Cruise and Ferry Review - Summer/Spring 2020

1 4 1 the cruise industry and the number of choices available to travellers, new ships can be better directed toward a particular market sector. Spirit of Adventure is a small ship, designed for the British luxury market. She’s a luxury hotel at sea with excellent dining and entertainment facilities and lots of space per passenger.” Blending luxury with unique exploratory experiences is a key focus for the latest expedition cruise newbuilds. Among them, Mystic Cruises’ World Voyager, under construction at Portugal’s West Sea Viana shipyard, will feature hydrojet technology to minimise underwater noise so guests can see undisturbed wildlife while cruising at speeds of up to five knots. Stylish spaces, a science centre and custom-built expedition equipment will feature alongside Hurtigruten’s revolutionary battery hybrid-powered propulsion system when it debuts Fridtjof Nansen, its latest custom-built ship from Kleven Werft, in April. Ponant confirms that its new vessel, Le Bellot, will be delivered by Vard in March featuring 92 staterooms and suites, all with a balcony or private terrace, along with cutting-edge technologies and respect for the environment. “As with all the Ponant Explorers vessels, it is fitted with a world first, the ‘Blue Eye’,” the operator says. “This multi-sensorial underwater lounge will allow guests to experience the underwater world via two portholes in the form of a cetaceous eye looking onto the sea bed, non-intrusive underwater lighting, and hydrophones integrated into the keel retransmitting the natural symphony of the deep water, as well as Body Listening sofas, offering a unique sensorial listening experience by corporal resonance.” Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Endurance will begin her inaugural voyage in April. Built by Ulstein Werft, the ship is designed to handle extreme expedition conditions while providing a unique guest experience including spectacular views from her unique igloos and jacuzzis. “The vessel’s X-Bow will not just allow for a much smoother ride, but the forward viewing from the various decks and platforms is going to be extraordinary, and the Polar Class 5 ice-class notation gives her the strength she needs to explore very icy, remote regions,” says Trey Byus, chief expedition officer at Lindblad Expeditions. Debuting this summer, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Origin promises environmentally friendly immersive travel in the Galapagos Islands. She features a dynamic positioning system to protect the sea floor, freshwater purification systems to reduce single-use plastics onboard, and a wastewater treatment system. “Work on Silver Origin is progressing nicely thanks to the partnership between Silversea, the Royal Caribbean newbuilding team and the De Hoop shipyard in the Netherlands,” says Barbara Muckermann, chief marketing officer at Silversea. More cruise lines are meeting guest demand for luxury by building ships with boutique hotel-style dining venues like The Grill on Spirit of Adventure