32 | CRUISE NEWS
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Holland America Line Launches 2026 Alaska Season
Portadown-Based Company Secures £30 Million Contract for Cruise Ship Outfitting
PORTADOWN-BASED leisure and hospitality interior company The Deluxe Group has secured a £30 million contract for cruise ship interior outfitting of a new vessel in Germany. Scheduled to set sail in the Far East in 2025, the state-of-the-art vessel promises an unparalleled immersive experience for its passengers, setting new standards in the cruise industry. The Deluxe Group’s
specialist team will be
spending 12 months fitting out dining and entertainment spaces onboard the new vessel in preparation for passengers embarking on an unforgettable cruise experience next year. Demand for the company’s services is increasing as themed and immersive entertainment venues are becoming more popular on cruise ships. This project follows the award of a multi-venue
refurbishment taking place in France within a fast- paced 30 day dry dock, setting up The Deluxe Group for their busiest year in the marine sector yet. Prefabrication for the cruise line projects
will take place at The Deluxe Group’s expanded Portadown workshops, which recently benefited from a £1.5 million investment and the creation of 30 new jobs. The company will use innovative 3D digital technology in the design and manufacturing, ensuring precision and efficiency in meeting the demanding project timelines. Colm O’Farrell,
Executive Chairman of The
Deluxe Group said: "Clients seeking to bring to life their imaginative concepts, now see The Deluxe Group as a one stop shop with our in-house design, joinery and composites workshops pushing the boundaries of creative fabrication."
Lord Mayor Welcomes Stranded Villa Vie Passengers to City Hall
These new contracts build on The Deluxe Group’s
impressive portfolio, including its largest project to date in the USA, where a team is currently installing a thrilling experience based on a popular film franchise. Prefabricated at The Deluxe Group’s new 40,000 sq. ft. facility near Belfast International Airport, this attraction is set to debut next year at a new theme park in Orlando. Over the past three years, the company has seen a 45% increase in export sales, with more than half of its turnover coming from international projects in countries such as Japan, Spain, and the USA. In the UK, the company is also renowned for delivering luxurious interiors for hospitality venues, high-end retail spaces, and branded residential developments like the iconic Old War Office by Raffles in London. Mr. O’Farrell added:
"With our new subsidiary in Florida, the home
of both the cruise and themed entertainment industries, we are well-positioned to grow our share of the expanding experience economy." Steve Harper, Executive Director of International
Business and Skills at Invest Northern Ireland said: "The Deluxe Group is a company that is committed to growing in new markets. It is brilliant to see this new contract win build upon its impressive portfolio. "Wins like this are an example of how the advice
and guidance of our trade and in-market teams has a direct impact on a company’s export success. Over the last three years we have helped local companies secure contract wins worth nearly £200 million across GB & Europe. These wins not only contribute to businesses bottom line and future resilience but also help put Northern Ireland on the global stage as a provider of quality goods and services."
INFRASTRUCTURE Minister John O’Dowd and Economy Minister Conor Murphy have been briefed on Belfast Harbour’s ambitious plans to redevelop and enhance the Port’s offshore renewable energy and cruise facilities. In a joint visit, the Ministers heard from Chair Dr
Theresa Donaldson and Chief Executive Joe O’Neill about Belfast Harbour’s vision to make Belfast a hub for future offshore wind development on the island of Ireland, through significant investment in new infrastructure. Belfast Harbour’s Offshore Wind Terminal
is
currently the only facility of its type on the island for the transport and assembly of offshore wind turbines and between 2013 and 2018 delivered 66% of UK offshore wind capacity. In recent years the facility has been used as
a berth for the growing number of cruise ships visiting Belfast, with almost 150 cruise calls by over 30 different cruise lines last year, a year which culminated in Belfast being named Best UK & Ireland Port of Call by Tripadvisor’s Cruise Critic brand.
Belfast Harbour currently welcomes
over 300,000 cruise ship visitors every year, with cruise tourism making an estimated £25m annual contribution to the NI economy. Belfast Harbour’s new plans would see the cruise
THE Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, has welcomed passengers from the Villa Vie Residences’ Odyssey cruise liner to City Hall. 62 of its guests have been in Belfast for the past
three months after the first leg of their planned round-the-world cruise was impacted by delays. The passengers have been enjoying their time in Belfast, alongside trips elsewhere, while their ship is undergoing repairs at Queen’s Island. It is now expected to depart Belfast later this week. Prior to its departure, Councillor Murray met with guests to hear about their positive experiences of their extended stay in the city, with many highlighting their plans to return again in the future. “While three months is a long time to stay in any one place, these guests have been emphatic in their praise for our city, particularly the warm, friendly welcome they have received,” said Councillor Murray. “From our amazing food to our beautiful scenery, they have had ample time to soak up everything Belfast has to offer – but they’re still keen to return again, to experience more, and relive their unusual, but happy memories, of their stay here. “Last week, we heard how tourism across NI is continuing to thrive, generating £1.2 billion of expenditure to our local economy in 2023. “And, with continued investment into the sector
through new hotels and visitor experiences, plus significant projects in the pipeline via the Belfast Region City Deal, there will be plenty more to entice passengers back here again.”
Next-Generation Yacht Emerald Kaia Edges One Step Closer
SCENIC Group, leaders in luxury river and ocean yacht cruising, has announced that work on Emerald Kaia has officially commenced. The highly anticipated, next-generation yacht cruise is the latest addition to Emerald Cruises’ luxury yacht fleet. The first sheets of steel for Emerald Kaia’s hull
were officially cut on Thursday 22 August in Vietnam, following an intimate keel laying ceremony at Halong Shipbuilding Company where notable figures including Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, General Director of the shipyard and Mr. Ivo Skelin, General Manager Nautical and Technical – Asia Scenic Group, were present. This milestone marks exciting progress for the construction of Emerald Kaia, reaffirming Emerald Cruises’ pioneering spirit in luxury yacht cruising. A keel-laying ceremony is expected to take place in three months. Sailing to some of the world’s most captivating destinations and coastlines from April 2026, Emerald Kaia will offer an unrivalled luxury ocean yacht experience, from the Mediterranean and Adriatic to
the Aegean Seas and the Seychelles Islands.
business relocated to a new berth and an integrated solution developed which will be capable of facilitating both cruise and offshore renewable energy activity, including assembly of foundations for floating offshore turbines and advanced manufacturing potential. When completed, the terminals will play vital roles in the development of the offshore renewable energy and tourism sectors. The Ministers were
also briefed on Belfast
Harbour’s net zero ambitions and its progress in reducing carbon emissions from its operations. Belfast Harbour reduced emissions by 18% in 2023 and now expects to reach net zero ahead
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line has announced additional cruises for its 2026 spring/summer season with more port-immersive Europe sailings across Northern Europe,
the
Mediterranean, and Greek Isles across eight ships providing cruisers a variety of sailing lengths and embarkation ports to plan their dream European holiday; in addition to bucket-list itineraries through the South Pacific, warm weather summer voyages through the Western Caribbean, journeys to Canada and New England for the fall season, among other fascinating destinations. As part of NCL’s guest-centric itinerary planning,
the brand is offering more seven-day itineraries throughout Europe with many voyages that include
of its 2030 target, making it the first net-zero port operator on these islands.
This comes after
implementing initiatives such as the introduction of electric vehicles and switching to low carbon alternative fuels in its pilot boats and machinery. Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd, MLA, said: “Belfast Harbour plays a crucial
role as the
region’s principal maritime gateway and logistics hub and is also a critical infrastructure asset for the island of Ireland. I was pleased to hear about Belfast Harbour’s vision to develop new infrastructure which has the potential to not only boost trade and tourism, but also to help meet the Executive’s net zero targets by facilitating new renewable energy capacity across the island.” Economy Minister Conor Murphy, MLA, said: “I welcome Belfast Harbour’s plans to further invest in renewable energy and tourism infrastructure.
The proposed investment will
support my department’s key strategic objectives to create good jobs and reduce carbon emissions. “Reaching Net Zero by 2050 is a legal requirement and a moral obligation to the wellbeing of future generations. Done right, the energy transition can also generate prosperity for all.” Chair of Belfast Harbour Dr Theresa Donaldson
said: “Belfast Harbour is at the forefront of the offshore wind sector and we understand that ports have a strategically important role to play in the success of the wider renewable energy industry. We were delighted to have the opportunity to brief the Ministers about our goals to drive additional offshore renewable energy development and cruise activity.
“It is Belfast Harbour’s ambition to play a part
in reducing the region’s reliance on carbon-based power generation and increasing energy security, while also creating new high value job opportunities and delivering significant opportunities for local supply chains.”
Norwegian Cruise Line Puts on European 2026 Spring/Summer Season
limited or no sea days, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves into each destination. Select seven-to-14-day sailings also offer overnight stays in Reykjavik, Iceland; Copenhagen, Denmark; Istanbul, Turkey and more. There are a total of 22 overnights in Europe this season, where cruisers can choose to enjoy late night dinners and nightlife on shore. With 11 unique embarkation ports offering voyages across 10 different European countries, including Helsinki – a brand-new homeport for NCL – the company is providing travellers the opportunity to begin
and end their holiday in the destination that best fulfils their European travel desires. Among the newly open for sale Europe cruises, NCL will call to Portree, Scotland; Leirvik (Stord), Norway; and Palamós, Spain for the very first time.
NI Ministers Visit Belfast Harbour to Hear Redevelopment Plans of Cruise and Renewable Energy Facilities
RUNNING from April to September 2026, the programme features voyages sailing roundtrip from Vancouver, Seattle, or between Vancouver and Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska. Itineraries range from seven to 28 days and include the Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice sailing and a new 14-day Great Alaska Explorer voyage roundtrip from Seattle. Six ships will operate in the region: Eurodam, Koningsdam,
Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam,
Westerdam and Zaandam. Contact your local travel agent for more information.
September/October 2024
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