Other Things You'll Want to Know - June 24, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:

• A new affordable flat rate plan for AIDA passengers who want to access their social media accounts.
• Gaining weight for a good cause aboard Princess ships in Australia
• Meyer Werft gives a sneak peek at Ovation of the Seas

Details appeared in the June 24 edition of Cruise News Daily.

A section of Ovation of the Seas pops out of the building hall at Meyer Werft

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

Like a Virgin

Most everyone in the cruise industry knows Virgin is going into the cruise business, and today they made it real by announcing they had signed a binding letter of intent with Fincantieri for three ships.

Today’s announcement in Miami, however, seemed more designed to get the attention of those outside the industry (at least in Miami) and plant Virgin’s flag (as it turns out, literally) in the cruise capital.

And it all happened in true Virgin style, complete with Richard Branson arriving in a helicopter through a cloud of Virgin Red smoke.

The complete story appeared in the June 23 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Would you have expected anything less from Virgin?

Photo courtesy of World Red Eye. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

They Just Keep Coming

Both Mein Schiff 5 and Mein Schiff 6 moved forward into new phases today at Meyer Turku.

Mein Schiff 5 moved into the building phase when the first block was lowered into the dry dock. Construction began on Mein Schiff 6 when TUI Cruises CEO Wybcke Meyer pushed the button to start the plasma cutting machine in the production hall to begin cutting the first steel for the sister ship.

The complete story appeared in the June 23 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Cutting first steel for Mein Schiff 6

Reported watched the keel laying of Mein Schiff 5 from the floor of the not-quite-dry dock.

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

First Steel Cut for MSC Seaside

Fincantieri cut the first steel today at their Monfalcone yard for MSC Seaside, which, at 154,000 gross tons, will be the largest vessel Fincantieri has ever produced.

MSC Seaside will be the first of two MSC has on order with an option for a third.

The complete story appeared in the June 22 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - June 22, 2015

CND subscribers also read about:

• Natalie Cole joining the line up of Cunard's Blue Note Jazz Cruise aboard Queen Mary 2. The even takes place during the October 29 crossing. 
• MSC opened for sale the inaugural sailing of MSC Meraviglia.

Details appeared in the June 22 edition of Cruise News Daily.