Outstanding Cruise Ships Of 1993

Several fine cruise ships were delivered in 1993, the details of which are spelled out in the following pages. Read on for information on the shipbuilders, suppliers and owner operators.

While the delivered cruise ships are obviously the focus of this editorial, there was a significant amount of new tonnage ordered, including an order for the largest cruise ship ever (see MARKET REPORT, page 64).

Attribution for the flood of new cruise ship orders is given to a variety of reasons, including a projected cruise industry boom and adherence to impending international safety regulations.

But no matter the reason, the bottom line result of recent activity in this high-profile market segment is an outstanding opportunity for all who build, supply and operate the ships.

Vessel: CROWN DYNASTY Yard: Union Naval de Levante In June of 1993, the shipyard Union Naval de Levante (UNL), located in Valencia, Spain, delivered the Crown Dynasty, the second and, for the present, last unit of the twin cruisers built on order by Eff John International.

Cunard operates a total of five ships under the trade name "Cunard Crown," three of which were built by UNL.

The 19,089-dwt Crown Dynasty, along with her sistership Crown Jewel, is reportedly the largest-capacity and highest quality cruising vessel built in Spain.

The interior design of the ship, by Yran & 3toorbraten, features an atrium rising upwards through cutouts in five decks. There is an immense panoramic glass wall on its seaward side. The ship is arranged with eight decks and a capacity for 916 passengers and 304 crew members.

An outstanding feature is her reported low noise and vibration readings.

The four main engines on the Crown Dynasty are Wartsila Vasa, model 8R32E units which produce 3,280 kW per unit at 750 rpm.

Through Renk-Tacke reduction gears, each pair of engines drives a "high skew" KaMeWa propeller rotating at 175 rpm.

The auxiliary engines are also supplied by Wartsila. Two are model 6RD 32 and supply 2,100 kW each, and two are the 1,472 kW capacity model 4RD 32.

The Crown Dynasty is 537 feet long and has a cruising speed of 19.20 knots.

For more information on Union Naval de Levante, Vessel: MAASDAM Yard: Fincanteri The 55,451-gt M/S Maasdam is Holland America Line's newest cruise ship, which entered service in December 1993. The ship is the fifth in the company's 120-year history to bear the name.

The 720-foot long Maasdam was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The Maasdam can carry 1,266 passengers and a crew of 571. The Maasdam features a $2 million collection of art and artifacts. Treasures from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries reflect a time of adventure and discovery, with the theme of Dutch worldwide exploration. Original works of art created especially for the Maasdam are also featured in public rooms and staterooms.

The Maasdam has 10 passenger decks. A three-deck grand atrium, featuring a monumental glass sculpture by Luciano Vistosi of Murano, Italy, extends from Lower Promenade Deck to upper Promenade (see photo, this page). The Maasdam features, among other luxuries, five lounges, two swimming pools, library, casino and penthouse suite.

For more information on Fincantieri, Vessel: Yard: SENSATION Kvaerner Masa-Yards' Helsinki New Shipyard On October 18, 1993 the 70,400-grt, 2,600- passenger cruise liner M/S Sensation was delivered to Carnival Cruise Lines by the Kvaerner Masa-Yards' Helsinki New Shipyard in Finland. The ship is the third of five luxury cruise ships for the same owner. The Sensation is 853 feet long with a breadth of 103 feet. The maximum crew number is 980. All 980 passenger cabins on decks 4-7 were made from prefabricated units at the Kvaerner Masa-Yards Piikkio Works and brought to the Helsinki yard as below-type constructions with all items in place. The main entrance on deck seven leads into the six-deckhigh Grand Atrium. The atrium is illuminated by hidden neon tubes running along the side on all decks (see photo, above). The hull of Sensation is designed with transversal framing along the side shell, longitudinal framing for the bottom and decks, and more than 2,000 pillars supporting the decks, placed six in a row. There are special bulkheads to stiffen the structure between the outer pillar and the side shell. The noise and vibration levels on these cruise liners are lower than on any previously built by the yard. Four Wartsila Sulzer 12ZAV40S and two 8ZAL40S medium-speed diesel engines with a total output of 42,240 kW (57,430hp) at 514 rpm power the Sensation. Each engine drives an AC alternator. The four bigger alternators have an output of 10.3 MVA each and two smaller ones of 6.8 MVA each. These six generators produce electric power for the two switchboards at a rate of 6.6 kV. Propulsion power is provided by two 14 MW (19,000-hp) water/air cooled synchronous cyclo converter-controlled electric AC mo- tors directly coupled to each of the two propeller shafts driving a KaMeWa highly skewed controllable pitch propeller at a maximum of 140 rpm. The configuration ensures the ship a maximum speed of 22 knots. The electrical power and propulsion package has been engineered and supplied by ABB Marine.

For more information on Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Vessel: WINDWARD Yard: Chantiers de I'Atlantique The cruise liner Windward, built by GEC Alsthom's Chantiers dt lAtlantique subsidiary at Saint Nazaire in France for Kloster Cruise Limited, was delivered in April 1993 and christened by Barbara Bush in Los Angeles on June 5, 1993. Windward has 13 decks with accommodation for 1,500 passengers.

The 39,277-gt, 3,600-dwt Windward is the sistership of the Dreamward, which was delivered by Chantiers de lAtlantique in November 1992. Four MAN B&W 6/82 40/54 medium- speed propulsion engines drive two CP propellers for a total power output of 18,480 kW at 510 rpm.

Windward is the seventh cruise liner built by Chantiers de lAtlantique.

For more information on Chantiers de l-Atlantique.