Explorer Of The Seas Passes Sea Trials

Explorer of The Seas, which is currently under construction at Kvaerner Masa-Yards for Royal Caribbean International, has successfully completed its sea trials.

The second member of the Voyager-class series, the vessel's trials were conducted on the Baltic Sea, and according to Captain Olav Nyseter, the incoming master of the vessel, all tests performed met or superceded the specified parameters. The trials also included the vessel's demonstration of its excellent maneuvering characteristics that were shown during steering tests.

Explorer of the Seas, which is scheduled for delivery this fall, returned from its trials on June 19 to Kvaerner for continuity of its outfitting work.

In addition, Kvaerner Masa-Yards launched Carnival Spirit - the second in a series of new Panamax-Max cruise vessels - on July 7 at the Helsinki New Shipyard. The 85,700-gt vessel will be delivered to Carnival in the spring 2001. Able to carry 2,680 passengers, the vessel measures 966 ft. (294.5 m) with a breadth of 127 ft. (38.8 m)