London-Calling

Here are some renderings of the 180,000 gt, 5,000 passengers AIDA newbuild:

....called 'Leonardo'?

Anyone know?

Just reading about Jades major refurbishment in cruisecritic news. It's nice to see that NCL are still investing in their older tonnage.

There's a slide show online: https://youtu.be/ckzIYem4XGM

Anybody due to sail on the new-improved Jade?;)

RCI's most innovative ship yet: https://youtu.be/ZtylDx6A9-0

Here is a youtube slide show comparing Leoanardo to Seaside:

Celebrity Edge external rendering:

https://malcolmoliver.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/1588-4511a616161.jpg?w=450

I am somewhat surprised that NCL is not staying with Meyer Weft...I have always preferred their builds...one thing I hope they have, is a forward Spinnaker Lounge..

Frank Del Rio has a strong relationship with Fincantieri. They have built ships for him in the past.

The Seaside deck plans will give us a good idea what is possible in terms of public spaces.

I appreciate that NCL will make/brand spaces to their own requirements, but certain design structures will not be able to be changed.

Seaside deck 16 has a front facing 'VIP' lounge.

I was going to say that Leonardo's interiors would be very different to Seaside's as they will have to accommodate multiple restaurants for NCL' s 'Freestyle' dining system.

Then I looked at Seaview's deck plans! The plans look like an NCL ship already.

Seaview has loads of dining rooms. I bet NCL only have to change the room décor and branding, in most cases. The expansive prom deck is a ready made 'Waterfront' on steroids.

I now see the attraction for NCL of buying this design.

I wonder what Leoando will give us that Breakaway+ does not, apart from bigger prom deck/deck space?

Renderings here:

Regarding the cabins, the design you showcased is quite interesting, and of course the lowering window wall has been used on European river ships for almost a decade now. It hasn't made its way to ocean ships but maybe EDGE will change that?.

It would be interesting to see the designs shared between to genres - river and ocean cruising.

I had always assumed that the river boat 'drop-down window' design was not be strong enough to withstand ocean waves. However maybe it's been strengthened.

Thanks for the advice!:)

Here are some images of 'Joys' crowded sun deck: http://wp.me/pfRKD-55V

How well does the 'Waterfront' handle all of those passengers?:confused:

I know I am a bit late chiming in here, but do be aware the the inside rooms are TINY - barely room enough to walk around the bed(s). The outside cabins are not large by cruise ship standards, but give you a lot more space than the inside rooms.

I believe the American queen has two sizes.

If I decide to book the American Queen my budget dictates that it will be in an inside cabin only.:loudcry:

Anybody had one and still enjoyed the cruise?:)

Thanks

I guess it is so much easier and quicker to buy a design 'off the shelf' than create one yourself from scratch.

I suppose this also guarantees truly a different 'class' of ship.

I am surprised that NCL did not want to join the big players and move towards 200,000 gross tonnes.

NCL's next ship, 'Norwegian Bliss', will have two forward-facing observation lounges.

This is great news, observation lounges had gone out of fashion, on-board many mega-ship, in recent years.

See: http://wp.me/pfRKD-51g

I've never experienced anyone who moaned about an incomplete prom deck...

I can assure you Kevin, that there are plenty of us!

A proper 'wrap-around' prom is a nautical tradition that we like to preserve, along with a nice 'fan-tail' (stepped stern arrangement).

^A Prom deck with steps. That's not going to please some. And will be impractical for others.

Look closely:

The P&O model in the slide show appears to show a prom WITHOUT steps.

The Costa renderings do show steps.

https://youtu.be/ZpKGgKOgXn8

What is THAT? I saw another rendering from Costa and I cannot understand that water slides would be put on a P&O ship.

The slide-show seems to show water slides on the Costa version but the Dome on the P&O model.

See: https://youtu.be/ZpKGgKOgXn8

All that glass! What if it smashes in bad seas?

Many modern ships have lots of glass, sometimes including glass balcony doors facing the bow! These ships are designed for fair weather. This is why the QM2 has hull-hole balconies and higher lifeboats.

What exactly does "innovative use of space" mean.

I suppose The Dome is an example of a multipurpose space: part pool, part solarium, part entertainment space.

AIDA ships have seta in their atrium and a stage for performances.

I think we can expect compact cabins and small balconies, unless you pay top-dollar (pound!)

You have all probably seen the Costa and P&O renderings by now:

https://youtu.be/ZpKGgKOgXn8

Interestingly only the P&O model has 'The Dome' entertainment centre. The Dome of course adds passenger space and a little gross tonnage.

I like it. It's more subtle than many NCL hulls. Maybe Wyland run out of paint?;)

There's a slide show here: https://youtu.be/ZK5ge43sAjE

I can't imagine ever being interested in the "old people" cruise lines, but I could see myself taking NCL cruises for a long time.

When you are an 'old person' you will almost certainly require a different product to what NCL offers now.

Big ships with a 'party' atmosphere, aimed at families, may no longer have the same appeal for you.

I don't see anything premium about NCL..

O.k. we are on the same page! I'm not knocking NCL, but they are NOT anywhere near being premium.

Although these new builds are slightly smaller, I don't expect to see any increases in the staff:pax ratio or any higher space ratios.

Are they confirmed yet? I'm surprised if NCL go smaller, when everybody else is going bigger!

Personally I think NCL has a long way to go if they want to feel premium like Celebrity.

Surely NCL are not trying to be 'premium', their aim and hardware is purely mass-market like RCI and Carnival?