• 07 Sep 2016

Carnival Corp. & plc has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Meyer Werft and Meyer Turku to deliver three additional next-generation, LNG-powered cruise ships. The shipbuilding agreements are subject to a number of conditions, including satisfactory financing. The company claims that two of these new vessels will be constructed by Meyer Turku at its shipyard in Finland, and are designated for the Carnival Cruise Line brand. They are expected to be delivered in 2020 and 2022. The third vessel is designated for P&O Cruises UK, and will be constructed by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. It is expected to be delivered in 2020. Overall, Carnival now has agreements for the construction of seven LNG-powered cruise vessels across four of its brands in coming years. The first vessel is expected to commence service for Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises in 2019. This year, the company has already taken delivery of three new vessels for its AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line brands, and is planning to launch the new Seabourn Encore in December. Including the Seabourn Encore and the three newly-announced vessels, Carnival has a total of 18 new ships scheduled for delivery between 2016 and 2022.