I must say that RCI's web site is about the best I have seen. NCL's is one of the worst of the major lines because some of the features, such as on-line quotes, do not always work for me anyway.

(Some 'Freedom of the Seas' info is of course also on the RCI site).

[ 10-01-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

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Originally posted by elad:
i know that this ship was ment to be delivered to
Admiral Cruises in the early ninties but RCI merged with Admiral and the rest is history
she was ment to be called Feature Seas and was soposed to replace the old Emerald Seas

Elad

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This is from the 1988 Announcement brochure for FUTURE SEAS:

I noticed that they used to call balconies "verandas".

RCI did used much design elements from the FUTURE SEAS and mixed them with the SOVERIGN-class designs for future newbuilds.

Curious to know if the FUTURE SEAS was the first cruise ship to have a two stories show lounge?

Malcolm, RCI refitted the EMPRESS OF THE SEAS when she was renamed from NORDIC EMPRESS.

[ 10-02-2005: Message edited by: Waynaro ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Waynaro:
Nice scan Rich. The sketch bascially looks the same as the final product.

Curious to know if the FUTURE SEAS was the first cruise ship to have a two stories show lounge?

[ 10-02-2005: Message edited by: Waynaro ]

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If I remember well the first purpose built cruise ship with a two-deck high show lounge was Ocean Village, delivered in 1989 to Princess Cruises as the Star Princess, but originally designed for Sitmar Cruises.

Also the former Noordam (1984) and Nieuw Amsterdam (1983) had a two-deck high showroom, but this was very traditional in its design, clearly influenced, if I am correct, by QE2 main lounge.

Returning to the Empress of the Seas she was really a futuristic ship: the name Future Seas choosen by Admiral Cruises was correct.

When she debuted she had a very futuristic layout, with the two-deck high restaurant and casino.

Empress of the Seas is still one of the few cruise ships that were originally designed for short cruises (I believe that for this reason she was fitted with bery small cabins).

[ 10-05-2005: Message edited by: Ernst ]

quote:

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Originally posted by nycruiser:
If I am correct I beleive the Sovereign of the Seas was the 1st cruise shipt to have a two level showlounge and I beleive she was the 1st ship with a multi level atrium with glass elevators.

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The HOLIDAY of 1985, JUBILEE of 1986, and CELEBRATION of 1987 all had massive, purpose-built 2-deck high show lounges. NIEUW AMSTERDAM of 1983 and NOORDAM of 1984 had Main Lounges with upper level balconies; these rooms served as show lounges but they were not really purpose-built for that.

quote:

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Originally posted by Waynaro:

I noticed that they used to call balconies "verandas".

[ 10-02-2005: Message edited by: Waynaro ]

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On the 1990 Royal Caribbean Vacation Guide, RCCL used to call "Veranda" for Nordic Empress Owner's suites but "Balcony" for Deluxe suites or Deluxe outside staterooms.

[ 10-05-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris:
Nordic Empress had lower ratings (By Berlitz) then her fleetmates - perhaps these changes will bring her into line. She is a unique member of the RCI Family of ships

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On the 1995 edition, Song of America and Nordic Empress had same ratings as Four Star ship.

[ 10-06-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

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Originally posted by LeBarryboat:
I don't think Admiral Cruise Lines intended to actually name the ship "Future Seas". At the time they had the Emerald Seas and the Asure Seas with an intent to build a new ship to add to their fleet....but I'm pretty sure it wasn't going to be named Future Seas. I recall speaking with Admiral Cruise Line executives aboard the Asure Seas during a travel agent luncheon, and they mentioned something about a naming contest among travel agents even after they unveiled the "Future Seas" concept. Can anyone recall some of the possible names they were considering?

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"Future Seas" was indeed the working name for this vessel, according to news clippings I have from that time, and most likely she would have had a different name when she entered service. But I don't think Admiral ever got around to having the naming contest for the ship; they were absorbed by RCCL before then.

quote:

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Originally posted by claudio:
hate to dissapoint you all but the fairstar had a 2 deck show lounge new years eve they would string a net across and fill with balloons etc and just dump the lot on you at midnight it was fantastic

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The Zodiac Lounge(upper) on the Fairstar

The show lounge balcony nowadays is U-shaped style.

[ 10-07-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

[ 10-08-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Waynaro:

Curious to know if the FUTURE SEAS was the first cruise ship to have a two stories show lounge?

[ 10-02-2005: Message edited by: Waynaro ]

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quote:

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Originally posted by Waynaro:
but I believe the original question was regarding purposely built cruise ships.

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Gasp, I was not posting for your question.

BTW, Oxfordshire renamed as Fairstar and became as a cruise ship or Media renamed as Flavia also became as a cruise ship.

[ 10-09-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]