Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company, recently marked the start of construction on Princess Cruises' third next-generation ship with a keel-laying ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The lower section of the ship was lowered from its original position for the ceremony, and shipyard officials celebrated the event with a traditional Chinese lion dance. The as-yet-unnamed ship will be customized to suit the Chinese market when it is slated to launch in the summer of 2017.
The ship's keel, weighing approximately 500 tons, was moved into position on the crane over the support blocks after a lion dance and a traditional blessing by a priest. The computer-guided maneuver took only a few minutes, belying the more than two million man-hours expected to be used in the ship's construction.
With a capacity for 3,600 passengers and a weight of 141,000 tons, it will remain in the dock building until it is kept afloat during the next summer.
“We are very pleased to celebrate this milestone in the ship’s construction,” said Anthony Kaufman, Vice President of Asia Operations for Princess Cruises, who traveled to Italy for the ceremony. “We are delighted to be working with our long-term partner, Fincantieri, on our newest ship and appreciate their partnership and collaboration in customizing and tailoring the vessel for the Chinese market.”
“The lion dance has been part of Chinese culture for thousands of years and is performed on auspicious occasions and celebrations. According to traditional Chinese belief, the lion represents courage, wisdom, and good fortune, bringing happiness, longevity, and good luck. We believe this special ceremony will bring prosperity and good fortune to Princess Cruises and also to our guests in China ,” said Cherry Wang, Country Director of Carnival (China), who also traveled to Italy for the ceremony.
The new ship will share many of these special features, including a spectacular multi-story atrium that serves as the ship's social hub; a magnificent glass-bottomed observation deck on the top deck that extends 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; the interactive Princess Live! studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; the chef's signature Lumiere Table, a private dining experience that surrounds guests in a curtain of light; Watercolor Fantasy, a musical fountain show; the Movies Under the Stars, offering the largest outdoor screen at sea; and, of course, balconies in all outside staterooms. Accommodations have been planned for families and multigenerational travelers.
In addition, passengers can enjoy the Princess Class experience, designed specifically for the Chinese market. This exclusive program was introduced during the ship's inaugural season in China. Princess Class is based on the complete dedication and care of the ship's crew, enriching the onboard experience for every cruise guest. This allows them to participate in cultural, culinary, and entertainment programs, as well as unique and inspiring moments, including the World Leaders Dinner, traditional English afternoon tea, delicious grilled lobster, balcony dining, a hot pot dinner option with ocean views, ballroom dancing, and an unparalleled shopping experience in the duty-free shops.
Guests will be able to enjoy international cuisine on board, including Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French, North and South American cuisine, among other regions, as well as a wide variety of international festivals to learn about cultures from around the world.
Additional details about the features of the new ship and the schedule with itineraries will be released in the coming months.
