Four more Carnival cruise ships for Fincantieri

Carnival Corporation has reached an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of four new cruise ships worth more than $2 billion. The contract, which is subject to the approval of the board of directors of Carnival Corporation, calls for the construction of four new vessels, one each for Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Costa Crociere, along with options for two additional vessels, one each for Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line.

The four new ships will add a collective 11,756 lower berths to the cruise operator’s fleet. According to Carnival, the agreement extends their newbuilding program through to 2009 while enabling the company to execute its strategy of expanding its North American and European brands.

The new ships and options comprise of a 2,044-passenger ship which will be the largest ever constructed for HAL. With an estimated all-in cost of $450 million, the 86,000 gt Panamax vessel will be built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard. The ship is expected to enter service in summer 2008. There is also an option for a sister ship scheduled to debut in spring 2010.

A 3,100-passenger ship for Princess Cruises set to debut in autumn 2008 and will be a sistership to the 116,000 gt ?Emerald Princess? and will be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard at an approximate all-in cost of $570 million.

A 3,608-passenger cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Lines representing the largest vessel ever constructed for this company. The 130,000 gt vessel, to be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard at an estimated all-in cost of 560 million euro, is expected to enter service in autumn 2009. There is also an option for a sister ship scheduled to enter service in summer 2010.

Finally, a 3,004-passenger ship for Costa Crociere expected to enter service in summer 2009. A sister ship to the ?Costa Concordia?, the 112,000 gt vessel will have an estimated all-in cost of 485 million euro and will be built at Fincantieri’s Sestri shipyard.

Including the four new vessels, the company’s order book now includes 16 new ships, 13 of which are being constructed by Fincantieri.