Show #661 - New Ships!
If you missed Saturday's show, you missed an absolute cracker — the story of how a pile of steel became a $2 billion floating city.
Gary set the scene perfectly with the music, and Neil dived straight into one of the most complex engineering projects on Earth. It was a fascinating, behind-the-scenes journey from first sketch to first sailing, told with real wonder and plenty of laughs.
The episode traced how every mega-ship began as an idea years before any steel was cut. Cruise lines spent years studying travel trends, with naval architects, engineers and designers obsessing over everything from suite layouts to which waterslide would create the biggest queues.
Then came the build itself, and this was where the magic really shone….
Key moments from the build of a new Cruise Ship:
The dream phase lasts years: The concept-to-maiden-voyage timeline was typically four to six years
Only the best yards get the job: Orders went to specialist yards like Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France, Meyer Turku in Finland and Fincantieri in Italy
They are built like LEGO for giants: The hull was assembled from enormous hundred-tonne blocks, constructed separately then slotted together
The float-out steals the show: The dry dock was flooded and the ship touched water for the first time, still months from being finished
Passing her finals: Sea trials tested engines, navigation and emergency manoeuvres — those sharp turns that would have spilled every passenger's coffee
We wrapped with the emotional handover at the delivery ceremony, the glamorous champagne-smashing naming tradition, and the thrill of the maiden voyage……
Travel Deal of the Week
We have a fantastic Asian cruise holiday to share with you this week. It features 14 nights aboard Holland America Line’s Noordam, an elegant mid-sized vessel carrying just 1,900 guests. Compared to some of the mega-ships we’ve been talking about today, she’s positively boutique!
Your journey begins on 6 November next year with a flight from Brisbane to Hong Kong, where you'll enjoy an overnight stay in the heart of this vibrant city. Then it's time to step aboard Noordam for a 14-night voyage through some of Asia’s most fascinating destinations, including Halong Bay, Da Nang and Phu My in Vietnam, Sihanoukville in Cambodia, Bangkok and Ko Samui in Thailand, before arriving in the Lion City, Singapore. After disembarkation, you'll enjoy two nights in Singapore, giving you plenty of time to explore the sights, indulge in some shopping and sample the city's world-famous cuisine before your flight home to Brisbane.
It's a wonderful 17-night Fly, Cruise & Stay holiday, and the price is just as impressive. Flights, cruise and hotel accommodation are all included from just $5,065 per person, twin share. Upgrades and holiday extensions are always available, so contact Travel Masters & The Travel Studio on 1800 672 988 today and GRAB THAT CABIN on an unforgettable Asian cruise adventure next year!
