By
Rebecca Gibson |
Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku has officially started building Carnival Cruise Line’s first LNG-powered ship, which will be the largest-ever vessel in the line’s fleet when she debuts in 2020.
Meyer Turku marked the start of construction by hosting a traditional steel-cutting ceremony for Carnival executives and other invited guests. The shipyard is scheduled to deliver the 180,000gt XL vessel in 2020, when she will become the first in North America to operate using LNG fuel. The newbuild, which will offer various onboard innovations, will be joined by a sister in 2022 – the same year that Carnival celebrates its 50th anniversary.
“We are extremely pleased to work together with Carnival on this large and highly innovative ship,” said Jan Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku. “With the first steel cutting, our efforts in designing the hull, features and interior of the ship start to take shape. We are also very proud to build the first-ever LNG-powered cruise ship for North American market, making this state-of-the-art green technology a reality.”
During the steel-cutting ceremony, Carnival revealed that its first LNG-powered cruise ship will feature a red, white and blue hull that is designed to “celebrate its legacy as America’s Cruise Line”.
Developed by New York-based Bluarch Architecture, the design builds upon the company’s signature colour scheme and includes a navy blue hull inspired by officers’ uniforms. There will also be red and white accents running the entire length of the 1,130-foot-long ship.
“This new ship promises to be truly special, from her ground-breaking technology and one-of-a-kind features, to her distinctive livery and hull design that is both timeless and forward-thinking while paying tribute to our nearly 50-year history of making wonderful holiday memories for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The start of construction of this amazing ship is a historic day for our company as we are laying the foundation for an unparalleled seagoing holiday experience that will be like no other and take our cruise offerings to the next level.”
Carnival will reveal the newbuild’s name in early December and announce details of her inaugural itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida in January 2019. Information about the vessel’s culinary, beverage and entertainment options will be shared later next year.