Aranui, the Polynesian luxury cargo/passenger company, looks set to add a second ship to its operations as early as 2022. Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime (CPTM), which operates the Aranui 5 in French Polynesia, has reportedly ordered the Aranui 6 from the Hunghai shipyard in Shidao, China. The newbuilding will have more of a focus on the company’s luxury cruise product than the 11,468gt/2015 built Aranui 5 and previous vessels, but will still have a small cargo operation. Passenger capacity will be in the 200-300 bracket, slightly more than the 254-guest Aranui 5.

Blue Star Line has contracted Deltamarin to continue with the design of the Titanic II. The contract covers activities and tasks for the design process, consultancy and project management services.

Deltamarin will provide Blue Star Line with outline design services including finalising and modifying the existing design to comply with the latest rules and regulations. These include the SOLAS 2020 requirements and the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). The company will also further develop the design together with the selected yard and Blue Star Line, and handle the management of consultations with potential shipyards.

Celebrity Cruises’ 5,635gt/2019 built Celebrity Flora, the company’s new 100-passenger boutique cruise ship, purpose-built for the Galápagos Islands, was launched at the De Hoop shipyard in The Netherlands on 19th January. A few weeks later she was scheduled to be towed to Rotterdam for completion, prior to delivery in May 2019.

Celestyal Cruises has announced an extensive suite refurbishment programme for the 25,611gt/1980 built Celestyal Crystal’s 43 junior balcony suites and 16 suites. The project includes a thorough overhaul of the vessel’s suite soft furnishings, fixtures and carpeting. The renovations will be completed ahead of the 2019 spring/summer and new autumn/winter sailings. This work follows on from the suite refurbishment completed on the 37,773gt/1982 built Celestyal Olympia in 2017. A new Suite Concierge onboard service aboard the Celestyal Crystal (above) and the Celestyal Olympia, offered at no additional cost to guests booking select Suite category accommodations, is also being launched.

Cruise Belfast, the partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast, has announced that 285,000 visitors aboard 151 cruise ships are due to call at Belfast Harbour in 2019, an increase of 31% on the 115 visits during the 2018 cruise season. July will be the busiest month with 32 ships calling, including SAGA Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery with other first-time callers to Belfast this year including the Disney Magic and CMV’s Vasco da Gama. In total 35 separate cruise lines will call at Belfast, the most frequent being CMV (15) and Princess Cruises (13). The first vessel is due on 12th March while the final visit of the season is scheduled for the end of October.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has announced that it has sold the 6,752gt/1990-built Bremen (above) to a subsidiary of the Swiss river cruise ship owner Scylla AG. The ship will be transferred in May 2021, and then chartered out by Scylla under a new name. Scylla currently manages 31 river vessels carrying up to 220 passengers each. The Bremen will leave Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet just as the Hanseatic Spirit, the third newbuild, is delivered. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has also revealed plans to exclusively use low-sulphur Marine Gas Oil (MGO) on all routes operated by the Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Inspiration and Bremen from July 2020. The same will apply to the Hanseatic Spirit when she arrives.

Holland America Line’s 99,902gt/2018 built Nieuw Statendam (above) was christened by Oprah Winfrey at Fort Lauderdale on 2nd February and, after spending the night in port, she departed on a seven-day Caribbean cruise. The 2,666 passenger capacity ship was delivered by Fincantieri’s Marghera Shipyard on 30th November.

Hurtigruten has stated that it will add more ships to the year-round expedition service in 2021 as the 16,140gt/2002 built Trollfjord and 15,690gt/2002 built Finnmarken will be positioned in the market, along with the 7,344gt/2015 built Spitsbergen and 16,151gt/2003 built Midnatsol, which will be moved to year-round expedition cruising. The company’s first hybrid newbuild, the 20,889gt/2019 built Roald Amundsen, joins the fleet this spring, followed by the Fridtjof Nansen in 2020 and an unnamed newbuild in 2021. The 11,647gt/2007 built Fram will remain in the expedition fleet whilst the 2,621gt/1964 built Lofoten will continue her Hurtigruten career. The company is also evaluating new homeports for some of the ships with Hamburg among the possibilities.

Marella Cruises announced on 25th January that the 72,458gt/1995 built SkySea Golden Era (above, built as the Celebrity Century) was now at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, to begin her transformation to Marella Explorer 2 for TUI Group and Marella Cruises. The ship had concluded a 4-week transit from China and her career in China had concluded in late summer 2018, followed by a visit to the COSCO shipyard in Zhoushan. SkySea Cruises was a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruises and Ctrip established in 2015. The 1,814-guest capacity Marella Explorer 2 will be Marella’s first adults-only ship and she will homeport in Palma. The 265.5m long/32.20m beam ship is due to depart from Cadiz on 27th March before embarking on her first revenue earning cruise on 2nd April.

P&O Cruises’ 69,840gt/1995 built Oriana will be renamed the Piano Land in autumn 2019 for her debut in her new China Travel Services and COSCO joint venture role from the port of Xiamen in October. An almost unthinkable name for such a fine ship! The partnership is known as Well Star Travel Cruise. The 1,822-passenger capacity ship will leave the P&O fleet in August 2019 once her final cruise concludes on 9th August.

Quark Expeditions’ new 13,500gt polar expedition cruise ship had her steel cutting ceremony at the Brodosplit shipyard in Split, Croatia, on 28th January. Ordered in 2018, the LMG Marin AS designed newbuild for Quark Expeditions is said to be the first of its kind, combining new technology, long-range operational capability and advanced safety systems. Scheduled for delivery in 2020, the vessel will be 128m long with a 21.5m beam and capacity for 200 passengers. Among other features, the ship will have an internal Zodiac hangar and four embarkation points plus two helicopters with simultaneously operable helidecks. The numerous innovations are intended to minimise the ship’s environmental footprint, including a water treatment system, a waste handling system, a heat recovery system that recycles excess energy back into the ship, and the use of entirely recyclable materials for construction. The dynamic positioning technology will also mean no need to anchor, avoiding damage to sensitive seabed ecosystems.

NYK’s 22,472gt/1990 built Nippon Maru (above) was repaired at Guam Shipyard after her collision with the Delta fuel jetty on 30th December that left a large hole in her hull. The ship departed on 11th January. NYK has since announced that it is to halve its involvement in the cruise industry but expand Asuka Cruises

Princess Cruises announced on 4th February that the Diamond Princess had completed her multi-million-pound two-week refit in Singapore. The ship now includes enhanced entertainment capabilities and an upgraded spa and gym. The 115,906gt/2004 built Diamond Princess will be based in Japan throughout 2019-20, including during the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with roundtrip departures from Tokyo and Kobe sailing to 50 destinations in 11 countries. The Diamond Princess is tailored for Japan cruising and gives guests the chance to enjoy local experiences onboard, such as the Izumi Bath (the largest open-air Japanese bath and garden complex at sea), a sushi restaurant and traditional Japanese entertainment. The refit was completed as part of Princess Cruises’ ‘Come Back New Promise’ campaign, with £330m being invested across the fleet of 17 ships.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises, part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced on 15th January that Fincantieri is to build a third 55,254gt Explorer Class ship. The €474m contract will see the ship delivered in 2023, joining 750 passenger capacity sisters Seven Seas Explorer (2016 above) and Seven Seas Splendor (in build with delivery expected in 2020).

Royal Caribbean International revealed on 24th January plans to install the world’s longest waterslide at sea on the 139,570gt/2002 built Navigator of the Seas (above). Known as The Blaster, the waterslide will propel a two-person raft through more than 244m of hills, drops and straightaways including a section that extends over the side of the ship for a unique seaborne experience. The Blaster is just one of the additions that guests can expect from the Navigator of the Seas’ $155m makeover when she re-launches on 24th February 2019. The Blaster’s counterpart, Riptide, will also be fitted, which will plunge riders headfirst down the cruise industry’s very first mat racer. Whilst The Blaster will surely be a hit with many, it will do nothing aesthetically for the ship! The ship’s makeover will also feature: To Dry For, the first standalone blow dry bar at sea, Planet Z glow in the dark laser tag, The Observatorium, Royal Caribbean’s escape room, The Lime and Coconut two-level signature cocktail bar, Tasty Mexican street food at El Loco Fresh, The Bamboo Room, the cruise line’s Polynesian-themed watering hole, Rustic Italian dishes at Jamie’s Italian and a Starbucks outlet. The Navigator of the Seas will also be the first in the Royal Caribbean fleet to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, the debut destination in the cruise lines’ recently announced private island collection, opening in May 2019. Friday 1st February marked an important milestone for the second Quantum Ultra Class ship as the first piece of steel was cut at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The 27th ship in RCI’s global cruise line’s fleet is set to be named Odyssey of the Seas and her debut is scheduled for autumn 2020.

Saga Cruises’ newbuild Spirit of Discovery’s suites are to be named after British Isles Shipping Forecast areas (Bailey, Fair Isle, FitzRoy, Hebrides, Humber, Lundy, Thames and Trafalgar) and four top suites will be named to honour inspiring names in Saga’s history, namely the Sidney de Haan Suite (Sidney de Haan – OBE, Founder), The Rose Suite (Saga Rose – 1st cruise ship), The Ruby Suit (Saga Ruby – 2nd cruise ship) and The Joseph Meyer Suite (Meyer Werft Shipyard). The 58,250gt Spirit of Discovery will be named in Dover on 5th July 2019 while the second ship, Spirit of Adventure, is planned to enter service in 2020. Both ships will host 999 guests and 530 crew members. 

Tauck announced on 22nd January that it will offer its first-ever cruises on the Douro River in Portugal in 2020 with its brand new 84 passenger capacity ship Andorinha (above). Tauck has again teamed up with long-time partner Scylla AG on the design and construction of the Andorinha. The ship’s hull will be fabricated at Vahali Shipyard in Serbia, while final outfitting will be done in Hardinxveld, The Netherlands, prior to the ship’s launch in the spring of 2020. The 80m long/11.6m beam newbuild will have a crew of 36 and 42 guest cabins, including twelve 9m2 suites on the upper Diamond Deck, and twenty 68.5m2 staterooms primarily on the vessel’s Ruby or mid-level deck. The remaining accommodations, six 61sqm cabins and four 46m2 cabins, will be on the lower Emerald Deck. The vessel will also feature a Panorama Lounge, Compass Rose restaurant for fine dining, and a second dining venue, Arthur’s (named after company chairman Arthur Tauck Jr.), serving more casual fare. The word “andorinha” is Portuguese for a species of swallow (a small migratory bird) that return to Portugal each spring after wintering in Africa.

TUI Cruises took delivery of the 111,554gt Mein Schiff 2 (above) in Kiel on 22nd January. The ship is a further refined version of her sisters and sailed to Kiel for the delivery ceremonies due to ice conditions in the Turku archipelago. The latest in the Mein Schiff family is 315m long with a 36m beam, 3,132 passenger capacity, 1,437 cabins and 1,093 crewmembers.

United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) has designed a series of expedition cruise ships as the Russian state-owned company aims to enter the cruise-ship business in the near future. The growing trend in expedition ship newbuilds has caught USC’s attention and tour operator partners are actively being sought. The designs are of 9,000gt, 13,000gt and 17,000gt variants with the largest passenger capacity being 300 guests. A service speed of 16 knots is planned with an operational range of 10,000 nautical miles and the mandatory ice-class hull.

Vidanta Cruises, a subsidiary of leading Mexican company Grupo Vidanta, Latin America’s leading leisure resort company, has unveiled the refitted and internally rebuilt 15,583gt/1990 built Vidanta Elegant (above), the former Voyager/Alexander von Humboldt. The ship called at Gibraltar on 14th January following a major internal rebuild at shipyards in both Cadiz and Naples. The ship also now features a new aft structure and will be based at Puerto Vallarta on the Mexican Riviera.

Viking Ocean Cruises took delivery of their newest ship, the Viking Jupiter (above) on 7th February. The handover ceremony for the company’s sixth newbuild took place at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Ancona. The ship departed that night with a shakedown cruise. The maiden passenger voyage departed from Piraeus on 16th February and the official naming ceremony is scheduled for 6th June in Norway where the ceremonial godmother will be Sissel Kyrkjebø, the acclaimed Norwegian soprano. She is seen here at Dubrovnik on 10th February.

Mardis Gras Time

Having already revealed the ship’s look, name, and some facilities, Carnival Cruises announced on 25th January that the new Mardis Gras will consist of six distinctive themed zones when she makes her debut in 2020. The ship will also include the most expansive open decks on any Carnival ship, and a spectacular atrium that will serve as the hub of the ship as well as a focal point where guests will be welcomed on board. The six zones will be as follows: Grand Central, French Quarter, La Piazza, Summer Landing, Lido and The Ultimate Playground. Grand Central (Decks 6-8, mid-ship) is the 3-deck venue that takes the traditional atrium concept to new heights, combining a day-to-night entertainment complex with spectacular three-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows and a bar overlooking the starboard side of the ship. Also, on offer here are Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Teppanyaki and the first-ever dedicated Punchliner Comedy Club. Zone 2 is The French Quarter (Deck 6, aft) and reflects the New Orleans’ culture, combining lively entertainment with an unparalleled food scene. La Piazza (Deck 8, mid-ship) provides Italian themed cuisine with facilities such as Cucina del Capitano, 24/7 Pizzeria del Capitano, a new Mediterranean-themed seafood restaurant and a suitably themed bar. Zone No.4 is Summer Landing (Deck 8, aft), dubbed as the “ultimate chill spot” and home to an expanded Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse plus a pool and whirlpools, a new bar and ample lounging spaces. The 5th zone is Lido (Deck 16-17, aft) and includes poolside venues such as Guy’s Burger Joint, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack and the BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery. Finally, Zone 8 is The Ultimate Playground (Decks 18-20, aft) that offers guests amazing sea vistas as they soak up the sun and the fun in this spacious family-friendly play area highlighted by the largest and most elaborate Carnival WaterWorks aqua park in the fleet, along with an expanded SportSquare. The Ultimate Playground is also where guests will find the much-anticipated BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first rollercoaster at sea announced in December 2018, where riders race along a long track achieving speeds of nearly 40mph.

The Mardi Gras’ maiden season will offer a selection of European calls and the schedule includes a nine-day maiden voyage from Copenhagen to Southampton 31st August-9th September 2020. This will call at Kiel, Gothenburg, Oslo, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre (Paris), France. From Southampton a 14 day trans-Atlantic crossing to New York departs 9th September with calls at Las Palmas, Tenerife, Funchal and Ponta Delgada. Once in New York, the ship will offer a 6 day round-trip to Portland, Maine and Saint John, New Brunswick. The ship then relocates to Port Canaveral via a 15 day voyage departing 30th September 2020 and arriving in Port Canaveral on 15th October. Thereafter, the ship will offer year-round Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral.

The 85,942gt/2004 built Carnival Miracle’s maiden season from San Francisco in 2020 has been extended by a further 5 voyages, as announced on 25th January. The extra itineraries will depart 20th August/3rd September to Mexico, 24th August and 7th September to Alaska and 17th September to Hawaii. The Carnival Miracle’s previously announced San Francisco-based programme kicks off on 19th March 2020.