Princess Cruises to Build Two Next-generation LNG Ships

Photo source: Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises, a leading global cruise brand of Carnival Corporation, recently announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri S.p.A. to build two new cruise ships on a next-generation platform designed to further enhance the holiday experience for its guests. The new builds are slated to be delivered in late 2023 and spring 2025.

The two ships will be 175,000 gross tonnes and accommodate approximately 4,300 guests (lower berths). Specification details for the ship design, along with anticipated features and amenities of this all-new platform design for Princess Cruises, will be shared in the future.

Photo source: Princess Cruises / @paulandcarole

The new vessels will be Princess Cruises’ first ships to be dual-fuel powered – primarily by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the marine industry’s most environmentally friendly advanced fuel technology and the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel, which will significantly reduce air emissions and marine gasoil (MGO). The new ships, which will be the largest by capacity in the Princess Cruises fleet, will be built at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

“This revolutionary platform for next-generation, LNG-powered cruise ships will introduce innovative design and leisure experiences driven by the future holiday and lifestyle trends of our guests – further evolving the already best-in-class Princess Cruises experience we deliver today,” Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, said.

Photo source: Princess Cruises / @ Rui Goncalves

Moreover, Princess Cruises has three new Royal-class ships on order with Fincantieri, including its next new ship, Sky Princess, which is currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in October 2019. The two other Royal-class ships are planned for delivery in 2020 and 2022.

The agreement for Princess Cruises’ next-generation cruise ships represent Carnival Corporation’s 10th and 11th contracted LNG-based vessels and are part of the company’s ongoing fleet enhancement strategy, aimed at creating excitement in the holiday market while accelerating demand for cruising, the fastest growing segment in the industry. Carnival Corporation currently has 20 new ships under contract and scheduled for delivery between 2018 and 2025.

Amphitrion Group is the exclusive representative of Princess Cruises in Greece.