Oceania expedites newbuild plans

mikebukid · 04-13-2006, 04:57 PM

Cool indeed. I guess more work for yah, jeff. 8)

Quote:

Oceania Cruises has accelerated its newbuild plans and now hopes to finalize a contract this year for a delivery in early 2009, Seatrade Insider has learned.
‘We’ve been working on the development for awhile but with us unable to come to terms with a fourth R-class ship, our newbuilding ambitions got pushed up. We’re moving on a very, very fast pace with this,’ Oceania spokesman Tim Rubacky said.
Though he would not specify dimensions, Rubacky described the blueprint for the newbuilds – plural – as ‘squarely mid-sized. They will be larger than the current ships,’ he said, adding that accommodations and dining areas will be the main beneficiaries of the extra space. He would not say if the passenger count will exceed 1,000.
Oceania’s fleet consists of three 684-passenger, 30,000gt vessels.
Most – but not all – European yard slots are filled through 2009.
Oceania president and ceo Frank Del Rio is talking with ‘all the major builders in Europe’ but is in ‘advanced discussions with two yards in particular,’ Rubacky said. While he declined to name those two, Aker Finnyards and Fincantieri are believed to be the prime contenders.
Rubacky said numerous options for financing are available to Oceania.