Vision-class cruise ship

Class overview
Builders:
Preceded by: Sovereign class
Succeeded by: Voyager class
Subclasses: 3
Built: 1995-1998
In service: 1997- Present
Planned: 6
Completed: 6
Cancelled: 0
Active: 6
General characteristics
Type: Cruise ship
Tonnage: Multiple, 70,000 GRT - 80,700 GRT
Length: Multiple, 867 ft (264 m) - 990 ft (300 m)
Beam: 106 ft (32 m)
Decks: 11
Speed: 22 Kts
Capacity: 2,076-2,446 Passengers
Crew: 1,200, Average

Vision class is a term Royal Caribbean International uses to refer to six cruise ships operated by themselves and Thomson Cruises. Although called a "class" by Royal Caribbean, the Vision-class ships were built as three pairs of sister ships. Each pair differs from the others in size and design, so the six ships do not constitute a single ship-class by the common usage of the term. The class was further split when Enchantment of the Seas was lengthened by 73 feet in 2005. Unlike other Royal Caribbean classes, the Vision class is not named for the first ship built (Vision of the Seas was named for the class, not vice versa).

Vision-class ships were designed to have more glass windows than any other ships at the time they debuted, and therefore greater views of the oceans from interior spaces. Ships in the Vision class were also the fastest built in 25 years thanks to their diesel electric propulsion systems (the first in the Royal Caribbean fleet), which allowed the larger engines to be placed closer to the middle of the ships for better weight balance.[1]

Two of the ships were built at Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Helsinki New Shipyard, Finland, while the others were built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France (both shipyards are now a part of STX Europe).

Ships

Legend of the Seas & Splendour of the Seas

Built in 1995 and in 1996 by Chantiers l'Atlantique, approximately 70,000 gross tons. The only two ships in the Vision class to feature miniature golf courses.

Ship Year Built Entered service
with Royal Caribbean 		Gross tonnage Current Home Port Notes Image
Legend of the Seas 1995 May 16, 1995 69,130 Asia Legend of the Seas is the most-traveled ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, having been based in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, Alaska, Central America, the Caribbean, the Baltic, Mediterranean and the Middle East during her career. Retrofitted in 2013. Will Be Sold to Thomson Cruises in 2017.[2]
Splendour of the Seas 1996 March 31, 1996 69,130 Palma Mallorca; Bridgetown Barbados Sold to Thomson Cruises, renamed TUI Discovery in 2016.[3]

Grandeur of the Seas & Enchantment of the Seas

Built in 1996 and 1997 by Kvaerner Masa-Yards, approximately 74,000 gross tons when built. Enchantment was lengthened by 73 feet in 2005, making it over 80,000 gross tons.

Ship Year Built Entered service
with Royal Caribbean 		Gross tonnage Current Home Port Notes Image
Grandeur of the Seas 1996 December 14, 1996 73,817 Baltimore, Maryland A collision occurred in 2005 where a long hole was torn in the hull of the ship


A fire broke out in the early hours on Memorial day (May 28) 2013 causing extensive damage to the aft portion of the ship.

Enchantment of the Seas 1997 July 13, 1997 82,910 Cape Canaveral, FL In 2005, a 74-foot (23 m) midsection was added to Enchantment of the Seas, allowing for the addition of a pool, suspension bridges, specialty restaurants, additional staterooms, and expanded areas for guest comfort.

Rhapsody of the Seas & Vision of the Seas

Built in 1997 and in 1998 by Chantiers l'Atlantique, approximately 78,000 gross tons.

Ship Year Built Entered service
with Royal Caribbean 		Gross tonnage Current Home Port Notes Image
Rhapsody of the Seas 1997 May 19, 1997 78,491 Sydney, Australia Received upgrades in 2012 to add an outdoor movie screen, new dining venues, digital signage, Wi-Fi internet access, concierge and diamond lounges, and a nursery.
Vision of the Seas 1998 May 2, 1998 78,340 Santos, São Paulo, Brazil Received upgrades in 2013 to add an outdoor movie screen, new dining venues, digital signage, Wi-Fi internet access, concierge and diamond lounges, and a nursery.

References

  1. ↑ Kraft, Randy (30 July 1995). "New Ship is of Legendary Proportions". LA Times/Washington Post News Service. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  2. ↑ https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/15061-royal-caribbean-sells-legend-to-thomson-cites-capacity-growth.html
  3. ↑ http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/12277-splendour-of-the-seas-sold-to-tui-for-thomson-cruises.html
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