Large Passenger Liners - RMS Mauretania, 1906


Large Passenger Liners - RMS Mauretania, 1906



Edited by David Barth, 7 December 2008

from page 92 of the November 2008 issue of Wired, by Cliff Kuang and from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.



MS Oasis of the Seas is a cruise ship presently under construction. Once completed, it will be the world's largest passenger vessel, carrying 5,400 passengers. She was designed under the name "Project Genesis". She was ordered in February 2006. Her keel was laid down on December 11, 2007 at STX Europe (formerly Aker Yards) in Turku, Finland. In May 2008 she was named Oasis of the Seas after a contest was held to name the new ship. When she will be completed in late-2009, she will operate Caribbean cruises out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A sister ship, the Allure of the Seas, began construction in February 2008.

Oasis of the Seas will offer passengers a number of "firsts" at sea such as loft suites, an amphitheater with poolside performances, zip-lining and a carousel. It will also be the largest cruise ship in the world when it sets sail in 2009.

In addition to the previously announced Central Park neighborhood, the Oasis of the Seas will feature a Boardwalk neighborhood, which has been designed to remind passengers of the seaside piers of the past. The centerpiece will be a handcrafted carousel. The neighborhood will also feature an AquaTheater amphitheater which will be the largest freshwater pool found on a ship and will host activities and performances.

Oasis passengers will be able to access a zip-line cable suspended nine decks above the Boardwalk as well as two rock-climbing walls. And passengers have the option of staying in 28 two-level, loft suites with floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Oasis of the Seas will include a new feature to cruise ships. She will have seven neighborhoods on board, each with their own distinct experience.

Boardwalk
The Boardwalk was inspired by different piers from around the world. Guests will be able to watch water shows at the AquaTheater, take a ride on the first ever carousel at sea, ride the first ever zip line at sea. The Boardwalk also features: The Boardwalk bar, the signature johnny rockets diner, the seafood shack, smile photo studio, candy beach, ice cream parlor, pinwheels trinket shop, madame zamara's psych studio and the boardwalk doughnut shop.

Royal Promenade
The Royal Promenade will have many of the same features as the ones found on the Voyager and Freedom Class ships, including dining and shopping, but there are some new amenities well. These include a skylight that will let natural light flow in from Central Park up above, and the Rising Tide bar, which is a bar that will move between three decks of the ship. There are many shops and cafes including: a champagne bar, the Globe and Atlas pub, Boleros Latin club, Cafe Promenade, Mondo coffee bar, the on air karaoke club, sorrentos pizzeria, a close shave mens groom and barber shop, clothing, jewellery, bike/outerwear shop, general store, and the signature schooner bar.

Central Park
Central Park features real foliage which also includes a vareity of shop and restaurant options including: Chops Grille (steakhouse), 150 central park (specialty traditional dining), Park Cafe (picnic-like dining), Antonios table (specilaity Italian fare), vintages (wine bar), picture this (photo studio), parkside gallery (art gallery) and central park retail. It will be open to the sky, with gardens and pathways.

Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center will be larger than the ones on the Voyager and Freedom Class Ships. The Fitness Center will offer state-of-the-art equipment and different workout studios for a variety of classes. The Spa will offer solo and couples massage suites, in room massages, a Thermal Suite (heated tile loungers, saunas and steam rooms), a Beauty Salon (complete hair, nail and make-up services), a Youth Spa (dedicated space for kids and teens), and the Vitality Cafe (healthy selections including smoothies, snacks and entrees).

Pool and Sports Zone
The Oasis of the Seas will feature 4 pools and 10 whirlpools, there are also several vantage points of Central Park from the pool areas, the Sports Pool, is used for lap swimming in the morning and water sports by afternoon, such as volleyball and pool jousting. The Beach Pool is intended to have a beach theme and feeling, with colorful umbrellas and a sloped entry. The H20 Zone is larger than the Freedom Class H20 Zone, and features a giant octopus, its tenticles feature a current pool, wading area, toddler-friendly area, and many other water features. There is also the traditional main pool, it is surrounded by cabanas and the largest amount of sunbeds and chaise lounges on any cruise liner. There are 3 bars in the pool areas: the pool bar, the beach bar and the mast bar.

The adults-only solairium, normally midship has moved to the bow, also with small glass skylight columns, to decrease wind in the pool area. It will also have the cantillevered whirlpools just like the Freedom Class. There will also be the solairium bistro, which is a sit-down dining area that serves healthy breakfast and lunch, the bistro will transform into a poolside dining area the bar will also transform into an entertainment venue.

The sports deck will feature: basketball, two flowriders, two rock walls, "oasis dunes" mini-golf, and a zipline that glides across the boardwalk. There is the wipeout bar adjacent to the flowriders which is featured on the freedom class, there is also a wipeout cafe featuring barbecue specialties.

Entertainment Place
The Entertainment Place will be accessible by stairs from the Royal Promenade. This central plaza combines some of the traditional spaces with smaller, more intimate venues and allows guests to choose from a variety of entertainment each evening. Entertainment Place occupies a central location and acts as a crossroads to many of the ship’s feature entertainment and amenities. It hosts venues including Dazzles (theme night dancing), Studio B, Jazz on 4, the Comedy Club, Casino Royale, and the Opal Theater.

The Entertainment Place will feature Studio B, RCTV studio and ice skating rink like the Voyager and Freedom classes. It also will feature a larger Casino Royale, the Opal Theater (main theater), Blaze (disco), Jazz on 4 (jazz club), Comedy Live (comedy theater), and Dazzles (which will transform every evening to match the theme of that evening and it will include dance lessons, dance competitions, and a view of The Boardwalk below.)

Youth Zone
Home to the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program, with space dedicated to youth activities, from teen areas to learning environments for the smaller guests.

Activities are in dedicated spaces for age-appropriate groups, with attendant staff.

The Youth Zone provides for kids ages 3 to 11 who can use the Adventure Science Lab, the Imagination Art Studio and the new Adventure Ocean Children’s Theater, plus hangout areas for teens.

Career:
  • Name: Oasis of the Seas
  • Owner: Royal Caribbean International
  • Operator: Royal Caribbean International
  • Port of Registry: Port Canaveral, Florida
  • Route: Caribbean (Late 2009)
  • Ordered: February, 2006
  • Builder: STX Europe, Turku, Finland
  • Cost: USD 1.2 billion (EUR 755 million)
  • Laid down: 2007-12-11
  • Maiden voyage: December 12, 2009 (planned)
  • Status: Under Construction

General characteristics:
  • Class and type: Oasis Class cruise ship
  • Tonnage: 220,000 GRT
  • Displacement: app. 100,000 tons
  • Length: 1,181 ft (360 m)
  • Beam: 154 ft (47 m)
  • Height: 213 ft (65 m) above water line
  • Draft: 30 ft (9 m)
  • Decks: 16 Passenger Decks
  • Installed power: 8 Wärtsilä V12 Engine @ 17,500 hp each
  • Propulsion: 3 × 20 MW Asea Brown Boveri Azipod, all azimuthing
  • Speed: 20.2 kn (37.4 km/h/23.2 mph)
  • Capacity: 5,400 passengers double occupancy (about 7,300 including third and fourth passengers)
  • Crew: TBD


See also:
RMS Mauretania - 1906.
RMS Titanic - 1911.
Europa - 1928.
Bremen - 1929.
SS Normandie - 1932.
RMS Queen Mary - 1934.
RMS Queen Elizabeth - 1938.
SS America - 1940.
RMS Oceanic - 1951.
SS United States - 1952.
SS France - 1960.
RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 - 1967.
RMS Queen Mary 2 - 2003.
MS Oasis of the Seas - 2009.