woodscruise Posted February 11, 2011 #1 Share Posted February 11, 2011 MIAMI and PAPENBURG, Germany, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. has signed a letter of intent with shipyard Meyer Werft to build the first of a new generation of Royal Caribbean International cruise ships. Developed under the code-name "Project Sunshine," the new vessel design incorporates new and exciting features that take advantage of the best of Royal Caribbean's experience and imagination. The project is a result of over a year of dedicated research and development. The order calls for one ship to be delivered in the Fall of 2014 with an option for a second ship for Spring 2015. The 158,000 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) new build will carry just over 4,100 guests based on double occupancy. The estimated all-in cost per berth is about euro 170,000. This all-in cost includes the yard's base contract price plus everything needed to design, operate and build the vessel, from architect fees to supervision costs and all loose inventories from computers to art and bed linens. "Royal Caribbean has worked hard to earn a reputation of offering the most innovative ships in the cruise industry and this next generation will not disappoint," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. "While we continue our policy of keeping our newest ideas and features under wraps during the early stages of construction, I can say that I am very excited about the passion and imagination that our teams have devoted to the project. Project Sunshine builds on the best ideas of our existing ships and adds exciting new activities and entertainment concepts. It will offer features for everyone: from grand, spectacular spaces to small intimate settings; from active, invigorating activities to the serenity of more personal space; and from a plethora of dining alternatives to a cornucopia of opportunities for families. I am also excited about the energy efficiency and environmental technologies which have been incorporated. Our existing ships are some of the most energy efficient in the world and Project Sunshine takes this one further step. Based on our over 20 years of experience with Meyer Werft, along with their compelling proposal, we know they will deliver on all of the innovations Royal Caribbean's guests have come to expect." "Meyer Werft is pleased to be working with Royal Caribbean especially in light of their reputation for building such innovative ships. I am very happy we are continuing our long time partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and its brand Royal Caribbean International. Their projects always present incredible opportunities for Meyer Werft to create the latest cutting edge hardware in the cruise industry," said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of Meyer Werft shipyard. The letter of intent is subject to customary conditions being satisfactorily met. Source Royal Caribean Limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunkissed Mommy Posted February 11, 2011 #2 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Wooho! Excited to see what it will offer. Hopefully that company that monitors CC for them reported all the goodies people enjoy. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emergenthal Posted February 11, 2011 #3 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. signed a letter of intent with Meyer Werft to build the first of a new generation of Royal Caribbean International cruise ships code-named ‘Project Sunshine.’ The tonnage of the new design is 158,000, with double-occupancy capacity of 4,100. The order calls for one ship to be delivered in fall 2014 with an option for a second ship for spring 2015 delivery. The estimated all-in cost per berth is approximately €170,000, including the yard’s base contract price, architect fees, supervision costs and all loose inventories, from computers to art and bed linens. ‘Royal Caribbean has worked hard to earn a reputation of offering the most innovative ships in the cruise industry and this next generation will not disappoint,’ said Richard Fain, chairman and ceo of Royal Caribbean. ‘Project Sunshine builds on the best ideas of our existing ships and adds exciting new activities and entertainment concepts. It will offer features for everyone: from grand, spectacular spaces to small intimate settings; from active, invigorating activities to the serenity of more personal space; and from a plethora of dining alternatives to a cornucopia of opportunities for families.’ Fain also expressed excitement about the energy efficiency and environmental technologies which have been incorporated. He said the Project Sunshine ships take efficiency ‘one further step’ from the company’s already highly efficient new vessels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 11, 2011 #4 Share Posted February 11, 2011 http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royal-caribbean-signs-letter-of-intent-to-build-new-generation-of-ships-115958699.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 11, 2011 #5 Share Posted February 11, 2011 You are a CC member since 2006 and this is your very first post ever:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffinater Posted February 11, 2011 #6 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Looks like there will be a bunch of stuff on the new ship and someone was using their thesaurus to tell us about it....."from a plethora of dining alternatives to a cornucopia of opportunities for families". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggyofwv Posted February 11, 2011 #7 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I am very surprised at the tonnage. I was hoping for something in between Radiance class and Voyager class. This ship will have to be a radically different design considering that it isn't much larger than the Freedom class ships. Otherwise they may as well just build another Freedom class ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunkissed Mommy Posted February 11, 2011 #8 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I am hoping for a radically different design. I wonder how long it will take for RCI to release some renderings of the Sunshine Class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising89143 Posted February 11, 2011 #9 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Here is the article on Seatrader. I'm surprised that it's Meyer and not STX. So much for RCI using the Solstice class hull. I'm a happy guy. I'm glad that they didn't go as small as the Solstice class. http://www.cruise-community.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4983&catid=910&Itemid=69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyG12 Posted February 11, 2011 #10 Share Posted February 11, 2011 In between the Freedom class and the Voyager class? Sign me up!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 11, 2011 #11 Share Posted February 11, 2011 HHHmmmmm....thought "Project Sunshine" was going on the smaller side....guess that went out the door as this is slated to fall between Oasis and Freedom class. The 158,000 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) new build will carry just over 4,100 guests based on double occupancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising89143 Posted February 11, 2011 #12 Share Posted February 11, 2011 In between the Freedom class and the Voyager class? Sign me up!! Actually larger than Freedom class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwest the man Posted February 11, 2011 #13 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Thanks for the info. I'm kind of suprised they didn't strike a big deal to go and build multiple ships at Turku as they have no major orders as of now. I like they size though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising89143 Posted February 11, 2011 #14 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I am hoping for a radically different design. I wonder how long it will take for RCI to release some renderings of the Sunshine Class. Don't think that we will see anything more than a rendering of the exterior profile of the ship like they did with Genesis. Fain stated that they are going to keep things under wrap on what features the ship will have. Believe me, they will drag this one out. They have three years to try and peak everyone's interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 11, 2011 #15 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Don't think that we will see anything more than a rendering of the exterior profile of the ship like they did with Genesis. Fain stated that they are going to keep things under wrap on what features the ship will have. Believe me, they will drag this one out. They have three years to try and peak everyone's interest. I don't know if I can take 3 years of CC rumors:eek::rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted February 11, 2011 #16 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Actually larger than Freedom class. I'f I'm reading this correctly, I believe Sunshine Class will be slightly smaller than Freedom....by about 2000 GT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising89143 Posted February 11, 2011 #17 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I don't know if I can take 3 years of CC rumors:eek::rolleyes: LOL!!!!!!!!!! Should be fun to read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 11, 2011 #18 Share Posted February 11, 2011 This "Project Sunshine" is already much larger of a ship than was anticipated....they are surpassing Freedom class but keeping it under Oasis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 11, 2011 #19 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I'f I'm reading this correctly, I believe Sunshine Class will be slightly smaller than Freedom....by about 2000 GT. Larger;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiamondPlusDan Posted February 11, 2011 #20 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Is it the same size as the Freedom Class then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbeanboy Posted February 11, 2011 #21 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Freedom class ships are 158,000 GRT, so actually as big as the Freedom class ships. Wondering why they haven't ordered a 4th and 5th ship @ STX (Aker) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted February 11, 2011 #22 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I just hope that they don't name the first ship Sunshine of the Seas.:rolleyes: I also hope that RCI never looses sight of it pleasing asthetic lines. Please do not turn out something that looks like the Epic. I understand the need to keep things intersting but I really hope that all of these new builds and one ups-man-ship doesn't do the cruise lines what it did to the old classic lines of the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising89143 Posted February 11, 2011 #23 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I'f I'm reading this correctly, I believe Sunshine Class will be slightly smaller than Freedom....by about 2000 GT. RCI has it listed as 154,000 for Freedom. I have actually seen other maritime sites that have it at even less tonnage. STX Europe has Freedom listed at 154,000 tons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbrad8 Posted February 11, 2011 #24 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I'f I'm reading this correctly, I believe Sunshine Class will be slightly smaller than Freedom....by about 2000 GT. Actually you will need to click on the individual ships to see the true GT.......shows 154,407 GT instead of the 160,000 GT on the "Freedom Class" page (thought the same as you until looking on the individual ships pages). Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 11, 2011 #25 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Freedom class ships are 158,000 GRT, so actually as big as the Freedom class ships. Wondering why they haven't ordered a 4th and 5th ship @ STX (Aker) Freedom Ship Facts: Maiden Voyage: June 4, 2006 Passenger Capacity: 3,634 double occupancy; 4,375 maximum Godmother: Katherine Louise Calder Gross Tonnage: 154,407 Length: 1,112' Max Beam: 183.4' Draft: 28' Cruising Speed: 21.6 knots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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