MSC Enters the "Extra-Luxury" Segment of Market

MSC is going to enter the "extra-luxury" segment of the cruise market with four 64,000-ton ships ordered from Fincantieri today. The ships will each have 500 staterooms.

The first ship of the 2 billion euro order is scheduled to be delivered in the spring of 2023.

Further details will be in today's edition of Cruise News Daily.

RCCL Orders Three New Ships for Silversea Brand

Breaking news - October 8 - 8:15am

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, has ordered three new ships for their Silversea brand.

The company signed an MOU for two of a new Evolution class that were ordered from Meyer Werft, the first of which will be delivered in 2022.

They also signed a contract with De Hoop for a 100-passenger ship that will sail in the Galapagos. It will be delivered in March 2020.

The complete story will appear in today's edition of Cruise News Daily.

Tow, Tow, Tow Your Boat

Saturday, 9:30am Eastern Time US
Norwegian Cruise Line reports that Norwegian Star has arrived in Melbourne under tow and is safely alongside.

The ship never lost electrical power, and all hotel services continue to operate normally.

An assessment team is checking the propulsion system, and the line says they should have a repair time line and expected departure time available within 24-48 hours.

Passengers are invited to remain aboard, or they may disembark and return to Sydney. Passengers were already given full refunds, onboard credits, and future cruise credits.

Fathom Receives Cuban Approval to Bring All Passengers to Cuba

Carnival Corp said this morning the Cuban government has agreed to allow their Fathom brand to carry all passengers to Cuba regardless of their country of birth.

Cuban law had previously prohibited persons born in Cuba to enter or leave the country by sea.

Fathom's May 1 inaugural cruise to Cuba will now move ahead as originally scheduled.

Details will be in today's edition of Cruise News Daily.

Fathom Changes Policy on Cuba Bookings

Carnival Corp says that due to ongoing talks with Cuba they expect the Cuban government to change their policy and allow Cuban-Americans to arrive by sea before Fathom's first cruise from the US to Cuba on May 1.

As a result, their Fathom brand has begun to accept bookings from everyone regardless of their country of origin. A lawsuit had been filed against the line by two Cuban-born American citizens for whom Fathom had declined to make a reservation in accordance with Cuban law.

Fathom said that should the Cuban government's decision on the matter be delayed beyond May 1, the line will delay the start of their voyages to Cuba.

The complete story appeared in the April 18 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Royal Godmother for Koningsdam

Her Majesty Queen Maxima

Holland America Line said this morning that Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has consented to name ms Koningsdam in Rotterdam on May 20.

Her Majesty will carry on a tradition of the Royal Family christening Holland America ships that dates back to 1929 when Prince Hendrik launched Statendam III. Over the years the Royal Family has named 11 ships for the line, the most recent was when then-Princess Maxima christened Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010.

Details appeared in the April 18 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Adonia Receives Approval

Adonia getting its Fathom livery in dry dock

Fathom reports that the repair work on the malfunctioning fire screens aboard Adonia has been completed. The US Coast Guard has inspected it and certified the ship to sail.

Therefore, on Sunday, Carnival's social impact brand, Fathom, will enter service with their inaugural voyage from Miami to the Dominican Republic.

Photo courtesy of Fathom Travel. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Costa to Expand to Five Ships in China

Carnival Corp's Costa brand said this morning they deploy Costa neoRomantica to China year round beginning in April 2017. It will be the line's fifth ship in the market.

Details will follow in tonight's edition of Cruise News Daily.