Towards the end of July the latest unit in the four-ship Radiance class cruise vessels set sail from Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg. Weighing in at 90,090t, the Serenade of the Seas is the third unit of the series to be delivered to Royal Caribbean International (RCI) by the German shipyard. The ships are claimed to be the most innovative and comfortable cruise ships to date. In addition to a very sleek, yacht-like overall appearance with extensive use of glass, the ship has an unusual propulsion plant based on a combined gas/steam turbine integrated electric drive system (COGES).
COGES represents a departure from the traditional diesel electric engine configuration in that the main power plant is based on gas turbines. In this case, they consist of two GE LM2500 units, each with an output of 25MW, and provide the electricity to drive the two 20MW ABB Azipods. Since gas turbines have lower efficiency compared to the diesel engine, the waste heat of the exhaust gases passes through a boiler. The boiler steam is then used to drive a 7.8MW steam turbine manufactured by Fincantieri and provides an additional source for electrical power. The benefits of COGES are many, the most important being a reduction in NOx and SOx emissions, lower spare parts inventory and lower maintenance costs. A stand-by auxiliary diesel genset in the shape of a MAN B&W Paxman VP185 18V provides a power output of 3,120kW.
For optimum manoeuvrability the vessel is also fitted with three 2.4MW Rolls-Royce Kamewa TT3000 bow thrusters. The high degree of flexibility offered by the ship?s propulsors gives it a dynamic positioning system (DPS) capability.
Integrated Bridge System
The ship is fitted with the IBS (
Integrated Bridge System
), supplied by Litton Marine, which includes all components required to ensure safe navigation even in heavily trafficked narrow waterways. The main feature of the system is the voyage management system, which allows the radar display to be superimposed onto the electronic sea chart. All radar units have high resolution colour monitors enabling the navigator to easily distinguish the different symbols used.
Water supply, sewage and waste treatment
Up to 1,580m3 of potable water can be produced daily aboard the vessel by means of two evaporators and a reverse osmosis plant. Using the condensed water from the air-conditioning systems as water for the laundry helps to reduce water consumption. All sewage water is collected through vacuum piping in four vacuum systems and can either be temporarily stored in storage tanks or treated. Sewage water treatment is carried out in three mechanically-operated chemical sewage plants before being discharged. Waste is separated into recyclable and non-recyclable, burnable and non-burnable categories and is either stored on board for subsequent disposal ashore or burnt in the two shipboard incinerators. The flue gases produced are cleaned before they are vented while any ashes and dust are stored on board for later discharge ashore.
Passenger facilities
With an overall length of 293.20m, a Panamax beam of 32.20m and a draught of 8.15m, the 15-deck high newbuilding offers a variety of special passenger features and comfort with more than 80% of the cabins being outside cabins and of which 90% have private balconies. Accommodation for the 2,490 passengers consists of 238 inside cabins and 817 outside cabins including one royal suite, six owner?s suites and 17 balcony suites.
Public areas include an impressive 11-storey glass centrum featuring six glass enclosed lifts that face out onto the sea, the usual shopping mall and eight restaurants ranging from the 112-seat Italian style ?Portofino? on deck 6 to the main ?Reflections? restaurants on decks 4 and 5 amidships which provide a total seating capacity for 1,229 people. Also on deck 6 is a 64-seat cinema and the Casino Royale where passengers will be able to gamble at various gambling tables and some 150 slot machines. The shopping mall on deck 5 consists of several small shops arranged on both sides of a passageway. The ?Tropical Theatre? is located on decks 4,5 and 6 in the forward part of the vessel and seats about 900 guests. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technology which includes revolving stages and orchestra pit lifts, video projectors, special sound effects and lighting systems. The Solarium fitness centre on decks 11 and 12 consists of an indoor pool area with a sliding glass roof and a variety of sports facilities including a climbing wall, jogging track, basketball and volleyball court as well as a miniature golf course and a golf simulator. The adjacent Shipshape Fitness Centre provides modern exercise equipment and includes an aerobic area.
The vessel is fitted with an air conditioning system able to guarantee a constant room temperature of 23oC. The 336 AC and ventilation plants are arranged in 31 fan rooms and handle a total air volume of approximately 2,900,000 m_/h.
Safety Systems
The ship is divided into seven fire zones and complies with the rules for a two-compartment vessel and is designed according to the latest IMO regulations. On the life saving side, the vessel is provided with four tenders, 14 lifeboats and two fast MoB rescue boats. In addition, the ship is equipped with two marine evacuation systems enabling a fast evacuation via chutes into the life rafts.
Some interesting, non-vital, statistics include the fact that the vessel is coated with 220 tonnes of paint, has 2,200km of cables, 200km of pipes while the total area of glass used measures 12,000m2. Registered in the Bahamas, the Serenade of the Seas was built in accordance with DNV?s class standard for +1A1 passenger ships.
The fourth and final vessel of the Radiance-class-series, Jewel of the Seas, is still under construction at Meyer Werft shipyard and will be delivered to RCI in spring 2004.
