Aida Cruises Get Two New Builds
December 13, 2007 by Steve ·
The German based cruise company, Aida Cruises, have announced that that they are to receive two new builds. Aida Cruises, part of the Carnival Corporation, will be paying Euro 380 million for each of the ships which will carry 2,174 passengers and weigh in at 71,000 tons.
The first of the ships has been named AIDAbella and is due out in 2008. Her sister, as yet unnamed, will arrive in 2009. Aida is thought to be in strong competition with German line, TUI AG, who are currently being bought by Royal Caribbean. The new builds will therefore be a welcome addition especially as Aida Cruises have already had to press AIDAdiva into service this year having lost AIDAblue to Ocean Village.
An unnamed third ship has had its design modified to the same specifications and it is envisaged that she will be available for service in 2010.
Holland America Announce Eurodam Maiden Voyage
December 13, 2007 by Steve ·
Eurodam, Holland America Line’s (HAL’s) latest addition, will depart from Copenhagen on 05 July 2008 on her maiden voyage. Weighing in at 86,000 tons, and with a capacity of over 2,100 passengers, Eurodam will be the largest in the HAL fleet and the first new build in their new Signature class.
Following her christening in Rotterdam, scheduled for 01 July 2008, she will set sail for Copenhagen on a three day introductory cruise. From there she will start her maiden voyage and will visit Norway, England and Scotland.
Apollo Buy Regent Seven Seas
December 10, 2007 by Steve ·
Regent Seven Seas have been purchased by equity company, Apollo Management, for a fee that has yet to be disclosed.
Five-star cruise line Regent Seven Seas were formed in 1992 following a merger between Radisson cruises and Seven Sea Cruises. Their fleet consists of four ships, Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Paul Gauguin. All four vessels are designed to cater for hundreds, rather than thousands, of guests with the cruise line offering cruises to over 300 ports on six continents.
P&O Cruises Artemis Facelift
December 10, 2007 by Steve ·
Artemis, the 23 year-old ship owned by P&O Cruises, is currently undergoing a face-lift in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Formerly called Royal Princess when she was owned by Princess Cruises, she is being readied for an 84 night South America cruise which is set to sail on 17 December.
Artemis is one of P&O Cruise’s two child-free ships, the other being the current largest in the fleet, Arcadia. However, Arcadia will soon be put a little in the shade when P&O Cruises latest build, Ventura, is launched in 2008.
Cunard’s Queen Victoria Named
December 9, 2007 by Steve ·
The latest addition to the Cunard Lines Royal range has today been named by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in Southampton. The crew and passengers on Queen Victoria’s inaugural voyage may be crossing their fingers though and praying for luck after the bottle failed to break at the ceremony.
Queen Victoria will cross the Atlantic with her sister, QE2, to meet up in with Queen Mary 2 for a celebration in New York in January 2008 before setting out on her maiden world cruise. When leaving New York, it will be the first time that three ‘Royals’ will have been in service together in Cunard’s 168 year history.
