STX France Delivers Symphony of the Seas

The world officially has a new “largest cruise ship in the world” today with Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas being registered at 228,081 gross registered tons, puts it ahead of the previous record holder, Harmony of the Seas, which is “only” 226,963 tons. The record-holder 5,518 passengers in double occupancy, but will actually carry up to a total of 6,680 passengers and a crew of 2,200.

STX France officially handed the Oasis-class ship over to Royal Caribbean today at their Saint-Nazaire yard.

Details appeared in the March 23 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

The first video shows the handover and the celebration which followed. Included are comments from executives from both the cruise line and the yard. The second video, is a mashup of scenes from construction to delivery.

NOTE: The second video includes lots of quick edits and flashing lights. If you are sensitive please STOP the video during the 5-second transition.

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

Investing in Japan

Carnival Corp has signed an agreement with the port of Sasebo in Japan for Carnival to invest in the construction of a cruise terminal to be in operation by 2020.

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

Other Things You'll Want to Know - March 22, 2018

CND subscribers also read about:

• Norwegian Cruise Line opening bookings for Norwegian Encore's inaugural season beginning in November 2019.
• MSC launched a new partnership with Michelin-starred chef Ramon Freixa for the Spanish chef to develop menu items and tapas which will be available across the fleet. 
• Carnival Australia revealed the initial itineraries and opened bookings for Carnival Splendor when it is transferred "Down Under" in November 2019. It will initially be based in Sydney. 

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

Dominica Nearly Recovered from Hurricane Maria

Last week the Caribbean island of Dominica marked six months since the Category 5 Hurricane Maria devastated the island, and Discover Dominica reports the island has made major progress in restoring essential services and amenities on the island, reopening tourist attractions and being ready to receive visitors. The cruise ship berth at Roseau is also fully operational.

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

Dry Dock Set for Silver Whisper

Passengers sailing on Silversea's 2019 World Cruise aboard Silver Whisper will be sailing on a just-renovated ship. The ship will go into dry dock at Freeport from December 8 to December 19.

During its 11-day makeover, the interior will receive much of the same styling as the line's newest ship, Silver Muse. There will be renewal throughout the vessel.

The complete story appeared in the March 21 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - March 21, 2018

CND subscribers also read about:

• MSC choosing a place and date to christen MSC Bellissima 
• Carnival opening the books for Carnival Panorama
• Seabourn Ovation completing sea trials
• Costa Luminosa straying from the route slightly

Details appeared in the March 21 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

The Trouble with Horizon

Newspapers in northern Italy (where Fincantieri is the hometown business and they follow the progress of each new ship from the time it is ordered until it is delivered) are reporting there's trouble with Carnival Horizon.

It is in the Marghera yard, near Venice, which is and ultra-environmentally-sensitive area anyway. Very basically, the paint is not sticking to the hull, and flakes of the paint, which is filled with all sorts of nasty chemicals, are coming off and polluting the water.

The complete story appeared in the March 20 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Nothing Is Simple

Yesterday we told you that Royal Caribbean and CTrip were shutting down their joint venture cruise line SkySea Cruise Line, and the ship, the former Celebrity Century was being sold to TUI for use in their Marella brand. Seems simple, but nothing is simple in the cruise industry.

Details appeared in the March 20 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Polishing a Jewel

P&O Australia's Pacific Jewel has just returned from a 10-day dry dock which has updated her interior to the fresh modern look other P&O ships are getting, and she has her new Southern Cross livery.

Details appeared in the March 20 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Pacific Jewel in its new Southern Cross livery

The new, modern look in the atrium

Connexions Lounge

Photos courtesy of P&O Australia Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

The Ship with Something Extra

Holland America Line announced last week that when Nieuw Statendam is delivered in December, it will have something extra they weren't originally planning. Fincantieri has managed to build eight more staterooms into it than sister ship Koningsdam has.

Overall the 99,500-ton ship will have 1,339 staterooms and suites, including staterooms for solo cruisers, and family staterooms that accommodate up to five. 

The complete story appeared in the March 19 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - March 19, 2018

CND subscribers also read about:

• Royal Caribbean and China's CTrip are ending their joint venture SkySea Cruise Lines this fall. 
• In May, Adam Goldstein will be promoted to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd Vice Chairman.

Details appeared in the March 19 edition of Cruise News Daily.