The Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention just wrapped in Florida, and the common theme throughout the event was new builds. We already mentioned MSC Cruises latest order for a Panamax ship. But Cruise Community (sorry registration required) is reporting that MSC may be ordering a 300 passenger ship next year as well. Norwegian Cruise Lines is expected to complete it's new build program next year. However the company is reportedly in discussions for orders after 2010. There are no yard slots available before then for NCL to order addtional ships. Which brings me to something that I discovered a few days ago as part of a seperate research project. Essentially at the same time that NCL announced "Project America" which was their plans to start inter-island service in Hawaii, NCL also purchased the SS Independence and the fabled liner SS United States. The SS Independence was sailing inter-island cruises until late 2001. NCL bought her at auction and she was moved to Pier 70 in San Francisco in 2003. But I haven't been able to find any more information as to her status. The SS United States is in Philadelphia PA, but there's been no word on when or if the United States may be refit. Over the course of the next several weeks we will continue to press our sorces to find out more about these ships. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a blueprint for a ship that would be 20% bigger than the 42,000gt Seven Seas Voyager but carry a similar number of guests – in much roomier suites. However, Seven Seas Voyager cost €250m at a time when the euro was worth 84 cents, so the company paid $200m. At current exchange rates, the price would be more than $300m. Before placing an order, Regent needs to see a continued bullish market and a stronger dollar. When Oceania Cruises decides to build, ‘you’ll see mid-sized ships grow larger,’ president and ceo Frank Del Rio told Seatrade delegates. Many industry sources think Oceania will expand through building rather than acquiring additional tonnage, especially now that all the former R ships appear to have found stable homes. Sources at the Seatrade convention indicated Silversea Cruises is moving forward with its building plans. Late last year, chief executive Albert Peter indicated the intention to contract in 2006. In recent months, there has been increasing talk that Seabourn Cruise Line will expand, despite Carnival Corp's past indications that small vessels would not be a future strategy. A possible Seabourn newbuild was a topic of hot speculation at Seatrade Miami, though president Deborah Natansohn remained noncommittal.
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