October 29, 2003 - Kvaerner Masa-Yards delivers Mariner of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas, the fifth cruise ship in the Voyager-class for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, was delivered by Kvaerner Masa-Yards

The delivery of MS Mariner of the Seas took place today at Kvaerner Masa-Yards' Turku shipyard. Mariner of the Seas, newbuilding 1348, is the fifth cruise ship in the Voyager-class series of cruise ships for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The first four ships in the series, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas have been delivered annually since autumn 1999, one ship per year. The ships have proven very successful in operation, for which reason Royal Caribbean, in September 2003, placed an order for an even larger cruise ship, the Ultra Voyager.

In connection with the delivery, Mr. Jorma Eloranta, President and CEO of Kvaerner Masa-Yards said: "We are proud to have built yet another great cruise ship for Royal Caribbean, to specification, on time and to budget. I want to thank everyone who has participated in this demanding newbuilding project. We are proud to have been part of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's success for so many years, and happy that this newbuilding cooperation continues."

With a gross tonnage of approx. 140,000, a passenger capacity of 3,800 passengers and a crew capacity of 1,200 persons, totalling some 5,000 people onboard, the Voyager-class cruise ships are today the biggest cruise ships sailing. The total length of Mariner of the Seas is 311.1 metres (1020 ft), the breadth is 38.6 meters (126 ft) at waterline level (49.1 metres / 161 ft breadth at the bridge wings) and the height from the keel to the top of the funnel is 72.3 metres (237 ft).

This Post-Panamax size has allowed for unique design features and interior solutions. The cruise ship features a four deck high horizontal promenade, the Royal Promenade, a design featured for the first time on this Voyager-class cruise ship series. The length of the promenade is some 120 metres, and it has in each end an 11 deck high atrium, the Centrums. The Royal Promenade also features inside staterooms with a view. Almost 10 percent of Mariner's staterooms have bay windows overlooking the Royal Promenade. The big Savoy theatre seats 1,320 guests. There are numerous restaurants onboard. The main restaurant is three decks high, and seats a total of 1,900 in five distinct areas. In addition, there is an ice skating rink onboard, Studio B, seating 900 passengers, a rock climbing wall and a wedding chapel highest up.

Mariner of the Seas has been built in a very short time for this size of a cruise vessel. Production of Mariner of the Seas started in summer 2001 and she was docked out in February 2003. The successful sea trials took place in the first week of September this year.

Kvaerner Masa-Yards Technology made the concept design of the Voyager-class cruise ships in close co-operation with Royal Caribbean. The ship has been built by the yard together with a large number of turnkey and other suppliers. The classification society is Det Norske Veritas. The layout of the ship areas has been designed by the yard and the owner together with several highly reputed architects from USA, Norway, Sweden and the UK.

Mariner of the Seas will begin her regularly scheduled, year-round itineraries on November 16, sailing alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Main particulars, Mariner of the Seas

Length o.a. 311.1 m (1,020 ft)
Breadth max 49.1 m (161.1 ft)
Breadth waterline 38.6 m (126.6 ft)
Draught dwl 8.6 m (28.2 ft)
Height to top of funnel, approx. 63 m (207 ft)
Gross tonnage 138,300

Passenger capacity, lower bed 3,138
Passenger capacity, max. 3,807
Passenger cabins, total 1,557
Passenger cabins with view 1,077 (69%)
- of which with balconies 753 (48.4%)
- facing the Royal Promenade 138 (9%)
Crew capacity 1,213

Speed, service 22 knots
Machinery: Diesel-electric power station
Main Engines: 6 x Wärtsilä 12V46C
Total power: 75,600 kW
Total propulsion power: 42,000 kW
Propulsion machinery: 3 x 14 MW AZIPOD(r) propulsion,
two azimuthing, one fixed
Bow thrusters 4 x 3 MW, total 12 MW
Classification Det Norske Veritas

For further information, please contact:
Henrik Segercrantz, Corporate Communication Manager
Tel. +358 9 194 2409
Fax +358 9 650 051
E-mail: marketing-sales@masa-yards.fi
(Photographs of the ship are found under "news" "photographs")

Long relationship with RCCL
The relationship with Royal Caribbean dates back to the mid 1960's, when the cruise line's first ship, the 18,417 GT/725 passenger cruise ship Song of Norway was on the drawing boards. The yard in Helsinki built Royal Caribbean's first four ships, the Song of Norway (1970), Nordic Prince (1971) and Sun Viking (1972). The 1,400 passenger Song of America was completed in 1982. Also, the yard lengthened both Song of Norway and Nordic Prince in the first such operation ever performed on a passenger ship. The yard also developed the concepts of the RCCL 3rd generation (Sovereign-, Monarch-, Majesty of the Seas), 4th generation (Project Vision I & II and V & VI) vessels, of which Grandeur of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas were delivered in 1996 and 1997 respectively, and developed the concepts of the recent Vantage and Millenium class ships.

Kvaerner Masa-Yards
Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc. is a Finnish company operating two newbuilding shipyards, in Turku and Helsinki, specialising in designing and building technically demanding vessels. Kvaerner Masa-Yards' subsidiary Piikkio Works Oy develop and manufactures ready-to-install modular cabins and bathrooms, on two locations in Finland. Kvaerner Masa-Yards offers marine related design and engineering services through its marine engineering units located in Finland, USA and Canada. Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc. has annual revenues of some EUR 1.0 billion. Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc. belongs to the engineering and construction Group Aker Kvaerner ASA and is part of the Aker Kvaerner Yards AS group of shipyards.

Appendix:

Mariner of the Seas, detailed description
Layout and special features

Public areas

Mariner of the Seas has a passenger capacity of 3,807 passengers accommodated in 1,557 staterooms, almost 50 percent with balconies. The crew capacity is 1,213 and the number of crew cabins is 690.

Deck 5:

The Royal Promenade
The cruise liner features a four deck high horizontal promenade, the Royal Promenade, a design featured for the first time on this cruise ship series (Decks 5 to 8). The length of the promenade is some 120 metres, and it has in each end an 11 deck high atrium, The Centrums.

The Royal Promenade also features inside staterooms with a view. Nine percent (138) of Mariner's staterooms have bay windows overlooking the Royal Promenade, thus affording views of the variety of boutiques, restaurants, street and other compelling scenes such as street festivities and performers, including Mariner's own version of Mardi Gras. The expansive windows of the "Voyager-class" are the first on cruise ships that do not face the ocean.

The Royal Promenade, best compared to the likes of New Orleans' Bourbon Street, has a wide selection of shops, restaurants and entertainment areas fronting on a winding street, and will literally change in ambience -- just as the day changes to night -- through the use of special lighting, colouring and other theatrical effects.

On the Royal Promenade, from aft :
In the aft Centrum area there is the Reception area with the purser's and shore excursion desks. In this area there is also the Champagne Bar. Forward, there is a Jewellery Shop and a Gift Shop on the starboard side, and the General Store liquor shop and the Logo souvenir shop on the port side. Then follows, on the starboard side, the Vintages Wine Bar and the Perfume Shop. On the port side, there is the Wig & Gravel Pub seating some 80 passengers. Forward, there is the large Café Promenade sidewalk café and Sprinkles ice cream stand. Opposite, on the port side, there is the Fashion Boutique.
The Captain's Balcony, arched across the Royal Promenade, is a majestic forum with a podium from which the Captain welcomes the guests.

Main Dining Room
Mariner of the Seas offers a variety of dining options. Aft of the Royal Promenade is the spectacular three-level main dining room all connected by a dramatic three-deck grand staircase. Three separate and distinct dining levels named: The Rhapsody in Blue on deck 3, Top Hat and Tails on deck 4, and The Sound of Music on deck 5. Two smaller dining rooms, the Melodies and Lyrics, adjoining Rhapsody in Blue, are available for smaller parties. The Main Dining area accommodates 1900 people, of which 50 + 50 people in the two separate areas, and is large enough for a two seating arrangement for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Each level of the main dining room area is served by a separate galley in the aft end of the ship on decks 3,4 and 5.
Lotus secondary lounge and the Connoisseur Club
Forward of the Royal Promenade is the Connoisseur Club, a place to savour favourite brandies or cigars, and the Lotus secondary lounge designed in Oriental style, seating some 300, with a stage and dancing floor.

Deck 4:

Lobby Bar, Passenger Main entrance
On the deck below, under the Reception area at the Royal Promenade, is the main passenger entrance and the Lobby Bar called Boleros. In this area is also the aft main staircases and lifts (Centrum Lift Lobby).

Casino Royale
Forward of the Boleros Bar is the Casino Royale, among the largest casino on a cruise ship, with some 300 slots machines, 10 blackjack tables etc. three roulette wheels etc.

Schooner Bar
The Schooner Bar, in front of Casino Royale, is a popular piano bar found on every Royal Caribbean ship. There is a passenger entrance area to the forward main lift/staircase area forward of the Schooner Bar - the Forward Lift Lobby.

The Dragon's Lair night club
Opposite the Schooner Bar is the upper level of The Dragon's Lair, a nightclub two decks high, with a state-of-the-art dance floor resembling a Gothic castle.

The Savoy theatre
Forward is The Savoy theatre, inspired by the theatre style in central Europe. This theater seats a total of some 1,320 guests on decks 2, 3 and 4 and ranges over the entire width of the ship. It offers state of the art production technology, the theatre's hydraulic orchestra pit and stage areas and above-stage fly space allow the most expansive of shows.

Deck 3:

Studio B
Behind the lower level of the night club is the upper level of Studio B, a 900-seat arena for a variety of shows including ice shows and ice skating, made possible using a sliding floor underneath which is a proper ice skating rink. A part of Studio B's seating can be horizontally moved over the arena. There are state-of the-art broadcasting facilities, including a large video wall, and the arena is intended for live high-tech shows including variety shows, ice shows, game shows, and rock and roll performances or for ice skating for the enjoyment of Mariner's guests. The Studio B can also accommodate exhibition/trade shows.

Art and Photo Gallery, Broadcasting Room
Behind the Studio B is the Art and Photo Gallery and Broadcasting Room. Mariner of the Seas produces it's own onboard TV and radio broadcasts, and guest can for example follow the shows taking place in the Studio B from their cabins. Broadcasts are created especially for guests' portable radios by Mariner's own station RCTV production team.

Forward on deck 3 is the mid level of The Savoy theatre, and aft is the lowest level of the Main Dining Room.

Deck 2:

Multimedia Room/Cinema, Conference Center, Executive Board Room
On deck 2 behind the theatre, is a Multimedia screening room/Cinema seating 60 persons, behind which is a large Conference Center, with dedicated facilities seating up to 400 guests, converting into four separate breakout rooms, plus an Executive Board Room. These facilities are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment systems, with wireless control of audio-visual equipment, sound, light, and temperature, tele-video conferencing and classroom training facilities and dedicated reception and pre-function areas. This is one of the cruise industry's largest conference areas.

Decks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10:

Spacious Staterooms Throughout
On these decks are the majority of the passenger cabins/staterooms, of which there are a total number of 138 (9%) facing the Royal Promenade on decks 6, 7 and 8. There are also some passenger's cabins on decks 2 and 3. The vast majority of the outside staterooms are fitted with a veranda. Piikkio Works has built all the prefabricated staterooms, which have their own air conditioning system in the form of a water cooled fan coil, taking up less space than dual duct or variable flow systems. The total volume of the fan rooms has also been reduced through this design. The staterooms vary from 15 sq.m. category to 45 sq.m category (plus balcony), and one Royal Suite of 107 sq.m. Of the 1,557 staterooms, 1,077 (69%) are with view, 753 (48%) have balconies. Every stateroom has a mini-bar and a 19-inch TV.

On Deck 6, near the aft Centrum atrium, there is also the Business Service Center, complete with PC:s with Internet connections, for the use of the guests.

On Deck 7, above the Business Service Center, there is the Library, with a panoramic view overlooking the Royal Promenade.

On Deck 8, above the Library, is the Royal Caribbean Online Internet lounge with 19 PC:s.

On Deck 9, above the Internet lounge, there is the Concierge Lounge for passengers in the upper scale staterooms.

On Deck 10, there are the largest guest staterooms, the wheelhouse, and some of the officer's cabins behind the wheelhouse.

Deck 11 Pool Deck:

Extraordinary Recreational Facilities
On this deck are two separated pool areas. In the main midship pool area, there are two main swimming pools, four Jacuzzis and one cooling pool. In the front end there is the Pool Bar, a band stage and Sea Trek, a dive and snorkel shop.

The forward pool area, the Solarium, is designed in Tuscany décor. Here, there are one swimming pool, two Jacuzzis and the Solarium Café.

Forward of the Solarium there is the very large Fitness Center ShipShape Center with Aerobics, a Gymnasium for workouts, a number of saunas, and a Spa pool in the middle. This is one of the largest health center facilities at sea.

In front of the ShipShape Center, there is the Peek-A-Boo Bridge where passengers can have a look at the navigation activities in the wheelhouse one deck below.

Behind the Main Pool Area is the Windjammer Café, a mainstay on all Royal Caribbean vessels, for breakfast, lunch and casual dining. On the starboard side of the Windjammer Café, there is a bar and the Portofino, an upscale Euro-Italian restaurant and on the port side the Chops Grille steakhouse for dinner with reservations. Looking aft, there is also The Plaza Bar and the Asian fusion restaurant Jades.

Deck 12:

Adventure Ocean, large facilities for children and teens
On this deck aft, there are the large activity areas for children and teens:

Aquanauts (3-5 year olds), featuring age-appropriate games, a colourful ball pit to expend youthful exuberance, plus cosy corners for napping and quiet time;

Explorers (6-8 year group), with lots of interactive games. It also incorporates DJ and multi purpose dance floor.

Voyagers (9-11 years of age), excitement and drama in Mission Control's interactive virtual rockets, astronauts and their own "Space Theatre" and DJ;

The Living Room, a dedicated space for Teens with a day/night club they can call their own, including computers and soda bar;

The Fuel disco also for teenagers with own DJ and a dance floor;

Challenger's Arcade, featuring an abundance of the latest virtual games available;

Computer Lab, 14 personal computer stations "loaded" with fun and games for kids'amusement and education;

Paint and Clay, arts and crafts just for younger children;
Johnny Rockets 24 hour fast food restaurant.

The Back deck
Behind these indoor areas is the outdoor The Back Deck, an area designated for the special enjoyment for children and teens, including dance floor and a taco & sandwich bar. On port side of the indoor kids' area there are play features such as shuffleboard, deck checkers and tic-tack-toe, plus pedal vehicles for the younger kids.

Forward of the Adventure Ocean is sundeck and a jogging track surrounding the Pool Deck below and the upper part of the ShipShape Center in the front end of the ship. In the upper Spa area there are the Hair Saloon and also massage facilities.

There is also the Sky Bar between the two swimming pool areas a deck below.

Deck 13:

St. Tropez, Sports Deck
In the forward end of this divided deck, above the ShipShape Center, is the St. Tropez sun bathing area. Aft is the large outdoor Sports Court, complete with a nine hole miniature golf course, Mariner Dunes, driving range and golf simulators, a roller blade track, a basket ball/ paddle ball/volleyball court, and a sport equipment outlet.

Deck 14:

Rock-climbing wall
Overlooking the Sports Court, there is the 10 metres high rock-climbing wall (The Wall) stretching up along the aft end of the funnel.

Forward of the funnel, there is the Viking Crown Lounge observation area high above the sea, a tradition on all Royal Caribbean ships. This area includes , the Cloud Nine, an intimate cocktail lounge, the Ellington's, a jazz club, the 19th Hole, an in-house/outside golf bar for guests to cool off after their game, and Seven Hearts, card and table games room.

Deck 15:

High up forward of the funnel is the Skylight Chapel for wedding ceremonies etc.

Layout and special features of Mariner of the Seas
Crew areas / Technical areas

Unparalleled Crew Facilities
There is unparalleled amount of space for Mariner's crew and officers. With a recreation deck, a sun deck, three dining facilities, a gym, and a disco, the crew space on the Mariner of the Seas exceeds that of any other cruise ship. (Royal Caribbean has even a dedicated cruise manager for the crew.)
On Deck 5 behind the galley area is the officer's dayroom and a cafeteria for officers and staff. In the front, there is the crew's sun deck.
On Deck 3 behind the galley is the crew disco, and the outdoor recreation deck area.
On Deck 2 aft is the crew galley, crew cafeteria and the crew day rooms.

Crew cabins / Officers' cabins
In addition to a number of officers' cabins (including the Captain's and Chief officer's large cabin, Captains large guest room and office) behind the wheelhouse on deck 10, the officers' and crew cabins are located on Decks 2, 1, 0 and on the Tween Deck below.

Technical areas

Aft on Deck 1 and Deck 0 are the dry/cold storage areas. On Deck 1 is also the main horizontal main service corridor for transportation of the passengers' luggage and the ship's utilities.
The hotel stores and the laundry area is on the Tween Deck.

Hospital
The ship's hospital is on deck 1, with all necessary facilities for operations, x-ray, laboratory testing etc..

Waste handling
On deck 1 are also the garbage handling equipment. This is one of the first installations onboard a cruise ship designed completely without damping/discharging to sea. The systems includes a 1600 kW incinerator, a food waste system, a recycling and storage system for glass, metal, ash and paper - including a new automatic ash transport and packing process.

High level of redundancy
Mariner of the Seas has a very high level of plant redundancy. Plant, which has an impact on the safety of Mariner, has a redundancy built into it in such a way that at least 50 per cent of nominal capacities remains available after any single failure. Some features include:

divided machinery plant into two independent parts, the so called "half ship concept" including main machinery plant, fuel tanks, electric machinery, auxiliary systems, ventilation, piping, cabling and control and automation, basically from "fuel storage tanks to the propellers".

divided redundant main electric distribution and monitoring between the wheelhouse and control room (on Deck 1), and between the two separated high voltage switchboards (on Deck 0) and the three separate cyclo-converter rooms (on Deck 0 and Tween Deck).

divided redundant telephone, public addressing, control and alarm systems.

five of the six generators can supply all normal service rating. Normally all engines will run, but this arrangement allows for one engine to be out of service for maintenance.

The ship has Det Norske Veritas' RP - Redundant Propulsion classification. It is the highest level of redundancy classification.

Azimuthing propulsion, Manoeuvrability, Low Noise and Vibrations
The Mariner of the Seas has three azimuthing electric 14 MW Azipod(r) units. The two units on the sides are fully azimuthing whereas the one at the centreline is a fixed Azipod unit.

Azipod is a podded electric propulsion unit, azimuthing through 360°. It incorporates an electric AC motor, located inside the propeller pod, which directly drives a fixed-pitch propeller. It has been developed jointly by Kvaerner Masa-Yards and ABB.

With Azipod propulsion no shaft lines, internal electric propulsion motors, rudders and rudder machinery, nor transversal stern thrusters are needed. By this weight is saved and space is available for other advantageous use, such as added passenger capacity. In addition, the Azipod propulsion system improves the ship's fuel efficiency.

The Mariner of the Seas has been designed to manage 40 knots side winds - where ships normally can stay manoeuvrable in 25-30 knots winds. To handle this, there are four 3 MW tunnel thrusters in the bow in addition to the Azipod units in the stern. Sea trials showed that the ship can even move sideways with a speed of 3 knots. The sea trials also showed that the manoeuvrability and course stability of the ship is very good.

The Azipod units made it possible to maintain full control during crash stops, i.e. the ship was steerable during this manoeuvre and the crash stop distance is remarkably shorter than that of a conventional ship. This increases safety in an emergency. Also the vibration and noise levels are extremely low, which adds to passenger comfort onboard.

Mariner of the Seas fulfils Det Norske Veritas Comfort Class.

Wheelhouse
The wheelhouse of Mariner of the Seas differs from traditional cruise ships by having a cockpit-type navigation console. The console is continuously manned by two officers.
The navigation system is integrated and has an electronic chart system.

Dynamic Positioning System
Dynamic positioning system so no anchoring needed in sensitive coral areas.

Some interesting statistics
Total main engine power 75 600 kW (102 790 hp)
Total electric power 73 800 kW (100 340 hp)
Propulsion power 42 000 kW (57 105 hp)
The total volume of the ship is about. 450 000 cubic metres ( 15 885 000 cu.ft)
The total deck area is 145 000 square metres (1 616 000 sq.ft)

Steel Facts:
300 000 steel pieces has been used for the steel hull of which 300 000 square metres are plates and 200 km steel profiles.

Interior Facts:
There are 15 500 seats for passengers of which 5 300 seats are in cabins and 2 000 are seats on outer decks
There are 50 000 square metres of carpet
There are more than 4 000 art pieces onboard.
The total interior (air conditioned area) area is over 90 000 square of which approx. 30 000 square metres is public passenger area
There are 15 400 square metres of outside deck areas for passengers and crew
There are some 4.100 works of art onboard and some 400 slot machines in the casino

Technical Facts:
For the comfort of passengers and crew totally about 1 850 000 cubic metres of air is transported and handled by air conditioning every hour
61 000 electrical points are installed
About 3 000 kilometres of electrical cables and about 16 000 automation points
5 000 square metres of windows
About 140 kilometres of pipes over one inch is installed
320 tonnes of water in swimming pools and Jacuzzis.
30 tonnes of ice cubes can be produced per day
Theatre:
electric power for sound equipment 25000 W and lighting equipment 18000 W

Source: Kvaerner Masa

[ 10-29-2003: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

[ 10-29-2003: Message edited by: Captain Rhone ]