``With her sleek, mega-yacht exterior, an abundance of windows, and all- glass elevators facing the sea, ''Radiance of the Seas`` gives a remarkable sense of openness, connecting guests to the ocean,'' said Jack Williams, president, Royal Caribbean International. ``With every class of ship, we're able to benefit from what came before. There's continuous improvement and a natural progression of design work and creativity.''

In the MeyerWerft shipyard tradition, thousands of residents in Papenburg, Germany, will line both sides of the River Ems today to witness the spectacle of a biggest ship ever made by the shipyard making its 40-mile journey to the North Sea.

Royal Caribbean International commissioned nine architectural design teams, including its in-house design department, to create all the interior and exterior spaces on this vessel. From the plush red suede sofas in the trendy Books, Books & Coffee bookstore and coffee shop, to the period pieces evoking an old British billiard room in the Bombay Billiard Club, to memorabilia and murals celebrating three Great American ball sports in the Scoreboard Sports Bar, to the dark, rich mahogany booths of the Chops Grill steakhouse, and the stainless steel and copper accents of the futuristic Starquest disco with its revolving bar, each public area has a unique personality of its own.

``We have a tradition of surprises with each ship we introduce, beginning with the Viking Crown Lounge debut on ''Song on Norway`` in 1970, and evolving to a rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink introduced on ''Voyager of the Seas`` in 1999,'' explained Williams. ``'On Radiance of the Seas,' guests will find more glass than on any Royal Caribbean ship as well as the first ultra high-tech self-leveling pool tables on a cruise ship.''

Familiar places are back, but with unique designs. The outdoor/indoor Windjammer Cafe provides sweeping views of the ocean with floor-to-ceiling windows, a sail-like tent roof, and a yacht theme with beautiful scale models of racing yachts ``Sayonara'' and ``Kialoa'' by artist, David Fawcett. Nine freestanding food stations and two outdoor ones will facilitate a smooth flow of guests. A bronze statue of a lion cub dipping its paw into the water at pool's edge, 15-foot elephant waterfalls surrounded by live jungle-like vegetation, and a collage of black rhinos, cheetahs, gorillas and eagles grace the African-themed landscape of the Solarium. Spa treatment rooms feature zipped-canvas and linen net drapes, tribal display shields, and Zulu-style dressers and vanity units. Even the ceramic floor tiles and pads on the chaise lounges carry on the theme with their tribal patterns.

The variety and scope of entertainment, activity and dining options on this vessel are remarkable. Rock-climbing, inline skating, basketball, volleyball, and miniature golf are available, along with a jogging track, golf simulator and large gym with treadmills facing the sea. Guests can choose to spend time in the Art Nouveau Casino Royale, enjoy colorful Vegas-style shows in the three-story Aurora Theater, or relax in comfortable armchairs in several intimate spaces and lounges with incredible views of the sea such as Jakarta Lounge and Singapore's Sling. Five dining venues allow guests to enjoy Chops Grill steakhouse, Portofino Italian restaurant, the two-story main dining room, Cascades, or the casual dining options of Windjammer Cafe or Seaview Cafe. Freshly made pizza, cappuccino or pastries can be found in Books Books & Coffee.

``In addition to our 24-hour royal caribbean online Internet center, we also offer Internet ports in every stateroom so guests can use their laptops,'' continued Williams.

At 88,000 tons and a 2,100 guest capacity (double occupancy), ``Radiance of the Seas'' is a new generation world cruiser designed to sail world itineraries from Alaska to Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Pacific Northwest and the Caribbean. She is fast, sleek and quiet, powered by an azipod propulsion system, powerful bow thrusters and a dynamic positioning system, and vibration-free GE gas turbine engines, which represent the cruise industry's newest technology for protecting the environment.

London Contemporary Art oversaw the development of the ship's $6-million art collection, which includes paintings, sculptures and other art forms from more than 100 artists from around the world including the United States, Italy, South Africa, France, Norway and England. At the Mast Bar on Deck 12 stands a 12-foot cedar totem pole carved for the ship by famous Native American artist Nathan Jackson from Ketchikan, Alaska. Standing like a sentry at guard, the structure was hewn from a towering cedar tree from the wilds of southeast Alaska.

Regards

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Originally posted by Jesse C:
The M/V Radiance of the Seas indeed looks stylish! The stern is THE prettiest stern I ever saw in my life!

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Jesse C, have you had a vision of that pretty stern slipping into the icy sea and all the passengers drowning, yet?

Joking aside, as newbuilds go, she's not bad.