Two more new ships ordered for Carnival and Holland America

New Carnival president Christine Duffy

The Christmas presents are arriving thick and fast as two more cruise ship newbuilds are announced.

Even before the full details of what is planned for Carnival Vista are revealed at a press conference scheduled for January 22 in New York, a second ship of the same design has been ordered.

Vista 2, measuring 133,500 tons and with capacity for 3,954 passengers, is due to enter service in spring 2018 as the 26^th vessel in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet.

Holland America Line is to get another ship, to the same design as Pinnacle-class Koningsdam, at 99,500 tons and carrying 2,650 passengers. It’s due to debut in autumn 2018. Both orders have gone to Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri, whose order books also include P&O’s Britannia (delivery March 2015), Koningsdam (February 2016), two Seabourn ships (2016 and 2018), Carnival Vista (2016), and a third Royal-class ship for Princess (due in 2017).

The total passenger capacity of the new ships Carnival Corporation has on order with Fincantieri amounts to almost 22,000.

The announcement of Carnival’s Vista 2 follows on the heels of the news that Christine Duffy is to take over as president of Carnival Cruise Line in February.

She replaces Gerry Cahill, who has retired. Duffy is currently president of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and will commence her new role on February 1.

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