Looking around

Holland America has added a neat photo on their blog today. It's a panorama photo taken from the top of the funnel of Nieuw Amsterdam which is currently under construction at the Fincantieri yard in Marghera (Italy).

The panorama is a 360-degree view of the shipyard. Not only can you see the regular activity in the yard, but and you can also see Costa Deliziosa being built at a nearby berth at the yard.

Nieuw Amsterdam will be delivered to Holland America in June.

Preview of the "nieuw" ship

Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam is currently under construction at the Fincantieri yard at Marghera (Italy) and is set to enter service next summer. The line released some artist's renderings of the interior today, and posted them on their blog.

The human side to the story

When we write about someone going overboard from a cruise ship, it's easy to overlook the lives they've left behind. A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about a woman who apparently committed suicide by jumping overboard from Sapphire Princess. The newspaper in her hometown ran an exceptionally nice piece about the human side of the tragedy.

Silversea's Prince Albert II Visits Other Side of Jamaica

Silversea's Prince Albert II made an unusual call at the port Black Water, Jamaica. The Jamaica Observer gave a local view of the call.

Propulsion Pods Installed on Nieuw Amsterdam

Holland America's blog reports that the Azipod propulsion pods have been installed under Nieuw Amsterdam which is being built at Fincantieri's Marghera yard. The photos detail the massive size of the units.

Nieuw Amsterdam is slated for delivery in July 2010.

Modern Shipbilding Demonstrated

Yesterday's installment of Cunard's blog (which is really hitting its stride) is particularly interesting. Blogger Alastair Greener visits the Fincantieri yard at Monfalcone (Italy) for an update on the construction of Cunard's next vessel, Queen Elizabeth. This installment shows the reader how the prefabricated blocks fit together to form the cruise ship.