De Hoop wins order to build 100-passenger expedition cruise vessel

The vessel, to be put into service in May 2019, will be built at De Hoop’s Lobith yard under the build number 488 and will be named Celebrity Flora. The 101.5m-long and 16.9m-wide vessel is a specialised design for operation around the Galapagos Islands which has been designed and developed in close cooperation with the client. Besides eco-friendly technology, the vessel aims to offer a high standard of passenger accommodation. An optimised hull form and efficient propulsion system should reduce pollution emissions by 15% compared to older vessels of this size. A total of eight decks will have a wide selection of facilities including a stern marina for three Zodiac launches. The vessel will also have zero speed stabilisers which will enable it to remain in position without having to drop anchor on the environmentally sensitive sea bed. Contract value was not given. Celebrity Cruises is part of the Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises.