By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Grand Bahama Shipyard, The Bahamas
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s flagship, Grand Classica, entered the dry dock at Grand Bahama Shipyard in November 2021 to prepare for the upcoming 2022 cruise season. Having undergone routine technical maintenance and general refurbishments across a three-week period, the ship resumed her normal cruising schedule on 21 December 2021.
Den Breejen Shipyard, Netherlands
Den Breejen Shipyard in the Netherlands has seen a busy start to 2022, carrying out refit and winter work on several river cruise ships. With many operators preparing their vessels for their first season in two years, many ships have been in need of thorough checks before they resume sailing. Those that have visited the shipyard for these works include Avalon Waterways’ Avalon View, Nicko Cruises’ Rhein Melody and Plantours Kreuzfahrten’s Elegant Lady.
In addition to the yard’s local work in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands, Den Breejen also carried out on-site refit work on Scenic Sapphire from European river cruise operator Scenic. Over a three-week period in France, the vessel received a fourth bow thruster channel to ensure its compliance with the latest regulations.
Chantier Naval de Marseille, France
French yard Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNdM), part of Genova Industrie Navali Group, recently carried out general repairs and interior work on the passenger spaces on sister ships from Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jewel. Seabourn also visited the shipyard, with Seabourn Encore receiving normal dry dock work.
During 2021, CNdM also won contracts from cruise lines such as Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line. The shipyard expects to receive at least five cruise ships from the latter for dry docking in 2022.
At the end of January 2022, Royal Caribbean International’s 236,857gt Oasis Plus-class cruise vessel Wonder of the Seas arrived at the yard. The ship was constructed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France, and then moved to CNdM for final outfitting ahead of delivery.
Astican, Spain
During 2021, Astican carried out a total of 125 repair projects, 81 of which were repaired in dry dock using the Syncrolift system. Fred Olsen Express visited the yard with its 6,348gt fast ferry Bentago Express, which spent three months undergoing repairs to its hull. Astican completely replaced the ship’s electrical wiring, electronics and fire insulation, and repaired its generators, auxiliary engines and alternators. The shipyard also built new aluminium structures and used hydraulic jacks to replace the chocks.
Navantia, Spain
Marine interior refit company Trimline teamed up with Marella Cruises to refurbish Marella Explorer at Navantia’s Puerto Real shipyard in Spain in November 2021.
The four-week refit involved the refurbishment of the ship’s main restaurant, Latitude & Vista, including the installation of energy efficient lighting systems that will save 130 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Trimline was also responsible for installing an interactive LED dance floor, recovering seats in an onboard bar, carpeting 60 cabins and refurbishing other entertainment areas such as the pool deck, cinema and destination services.
San Giorgio del Porto Shipyard, Italy
Ponant’s three-masted sailboat Le Ponant will be docked at the San Giorgio del Porto Shipyard in Genoa, Italy, until June 2022 for extensive refit and refurbishment works.
The shipyard will replace the vessel’s engines to comply with the latest standards in air pollution control and install a new water treatment plant which will process all wastewater onboard. San Giorgio will also add a new shore power connection functionality to the ship.
In addition to the refit works, all four decks have been renamed and will feature new additions. The Sun Deck will be equipped with an outside bar, while the Zephyr Deck will include a panoramic restaurant and will replace four staterooms with the 60-metres-squared Owner Suite. The main deck – now known as the Alizés Deck – will offer four new balcony staterooms as well as a spa area, larger lobby and multimedia space. The lower Mistral Deck will also be equipped with a new medical centre.
At the end of 2021, San Giorgio del Porto Shipyard, part of Genova Industrie Navali Group, was also involved in two refit projects on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager.
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
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