Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2022

1 0 5 Almaco will modify 45 cabins onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Conquest to improve accessible cabins Now that the number of ship refurbishment projects is slowly growing, outfitters are also experiencing an uplift in work. Marine interior refit firm Trimline, for example, has experienced a surge in projects over the past six months. It was contracted to refit 56 suites onboard Hapag Lloyd’s Europa, which will be in dry dock in Hamburg, Germany, in August 2022. The team will manage the project using its new TAPP system to track progress accurately and ensure complete transparency for everyone involved. Trimline will also extensively upgrade Marella Discovery’s Islands Restaurant with new flooring, catering units and furniture. Work will begin in November in Cádiz, Spain. Furthermore, several changes in ownership of ships have provided a much-needed source of work. Notable renovation successes include Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition, which will debut in March 2023, and Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Islander II which previously sailed as Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Esprit. In addition, Damen Shiprepairs has transformed the former Pacific Princess into Azamara’s Azamara Onward, completing work to refurbish all cabins and suites, and add new spa suites, a terrace room, restaurants and bar in May 2022. Celebrity Mercury, which was first operated by Crystal Cruises in 1997, will soon become Marella Voyager with 10 new bars and restaurants. Meanwhile, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will undergo extensive refurbishment and begin service for the newly established cruise line A&K Travel in 2023. Looking forward, outfitters and shipyards will continue to work collaboratively to complete the multiple refurbishment jobs that are planned for the next six months. The upcoming refurbishment projects will cover a variety of briefs, from interior upgrades to the prioritisation of accessibility. Turnkey provider Almaco, for example, will modify 45 cabins onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Conquest to ensure that it meets the current American disability regulations. “Carnival wants to fully convert 15 of its fully accessible cabins (FACs) and refurbish 30 ambulatory accessible cabins onboard the ship,” says Hanna Langstrom, vice president of marketing at Almaco. “The scope of the work for the FACs includes new wet units, cabin interiors and balcony doors, as well as modifications to the balconies and any electrical and piping works.” Carnival Conquest will arrive in Cádiz, Spain, on 14 September and remain in dry dock until 29 September. CFR

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