Cruise giant unveils £1.2 billion shipbuilding programme

Sunday, 15 Dec, 2005 0

Carnival is to build four more ships at a total cost of £1.2 billion.

The cruise giant has reached agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct four vessels for Holland America, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Costa Crociere.

There is also the option to add two more vessels, one for Carnival Cruise Line and another for Holland America.

The ships will add a combined 11,756 berths to the operator’s fleet.

Carnival chairman and chief executive Micky Arison said: “Fincantieri constructs some of the world’s most beautiful and technically advanced ships. This agreement enables us to expand our core North American and European brands at very competitive prices considering today’s unfavourable US dollar/euro ration.”

The £254 million Holland America ship will become the largest in its fleet with a 2,044 capacity and is expected to enter service in summer 2008. If the option for a second ship is taken, it will debut in spring 2010.

Princess Cruises will take delivery of a 3,100 passenger ship in time for the autumn 2008 season. It will cost £321 million.

The Carnival vessel will also become the largest in the fleet. Built at a cost of £380 million, it will have a 3,608 passenger capacity and is expected to welcome its first guests in autumn 2009. A second ship would be operational in summer 2010.

The final ship, for Italy-based Costa Crociere, will cost £329 million, have a 3,004 capacity and begin cruising in summer 2009.

Carnival said the new builds will give the group capacity growth of 8.2% in 2008 and 6.4% in 2009.

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