Icon of the Seas Floated Out at Shipyard
The world’s largest cruise ship has been floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas touched water for the first time on Friday, and this weekend was moved over to the outfitting pier where construction will continue.
The ship will be 250,000 gross tons, over 13,000 gross tons over current largest cruise ship Wonder of the Seas.
Icon of the Seas is scheduled to debut in January 2024 and operate a year-round schedule of Caribbean voyages from Miami.
STORY: World’s Largest Cruise Ship Floated Out at the Shipyard
Carnival Jubilee’s Launch Has Been Pushed Back
Due to supply chain issues at the shipyard, the debut of Carnival Cruise Line’s third Excel-class ship has been pushed back. Instead of launching in October 2023 as previously planned, Carnival Jubilee will begin sailing in late December.
As a result, six voyages have been canceled: the original October 30th transatlantic cruise, plus five additional Caribbean sailings from Galveston. The new inaugural sailing is scheduled to be a Christmas cruise departing Galveston on December 23rd.
Carnival Jubilee will operate year-round seven-night cruises rom Galveston to the western Caribbean.
STORY: Carnival Cruise Line Delays Debut of Next Mega Ship
AIDAbella Involved in Accident in Hamburg
German cruise ship AIDAbella was involved in an accident Thursday morning while it was docking in Hamburg, Germany.
The vessel collided with the dock at the cruise terminal, causing a significant dent and vertical crack on the stern. There were no reported injuries, but the ship was not allowed to begin its next voyage, which would have started that day.
AIDA Cruises said a technical issue was likely the cause of the accident, and that repairs would begin immediately.
AIDAbella was concluding a 26-day voyage on Thursday, and was scheduled to begin a 43-day Christmas and New Year’s cruise to the Caribbean. That sailing will likely begin sometime this week.
![Sun Princess Christened in Barcelona by Hannah Waddingham, Princess Cruises [PHOTOS]](https://cruiseradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sun-Princess-Christening-6-300x169.jpg)
