Cruise News Daily Headlines for May 9, 2014

* A Royal Double-Header
Royal Caribbean had two giant events today in France. First STX France laid the keel for the line’s as-yet-unnamed third Oasis-class ship. That was one event. At that ceremony, the second event occurred when Royal Caribbean announced they have agreed to build a fourth Oasis-class ship with STX France, subject to the normal financing terms being finalized.

* What a Day in Southampton
A marvelous day has come and gone in Southampton, and the tenth anniversary of Queen Mary 2 has been duly noted in royal style.
   To mark the occasion, Cunard’s entire fleet assembled at Southampton to salute the flagship, and there was a royal visit to Queen Mary 2 by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

The first 1,000-ton block of Oasis III was lowered into place at STX France

It Was Queen Mary 2's Day in Southampton

It was a special day in Southampton because all three of Cunard's queens visited the city to mark the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Queen Mary 2. As part of the celebration, HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Queen Mary 2.

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Queen Mary 2 arriving at Southampton

 

All three of Cunard's queens arrived early this morning at Southampton

HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited Queen Mary 2 to mark the occasion.

The Duke of Edinburgh on the bridge of QM2 with Capt Chris Wells

Cunard's Three Queens Arrive at Southampton:



Highlights of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Queen Mary 2

Royal Caribbean Orders Fourth Oasis-Class Ship

Royal Cruises Ltd said today they will order a fourth Oasis-class ship from STX France, subject to finalization of financial arrangements. The ship is scheduled for delivery in 2018.

The announcement came this morning at the keel laying for the third Oasis-class ship at the STX yard in Saint Nazaire (France).

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

Cruise News Daily Headlines for May 8, 2014

* Back to Bermuda
Holland America is returning to Bermuda next year, but differently from everybody else.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Carnival Dream rescuing 39 people ... nice to see an old friend ... sounding familiar ... and the trouble with sponsons.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Former Carnival Celebration Gets a Facelift

It's always nice to see an old friend, and this profile will be familiar to many who may have taken their first cruise aboard Carnival's Celebration. The ship now sails for Carnival's Spanish brand, Ibero Cruceros, which is part of the Costa division of the company, under the name of Grand Celebration. The ship

The 47,263-ton ship is currently at the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard in Genoa, as shown below, for its routine dry dock where maintenance work will be done on the hull, the engine and the hotel areas. Grand Celebration will be back in service with a repositioning cruise from Valencia to Venice on May 18, 2014.

Update - May 12: In April 2015, Grand Celebration will be transferred to the Costa brand and sail from Venice and renamed CostaCelebration. 

Ibero Cruceros' Grand Celebration at the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard in Genoa

Ibero Cruceros' Grand Celebration at the San Giorgio del Porto shipyard in Genoa

Photos courtesy of Costa Crociere. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.