Halifax Shipyard to build second cruise ship

US-based Pearl Seas Cruises of Guildford, Conn., an offshore affiliate of American Cruise Lines, has confirmed that it will have a second cruise ship built at the Halifax Shipyard, part of the Irving Shipbuilding company.

These two new luxury cruise ships will carry 165 and 210 passengers and construction has already started on the first cruise ship, which will be delivered in May of 2008. Pearl Seas has scheduled four departures for the first new vessel from the port?s new Cunard Centre. The cruises range from seven nights to 14 nights and will visit ports throughout Eastern Canada and down the U.S. eastern seaboard.

The size of the vessel will allow passengers to visit ports not accessible to the much larger cruise ships. Small ports such as Baddeck, Digby, Lunenburg and Louisbourg are included in the itineraries.

The second vessel, which will be slightly larger than the first, will be delivered in time for the 2009 cruise season. Pearl Seas says both vessels will be designed for the luxury market with all the latest in technologies and luxury amenities.