocean ship, the Viking Astrea, is also currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027.Both vessels will have a hybrid propulsion system partly powered by hydrogen-fueled fuel cells…
BV Appoints New Head of Passenger Ships and Yachts for North America

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has appointed Stefano Colonna as the new Head of Passenger Ships and Yachts for the North American region.With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the passenger ships and yachting industries, Colonna has held prominent roles, including Vice President of Service for North and South America at NAVIM Group, overseeing Quality Assurance and Certifications, Director of Marine Safety Operations at Carnival Cruise Line and Director of Technical Safety Operations at The Walt Disney Company.Specializing in new builds…
Watch: Allure of the Seas Upgrade

Royal Caribbean has launched a video showing the newly amplified Allure of the Seas, which is setting sail in the Mediterranean in April 2025 after a $100 million transformation. New features include the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, resort-style pools and a 10-story dry slide.Pool Days – Resort-style pools are at the center of the action on the reimagined Caribbean pool deck, along with a wide variety of shaded seating and lounging options, such as swim-up lounge chairs and more. For a relaxing adults-only getaway…
Fincantieri to Build Two Cruise Ships for Carnival’s AIDA Cruises

Fincantieri has signed an agreement with Carnival Corporation, valued over $2 billion, for the design and construction of two new cruise ships for AIDA Cruises.This marks the first time that Fincantieri will build cruise ships for AIDA Cruises, thus reinforcing its strategic partnership with Carnival Corporation.The units are scheduled for delivery in early 2030 and late 2031. Each will feature approximately 2,100 guest cabins and will be equipped with multi-fuel engines, capable of operating LNG…
Meyer Turku Reports 2024 Financial Turnaround

Finland's Meyer Turku Group's financial result for 2024 has been published, with the company reporting a turnover of 1.80 billion euros ($2 billion) which marks a growth of 28% compared to the previous year.The net profit for the financial year 2024 was 68.9 million euros ($76 million) 3.8% of the turnover.“We have now seen the anticipated turnaround and today have a healthy order backlog. Reaching this result also supports us in our ongoing negotiations for future financing,” says Lari Niemi…
PPG: How Electrostatically Applied Fouling Control Coatings Can Help the Cruise Industry

Underwater fouling control hull coatings were once purely a commercial consideration for ship owners and operators. Now it is also a question of how they can help meet global goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A ship slowed by fouling means higher fuel consumption, which translates directly into higher emissions intensity.PPG offers PPG SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 fouling release hull coating, based on a 100% pure silicone binder system. This biocide-free product helps to reduce emissions by up to 35% compared to traditional antifoulings…
DNV Maritime Appoints New Global Cruise Segment Director

DNV has appointed Robert Galinski as Global Cruise Segment Director, with effect from January 1, 2025.“We are pleased to welcome Robert Galinski back to DNV,” says Trond Hodne, Business Director, DNV Maritime. “His extensive experience and strong industry relationships will be instrumental as we continue to further strengthen our position in the cruise sector. His leadership will play a vital role in advancing our customer-focused strategy and driving innovation in the industry.”Based in Florida…
Fincantieri Lines Up Two Cruise Ships Construction Order

Fincantieri and TUI AG have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the design and construction of two new cruise ships for the Marella Cruises brand.The value of this agreement, subject to financing and other typical terms and conditions, is considered as very important, which for Fincantieri represents the value of over $2.1 billion.The agreement represents a major step for Marella Cruises, which is venturing into newbuilding for the first time and has chosen Fincantieri as its strategic partner for this transformation.At the same time…
Fincantieri Lays Keel for Reagent’s Next-Gen Cruise Ship

Fincantieri has held a keel laying ceremony for Seven Seas Prestige, the ultra-luxury cruise ship being built for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.The keel laying ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, in Venice.Seven Seas Prestige is the first of two next-generation ultra-luxury cruise ships for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2026.During the event, three specially chosen coins were welded…
Biocide-Free Coating Chosen for AIDAdiva

The cruise ship AIDAdiva operated by AIDA Cruises has been coated with Nippon Paint Marine’s AQUATERRAS hull coating. The application represents the 16th vessel in the Carnival group to fully be applied with Nippon’s biocide-free coating. In 2022, based on previous experience, Carnival applied AQUATERRAS to AIDAdiva. At that time, AIDAdiva was the third Carnival cruise vessel to be fully coated with AQUATERRAS.Although the ship operated in challenging itineraries in both the Caribbean and in Europe…
Fincantieri Delivers New Cruise Ship to Norwegian Operator

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has delivered Norwegian Aqua cruise ship to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).Norwegian Aqua is the first ship of the expanded Prima Plus Class that Fincantieri is building for NCL.At 156,300 gross tons and a length that spans 1,056 feet, Norwegian Aqua is 10% larger than the first two Prima Class vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, which also feature the craftmanship of Fincantieri.In addition to the delivery of Norwegian Aqua, the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera will experience another milestone tomorrow…
American Legend Christened in Key West

American Cruise Lines said that American Legend, the newest small ship in the company’s innovative Project Blue series, was christened in Key West, Florida. The celebration took place while the ship was docked at Mallory Square, just steps from the City’s vibrant town center. American Legend was visiting Key West along one of the company’s popular 8-Day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises, which sail roundtrip from St. Petersburg, Florida. American’s new Florida itineraries are…
Fincantieri Delivers First of Two Low-Carbon Cruise Ships to TUI Cruises

TUI Cruises, a joint venture between German TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Cruises, has taken delivery of the first of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine gas oil (MGO) powered cruise ships Fincantieri is building for the shipowner.With approximately 160,000 gross tons, the dual-fuel powered InTUItion-class ship forms the backbone of TUI Cruises’ new fleet.Named Mein Schiff Relax, the ship is able to use LNG and is future-proof with the ability to utilize low-emission fuels such as bio- or e-LNG…
Fincantieri Bags Multi-Billion Dollar Cruise Ships Order from Norwegian Operator

Fincantieri and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCL) have signed a multi-billion dollar agreement for the construction of four new cruise ships.With a gross tonnage of approximately 226,000 tons, the new units will be the largest ever built for NCL.The ships will be built at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard, with the first unit to be delivered in 2030 and the others to follow in 2032, 2034, and 2036.Fincantieri deemed the contract ‘very important’, which means its value exceeds $2 billion.
Lloyd's Register Introduces New Notation for Fin Stabilizers

Lloyd's Register (LR) has introduced its first class notation for fin stabilizers. With the increasing demand for enhanced passenger experiences on modern cruise ships, fin stabilizers have become integral to providing a smooth and enjoyable journey.Located under the waterline on the side of a ship's hull, fin stabilizers provide a roll damping effect, counteracting the ship's natural roll and ensuring a stable voyage.The new class notation covers the strength, machinery and control aspects of fin stabilizers, including their integration into the ship's hull.
Keel Laid for Selar’s Wind and Sun-Powered Cruise Vessel

Marine and energy services firm Goltens has hosted a keel-laying ceremony on for the innovative Polar expedition vessel Captain Arctic, which has been purpose-designed for sustainable maritime travel.The ceremony, held in November, welcomed CEO Sophie Galvagnon and Technical Director Pierrick Delaunay of the ship's French owner, Selar, while Goltens' shipbuilder client, Chantier Naval de l'Ocean Indien (CNOI), was represented by Managing Director Frank Piriou, Deputy General Director Nicolas Perrier and Project Leader Jean Charles Davy.Representatives of the vessel's classification society…
Op/Ed: It’s Human Nature to Have an Opinion – About LNG

Back in August 2024, in its blog Fact from Fiction: Methane Slip, the industry group SEA-LNG stated: “It’s human nature to have an opinion. And everyone is entitled to one. What’s potentially damaging is when emotive opinions with limited substance are heralded as fact.”This week MSC Cruises had to reconsider what it was saying about LNG.NGO Opportunity Green reports that, following a complaint it made in March 2024, the UK Advertising Standards Authority has resolved an issue regarding claims MSC Cruises was making about LNG.
Europe Dominates Cruise Ship Orderbook

Newly released data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) states that about 97% of the world’s fleet of cruise ships was built in Europe, and 98% of ships on order, based on cost, will be built here.The total investment cruise lines are making in new ships built in Europe from 2024 to 2036 is currently €57 billion, with additional orders anticipated.In the next 12 years, 72 of the 76 ocean cruise ships will be built in European shipyards (97%) of which 40 in Italy (52.6%)…
MOL Launches Mitsui Ocean Fuji Cruise Ship

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has launched the Mitsui Ocean Fuji cruise ship, owned by MOL Group company MOL Cruises.The 32,477-ton Mitsui Ocean Fuji, the first cruise ship in Japan with all suite cabins, will offer a total of five debut cruise packages and one New Year's cruise through January 2025.In addition to cruises to and from Yokohama, it also offers cruises to andfrom Kobe and Nagoya, and cruise to and from Beppu, Shimonoseki, Shingu, Kochi, Nagoya, Sakaide, Kobe, Matsuyama…
Crystal Orders Another Cruise Ship from Fincantieri

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has received an order for a new cruise ship from U.S.-based cruise operator Crystal, following the exercise of the option granted under the two-unit agreement from June 2024.The value of the agreement, subject to financing and other terms and conditions, is considered as large, which for Fincantieri means it represents a value between $590 million to $1.07 billion.Crystal MoA for 2+1 Cruise Ship OrderThe new unit, as its sister ships, will boast a gross tonnage of 61…
Meyer Turku Celebrates 10 Years, Targets Carbon-neutral Shipbuilding

It has been 10 years since the Meyer family's shipbuilding company became the host of the Turku shipyard in Finland. In the anniversary year, the shipbuilder said its direction remains clear: Both the world's most advanced cruise ships and the shipyard's own operations aim for carbon neutrality.Meyer Turk CEO Tim Meyer said, "We are proud to continue Turku's shipbuilding tradition dating back to 1737. The acquisition we made 10 years ago was mainly based on two grounds: First, Turku has a long shipbuilding tradition and world-class know-how.
Royal Caribbean Boosts Annual Profit Forecast

Royal Caribbean lifted its annual profit forecast on Tuesday for the fourth time this year, driven by strong demand at higher prices for its voyages to private destinations, as well as its European and Alaskan vacations.Cruise operators have signaled that revenge travel - which boosted bookings following the pandemic lockdowns - has now been replaced by a growing shift among travelers to seek sea-based vacations.The company's shares rose about 1.3% in choppy morning trade, set to add to the 57% gain this year through Monday close.Royal Caribbean said demand for 2025 was strong…