The passenger shipping industry showed no signs of slowing in 2015 and is set to prosper in 2016
By
Rebecca Gibson |
The passenger shipping industry showed no signs of slowing in 2015, with the opening of new ports and destinations, and new US-Cuba developments that have enabled lines such as Baja Ferries and United Caribbean Lines to plan new passenger ferry services between the two countries.
Cruising has also grown in popularity and the Cruise Lines International Association predicts that nearly 24 million passengers will take a cruise in 2016. This marks a significant increase from 15 million just a decade ago in 2006, and the 1.4 million who cruised when the organisation began tracking passengers in 1980.
In total, 471 cruise ships were in operation in 2015, and some of the most notable newbuilds launched this year included:
Britannia
P&O Cruises kicked off 2015 by inaugurating Britannia, the largest cruise ship ever built for both the cruise line and the British market. Officially named by Her Majesty The Queen at the Port of Southampton on 10 March, the ship was designed to embody the ‘spirit of modern Britain’ and is currently sailing in the Caribbean for the winter 2015-2016 season.
Anthem of the Seas
April heralded the launch of Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas, the second in the line’s Quantum class. The ship, which spent her inaugural season sailing European and Mediterranean itineraries Southampton, UK, is now based year-round at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New York, US, offering Caribbean cruises. Work continues on the line’s third Quantum-class ship, Ovation of the Seas, currently under construction at the Meyer Werft yard and due for delivery in spring 2016; and a yet-to-be-named fourth Quantum-class ship, which will be delivered in 2019. This November, the line ordered a fifth Quantum vessel from Meyer Werft. Royal Caribbean is also anticipating the launch of its third Oasis-class ship, Harmony of the Seas, which will debut in May 2016.
Viking Star
2015 marked Viking Cruises' entry into the ocean cruise market with launch of Viking Star, which was christened in Bergen, Norway on 17 May. Featuring modern, Scandinavian-inspired interiors designed by London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios, the 930-passenger ship will soon be joined by sister ships Viking Sea and Viking Sky in spring 2016 and 2017 respectively. Viking has also ordered another three newbuilds from Fincantieri, which will join the fleet in mid-2018 and at the end of 2020, respectively.
Mein Schiff 4
On 5 June, TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 4 became the first cruise ship to be christened in Kiel, Germany. Named by former Olympic swimmer Franziska van Almsick, the vessel will be joined by sister ship Mein Schiff 5 in July 2016, Mein Schiff 6 in 2017, and Mein Schiff 7 and 8 in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Norwegian Escape
Another industry giant, Norwegian Cruise Line, has also welcomed a new ship in 2015. Named Norwegian Escape, the 164,600gt is the line's first Breakaway Plus ship, offers various industry firsts and can accommodate 4,200 guests. She was officially christened by international recording artist Armando Christian Perez, aka Pitbull, in Miami on 9 November.
The year ahead...
2016 promises to be another exciting year for the passenger shipping industry as it gears up to welcome 27 new ocean, river and speciality vessels. Be sure to visit CruiseandFerry.net to keep up to date with the latest innovations and releases.