Bridge Work

Holland America Line’s Oosterdam (above) and Prinsendam have undergone refits to their navigation bridges. The bridge refit on board the 82,820gt/2003 built Oosterdam was concluded in Palermo, Sicily in early May. Then just days later the contractors, Radio Holland, continued with a bridge upgrade project for the 39,051gt/1988 built Prinsendam, which took place in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The latest projects follow refit work on the Noordam and Westerdam in 2014 and 2015. Both bridge retrofits for the Oosterdam and Prinsendam were highly customised assignments which each required their own specific approach. The expertise and project management skills of Radio Holland ensured completion within a limited time frame during each ship’s two week dry docking. Radio Holland and Holland America Line’s relationship goes back many years, and Radio Holland technicians are therefore familiar with the Holland America Line vessels due to conducting maintenance on the Nav/Com equipment. The bridge retrofit work on the Oosterdam included, removal of the existing integrated bridge, all antennas and ECDIS computers, as well as design and installation of new console tops including wing consoles to accommodate new Furuno radars, ECDIS (Main and Backup), EMRI designed Furuno Autopilot with two controlling heads with track control, EMRI AZIPOD propulsion interface, Satellite Speed Log, two AIS and two GPS systems. The scope of work for the Prinsendam was more extensive. The bridge layout was modified so that it is in line with that of the Vista Class ships, which included moving equipment and installing an echo sounder and speed log. Additionally, Radio Holland carried out an extensive cable ‘clean up’ and modernisation, removing some 250 redundant cables. This makes servicing much easier. The bridge layout was also changed to accommodate a pilot station so the pilot can have their own radar on board plus an ‘Officer on Duty’ position, whereby the officer can oversee the entire bridge. The next ship to be handled will be the Westerdam as part of Radio Holland’s 16-ship maintenance agreement that was awarded in 2015.

RCI News

Royal Caribbean International has confirmed its intention to invest in the construction of a new cruise terminal and the waterfront at La Spezia, Italy. MSC Cruises has also pledged its involvement in the port. Two main construction projects in the Marseille harbour area of French port Marseille Fos were also nearing completion in July, following the final stage of works costing almost €64 million that will cater for the largest cruise ships. The Passe Nord port entrance has been enlarged to 240m and dry dock No. 10 recommissioned. The port authority approved the scheme in June 2012 and is contributing almost half the €32.7 million cost alongside state and regional funding. Drydock 10, the third largest in the world after Lisbon and Dubai at 465m x 85m, was primarily rejuventated as a result of the growing world fleet of mega-cruiseships, 65% of which operate in the Mediterranean. The facility will also provide a minimal-deviation repair and maintenance option for giant container, gas and bulk carriers as well as offshore platforms In 2015 the port handled more than 170 vessels over 300m in length and is now braced for regular calls from cruise ships exceeding 360m such as the Harmony of the Seas. Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, has since decided to buy a 33% share in Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard, as the company signed an agreement for the development of a ship repair and conversion centre with Genoese San Giorgio del Porto company. The agreement between the duo calls for an initial investment of €10 million aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Giorgio del Porto’s shipyard, which operates three dry docks. Carnival said that an expansion is planned due to the delivery of seven new ships, three for German AIDA Cruises brand, two for Costa Crociere and two for Costa Asia. RCI has reported an adjusted net income of $235.2 million, a notable gain on the $185 million reported in 2015. The result is better than predicted due to lower fuel expenses. The sale of 51% of the Pullmantur Group resulted in increased yields and costs metrics for 2016, as they’re lower than the fleet average. For the six months ending 30th June operating increased from $13.1 million to $2.56 billion while the company brought in a total revenue of $4 billion, an increase of $149 million on the prior corresponding period.

Crystal Pull Out Of United States Project

It was probably all too good to be true and indeed on 5th August Crystal Cruises conceded that while the SS United States is structurally sound, the technical and commercial challenges associated with returning the historic liner to service as a modern cruise ship had unfortunately proven insurmountable. As a show of support for the vessel, the company will be making a significant donation of $350,000 to aid in the SS United States Conservancy’s ongoing mission to save the ship. The Conservancy intends to resume its pursuit of stationary redevelopment opportunities for America’s Flagship. In February, both parties announced they had entered into an exclusive option agreement with the goal of converting the iconic 1950’s vessel into a modern, luxury cruise ship that would comply with all modern safety and technical standards, unprecedented for a single vessel refurbishment. Crystal commenced a comprehensive feasibility study and professional evaluation, convening a world-class team of engineers and experts while incurring over $1 million in costs. The task of bringing a 65-year-old vessel up to modern safety, design and international regulatory compliance proved just too great to clear in both a technically and commercially responsible manner but the SS United States Conservancy remains deeply committed to saving this unique and powerful symbol of the nation’s strength, history, and innovation. Modern day SOLAS requirements would have required significant changes to the hull that would pose stability challenges. Additionally, the installation of a modern, state-of-the-art diesel electric propulsion plant would have necessitated alterations to the existing shaft lines and rebuilding about 25% of the hull to reconfigure the ship to a twin shaft-twin rudder arrangement. While it was known that the vessel would need to have been essentially rebuilt from the inside out, these specific challenges, among others, collectively posed significant risk to the success of the project. The parent company of Star Cruises and Crystal Cruises, Genting Hong Kong, has warned of a projected first half loss between $60 million and $75 million. The loss has been attributed to the absence of an accounting gain which occurred in May 2015, a disposal of certain stakes in NCLH in 2015, one-time start-up costs for the launch of new Dream and Crystal cruise brands in 2016 and higher overall expenses. Would it be unreasonable to assume that these figures may have in some way influenced the changes in Crystal Cruises big plans?

NCL Changes

NCL instigated a ban on passengers taking their own alcohol and beverages (even water) aboard the ships as of 15th July. This will surely boost the purchase of drinks packages on board! NCL then announced alterations to the Norwegian Jade (above) and Norwegian Spirit’s 2017 summer season itineraries on 20th July. To meet customers’ demand, the international cruise line has increased the variety in its cruise product by adding new destinations in the Mediterranean and offering an expanded choice in Northern Europe for two of the five ships operating in Europe. The Norwegian Jade, the first NCL-ship based in Hamburg, will offer a series of cruises from Hamburg in June and July as well as a number of itineraries departing from Southampton throughout the summer season. The ship will depart from Hamburg on three Norwegian Fjord itineraries as well as two 12-night North Cape sailings and one 14-night Norway, Iceland & UK cruise. The ship will also call in Hamburg on 9th September as part of the Hamburg Cruise Days and join the spectacular parade. From Southampton, in addition to one European Capitals cruise, the ship will embark on two Norwegian Fjord itineraries as well as a new 11-night British Isles cruise departing Southampton in May and two 14-night Norway, Iceland & UK itineraries in August and September. The Norwegian Spirit will redeploy from the Baltic itineraries to her new seasonal homeport of Civitavecchia (Rome) in early May and offer a series of different 10/11 night cruises.

NCL revealed the hull artwork for the 165,157gt Norwegian Joy (above) on 27th July having commissioned renowned Chinese artist Tan Ping to design the creation to be featured on the next Breakaway-Plus class vessel. Scheduled for release in Summer 2017, with home porting in Shanghai and Beijing, the Norwegian Joy will be NCL’s first ship that is purpose-built for the Chinese market to deliver on the promise that guests will enjoy ‘First Class at Sea’ experiences, starting with her VIP accommodations. Tan Ping’s distinctive artwork will serve to underscore the company’s commitment to providing an unparalleled cruise experience for Chinese consumers. Tan Ping’s subject for Norwegian Joy is the phoenix, an iconic mythical bird believed to reign supreme over all birds of the world. It is a ubiquitous motif in Chinese art and can be found throughout the centuries in paintings, silk brocades, architectural flourishes, and more. Tan’s modernistic design is simple, yet graceful, as flowing lines simultaneously convey forward movement and majestic poise. The artwork’s colour palette is dominated by red and yellow, traditionally the two most regal colours in China. Red signifies joy, a perfect match for a ship of the very same name whilst yellow represents grandeur. The design also includes hints of blue, signifying the sea. These three colours are also primary colours, the starting point for all other colours in the spectrum of visible light. Through this subtle reference, Tan conveys the sense of an auspicious beginning to an unforgettable voyage.

During the Rio Olympics, the 145,655gt/2014 built Norwegian Getaway was chartered for 40 nights by Landry & Kling to be used as a floating hotel. She was berthed at Rio’s Pier Maua 4th-22nd August and was used by officials. The USA’s men and women’s basketball teams used Silversea’s 16,927gt/1994 built Silver Cloud. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ revenue for the second quarter of 2016 increased 9.3% to $1.2 billion to 30th June. The Company generated GAAP net income of $145.2 million or EPS of $0.64 compared to GAAP net income of $158.5 million or EPS of $0.69 in the second quarter of 2015. Adjusted Net Income was $192.6 million or Adjusted EPS of $0.85 compared to Adjusted Net Income of $171.6 million or Adjusted EPS of $0.75 in the second quarter of 2015. Total revenue was $1.2 billion, up 9.3% from 2015. The increases were primarily attributed to the addition of the Norwegian Escape and Oceania Cruises’ Sirena to the fleet as well as improved pricing, slightly offset by four scheduled dry-docks in the period.

Other expenses totalled $10.8 million in 2016 compared to $3.7 million in 2015, including costs related to the newbuild Seven Seas Explorer.

New Horizon

Carnival Cruise Line announced on 29th July that Carnival Horizon will be the name of its new 133,500gt ship scheduled to be delivered in March 2018. Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy, the Carnival Horizon will be the line’s second Vista-class ship (not to be confused with Fincantieri’s Vista Class design), with the namesake vessel in the series, Carnival Vista, having entered service in May 2016. The Carnival Horizon will offer many of the hugely popular indoor and outdoor dining, bar, entertainment and activity options available on Carnival Vista including SkyRide, the IMAX Theatre, WaterWorks aqua park, Seuss at Sea program in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Alchemy Bar. There will also be a number of new innovations unique to this vessel.

Silver Service

On 3rd August Silversea announced the biggest fleet-wide refurbishment plan in its history, worth $170 million. This investment is not aimed at simply maintaining Silversea’s self-imposed high levels of excellence, but to reaffirm the company’s commitment to exceptional standards of guest comfort.

The 28,258gt/2001 built Silver Whisper (above), host to the company’s World Cruise itinerary, will undergo a refurbishment that will take place by the end of 2016, and has been largely influenced by feedback from World Cruisers, which ensures that 2017 World Cruisers will get to experience the refreshed ship. The suites will be refurbished and the bathrooms adorned with dark emperor marble flooring. Public spaces will be the key beneficiaries of the bursary, where a freshly tiled pool and new chaise longues will breathe new comfort into open air spaces. Dining areas at The Restaurant and La Terrazza will be refurbished with plush new carpet and elegant hardwood parquet respectively, and will each receive new furniture, echoing the contemporary theme throughout the ship. The Silver Whisper’s communications hub is also set for a major overhaul with the addition of two satellite antennas, vastly improving internet speeds on board and enabling guests to take full advantage of the new, interactive TVs and on demand movies available in every suite. The refurbishment programme also extends to the 17,235gt/1995 built Silver Wind during her dry dock scheduled this month, largely reflecting that of the Silver Whisper. Beyond the Classic fleet, Silver Discoverer will also benefit from this investment in 2016, entering dry dock this October. The refit will mirror that of her fleetmates but The Restaurant will be remodelled with a lighter, more contemporary colour palette and the ever popular pool grill area will flaunt new furniture. The Discoverer Lounge will also go through a transformation from breakfast venue to a lounge. Further details of the fleet-wide refurbishment will be publicised in due course.