Voyager-class cruise ship

History

The Voyager class was named Project Eagle prior to launch. The project began in 1995 after a series of marketing studies. Eagle aimed to attract cruisers who did not consider themselves "cruise ship people".

Voyager of the Seas was the first of Royal Caribbean's ships to feature a large open space in the centre of the ship known as the Royal Promenade, which has become a staple of future Royal Caribbean International ships, as well as being adopted by other cruise lines in various forms. The Royal Promenade was inspired by Harri Kulovaara, who was VP of Quality Assurance at RCI in the 1990s, who designed a similar feature on a Silja Lines ferry.

Design

Voyager-class ships have a diesel-electric powertrain. They are powered by six Wärtsilä 46 diesel engines, giving a total output of 75,600 kW. The generated electric power supplies power to the 14 megawatt ABB Azipod azimuth thrusters (two steerable and one fixed).

The Voyager class featured some world firsts for cruise ships when it debuted, including the first rock climbing wall (mounted on the funnel) and ice-skating rink at sea.

The class' architecture was assigned to different architects and firms, some of which had no previous cruise ship experience. For example, the 1,350-seat La Scala Theatre on Voyager of the seas was designed by architect Wilson Butler Lodge, inspired by the Milan Opera House and bringing cruise-first features of Broadway theatres. This is the first time Royal Caribbean used theatre planning and design consultants for its onboard theatres.

First and second generations

The first and second generations of the Voyager class differ slightly in design. Navigator of the Seas introduced wider glass balconies to the class. A number of public venues were changed, such as the retirement of the Aquarium Bar, Sports Bar and Island Grill and the introduction of Bolero's Bar, Vintages wine bar, Portofino, Chops Grille, Jade and the Plaza. The youth and teen areas were also reconfigured, the newer ships removing the children's pool area at the aft of the ship.

Modification history

In 2012, was modified to include an outdoor movie screen and new passenger lounges. These same changes were made to in 2014. , , and replaced their inline skating tracks with Flowrider surf simulators in 2014 and 2015.

Ships

References

References

1. [https://vesselregister.dnv.com/vesselregister/details/19902 DNV: Voyager of the Seas], retrieved 11 May 2024.
2. "Voyager-Class.com - Comparison between the first- and second-generation Voyager-class ships".
3. "Voyager-Class.com - Design and building of the Voyager-class ships".
4. "Voyager Facts".
5. [https://cruiseshipguide.com/ship-100004/ cruiseshipguide.com] Retrieved June 2016
6. "Royal Caribbean International – Voyager of the Seas, La Scala Theatre".
7. "VOYAGER CLASS FLOWRIDER REFURBISHMENT". Mobimar.com.
8. {{cite ship register
9. [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/holiday-ideas/sneak-peek-on-board-australias-newlook-cruise-ship-voyager-of-the-seas/story-fnjjv4qv-1227014401752 Sneak Peek On Board Australias Newlook Cruise Ship Voyager Of The Seas] ''Herald Sun'' {{dead link. (April 2023)
10. {{cite ship register
11. "Cruise News: Latest Cruise Line & Cruise Ship News - Cruise Critic".
12. {{cite ship register
13. "Adventure of the Seas to Receive Water Slides, FlowRiders & Izumi Restaurant During Dry Dock".
14. {{csr
15. "ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S NEWLY REVITALIZED NAVIGATOR OF THE SEAS TO WOW GALVESTON WITH YEAR-ROUND SAILINGS STARTING WINTER 2013". Royal Caribbean International.
16. {{cite ship register