New Ships - New Ideas

MSC to Get New Ship

"I just bought another ship," MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago announced on a panel of top cruise executives. For those keeping track, the addition of the 139,400-ton, 3,500-passenger MSC Preziosa means more than 800% growth for the line since 2004. The new ship is under construction at the STX shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, and is already about 45% finished. That's because it's the same vessel originally commissioned by the Libyan government. As part of the MSC fleet, the Preziosa will be a sister ship to MSC Divina, which debuts this May as the fourth ship in the line's Fantasia class and 13th in the fleet. Preziosa will follow in March 2013. Vago hinted at a press gathering that more new ship announcements are soon to follow, and that the line plans to expand its presence in the U.S. market. "We don't want to be the best kept secret in the U.S.," he said.

Norwegian Goes Outside on Breakaway
Norwegian Cruise Line said its 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, set to debut in April 2013, will feature an innovative quarter-mile-long oceanfront boardwalk lined with restaurants, shops and bars and room to stroll. Kevin Sheehan, president and CEO of Norwegian, said the design goal was more ocean views. "This will bring the sea back to our guests," he said. The ship will have 17 restaurants, several located in and around the atrium on decks 6, 7 and 8, what the line is calling 678 Ocean Place, which will tie into The Waterfront. With the new design, guests at for-fee venues including the Moderno churrascaria and Cagney's steakhouse will be able to choose indoor or outdoor dining. The Italian La Cucina adds a choice of dining with atrium views. Drinks will be served indoors and out at the Shaker's Martini Bar and Malting's Beer & Whiskey Bar, among the ship's 12 imbibing venues. A new restaurant, Ocean Blu, will feature what officials are calling an industry first all-seafood menu including raw and sushi bars. Also new is an outdoor Gelato bar. Norwegian Breakaway will spend its first year home ported in New York.

Princess Re-imagines Buffet Concept on Royal Princess
With cruise passengers showing an increased interest in casual dining, Princess Cruises said its new 3,600-passenger Royal Princess would boast a restyled, supersized buffet area. The ship's Horizon Court Buffet will have double the amount of seating found on the line's Grand-class ships, with 900 seats indoors and 350 outdoors on the open deck. The buffet will have a variety of new action stations serving Asian, pasta and tossed salads. But the key addition is an industry first pastry shop with its own seating area, where passengers can indulge in such treats as croissants, desserts, flambés and freshly baked waffles. Pastry chefs will be on hand to demonstrate their skills. As on the line's other ships, the Royal Princess will have three main dining rooms, two configured for Anytime Dining, and featuring a new Wine Cellar space with for-a-fee private dining for 12. The ship is scheduled to debut in June 2013 on Mediterranean itineraries.

Regent Goes Italian with New Eatery
Regent Seven Seas announced the debut of a new eatery, Sette Mari at La Veranda. Sette Mari translates to "Seven Seas." The casual dining option is actually a nighttime repurposing of the all-inclusive line's La Veranda buffet, also open for breakfast and lunch. The idea is Italian dining at night, with an extensive antipasti bar and specialty items prepared to order and paired with Italian wines. "This new restaurant concept is a substantial enhancement to current menu items featured for dinner in La Veranda," said Bernhard Klotz, culinary director for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The venue, set to debut on Seven Seas Navigator in May and Voyager and Mariner in July, will not require reservations.