This week in the cruise industry has been another busy one for new cruise ships.
This week the MS Roald Amundsen from Hurtigruten completed its sea trials, bringing the new hybrid powered cruise ship one step closer to its debut this spring. The ship, which has a capacity of 530 guests, incorporates a number of environmentally friendly features in addition to its emissions-saving power system, such as a specially designed, ice-strengthened hull.
In luxury news, this week Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new Seven Seas Splendor celebrated its float out ceremony. That ship is set to sail in February 2020, bringing the luxury line’s fleet total to five. Also this week, Regent named Serena Melani as the captain of the new vessel, saying that Melani will be the first woman appointed as the captain of a brand-new cruise ship.
Also this week MSC Cruises released a preview of the retail experience onboard the MSC Bellissima, the line’s new flagship that is set to launch this March. At 8,072 square feet, the ship’s retail area will be the largest in MSC’s fleet, and it will incorporate a number of entertainment experiences, such as contests, dance parties and nightly events. A number of retailers, ranging from Swarovski to LEGO, have also partnered with MSC to create exclusive products.
Finally, in river cruise news, this week Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection released a special preview of its new Mekong-based Super Ship, the S.S. Mekong Jewel. Setting sail January 3, 2020, the newbuild ship will have all-suite accommodations, an indoor swimming pool and two restaurants, a main dining room and an upper deck, al fresco eatery. Additionally, it will be 33 feet longer than the Mekong Navigator, but with the same capacity of 68 guests, which the cruise line says will afford it one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios on the river.
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