Ship for AIDA Cruises to be completed in 2007

Papenburg, 25.10.2005 - Kick-off in Papenburg for the construction of the first club ship for the German cruise operator AIDA Cruises. Today, on Tuesday, 25th October 2005, MEYER WERFT started construction of the still unnamed ship which will be delivered to the Owner in the spring of 2007.

Michael Thamm, president of AIDA Cruises in Rostock, pressed the start button of the computer-controlled cutting machine on which the first steel plates for the new ship will be fabricated. This event hallmarks the beginning of the construction of this new club ship for the AIDA brand.

She will be the first ship in a series of three to be built for the most successful cruise operator in Germany. The ships will have a length overall of 252 metres, a breadth of 32.2 metres and a tonnage of 68,500 gt. 2,030 passengers can be accommodated in 1,015 cabins. The other two newbuildings will follow suit in the spring of 2008 and in the spring of 2009.

The new ships will continue to feature the well-known outside appearance of the AIDA club ships, hence they will never be mistaken in any port. As to the interior design and engineering, they will create new standards. The novel "Theatrium" for instance will be a distinctive architectural feature.

Four large diesel engines made by MaK will generate a total power of 50,000 hp. The ship's operating speed will exceed 21 knots.

First Block for S.669

Papenburg, 04.10.2005 - In the covered building dock of MEYER WERFT in Papenburg, one of a total of 67 steel blocks of the new 93,000-gt cruise vessel "S.669" was put into place on the keel blocks yesterday. Inside the dock, following an old tradition, Bill Hamlin, Executive Vice President, Fleet Operations for Norwegian Cruise Line, laid the traditional "lucky penny", before the block was put down by the yard´s 800-ton crane. The first block weighs more than 350 tons, is 20 m long, 27 m wide and about 9 m high.

S.669 is the third of four new ships which are being built for the cruise company Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). It is supposed to be delivered in spring 2007. This new panmax vessel is significantly faster than other ships of this size and accommodates the highest number of passengers in her class.

The ships length overall will be 294.13 m, the breadth 32.2 m. The ship will be able to reach a speed of more than 25 knots. 2,384 passengers will be accommodated in 1,188 cabins and will be taken care of by a crew of over 1,000.

New Ship for Norwegian Cruise Line to go on First Cruises straight away

Eemshaven/Papenburg, 04.08.2005 - On 4th August 2005 MEYER WERFT handed over the 93,500-gt cruise ship Norwegian Jewel to the cruise operator Norwegian Cruise Line (Miami, USA) in the Dutch port of Eemshaven. The handover took place one day ahead of the contractual date. As early as on 5th August, passengers who have booked their cruises will get onboard, and the ship will set sail for two mini cruises to Amsterdam and Dover. The naming ceremony will take place in New York on 14th September. The cruise which follows next will be to the Mediterranean, starting from Dover on 10th August.

Built in a period as short as 22 months, the Norwegian Jewel is the first cruise ship out of a series of four new vessels which MEYER WERFT in Papenburg is building for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). All told, she is already the fifth vessel built for the Star Cruises/NCL group.

The Norwegian Jewel is the hitherto biggest Panmax ship worldwide. She has the highest number of cabins (1,188), and at a maximum speed of 25.6 knots, she is extremely fast compared to other ships of this size. On top of that she is the biggest passenger vessel that has ever been built in Germany. The ship combines high-end event gastronomy as part of the "freestyle cruising concept" by NCL with a luxurious outfitting and a state-of-the-art technical level. Next to the new design, this new cruise liner presents a multitude of special features and comfort. Almost 70 % of the cabins are outside cabins, and most of them have their own balconies. Over and above this, NCL's 1,100 crew offer the passenger service of an outstanding kind.

The diesel-electric pod propulsion system, interactive communication systems as well sophisticated stage technology ensure safety and entertainment meeting the demands of the 21st century.

Norwegian Jewel - Main Particulars

Interior outfitting of cabins There are 1,188 passenger cabins on Norwegian Jewel, 405 of which are inside and 783 outside cabins. Various cabin categories are available, among them 44 suites and 132 mini suites. The two, 311-sqm "Garden Villas" exceed all cruise expectations so far. All cabins are fitted with their own bathrooms, colour TVs, telephones, safes, fridges, hair dryers, individual temperature control and Internet connections.

Freestyle cruising - entertainment on board

"Freestyle cruising" implies 10 different restaurants as well as 13 bars and lounges on board. It is completely up to the passenger which restaurant to choose, be it informal or elegant. Also in regard to leisure activities the passenger has plenty of options.

The passengers have their first rendezvous with the ocean liner at the reception in the "Atrium". The latest events and shows are presented on a big LED video screen.

The three-deck-high "Stardust Theatre" is located in the foreship, where good entertainment is offered in famous Broadway shows, musicals and plays.

Among the 10 restaurants offering various international specialties, the "Azura" (300 seats) and the "Tsar's Palace" (550 seats) count among the main places. Both restaurants are spacious, offer a lot of room and international cuisine. It is understood that there are also Asian, Italian and French restaurants on board as well as a self-service restaurant (Garden Cafe).

The fitness and beauty area offers the passengers plenty of wellness facilities. The "Spa" is perfectly equipped with fitness equipment, aerobic area, hydro pool, whirlpool, rasul, saunas and steam baths.

The "Spinnaker Lounge" is accommodated on the "roof" of the ship in the forward section. It has a touch of a conservatory, which serves as vantage point during the day and as dance club at night.

MEYER WERFT to build Third Ship for the German Market

Papenburg, 13.07.2005 - The German cruise operator AIDA Cruises, headquartered in Rostock, has awarded the building contract for another 68,500‑gt club ship to MEYER WERFT in Papenburg. Delivery of the newbuilding is scheduled in April 2008.

"We are very pleased with this contract. It was a hard struggle, and we've been able to offer AIDA a good, complete package again with this newbuilding. What we really appreciate is that with this third ship of the Sphinx class, we can set the course for another milestone in the German cruise market", says Bernard Meyer, MEYER WERFT's CEO and managing partner.

This third cruise ship will have a length overall of 249 m and a breadth of 32.2 m. The new club ships for AIDA Cruises will be the coming generation of ships representing the AIDA concept. 2,030 passengers will be accommodated in 1,015 cabins. The ships will feature a wealth of technical innovations and interior design highlights. The well-known brand design regarding the outer appearance of the ships will remain the same.

A power of 36,000 kW (approx. 50,000 hp) will be generated by four large diesel engines, enabling the new cruise liners to operate at a speed beyond 21 knots.

Hence, in 2007, 2008 and 2009, MEYER WERFT will deliver one club ship each to AIDA Cruises, Germany's market leader for cruises.

MEYER WERFT to build 117,000 GT Cruise Ship

Papenburg, 12.07.2005 - The American cruise operator Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd., has signed a letter of intent with MEYER WERFT in Papenburg/Germany for one new cruise vessel to be delivered in fall 2008. Furthermore an option for a second ship is agreed.

By building the ships having a dimension of 117,000 gt, the Papenburg shipbuilders as well as the operator will step over the "magic threshold" of 100,000 gt for the first time.

The new ship for the premium operator Celebrity Cruises will have a length overall of 315 m and will be 36,8 m wide. The ships will be able to accommodate 2,850 passengers in 1,425 cabins, and will be equipped with diesel engines and podded propulsion systems. The overall engine output will be 67,000 kW (91,400 hp).

It is the first time ever for the Papenburg specialist for passenger vessels to build ships of the so-called PanMax class. These ships cannot pass the locks of the Panama Canal any longer because they are too long and too wide.

"We appreciate the opportunity to continue our excellent cooperation with Celebrity Cruises," says Bernard Meyer, Managing Partner of the shipyard. In the early and mid-90s, MEYER WERFT already built five cruise ships for Celebrity Cruises; Horizon, Zenith, Century, Galaxy and Mercury.

MEYER WERFT is introducing their latest luxury cruise liner

Papenburg, July 8, 2005 - The Norwegian Jewel, the latest luxury cruise liner built at the MEYER WERFT in Papenburg for the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will be arriving in Hamburg on Monday, 11th July 2005 at approx. 07.00 a.m.

Already during the last week the detailed technical and nautical sea trial has been carried out successfully. Before the Norwegian Jewel will start her maiden voyage she will enter the dock "Elbe 17" at Blohm + Voss in Hamburg for her last inspection. The latest design of the podded drive which has already proven a success during conveyance of the vessel on the river Ems and sea trial will be inspected in the Hamburg dock by the manufacturer ABB, and if necessary final adjustments will be carried out.

The vessel is expected to stay in Hamburg until Thursday, 14th July 2005 before she is returning to Eemshaven (Netherlands). Besides training of the crew carried out by Norwegian Cruise Line and final completion of decoration and equipment (e.g. dishes, work of art like pictures and paintings) final inspections by the Owners and Classification Societies will be done.

Delivery of the luxury cruise liner to the Owners NCL (Miami) is scheduled for beginning of August.