Construction
The Oasis class have surpassed the earlier Freedom class as the world's largest passenger ships. At 360 m (1,181 feet) in length Oasis is 21 metres (69 ft) longer than the prior largest passenger ship, the Independence of the Seas and classmates. Oasis also is 8.5 metres (28 ft) wider, and with a gross tonnage of 225,282, is almost 45% larger. Oasis class vessels carry over 5,400 passengers.
Like the Freedom class, the Oasis class ships are built by STX Europe (formerly Aker Yards) in Turku, Finland. The first of the Oasis class, priced at € 900 million (US$1.24 billion) reportedly is the most expensive commercial ship ever built. The option for a second ship of the class was exercised by Royal Caribbean on April 2, 2007. The second ship was delivered by STX Europe in August 2010.
On December 11, 2007, the keel of the first vessel of the class was laid down in Turku. In early 2008, Royal Caribbean ended months of speculation by announcing that their two Oasis class ships would be based year-round at Port Everglades, Florida.
On April 15, 2008, Royal Caribbean held a press conference in New York City to release the first official information and renderings of "Central Park", a 5-deck high area in the middle of the ship, open to the sky and filled with lush tropical gardens, upscale restaurants and shops. The area, one of seven "neighborhoods" on board the ship, also features the Rising Tide Bar, which moves up and down through three decks. There are 334 staterooms overlooking the Park, 254 with balconies - four of which are wheelchair accessible. Two arched-glass domes in Central Park called the Crystal Canopies provide sunlight into the ship's inner public spaces.
Read more about this topic: Oasis Class Cruise Ship
Famous quotes containing the word construction:
“There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service. They will become flatterers instead of legislators; the instruments, not the guides, of the people.”
—Edmund Burke (1729–1797)
“There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face:
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)