The Cruise industry briefing
Carnival begins global fleet upgrade programme
5 August | Modernisation
US-based cruise company Carnival has announced an upgrade to its global fleet in an effort to enhance its fuel efficiency and meet its sustainability goals.
The upgrades will be undertaken across the company’s global fleet to optimise energy savings and reduce fuel consumption.
Also among the upgrades are ongoing installations on ships, which cover the firm’s nine cruise line brands and will continue into next year.
These brands are Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK), and Cunard.
Carnival’s upgrade programme is expected to help achieve an average of 5%-10% fuel savings for each ship, as well as reduce fleetwide greenhouse gas emissions by more than 500,000t a year.
The company said that on completion, the programme is anticipated to generate more than $150m in annual fuel cost savings.
The programme will cover air conditioning upgrades to cabin and public areas and key improvements to cooling, lighting and automation systems. It will also include the adjustment of variations in ship design, size, and equipment.
The programme will mainly focus on comprehensive improvements to each ship’s hotel heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as technical system upgrades on each ship.
9 August | Vessels
Construction begins on China’s second-largest cruise ship
A steel-cutting ceremony has been carried out at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for China’s second largest cruise ship built domestically.
In 2018, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding’s parent firm China State Shipbuilding (CSSC) entered a contract with cruise company Carnival and Italian firm Fincantieri for the construction of two cruise ships.
The contract includes an option for the construction of another four vessels. The first cruise ship, which is currently under construction in Shanghai, is anticipated to be delivered in the second half of 2023.
Designed to be larger and greener than the first vessel, the second vessel will have a gross weight of 143,000t and is not a duplication of the first ship. Featuring 2,144 passenger rooms, the new cruise ship will be 341m long and 37.2m wide.
With a top travel speed of 22.7k, the ship will also be equipped with two desulfurisation towers, as well as selective catalytic reduction systems, to be in line with emissions regulations from the IMO.
Upon completion of construction, the cruise ships will be handed over to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping, a joint venture between CSSC and Carnival.
3 August | Vessels
NCL’s second Prima Class vessel floated out for the first time
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), operated by global cruise firm Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has floated out its new Norwegian Viva Prima Class vessel.
The vessel is the second in the Prima Class series and was floated out by Fincantieri at the dry dock of the company’s shipyard in Venice, Italy.
This marked the completion of the external works and painting of the new vessel, which features hull artwork designed by Italian graffiti artist Manuel Di Rita.
Currently, the vessel is undergoing work for the interior fittings and guest accommodations. It is expected to begin operations in 2023.
NCL president and CEO Harry Sommer said: “As our 19th ship and the second in our innovative Prima Class, Norwegian Viva continues to represent our ongoing commitment to giving guests the best holiday experience imaginable.
“With Norwegian Viva’s name meaning ‘to be alive’, and her motto being ‘live it up’, we simply cannot wait to put this into practice and welcome guests on board soon for the vacation of a lifetime.”
22 July | Environmental
AIDA Cruises commences biofuels use in decarbonisation push
Carnival’s wholly-owned subsidiary AIDA Cruises has started using biofuels as part of its efforts to cut down CO₂ emissions. The move forms part of the company’s Green Cruising Strategy.
AIDAprima is the company’s first larger-scale cruise ship to be bunkered with marine biofuel. The biofuel blend is produced using 100% sustainable raw materials, such as waste cooking oil, and marine gas oil.
The bunkering was completed during the vessel’s stopover in the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Dutch biofuel pioneer GoodFuels is the cooperation partner in the project.
At present, AIDAprima cruises between Norway and Hamburg on seven-day voyages to the metropolises of Western Europe.
The project also includes the commissioning of the battery storage system on board AIDAprima, which has a capacity of 10MW hours, and the installation of a fuel cell on board the AIDAnova vessel.
Furthermore, future plans will see AIDAprima expand and increase the use of shore power while in port.
In Numbers
$172m
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has allocated $172.2m to enhance ferry services.
$480m
Recreational boat and yacht retailer MarineMax has signed an agreement to take over Island Global Yachting for $480m in cash.
$275m
Royal Caribbean Group has agreed to take over the ultra-luxury expedition cruise ship Endeavor for $275m.
$550m
Virgin Voyages announced it has closed on $550m in new capital, led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock.
$1.9m
Port Canaveral, Florida, has secured more than $1.9m in federal funding to help finance security upgrades.
65%
Construction of Carnival China’s first newbuild, currently known as H1508, is over 65% complete.
30 years
Global Ports Holding has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority for San Cruise Port, Puerto Rico.
In Brief
Bodrum Cruise Port hosts Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship
Global Ports Holding subsidiary Bodrum Cruise Port in Turkey has received Odyssey of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Bodrum Cruise Port said this was the largest cruise ship it has hosted in its history.
Coca-Cola products return to Norwegian
After switching to Pepsi 10 years ago, Norwegian Cruise Line will be stocking Coca-Cola products across its fleet by the end fo this year.
Fred Olsen Cruises cancels cruises
The UK firm has canceled four cruises, reportedly due to a lack of demand.
Princess to introduce two LNG ships
Princess Cruises is set to take delivery of two LNG-powered cruise ships, with the new ships joining the fleet in 2023 and 2025.
Disney Cruise Line increases gratuities
Disney Cruise Line has slightly increased its recommended gratuity rates for select crew positions, which in total raises the gratuity rate by $1 per day, per stateroom guest.
New MSC ship completes sea trials
The newest Seaside-class cruise ship, MSC Seascape, has reached the final phases of construction as she arrived back from sea trials at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
New cruise port in Alaska planned
Initial plans have been announced for a brand new cruise port in Klawock, Alaska. A three-phase plan to develop the Prince of Wales Island’s first cruise ship dock has been released, with the first ship scheduled to arrive in May 2023.
