Christening of Diamond Princess

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has completed the construction of Princess Cruises?s latest cruiseship at its Nagasaki shipyard. A christening ceremony of the Diamond Princess was held yesterday when the ship was officially named. MHI was contracted to build two cruise ships for Princess Cruises and construction began first with the Diamond Princess, followed by the Sapphire Princess. The delivery of the first ship was rescheduled as a result of a serious fire in October 2002 and, in agreement with the owner, the second ship was renamed Diamond Princess.

The 116,000 gt newbuilding is fitted with a multiple power-generation system combines an aero-engine-derivative gas turbine and a low-emission diesel engine, together enabling a high-output electric-power propulsion system while achieving low noise and vibration.

The construction of the sister ship Sapphire Princess is progresses as planned with completion scheduled in May this year.