Almaco Delivers Provision Stores for Utopia of the Seas

Almaco Delivers Provision Stores for Utopia of the Seas

The project, completed in 2024 at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, consisted of approximately 3,000 m² of provision stores, including cold rooms, freezer rooms and refrigerated stores.

The group said in a press release that provision stores and refrigeration machinery are areas inspected by the United States Public Health; therefore, delivering provision stores with the expected quality level was a key focus.

The spaces were required for the first sea trial to accommodate food storage for crew and technicians.

The strong cooperation between Almaco, Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean was essential in achieving the results, according to the group.

Vincent Querard, head of projects management, said: “The fantastic end result of this project reflects the dedication and cooperation of all parties involved. Completing all provision store areas before the sea trial was a significant achievement.”

Samuel Teyssier, project manager, added: “The successful delivery of the refrigeration machinery was a result of thorough planning and collaboration. We are proud of the outcome and the quality of our work. A thank you to everyone involved in making this a successful project.”

In addition to the provision stores, the group was responsible for the engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning of the refrigeration machinery.

The scope included cooling units, air coolers, piping, control system and SCADA, ensuring the optimal operation of the refrigeration plant.

The group extended its best wishes to the ship and its guests, adding that it looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Royal Caribbean and Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Meyer Werft and ALMACO Complete Catering Project for New Iona

ALMACO has announced the completion of a catering project for P&O Cruises’ new vessel, the Iona.

“Completing a project like this in the middle of a pandemic brought some unforeseeable challenges. Still, the project proceeded according to the plan and the co-operation with Meyer Werft run smoothly throughout the process. We are very proud of the end result,” ALMACO’s Project Manager at the building site, Valerie Maes, said.

According to a press release, ALMACO was contracted by Meyer Werft in January 2018 to provide catering solutions for the ship. Its scope of work consisted of the turnkey delivery and installation for all the cold rooms and freezer rooms – an area of around 1,900 sq. meters.

The Iona was delivered to P&O Cruises on Oct. 9, 2020. The vessel is the first British cruise ship to be powered by LNG, ALMACO said. It is also the largest, greenest, and most innovative ship in the P&O Cruises fleet.

ALMACO said that it is “very proud to have been a part of building this green, sea-friendly ship.”

The Iona will be sailing in Northern Europe, Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands.

Redesigned Buffets Will Need to Convey Sense of Safety

The cruise ship buffet may never look the same again, according to an industry supplier. 

"It will not just be about serving food in a safe way; it will also be about conveying a sensation of safety to the customers," said Erik Schobesberger, vice president sales modernization at ALMACO, a key supplier of interior, galley and buffet design and installation to the cruise industry.

The company said that buffets will either change drastically or cease to exist, and cruise ship operators will need to figure out easy and cost-efficient temporary solutions in order to be ready for sailing in August.

"The temporary solutions, however, will most likely not be 100 per cent efficient and visually acceptable as long-term solutions," said Schobesberger.

"The new concept must be 'wow," while meeting the new standards and regulations," he added.

Schobesberger said he expects some cruise lines will choose to keep the buffet concept but implement design improvements and equipment innovations that make it safe.

"Others will transform their restaurants into a la carte with open kitchens or cooking shows. Whatever the choice maybe, we can assure you that ALMACO is here to help our customers on every step of the way, from quick-fix solutions to get the restaurants up and running to redesign and revitalization of new innovative future- and germ-proof restaurant concepts," he added.