Most of us had long since written off Orient Lines after NCL announced the sale of its only ship, Marco Polo, in June 2007, with no replacement in sight. When Marco Polo ended her last Orient Lines voyage in April 2008 (she’s now owned by Global Cruise Lines and chartered to Transocean Tours), it seemed the 15-year-old line, founded by legendary industry entrepreneur Gerry Herrod and later bought by NCL, had sailed off into the sunset. So I was surprised to learn last week that former NCL parent Star Cruises, which retained the dormant brand after NCL gained its independence, had sold Orient Lines to an American company called Origin Cruise Group who intended to bring it back to its former glory. Keep reading →
Monday, 30 June 2008
Astoria Goes on a Quest for Adventure with Saga
Saga has purchased the 18,591 GT, 500-berth Astoria from Club Cruise, as previously rumored. The ship, on charter to Transocean Tours until April 2009, will be renamed Quest for Adventure and become the second ship in Saga’s Spirit of Adventure brand. She’ll join the 9,570 GT, 352-berth Spirit of Adventure in offering an enrichment-focused product aimed at passengers 21 and over, unlike the company’s Saga Rose and Saga Ruby, which offer a more traditional cruise product for passengers 50 and up. Before entering service for Saga in July 2008, Quest for Adventure will undergo a major refit, which among other upgrades will reduce her capacity to 450 passengers. Keep reading →
Monday, 30 June 2008
Carnival Unveils Dream Details
Carnival Cruise Lines has unveiled details of the 130,000 GT, 3,646-berth Carnival Dream, which will enter service in September 2009. The new information sheds light on the company’s largest-ever ship, an evolution of a design that traces its origins back to Carnival Destiny of 1996 and also encompasses the Triumph-, Conquest- and Splendor-class ships. Carnival’s largest-ever ship will feature an improved layout and new features to set her apart from her predecessors. Keep reading →
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Royal Caribbean Announces Two More Oasis-Class Neighborhoods
Royal Caribbean has announced Boardwalk and Royal Promenade, two more “neighborhoods” on board its new 220,000 GT, 5,400-berth Oasis of the Seas, set to enter service in December 2009, and sister Allure of the Seas, which will debut in 2010. They join the previously announced Central Park and four other as-yet-unannounced neighborhoods, which together will make up the public spaces of these enormous new ships. The company also announced Oasis of the Seas‘ 2009-2010 inaugural season of itineraries from Port Everglades. Keep reading →
Friday, 27 June 2008
HAL Counting Down to Eurodam Debut
Last week, Holland America Line took delivery of its newest ship, the 86,273 GT, 2,104-berth Eurodam. Beginning today (27 June) the ship is in Southampton for a series of introductory events. On Sunday, 29 June she’ll sail to her home port of Rotterdam where there will be more festivities, culminating on her naming by HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on 1 July. Keep reading →
