Damen Replaces Engine on Regal Princess

Damen Replaces Engine on Regal Princess

Regal Princess in the historic port of Liverpool, photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr Account.

The Regal Princess had an engine block replacement during its recent stay at Damen Shiprepair in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

According to an update shared by the facility, the project was part of a repair operation that took place in late April.

“The Regal Princess is a Royal-class cruise ship that has four diesel generators. The main reason it came into our drydock is that it had an engine failure and needed it replaced,” said Alexander Stijlaart, project manager at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam.

“We facilitated this engine exchange together with our sister company, Damen Harbour & Voyage,” he added.

“They did all the preparation work before the ship came into drydock. They already went onboard a couple of weeks prior.”

One of three Princess ships that underwent drydocks earlier this year, the Regal Princess arrived at the Damen shipyard on April 25, 2025.

After undergoing the repairs, the 2014-built ship welcomed guests back on May 9, kicking off a summer program in Northern Europe.

“When the ship came into drydock, we had to execute the scope, which meant we had to pump water out of the dock, cut the shell plate out, cut the internal bulkhead out, then put the skidding tracks in, jack the engine up and out,” Stijlaart explained.

The shipyard then reversed the process to install the new engines before painting the hull, he continued.

According to Damen, the engine replacement is a rare event that only happens once or twice in a decade.

“We had to make sure that everything that was obstructing the path of the engine was cleared, so we removed all piping, pumps and walkways,” added Remco Trouerbach, project manager at Damen Shiprepair Harbour & Voyage.

“The unique part of the work that we did onboard before and after the drydock is that the vessel was still in operation and therefore passengers were onboard enjoying their lovely cruises around the world.”

Trouerbach also highlighted the collaboration with Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam, noting that the companies have an “easy cooperation.”

“We are basically colleagues with each other; therefore, issues you’re facing during the project can be easily worked out.”

Canada Drops COVID-19 Entry Requirements for Cruise Passengers

Canada Drops COVID-19 Entry Requirements for Cruise Passengers

Transport Canada has announced that starting October 1, 2022, all COVID-19 border requirements, including vaccination, mandatory use of ArriveCAN, and any testing and quarantine/isolation requirements will end for all travellers entering Canada whether by land, air or sea, according to a statement.

Prior to this cruise guests were required to download and use the ArriveCAN app and provide proof of vaccination plus a negative COVID-19 test result. 

“We applaud these decisions by Transport Canada to make visiting the country easier and more convenient for all guests sailing our popular Alaska and Canada/New England itineraries, and look forward to welcoming everyone on our incredible Alaska and Canadian cruises,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “Alaska and Canadian cruises are among the most desired vacation options in the world, and we look forward to welcoming everyone who’s waited the past three years for this market to fully open.”

According to Transport Canada, a set of guidelines will remain to protect passengers and crew, which will align with the approach used in the United States.

MSC Cruises Invites Artists Worldwide to Design Hull of Euribia

MSC Cruises is giving artists and designers around the world the opportunity to design the hull of Euribia – the cruise line’s LNG-powered ship currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France.

According to a press release, the aim of this initiative is “to communicate the importance of respect for the environment.”

The design contest, which opens today, on International Artists’ Day, is a first for MSC Cruises.

“The winning design will be yet another sign of our ongoing commitment to protecting the oceans and achieving net-zero operations, an ambitious goal that we have set for ourselves to reach by 2050 or sooner. And through this contest, the MSC Euribia as she sails the world will be proudly showcasing this important message of our commitment on her hull for all to see,” said Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, Pierfrancesco Vago.

The 4,888-passenger Euribia will come into service in 2023 and become the second LNG-powered ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, marking another step in the cruise line’s aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the press release, Euribia’s engines have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 21 per cent compared to standard fuels while also virtually eliminating other air emissions.

“We are a family company with over 300 years of maritime heritage, all we do and ever did is shipping. The sea is our livelihood and our passion. For this and more since our early days, we focused on looking after it for the next generations. Today this means that at MSC Cruises we are not only equipping our ships with the latest and most advanced environmental technologies and solutions. We also fund research and invest directly to support the accelerated development of next-generation solutions and embrace innovative technologies to minimize our impact, and protect and preserve our precious marine ecosystems,” Vago explained.

The ship is named after the ancient goddess Eurybia who harnessed the winds, weather and constellations to master the seas.

According to MSC, only one winner will have their artwork showcased on the ship’s hull, as a sailing outdoor gallery for the world to see. Five further shortlist finalists will also have their designs displayed in an exhibition on board the Euribia, where guests can enjoy the art and its important message for years to come.

The entries will be judged by a panel of international judges including sand artist Jben, known for his large sand frescoes that wash away with the tide, architect Martin Francis and Vago himself. Jben has travelled the world sculpting beach art in the United States, France, Morocco, Holland and Portugal, to raise awareness of sea-related environmental issues and encourage marine protection and preservation.

Lindblad's National Geographic Orion to cruise Europe

Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Orion vessel will spend the spring, summer and fall on a series of one-week cruises in Europe.

Itineraries include exploring Portugal, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, the Baltic republics and Scandinavia.

“A ship like National Geographic Orion depends heavily on past guests, and a vast majority of her past guests have been to the Kimberley and the South Pacific,” said Sven Lindblad, founder and president of Lindblad Expeditions. “We are committed to providing them the most compelling opportunities available on the Orion and have listened to their feedback for new destinations."

Lindblad said the 22 voyages on the 102-guest ship will be led by a team with a a diverse scope of expertise about history, political science, art, viniculture and music of the destinations, and will include active options like hiking, biking and kayaking.