Seven New Ships due in 2007
March 2, 2007 by Steve ·
Estimated Inaugural: February, 2007 Cruise Line: Carnival Ship Name: Carnival Freedom Size: GRT: 110,000 Capacity: 2974 (double occupancy) Builder: Fincantieri - Sestri, Italy This is an additional Conquest class vessel ordered as part of a four-ship deal with Fincantieri, two of which ended up going to the Carnival brand. As a Conquest-class, it will not fit through the Panama Canal. Given that there is an almost two-year lag between this ship and the previous one of this class delivered (Carnival Liberty), there will likely be some progressions in the design. Estimated Inaugural: April, 2007 Cruise Line: MSC Ship Name: MSC Orchestra Size: GRT: 89,600 Capacity: 2,550 lower berths - 3,000 total & 1,000 crew Builder: Aker France - St. Nazaire, France This will be the second of the Musica class. Estimated Inaugural: May 19, 2007 Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Ship Name: Liberty of the Seas Size: GRT: 160,000 Capacity: 3600 lower berths Builder: Aker Finnyards - Finland This will be the second of the “Ultra Voyager-class” When it is delivered the class will still have bragging rights to being the largest passenger ships in the world. Estimated Inaugural: Spring, 2007 Cruise Line: Princess Cruises Ship Name: Emerald Princess Size: GRT: 116,000 Capacity: 3100 Builder: Fincantieri - Monfalcone, Italy This is an additional Caribbean-class vessel ordered as part of the four-ship order with Fincantieri, the only one in the order designated for Princess. It will be the third in the series. It has not necessarily been designated for the Caribbean as the previous two were, but it will likely have a long life in whichever ocean it starts since it will not fit through the Panama Canal. Estimated Inaugural: May, 2007 Cruise Line: Costa Ship Name: Costa Serena Size: GRT: 112,000 Capacity: 3000 (double occupancy), total capacity 3,780 Builder: Fincantieri - Sestri, Italy This will be the second of Costa’s Concordia class. Deployment is thought to be year round in the Mediterranean. Estimated Inaugural: October, 2007 Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Name: Norwegian Gem Size: GRT: 92,000 Capacity: 2,384 lower berths Builder: Meyer Werft (Papenburg Germany yard) This will be the third in the Norwegian Jewel series with 540 staterooms and suites with private balconies. Estimated Inaugural: December 11, 2007 Cruise Line: Cunard Ship Name: Queen Victoria Size: GRT: 90,000 Capacity: 2000 Builder: Fincantieri - Marghera, Italy This ship will be similar to HAL’s line of Vista-class vessels, but with Cunard’s own twists in the design and slightly larger. It will be built to Panamax standards, so it can be used in both the Atlantic and Pacific. 86% of the cabins will be outside, 71% of those with private verandahs. In September 2004 the design was enlarged as part of an order of four other ships from Fincantieri. It was originally slated for 88,000 tons and a capacity of 1968. Eleven meters were added to the length raising the tonnage to 90,000 and increasing the capacity to 2000, but the ship will still be able to transit the Panama Canal. Initial Deployment: The first two voyages will be round trips from Southampton. Cunard says it will be used for a mix of cruises, ocean crossings and world cruises.