Cruise Ships News

The construction of Captain Arctic, a 69-meter near-zero-emission exploration vessel designed for sustainable cruising in polar waters, has reached a major milestone as its hull was completed by Goltens Dubai, marking the start of final outfitting and integration work.The vessel, owned by French company SELAR and built in collaboration with Chantier Naval de l’Océan Indien (CNOI) and Goltens Dubai, represents a major step in the integration of renewable energy systems into modern…

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported in September that the number of member cruise line ships with the ability to use shore power has nearly doubled since 2018.Today, 166 ships are able to plug in at port, a 12% increase from the prior year. These ships represent 58% of the fleet and 65% of capacity.By 2036, 273 ships that can connect are expected to be in service.As part of the EU’s Fit for 55 decarbonization regulations, by 2030 major ports in Europe will be required to have shore power…

French engineering specialist GTT has teamed up with Bloom Energy and Ponant Explorations Group to develop an integrated energy system combining solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) powered by LNG with marine carbon capture, aiming to significantly cut onboard emissions for future cruise operations.The system is slated to be installed on Ponant’s Swap2Zero cruise vessel by 2030. The vessel will be propelled by wind-assisted technology and fuel cells, and the new system is designed to cover the ship’s hotel load - including lighting…

Fincantieri and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, have signed a contract for the design and construction of two new cruise ships.The order replaces the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed in March 2025 with TUI AG for the construction of two cruise ships for their Marella Cruises brand.The ships, which will be delivered in calendar year 2031 and 2032 respectively, will be sister ships to Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow - part of the InTUItion class – and will be powered by dual-fuel engines (LNG and MGO).With a gross tonnage of approximately 160…

The cruise ship Genting Dream has rescued a person from a small boat in distress in the Straits of Malacca during a voyage from Singapore to Phuket, operator Dream Cruises informed.The crew spotted an individual signaling for help and launched a rescue operation, bringing the person safely onboard on the morning of September 3.The rescued individual received food, refreshments, and a medical assessment from the ship’s medical team, and is reported to be in stable condition.Dream…

Fincantieri has sued an Owens Corning company for fraud, claiming it was sold faulty fire-retardant panels.Two ships subsequently needed repairs that delayed their launch and another nine ships are affected, both cruise and military vessels.The suit was filed in Ohio last month, and Fincantieri is asking for over $100 million in damages and citing the reputational harm it caused due to media coverage and launch delays.The company claims that Owens Corning subsidiary Paroc sold the panels knowing they were faulty.The issue came arose when the launch of MSC’s Explora I was delayed.

MEYER RE has established a strategic partnership with Everllence to advance methanol retrofit solutions in the maritime industry.The collaboration focuses on the retrofitting of existing Everllence four-stroke engines and vessels, providing a practical solution for shipping companies transitioning towards greener fuel alternatives.Germany-based MEYER RE provides after sales support for cruise ships throughout their entire service life, modernization measures as well as the implementation of sustainable solutions and maintenance.Henning Jongebloed…

KEYS Azalea, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel owned and operated by KEYS Bunkering West Japan, bunkered LNG by ship-to-ship method for the cruise ship ASUKA III in first ever such operation in Japan.The operation took place on July 14 at Chuo Wharf in Hakata port for the ASUKA III, a cruise ship equipped with engines using three types of fuel, including LNG, operated by NYK.Until now, KEYS Azalea has bunkered for car carriers and iron ore and coal bulk carriers, and the latest achievement represents the first bunkering for cruise ship KEYS Azalea delivered…

In the first episode of Engineering the Experience, Royal Caribbean dives into one of the most-asked questions to showcase the engineering and innovation that go into building revolutionary ships designed to deliver unforgettable vacations. From the initial ideation and design to months of construction at the shipyard, the vacation brand's naval experts, architects and more go behind the scenes on how it all unfolds.

ABB has signed a 15-year service agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, a vacation industry giant with a global fleet of 67 ships across its five brands.Covering 33 existing ships, the comprehensive agreement includes preventive maintenance and digital solutions to support and optimize propulsion operations, improve vessel safety, maximize fleet availability, and ensure fast turnaround times for planned Azipod propulsion servicing.Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.“Our collaboration with Royal Caribbean Group spans nearly three decades…

RINA has acquired the entire share capital of Foreship, a Finnish company specializing in naval architecture and marine engineering, from Vaaka Partners and company’s managers.The acquisition marks a further expansion of RINA’s marine engineering consulting offering worldwide, while strengthening its presence in Northern Europe.Foreship, with 2024 revenues of €15.2 million is headquartered in Helsinki and employs over 90 professionals across eight offices globally, including the US, UK and Estonia.

Fincantieri has marked the start of construction of the Oceania Sonata, the new luxury cruise ship for Oceania Cruises, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.The new vessel will be the first of the new Sonata class, a next-generation series building upon the highly acclaimed Allura class, with Oceania Vista delivered by Fincantieri in 2023 and its sister ship, Oceania Allura, scheduled for delivery in July 2025.Oceania Sonata is scheduled for delivery in 2027 and will be followed by a sister ship…

Fincantieri and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, have launched Mein Shiff Flow, a dual-fuel cruise ship newbuild.A sister ship to Mein Schiff Relax, delivered in February 2025, the new unit is scheduled to enter service in mid-2026.With approximately 160,000 gross tons, Mein Schiff Flow is based on a first-in-class project developed by Fincantieri enhancing the modernity and sustainability characteristics that TUI Cruises, a company with…

ASUKA III, said to be the largest Japanese-flagged cruise ship, has completed its first marine LNG bunkering by FueLNG Private at Singapore Cruise Centre.The bunkering milestone also marks Shell LNG's first supply to an LNG-powered cruise ship in the region, according to Singapore Cruise Centre.Asuka III is owned by NYK Cruises, a company of the Japanese shipping group NYK. The 52,200 GT  newbuild is 230 meters long and 29.8 meters wide, with space for 744 passengers.„We look…

Kongsberg Maritime has strengthened its 15-year partnership with Chesapeake Shipbuilding in the United, through the supply of its Aquarius retractable stabilizers that will be installed on the latest newbuild cruise ships for American Cruise Lines (ACL).The Aquarius retractable stabilizers offer high-performance roll damping, compact and lightweight design, and advanced control systems.They are specifically engineered for smaller vessels, and feature a one-piece high-lift fin…

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.

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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 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…