Meyer Cuts Steel for Star Cruises' Newbuild

Meyer Werft began cutting steel on Monday for the first of two 151,000-ton vessels vessels ordered by Star Cruises. The first, designated by the yard as S.711, will be named Genting World, and is scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2016.

The complete story appeared in the February 11 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Genting Hong Kong chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay signs the first steel cut for
Star Cruises' Genting World

The computer-controlled plasma torch makes the first cut in the steel that will form Genting World

Photos courtesy of Meyer Werft. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Court Finds Costa Concordia Captain Guilty

An Italian court found Capt Francesco Schettino guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to 16 years in prison.

Schettino was in command of Costa Concordia on the night of January 13, 2012, when it struck rocks and sank off the coast of Giglio Island in Italy. The prosecutor said Schettino also abandoned ship before everyone else was off. Thirty-two people died in the accident.

Schettino is expected to file an appeal and request that he remain out of prison while it is pending.

The complete story appeared in February 11 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

A Vote for Travel Agents

Yesterday we mentioned that in CLIA’s annual assessment of the cruise industry, they were excited that 70% of the sales were being made by travel agents, but we noted that only a few years ago, that number was typically more than 90%.

Coincidentally, today Norwegian Cruise Line announced they were almost doubling their sales force in North America that works with travel agents.

The complete story appeared in the February 10 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis 3 Taking Shape at Saint-Nazaire

The third ship in Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class is beginning to take shape at the STX France yard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Here you can see blocks in place near the bow. Architectural elements inside the ship are also beginning to be installed. The keel was just laid in May, and delivery is scheduled for the spring of 2016. These photos were taken last Friday.

We placed additional photos on a Pinterest board.

Photos courtesy of Royal Caribbean. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Two Queens Meet in Long Beach

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth met one of her predecessors, Queen Mary, for the first time in Long Beach on Thursday, kicking off the start of Cunard's celebration in the US of their 175th year.

Queen Elizabeth docked in Long Beach Thursday morning, marking Cunard's maiden call at the California port. Her berth was adjacent to Queen Mary, which is permanently moored there.

As Queen Elizabeth was preparing to leave Thursday evening to continue her World Cruise, the two Cunard icons exchanged a whistle salute while overhead Cunard provided a dazzling fireworks display to celebrate the meeting.

The complete story appeared in the February 6 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Additional photos are still being added to this page.

 

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia inspects the model of Queen Mary 2 in the Queen Mary model museum

Photos courtesy of Cunard Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.