121 and full stabilisation to ensure smooth sailing in coastal waters. Meanwhile, Viking River Cruises continues its run of multiple new longship orders each year, with Viking Tonle set to be delivered by Hai Minh Shipyard in Vietnam this October. The sister ship to Viking Saigon is named for the Khmer word for “fresh water” and will offer cruises along the Mekong River. Features will include a pool with 360-degree views on the upper deck, the open-air Sky Bar with shaded seating area, and the Spa & Fitness Center. In the expedition sector, SunStone Maritime Group will take delivery of its new cruise vessel Douglas Mawson in September. Constructed by China Merchants Heavy Industry’s Hainen shipyard, the ship is the seventh and final vessel in the Infinity-class series. At the launch of the ship, SunStone said that the ship has advanced safety systems, energy-efficient operations and eco-friendly technologies designed to minimise environmental impact. Featuring Ulstein’s X-Bow design, it meets the requirements for IceClass 1A and Polar Class 6. Douglas Mawson will sail under charter to Aurora Expeditions. The luxury cruising sector is expanding too. Windstar Cruises is to take delivery of newest yacht Star Seeker from West Sea Viana Yard in Portugal in December, with sister vessel Star Explorer expected to join the fleet next year. Star Seeker will be a welltravelled ship, with a maiden cruise from Malaga, Spain, to Miami in Florida, which will be followed by itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska, Japan and other sailings in Asia. Finally, in contrast with the above announcements of new ships joining established fleets, it is always an exciting moment when a cruise line brings its first newbuild to market. The 190-passenger Four Seasons I will be the first ultraluxury craft for Four Seasons Yachts and joint owner/operator Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings. The ship will be delivered by Fincantieri’s Trieste yard at the end of 2025 and its itineraries are set to start from January 2026. The 34,000gt all-suite yacht, which the company says aims to set a new standard for luxury at sea, will feature the latest in environmental protection technologies and has a “custom design, focused on removing barriers between guests, the sea, and their surroundings.” When announcing the vessel order, Four Seasons Yachts said the company had chosen Fincantieri for the build because the company “simply can’t be beat when it comes to building exceptionally seaworthy vessels that also have an unmatched attention to onboard details.” Notable cruise orders up to 2036 (continued from page 119) Crystal Cruises Unnamed 1 Fincantieri 690 Q2 2028 Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Xcel 2 Chantiers de l’Atlantique 3,260 2028 Viking Ocean newbuild XVI Fincantieri 998 2028 Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Tropicale Meyer Werft 6,400 2028 Royal Caribbean International Oasis-class 7 Chantiers de l’Atlantique 5,668 2028 Norwegian Cruise Line Prima Plus-class 4 Fincantieri 3,550+ 2028 Explora Journeys Explora VI Fincantieri 922 2028 Viking Ocean newbuild XVII Fincantieri 998 Q2 2029 Carnival Cruise Line Ace Class I Fincantieri 8,000 Q2 2029 Viking Ocean newbuild XVIII Fincantieri 998 Q4 2029 Disney Cruise Line Wish-Class newbuild Meyer Werft - 2029 MSC Cruises MSC World Class 5 Chantiers de’l Atlantique - 2029 Regent Seven Seas Prestige Class 2 Fincantieri 850 2029 Oceania Cruises Arietta Fincantieri 1,450 2029 Viking Ocean newbuild XIX Fincantieri 998 Q2 2030 Viking Ocean newbuild XX Fincantieri 998 Q4 2030 Aida Cruises Unnamed Fincantieri 2,100 2030 Crystal Cruises Unnamed 2 Fincantieri - 2030 MSC Cruises MSC World Class 6 Chantiers de’l Atlantique - 2030 Marella Cruises Unnamed Fincantieri - 2030 Norwegian Cruise Line Unnamed Fincantieri 5,000 2030 Disney Cruise Line Newbuilds 11-13 Meyer Werft - 2030-2031 Hurtigruten Sea Zero Vard Alesund - 2030 Carnival Cruise Line Ace Class II Fincantieri 8,000 2031 Norwegian Cruise Line Unnamed Fincantieri 5,000 2032 Crystal Cruises Unnamed 3 Fincantieri - 2032 Marella Cruises Unnamed Fincantieri - 2032 Carnival Cruise Line Ace Class III Fincantieri 8,000 2033 Norwegian Cruise Line Unnamed Fincantieri 5,000 2034 Norwegian Cruise Line Unnamed Fincantieri 5,000 2036
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