On Friday morning at approximately 8:30 a.m., a serious accident unfolded during the construction of the cruise ship Mein Schiff Relax at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone. A scaffolding attached to the side of the ship collapsed for reasons that remain unclear, trapping a 25-year-old worker underneath. The Italian fire brigade, with the assistance of a mobile crane, successfully rescued the worker who was then transported to the hospital with injuries.

The former AIDAvita has undergone yet another name change, signaling new developments in the ship’s ownership. The cruise ship, currently docked in Tallinn, has transitioned from its temporary name, Avitak, to the all-new Blue Dream Melody. This alteration suggests that the speculations in media reports regarding its recent acquisition by the Chinese cruise line Blue Dream Cruises are gaining credibility, although an official statement from Blue Dream Cruises is still not released.

TUI Cruises, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean and TUI AG has announced construction for not one, but three new cruise ships in the coming years. With six ships already in service, the Hamburg-based cruise line is poised for significant growth, to meet the rising demand for cruise vacations.

Gale force winds of up to 50 knots broke the mooring lines of the cruise ship MSC Sinfonia while the vessel was anchored at the port of Syracuse, Italy. The incident occurred on Saturday, 6th January 2024, causing the giant cruise ship to collide with other boats moored at the Marina and one of the docks of the Foro Italico. With the collision, MSC Sinfonia is reported to have sunk two boats, and caused damage to other yachts, and to the marina.