Page 30: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2019)

SHIPBUILDING 2019: EXPEDITION CRUISE

Ulstein Verft AS

Expedition Cruisers Power Ahead

While nothing lasts forever, the cruise industry – and particularly the ‘expedition’ cruise sector – remain on a historic run with no indication of a near-term slowdown.

By Barry Parker

The leisure travel sector, of which Expedition cruising is at the leading and brings marketing appeal to higher shore vessels and other vessels for more expedition cruising is a part, offers nu- edge of this trend. end audiences. specialized and extreme environments merous possibilities for delivering new Much of the attention goes towards Celebrity Cruises, part of the Royal and building many smaller cruise ves- “experiences” unlike industrial shipping the high-end marketplace (where well- Caribbean family, made a commitment sels (up to 200 passengers) for years, in businesses (or even conventional ferry heeled travelers may endure harsh con- to the sector early on with its 2,842 gt an expedition ship those two disciplines and passenger transport), which can only ditions, or not, but always with creature Celebrity Xpedition (built 2001 at Cas- are combined. Also the size of our yard grow as fast as the demand in a particu- comforts), though, technically, “Expedi- sens in Emden, Germany, acquired by and its facilities and organization is very lar sector. tion” is not synonymous with “Luxury”. Celebrity in 2004, and refurbished in suitable for this type of vessel. We are

Though there is no precise de? nition of The ? eets may be found within larger 2018). Described variously as a luxury fortunate to have various requests now “expedition”, the ships are smaller than corporate structures, or may be operated yacht, the 2001 built vessel has operated coming in and happy we have the pos- mainstream cruise ships, usually car- through brands focused speci? cally on on itineraries serving the Galapagos Is- sibility to build such special vessels.” rying less than 300 passengers, and the the sector. From a vessel design per- lands. Illustrative of the “built for purpose” destinations are well off the beaten path, spective, maneuverability and the ability Celebrity has recently put its Celebrity nature of the expedition ships, Celebrity more exclusive and generally devoid of to navigate in special conditions are par- Flora, 5,739 gt, newly delivered from says: “…This is the ? rst ship of its kind the traveling masses. amount. The design of the ship is always Rotterdam’s De Hoop yard, into a year- to ever be designed and built speci? cally

The in? uential Virtuoso Luxe Report linked to the passenger experience and round Galapagos Island service. Patrick with the destination in mind.” identi? es ongoing industry trends and the destination’s parameters. Because Janssens, CEO of De Hoop, told Mari- Most noteworthy is the vessel’s de- for 2019 it notes that luxury travel, gen- the destinations, are often environmen- time Reporter: “We are active in the ex- ployment of Dynamic Positioning Sys- erally, will be “…highly personalized tally sensitive, building sustainability pedition marketplace for several years tem instead of anchoring, with aim of and inspired by a desire to experience into vessels is crucial. Attention to sus- now. For us it was a logical step after the protecting sensitive corals and rock for- new destinations in unusual ways.” tainability also plays well with branding experience with the more complex off- mations. Janssens pointed to the yards 30 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • AUGUST 2019

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