The P&O cruise ship Britannia, christened this month, is Carnival Corp.’s newest ship and the largest in the P&O fleet. Photo: Creative Commons
Carnival Corporation, the world’s biggest cruise ship company, revealed Thursday two strategic partnerships for the addition of nine new cruise ship’s across its global fleet by 2022.
Carnival has signed memorandums of agreement for the new ships with two of the world’s leading cruise ship builders, Italy’s Fincantieri and Germany’s Meyer Werft. The new ships will be based on what Carnival Corporation describes as a next-generation, groundbreaking ship design that will be the most efficient ship’s in the company’s history. The vessels will be delivered over a four year period from 2019 to 2022.
The new ships are expected to serve established cruise markets in North America and Europe, as well as newer markets, including China, Carnival says.
The shipbuilding agreements also include options for additional ships, but are also subject to several conditions, including financing.
“We’re excited to take this next step in our fleet enhancement plan with these two new agreements that are consistent with our long-term strategy of measured capacity growth over time,” said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation. “Our goal as a company is to exceed the expectations of every guest on every ship every day, and these new ships will further enable us to do just that. These will be the most efficient ships we have ever built and the great guest experience will create even more excitement around cruising – helping new cruisers realize the superior vacation experience and value that cruising offers versus land-based vacations.”
Carnival says that Fincantieri will develop and construct five ships at its shipyards in Monfalcone and Marghera, Italy.
“I am extremely proud on this truly memorable day for us. Today’s announcement provides us with a long-term strategic prospective, and reinforces the extraordinary partnership between us and Carnival Corporation, developed over time thanks to the confidence the group has always shown in us, which we assure will be once again well placed,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “This agreement reflects the exceptional business vision of the world’s most important cruise operator, and our readiness and flexibility in interpreting its demands.”
Bono added, “This agreement is the best reward for our hard work over all these years, and in fact, our organizational, design and production skills have allowed us to consolidate our market leadership, confirming us at the top of such an exclusive and complex industry.”
Meyer Werft, a leading global shipbuilder founded in Germany in 1795, will build its four ships at its shipyards in Papenburg, Germany, and Turku, Finland. Now in its seventh generation of family ownership, Meyer Werft has become well known for constructing large, modern and sophisticated cruise ships, including 39 luxury ships the company has built for its customers around the world.
Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft, said, “We are very happy and honored that Carnival Corporation trusts our strength to bring this ambitious newbuilding program to life in Turku and Papenburg.”
Carnival has not yet reveal which of the nine brands will get the new ships.
Carnival Corporation is the largest cruise company in the world, with nine total cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Its brands include Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).
Together, these brands operate 101 ships totaling 216,000 lower berths with nine new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2015 and 2018. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, a leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon.
Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.