Fincantieri has landed a major deal with Carnival Corporation worth over $2 billion to build two new cruise ships for AIDA Cruises. This marks the first time Fincantieri will construct ships for AIDA Cruises, showcasing their commitment to sustainability and innovation. The vessels are set to be delivered in the early 2030s.
Mitsui Ocean Cruises has acquired a second luxury cruise ship from Carnival Corporation’s Seabourn Cruise Line, signaling its expansion in the domestic cruise market. The Seabourn Sojourn, with a gross tonnage of 32,477, was delivered to MOL on February 28 and will be chartered back to Seabourn until May 15, 2026.
Francesco Schettino, the captain of the ill-fated Costa Concordia cruise ship, is seeking early release from his 16-year prison sentence in Italy. The tragic incident in 2012 claimed 32 lives and led to significant changes in the cruise industry. Schettino’s petition for release has sparked mixed reactions and protests.
One Carnival Valor passenger expressed frustration over the lack of staff in self-service laundry rooms, suggesting timers to prevent items from being left unattended. Carnival’s Brand Ambassador explained it’s not feasible to monitor laundry activities. Some guests proposed signage or integrating timers into the Carnival Hub app. Not all ships offer self-service laundry.
Viking has ordered two more cruise ships from Fincantieri, bringing the total to 10. The collaboration began in 2012, resulting in the launch of Viking Star in 2015. The new ships will be larger, accommodating 998 passengers. Fincantieri has a busy schedule with orders from various cruise lines, indicating a resurgence in the industry.
Holland America Line’s flagship cruise ship, Rotterdam, is testing 100 percent low carbon intensity biofuel in Norwegian fjords. Carnival Corporation’s series of tests with biofuels on Holland America and AIDA ships is a step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry. The success of these tests is paving the way for more sustainable practices in cruising.
Cunard Line received its first new cruise ship in 14 years, the Queen Anne, from Fincantieri. The ship, at 114,000 gross tons, marks one of Carnival Corporation’s pre-pandemic orders. With a capacity for 2,996 passengers, the Queen Anne continues Cunard’s traditions while offering modern amenities like fitness and spa facilities.
The impact of the Port of Baltimore’s recovery on the cruise industry is significant, with Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International being major players. Carnival projects a $10 million earnings impact due to disruptions, while Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas is exploring alternatives. American Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line are also monitoring the situation.
Carnival Freedom experienced a funnel fire at sea in the Bahamas, with no injuries reported. Passengers heard a loud boom before seeing the fire, possibly caused by a lightning strike. The ship turned into rain storms to extinguish the fire, with a portion of the funnel falling onto the deck. The ship is now heading to Freeport, with no impact expected on the next voyage.
Royal Caribbean Group has entered an agreement to order another giant cruise ship, expanding its post-pandemic prospects. The new Oasis-class ship will be the group’s seventh and is expected to arrive in 2028. With the cruise industry showing signs of growth, shipyards are eager to continue building back their long-term business prospects.
One of Carnival Cruise Line’s large cruise ships, the 130,000 gross ton Carnival Magic, sustained damage after being pushed into the dock by heavy weather. The ship remained in Jamaica for inspections, causing disruptions for passengers. The weather also affected other cruise ships in the Western Caribbean.
Jan 30 (Reuters) – Carnival said on Tuesday its annual profits would take a hit as the cruise operator rerouted its ships scheduled to sail through the Red Sea, a key transit route between Asia and Europe. More companies have been rerouting ships due to the Yemeni militant group’s attacks.
Princess Cruises and Fincantieri have agreed to delay the delivery of the new cruise ship Sun Princess just two weeks before its scheduled maiden voyage. The delay is due to “unforeseen challenges” at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The 175,500 gross ton ship was part of a two-ship order placed by Carnival Corporation in July 2018.
Carnival Corporation and Fincantieri are rumored to be finalizing a $5 billion new cruise ship construction order, breaking the drought on large cruise ship orders since the pandemic. The order would break records in ship size and dollar value, reiterating Carnival’s leadership in the industry.
