Large and Small

 There two cruise ships in Halifax today, May 22 - one large, one small. They effectivley demonstrated two trends in the cruise ship business.

The trend for bigger and bigger ships was demonstrated by the Liberty of the Seas and the market for smaller and more exclusive ships was exemplified by the SH Vega.

The size difference showed well as the ships were tied up at Piers 22 and 23.

 The Liberty of the Seas, 155,889 grt, with a capacity of 3,798 passengers and 1360 crew dates from 2007 when it was built by Aker Finnyards, Turku Shipyard in Finland. At that time it was the largest cruise ship in the world. It has now been eclipsed so often it sits in 38th place with the largest ship Icon of the Seas coming in at 248,663 gt with a maximum capacity of 7500. It has all the usual amenities including a giant water slide and and an ice skating rink.

On the other hand Swan Hellenic Cruises' SH Vega 10,517 gt, built in 2022 by the Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, has only 76 cabins, including six suites for 152 passengers. Providing  Luxury Polar Expedition Cruises to remote regions, it carries the usual array of Zodiacs and kayaks for shore excursions.

I included a tank truck in the photo. I am not sure what it was doing there - perhaps refueling. Almost visible under the bow is the dive boat Allen Clipper tending to some underwater work. The SH Vega is en route from Nassau to St-Pierre.

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