Cruise Ships News

Seatrium has entered into a new agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, reinforcing a longstanding strategic partnership since 2012 with Seatrium’s Repairs & Upgrades business.Under the new agreement, Royal Caribbean Group is expected to dock a significant number of cruise vessels for statutory inspections, repairs and upgrades at Seatrium’s facilities over the next several years, providing sustained workload visibility for the Group’s Singapore yards. The contract covers Royal Caribbean Group’s global fleet across its leading brands including Royal Caribbean…

ABS has opened the ABS Cruise Center of Excellence, its dedicated global hub for the cruise sector, located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The center expands ABS’ local presence and provides cruise operators with direct access to industry-leading classification, risk management, compliance and performance software and engineering services.The new center brings together local experts specializing in classification, risk consulting, and sustainability, while serving as a strategic connection point to ABS’ worldwide technical resources and deep marine expertise.

Fincantieri announced the acquisition of an order from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. for the construction of three next-generation cruise ships. The value of this agreement, subject to financing and other typical terms and conditions, is considered very important.The three vessels will be built for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, each as a sister ship to the most recent newbuilds built by Fincantieri for their respective brands. All units will be constructed at Fincantieri’s Italian shipyards, with deliveries scheduled between 2036 and 2037.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said on Thursday it appointed John Chidsey as its chief executive officer, effective immediately, replacing Harry Sommer, who is stepping down.The company said Chidsey, 63, who had served at the helm of Subway Restaurants for five years until December 2024 and Burger King Holdings, was appointed to Norwegian's board in 2025, following a previous stint from 2013 to 2022.Sommer, who took the top job at the company in 2023, departed the company and resigned from the board on Thursday, according to an SEC filing.

Meyer Turku has unveiled a net-zero cruise ship concept design named AVATAR.The project achieved its set emissions reduction target: the vessel’s lifecycle carbon footprint was successfully reduced by more than 90 percent compared to the baseline defined by the IMO.Developing a net zero vessel concept was one of the key objectives of NEcOLEAP, Meyer Turku’s four‑year research and development program co‑funded by Business Finland. The outcome has also been critically reviewed by a third party.“AVATAR has provided a solid foundation for our development work.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and Oceania Cruises, a brand of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), have held the keel laying ceremony for the Oceania Sonata cruise ship at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard.With a gross tonnage of about 86,000 tonnes, Oceania Sonata will accommodate up to 1,390 guests. The ship is designed to feature large public spaces and high levels of comfort, continuing Oceania Cruises’ focus on luxury travel and onboard experiences.The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2027.Oceania Sonata is the first vessel in the new Sonata class…

According to Veson Nautical’s 2025 End-of-Year Market Report, a report which breaks down prevailing trends in all major oceangoing shipping sectors globally, these are the prevailing trends shipowners should watch in 2026.1. Routing Normalization vs. Geopolitical RealityMuch of 2025’s earnings strength—especially in containers, crude tankers and dry bulk—was driven by longer voyages around the Cape of Good Hope. Any sustained return to Suez transits in 2026 would compress ton-mile demand quickly. Owners should plan for volatility rather than assume a clean reversion to pre-Red Sea norms.2.

Fincantieri has secured a new order for the construction of an ultra-luxury cruise ship for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), which will be operated by its subsidiary Regent Seven Seas Cruises.Scheduled for delivery in 2033, the new vessel will be a sister ship to Seven Seas Prestige, the first of the new Prestige Class, currently under construction at the Marghera shipyard and set for delivery in 2026. A second ship in the same class is already scheduled for delivery in 2030.The agreement…

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…