Unscheduled Drydocking for Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience

Unscheduled Drydocking for Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience

Ambassador Cruise Line will go ahead with an unscheduled drydock for the Ambience repairs in Germany following a safety issue found on the ship over the weekend.

The ship was unable to be repaired in the UK, according to the cruise line, and will now sail to Bremerhaven for the work.

While the drydock facility was not named, it could be Lloyd Werft, which is a key drydock in Bremerhaven with a long history of working on cruise vessels.

“We do not compromise on the safety of our guests, staff, or crew,” Ambassador said in a statement. “Therefore, while we have already started work, unfortunately, we are unable to complete it at the Port of Tilbury and therefore Ambience will need to go into drydock.

“She has left London Tilbury this afternoon to go to Bremerhaven where the work and tests will be completed. Regrettably, this will not be concluded in time to operate our Christmas & New Year Canary Islands Cruise, which was due to sail on Wednesday, December 21 2022. We will email all guests this afternoon to further explain and communicate this. We would advise all guests on this sailing to please wait to receive this communication before contacting either us directly or your travel agent.”

The company’s Christmas cruise was set to operate over 15 days to the Canaries. The ship is now expected back in service on Jan 5. 2023 for a 42-night cruise to the Caribbean.

Cruise Ship Drydock Lloyd Werft Could Close Down

Lloyd Werft may be shutting down at the end of the year, according to German news sources.

The shipyard, which is a key cruise ship drydock and has been involved in new buildings over the years, was acquired by Genting in 2015.

With the pandemic having a negative effect on the global cruise industry, the yard's workforce was informed on Friday that the yard may close at the end of the year due to a significant downturn in business.

Workers were also asked to enter into negotiations to help keep the yard open. German news reports also said that there is a prospective buyer for the yard.

Genting Hong Kong takes control of three further European shipyards

Genting Hong Kong takes control of three

 further European shipyards

Genting Hong Kong has announced the acquisition of Nordic Yards’ three shipyards in Wismar, Warnemunde and Stralsund, Germany for the consideration of €230.6 million.

The purchase of the three shipyards, along with Lloyd Werft last year, enables Genting Hong Kong to realize its global cruise ships fleet strategy over the next decade for its three brands - Crystal Cruises, Dream Cruises, and Star Cruises.

“The rapid growth of the world cruise industry, especially in China, has led to cruise ship order book reaching an all-time high,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman, Genting Hong Kong.

“In order to ensure that the Company can build the required number of cruise ships in the next decade for our global fleet expansion, it is strategic that we acquired shipyards that can build our cruise ships in a timely basis and in a more cost effective manner.”

The newly acquired yards together with the previously purchased Lloyd Werft will be managed as the Lloyd Werft Group, optimizing the strengths of each of the yards for design and construction of cruise ships and megayachts.

Ownership of the shipyards will free the company from both the delivery timing and pricing uncertainties associated with the cruise ship order book cycle, which is at a historic high and allow management to focus on the strategic planning, design and deployment of its planned cruise ships among its three brands.

The three newly acquired shipyards are unique with covered dry-docks and building halls, resulting in high labour productivity and completion quality as cruise ships can be constructed regardless of weather conditions.

The Wismar shipyard’s dry-dock measures 340m long and 67m wide and the Warnemunde shipyard’s drydock measures 320m long and 54m wide and are capable of building cruise ships larger than the largest cruise ships currently afloat.

The Stralsund shipyard has a ship lift to launch cruise ships and megayachts up to 270m long.

These shipyards, with further investment, will have a steel fabrication capacity of about 150,000 tons a year, sufficient to build a number of cruise ships and a megayacht yearly.

“With all the yards situated in Germany, a country with a long tradition of efficiency in building high quality and innovative cruise ships and megayachts, the Lloyd Werft Group, with approximately 1,700 experienced management and workers, is well placed to succeed as one of the best cruise and megayacht shipbuilding companies in the world.

“Germany is also where the largest cluster of marine equipment suppliers are located and has excellent Government maritime coordination policies,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.

“The investment in the Lloyd Werft Group will have good returns from the 10 year planned order book, fits perfectly with the Company’s global cruise strategy and is in the long term interest of the company.”

Crystal Cruises parent agrees to buy German shipyard

The parent company of Crystal Cruises has agreed to acquire leading shipyard Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Global cruise and resort company Genting Hong Kong is to pay €17.5 million for 70% of a new shipbuilding business and a 50% ownership of the shipyard’s land.

The company will complete the acquisition of Lloyd Werft subject to the fulfilment of certain final purchase conditions.

The move follows plans for massive expansion of Crystal Cruises with the introduction of Crystal Yacht Cruises in December, Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Luxury Air in 2017 and new cruise ships from late 2018.

Genting Hong Kong signed a letter of intent earlier this year with Lloyd Werft to build Crystal’s ‘Exclusive Class’ polar-class cruise ships.

Lloyd Werft will also build luxury river yachts to sail to destinations in France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Genting Hong Kong chairman and chief executive, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, said: “Lloyd Werft has built and lengthened six of the ships owned by an affiliate of the company and has the expertise to build a series of world class cruise ships for the company, which will include the ‘Exclusive Class’ vessels for Crystal Cruises.

“Ownership in Lloyd Werft will enable Genting Hong Kong to leverage on the shipyard’s technical expertise and their well-established and long track record in the shipbuilding industry.”

Crystal president and chief executive, Edie Rodriguez, said: “With such great anticipation for Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Exclusive Class ocean vessels, we are incredibly excited about Genting’s groundbreaking investment in the Lloyd Werft shipyard that will contribute mightily to Crystal Cruises’ expansion.”

Should river lines be worried about Crystal?

Should river lines be worried about Crystal?

By Michelle Baran

Throughout the last several years of seemingly unstoppable growth in the river cruise market, ocean cruise lines have resisted getting in on the river action, a segment of the cruise market that, while clearly very popular, represents entirely different economics of scale (in other words, much lower passenger volumes) than ocean cruising. 

So when Crystal Cruises announced a massive expansion initiative, including plans for two new river cruise vessels, it effectively became the first ocean line to cross into the river world. 

Until the Crystal announcement, the only significant crossover in Europe had been in the opposite direction: river cruise heavyweight Viking Cruises launched its first ocean-going vessel this year (there are several smaller scale examples, such as Haimark, which has both river cruise vessels and a coastal cruise vessel, as well as the now-defunct Peter Deilmann Cruises and Cruise West, both of which dabbled in river and coastal cruising). And Crystal has been involved on the rivers before, via a marketing partnership with AmaWaterways. 

Crystal hasn’t revealed much detail about the river cruise piece of its ocean-yacht-river-jet expansion plan. Lloyd Werft, the German shipyard that will construct Crystal’s new ocean ships, is also building two luxury, Crystal-branded river cruise vessels that will operate in Europe. (Crystal CEO Edie Rodriguez told Travel Weekly’s Tom Stieghorst that Crystal will reveal additional information about its river cruise product at a later date for competitive reasons.) 

Looking at all of this, should river cruise lines be somewhat nervous? Could Crystal entering the river cruise business put a dent into the all the hard work they’ve put into creating, growing and developing the market these past years?

Well, Crystal still has to fit those plans into the same 38-by-410-foot dimensions that all river cruise vessels are limited to, due to the locks and bridges along Europe’s inland waterways. In that regard, Crystal will be up against the same innovation challenges the river lines have been grappling with through these growth years: how to maximize space and onboard offerings when square footage is so limited. 

Additionally, for now at least, it's only talking about two vessels, a tiny fraction of the overall river cruise inventory in Europe. 

But under its new ownership of Genting Hong Kong, which clearly has ambitious plans for the company, Crystal could have enough resources at its fingertips to at least make some waves in the river cruise market, both from a hardware as well as from a marketing point of view. 

“I think Crystal is doing a very smart thing,” said Donald Baasch of American Canyon, Calif.-based LastCallCruises. “They might as well make money on their customers instead of letting someone else have them, especially if they believe that a lot of them will inevitably want to try a river cruise.”

So, all told, surely the highly competitive river cruise industry has its eye on Crystal’s plans, but I doubt they are shaking in their boots quite yet. 

Crystal Cruises announces massive expansion plan

Crystal Cruises announces massive expansion plan

Crystal Cruise's Dreamliner

By Hollie-Rae Merrick

Crystal Cruises has announced a massive expansion plan which includes three new ocean ships and the line’s entry into yachting and the growing river cruise market.

The luxury line, which currently operates just two ships, today announced that over the next three years it would introduce new ships, a yacht and a plane.

Crystal chief executive and president Edie Rodriguez has signed a letter of intent with a German shipyard to build three all-suite vessels.

Rodriguez said: “We continue to think bigger, aiming to create unparalleled luxury experiences and adventures for our loyal and new guests, who – like Crystal – continue to seek broader horizons and new perspectives on the world.”

“We are ecstatic to continue pioneering new areas of luxury travel. Crystal’s newly expanded fleet will truly be travellers’ passport to virtually the entire world.”

Crystal chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said: “Our intent is to make Crystal Cruises the core of what will become the world’s premier luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand portfolio, not only for the immediate future but for years to come.”

The ships will carry rubber zodiac boats for expedition style cruising and the three builds will also be designed with polar ice-rated hulls to allow them to travel in the Arctic and Antarctica.

The first all-suite, all balcony ocean ship, which is being built at the Lloyd Werft shipyard, is expected for completion in late 2018 and will accommodate 1,000 guests.

Tan Sri Lim added: “Our vision and revolutionary plans for Crystal’s ocean vessels requires us to partner with a premium shipyard that has the expertise and resources to deliver the ‘Crystal Exclusive Class’.

“Lloyd Werft is synonymous with successful world-class new builds and luxury mega yachts, including Luna, the second largest expedition private yacht in the world, measuring at 337 feet long.”

Each ship will have 48 residences on board and travellers will be able to buy the residences as a second home. Those guests will have access to an exclusive restaurant and reception, as well as other facilities which are yet to be announced.

The line will also enter the river cruise sector in 2017 with two custom-built ships. The ships will operate under the new brand Crystal River Cruises.

In addition, Crystal will also gain a new 62-passenger yacht this December. The yacht, called Crystal Esprit, will have a 32-foot long boat for zodiacs, jet skis, kayaks and a two-person submarine. This brand will be called Crystal Yacht Cruises and Rodriguez hopes to add more yachts to the fleet eventually.

The yacht will sail around the Seychelles, Dubai and the Adriatic Coast between 2016 and early 2018, visiting the likes of Croatia, Venice, Montenegro and Greece.

The expansion of Crystal, which comes four months after Genting Hong Kong purchased Crystal from Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, also includes the plan to acquire a 60-passenger Boeing 787 under the new Crystal Luxury Air banner. 

Shipyard visit the MS Artania in the Lloyd Werft

Shipyard visit the MS Artania in the Lloyd Werft: Details & pictures for major rebuild

First details and background information on the major rebuild of MS Artania in the Lloyd Werft

Saturday afternoon, 04 October 2014, the sun shines from the azure sky, the cry of gulls lies in the warm autumn air and before us is the white hull of the MS Artania of Phoenix Reisen. One might even think of being in a picturesque harbor somewhere in the Mediterranean. But there's something wrong in this idyllic setting. The more we approach the pretty cruise ship, the clearer it will be seen, at which place we find ourselves - in the Lloyd shipyard in Bremerhaven. In the 335 m long and 40 m wide Kaiserdock II is just the 1984-built, 230 meters long and 44,588-gt, at the time of Princess Diana as the "Royal Princess" baptized MS "Artania" undergone an extensive renovation and modernization - the biggest in its 30-year life history. The total amounts to around 45 million euros, of which a large part attributable to the 4 new main engines.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Even the abbreviated list of renovation and reconstruction reads spectacular and impressive, you then takes a look at the seven-page "Time Schedule", then the layman can only imagine with imagination that not later than 06 December 2014, the first Guests will check in again on board. Overall, the Lloyd Werft has to deal with 76 days time to the seemingly endless list of tasks to be performed. So in order list are also extensive renovations to the electronics, the alarm and fire detection systems and the exchange of engines for the Davids of the lifeboats.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

The "Artania" is at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven no unknown, because already in 2006 built the renowned shipyard on the River Weser to the then "Royal Princess" for the British shipping company P & O Cruises for "Artemis". The Lloyd Werft also took place after the reconstruction of the "Artemis" to "Artania" in 2011 and has correspondingly extensive detailed knowledge of this beautiful cruise ship.

Is headed this spectacular renovation project of Norbert Jepsen (Project Management Phoenix travel), Lino Calzolari (Project Management V.Ships) and Silvia Cattarini Mastelli (Project Management Re-engining). Besides Captain Jens Thorn is 400 regular crew members and workers throughout the shipyard time aboard the MS Artania, 150 employees of different companies in alternate layers on board and from 300 shipyard workers also perform in shifts their work on the ship.

No stop in the hotel sector

The hotel continued operation during construction work in full swing, as the shipyard workers want lodging, and the cabins are cleaned. Hotel Manager Thomas Appenzeller has controlled the situation under control and coordinate all processes routinely and professionally. Despite enormous pressure of time is hectic and stress no trace visible.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

MS "Artania", an exciting and emotional construction site

We took a look at the 04 October aboard the "Artania" and brought some impressions. Since we almost since their youth as "Royal Princess" know "Artania" and in 1988 for the first time were on board, this visit has also an emotional side to us.The main alterations are summarized here, with pictures and described for the cruise guest who otherwise rarely moves on ships under construction, detail.

We go on deck 4 in the Promenade on board. Where else comfy loungers available and stroll cruise guests relaxed on the teak decks, now working in protective clothing walk around on worn-out carpets between containers and cables. The wood railing is also taped with old carpets and thus protected from damage.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Where else comfortable lounge chair in the Phoenix Bar invite you to a delicious cappuccino or a leisurely afternoon with hot waffles, now compressors, motors, dumpster and roll stand with cover on thick wooden plates which protect the underlying wood decks. The entire teak decks outside are completely redesigned at the end of the shipyard time and partly renewed. Actually, the state is in comparison to other cruise ships still very good, but Phoenix Travel continues its high quality faithful and leaves the ship again polished to a high gloss.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 2 - Standard cabins - Cat. I2 / ZI / J1 / J2:

- The cabins received new carpets, curtains, and new upholstery on the chairs.

Deck 2 - Standard  cabins - Kat I2 / ZI / J1 except 2200 + 2201 / J2.

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

Deck 2 - Lobby

- Decorative remodeling including new carpet.

The Lobby on Deck 2 looks at the moment almost as if the last guest just left only. If not already a part of the carpet missing, then one would book the next shore excursion smooth on the idea board in travel agency.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 2 - Restaurant Four Seasons:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the entire restaurant.

If you open the doors to the restaurant four seasons, then you can get a loud "Whoa!" Barely suppress. "Everything is out" would be the short description for the entire state of the current conversion status. The carpets are removed, unscrewed the tables, the counters smash partly in items, only the candlestick on the ceiling are still left. But it is eerily quiet and you close your eyes, and so it is not difficult to remember cozy nights in this restaurant.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

If the "Artania" stands to sea again in a few weeks, then the cruise guest will expect a completely new atmosphere. If you look at a map on the wall, then this increases the voltage to what is created here. Soon blowing a "fresh wind" by the Four Seasons Restaurant and it will fit in the harmonious overall picture already renovated areas.

Deck 4 - Standard cabins

- All cabins received new carpets, curtains and new upholstery on the chairs.

Deck 5 - Standard cabins - Cat H1 / H2 / M2 / XRL.:

- All cabins received new carpets, curtains and new upholstery on the chairs.

Deck 6 - Standard cabins - Cat C3 / H1 / H2 / H3 / O2 / O3.:

- All cabins received new carpets, curtains and new upholstery on the chairs.

Deck 6 - Standard cabins - Cat C3 / H1 / H2 except 6609 / H3 / O2 except 6608, 6611 / O3.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

Currently the old baths have been completely removed, the toilets are also renewed in this context.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 6 - Superior cabins - Kat PG2 / ZG / Q1 / Q2.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

The next photo shows the view from the cabin aisle behind the wall paneling of two cabins to the drains of the vacuum toilets. The photo illustrates certainly very good, so basically in all vacuum toilets only the thin toilet paper should be thrown! The diameter of the vacuum pipes is significantly lower than conventional toilets, which is the case on all cruise ships.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 7 - Superior cabins - Kat Q1 / R2 / PG2 / ZG.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

- New Pullman beds and bedsteads, new carpets, curtains, Neupolsterung of chairs.

Deck 7 - Junior Suites - Kat U4 / S2 / S3 except 7100 + 7102.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

- New carpets, headboards, curtains, bedspreads, pillowcases, Neupolsterung of sofas, armchairs and chairs.

The Bornholm suite number 8216 clearly shows how it currently looks in all junior suites on Deck 8. At each cabin door, a plan is attached which documents the work to be done.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

One dares now one step on the old balcony construction, so there is almost something adventurous. The entire steel structure balcony on deck 7 and 8 is removed and replaced with new balconies, new teak flooring, new patio doors, new lighting and new partitions. The old balconies are so far prepared for the degradation and connected only at individual points with the vessel wall - enough to run naturally still firmly around it.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 8 - Gold Suites - Kat V4.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

As an example of the extensive reconstruction work in the gold suites we have the Mozart Suite looked at 8202.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Even in these suites bathrooms are already completely removed, expanded the bathtubs.

From the port bridge wing, one can look wonderful on the already distant steel structures of the old balconies. These are not completely removed, leaving large gaps for now. The opportunity is used to remove all corrosion and rust and to make the balconies then ready for the next 15 years.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 8 - Royal Suites - Cat. W4:

- Renovation and redesign of the entire cabins and bathrooms including balcony, window, furniture, carpet, curtains, decoration.

In the great Emperor Suite and the opposite owner's suite currently blowing a fresh wind around the corners, because it is missing some of them already windows, doors and balconies.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

The suites will be completely redesigned and rebuilt. Partitions missing, the ceiling panel is off, cables are redrawn, updated windows and balcony doors.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Even in the bathrooms, it does not look different. Here no tile and no wall will remain in place. It is interesting to see that in previous renovations the old tiles were removed but not taped. No unusual procedure but a relic of bygone days, which will now also vanish.

On the bridge of the MS Artania we meet Captain Jens Thorn, who was coming from the engine room and treat themselves to a short breather. "Despite a deadline, all work previously run according to plan and take regular breaks to ensure to keep a clear head," Thorn explained to us.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

On the bridge of the MV "Artania" receives some innovations in the technical field as well as a new steel structure of the wind shield on both bridge wings.

Deck 8 - Lido buffet restaurant:

- Basic renovation and replacement of the carpet.

Where else can wait tasty food at the buffet stations and afternoon coffee scent is in the air, the curtains are protected from dirt wrapped in blue garbage bags and so far completed the preparations for the renovation. During the yard period, the Lido buffet restaurant serves the shipyard workers for breakfast, lunch and dinner as the main restaurant.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Also on the Lido deck is doing much. The wall windows and all columns are sanded, re-primed and painted.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 8 - Copernicus pool:

- Renovation and redesign of Copernicus pool area. Wellness oasis and relaxation areas.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

On the whole sun deck of the paint is removed from the railings and applied a new primer and fresh paint in the later course.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 9 - Pacific Lounge :

- New panoramic window

- New ceiling and lighting design

Hard to recognize the Pacific Lounge on Deck 9, garbage bags, cables and generators, the courts have taken the seating.Partitions create temporarily a dark atmosphere, the otherwise beautiful view is obscured by scaffolding and plastic sheeting, the panoramic windscreen is already partially upgraded and removed the ceiling panel.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

The temporary partition walls were pulled in order to operate in parallel in the other areas without the effects of wind and weather further.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

The areas of the ship that are not renovated or have been renewed under the first restructuring in 2011, now serve as temporary storage for all the furniture. So the Atlantic Show Lounge is currently a major depot for chairs and mattresses.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

In brief, the Atlantic Show Lounge is a place of work professional upholsterers who are new bepolstern a 4-digit number of chairs, armchairs and seats.

The otherwise clear view of the stage is obstructed by tall stacks of mattresses. They will also be reupholstered, checked and if necessary cleaned or replaced.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Everything is covered in the Casablanca Lounge, which was built only 3 years ago in place of the former casino and is accordingly not refurbished.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Unaffected by the renovation work remains the already redesigned Artania Restaurant on Deck 3 and Harry's Bar and the Boutique.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Lloyd Werft is for Museum

Before the ship, it would currently also very interesting, some already developed and in some cases 30 years located in service components is discovered there. Ausgedient now have the small engines that are used for the easing of David or the lifeboats and have reliably three decades has done its job.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

If you look further on the site of the Lloyd shipyard in order, we find the old steel structures of balcony cabins and the removed bathtubs, each neatly sorted on separate stacks. One might almost think, to move in a small maritime museum.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

This impression is only a few meters further changes, because here already are the new components available. Neatly lined up we discover the new metal structures for the balcony cabins, pre-assembled pipe systems, the new engines for the Davids and the huge main engines for the MS Artania.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

<< HERE >> it goes to the part "MS Artania: Successful installing new equipment in the Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven" and the complete picture gallery from 04 October 2014 weiiteren photos of the construction site there << here >> .