Fincantieri Floats Out Viking Sea

Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Sea is one step closer to delivery today. The float out process began yesterday for the line’s second ship at Fincantieri’s Ancona yard.

This step marks the end of construction, the first time the ship touches water, and the beginning of the interior finishing process.

Details appeared in the June 26 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Viking Sea ready for the float out process to begin

Photo courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Wider and Deeper

Moving with all the speed a government agency can muster, the US Army Corps of Engineers has approved Port Everglades’ plan to widen and deepen their channels. The Corps’ study was authorized by Congress in 1996. The port can begin the next phase, subject to Congressional approval which is expected in 2016.

The complete story appeared in the June 26 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Eight Cruise Passengers in Alaska Seaplane Crash

A sightseeing plane carrying eight passengers from Holland America’s Westerdam was spotted this afternoon crashed onto the side of a cliff near Ketchikan.

The plane was operated by Promech Air which confirmed this evening that there were no survivors.

Details can be found in the June 25 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Holland America Expands McKinley Resort

Carnival is continuing to invest in Alaska. Just a few years ago, with the state increasing taxes, and the mood of many of the citizens not quite welcoming, Carnival was even questioning how far to draw down the number of ships they had sailing there. When the state showed Carnival they were interested in working with the company to increase the business Carnival could bring them, the ships started returning.

Today’s announcement says much more, however, because Carnival is investing in shoreside facilities, assets which can’t be moved should the relationship deteriorate again.

Holland America broke ground today McKinley Chalet Resort at Denali National Park for its new Base Camp complex. Base Camp will include a new 7,800-square-foot two-story restaurant, bar and lounge with musical dinner theater and a small amphitheater for presentations and demonstrations.

The complete story appeared in the June 25 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Finally at Home in China

Quantum of the Seas arrived at Shanghai this morning opening a new era for Royal Caribbean in Asia. Shanghai will be the new year round home port for Quantum where it will sail three- to eight-night itineraries for the China-sourced market, the largest market in the world.

The complete story appeared in the June 24 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Quantum of the Seas' maiden arrival at Hong Kong earlier in the week en route to Shanghai.

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

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.