The worldwide corona virus pandemic has led to an unprecedented time for the cruise industry, together with fleets being laid up it is also resulting ad hoc cruise ship calls to various ports.
Yesterday Southampton saw one of these calls when Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas arrived from Barcelona for a short 5-day lay by.
Allure of the Seas passing Mayflower Park Southampton
Delivered in 2010 and at 225,282GRT Allure of the Seas is one of the world’s largest cruise ships with a passenger capacity of 5,484 passengers at (double occupancy) 6,780 maximum.
The Oasis Class vessel was due to dry dock in Cadiz for her amplification, but this has been postponed due to the closure of all Spanish ports.
On arrival in Southampton, she berthed at the City Cruise terminal 101/2 berths and is currently set to sail for Cadiz on 25th March.
Allure of the Seas arriving at the City Cruise Terminal
Below are some more arrival images as Allure of the Seas passed Calshot.
To date Southampton has now seen visits from three of the four current Oasis class ships, Oasis, Allure and Harmony.
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LONDON, UK, Oct 10, 2019–Today,Royal Caribbean Internationalannounced the home port and name of its fifth Oasis Class ship. The next ship to join the leading cruise line’s innovative lineup will be named Wonder of the Seasand will set sail fromShanghai, China.
The details were revealed by Royal Caribbean President and CEO, Michael Bayley, at a global cruise industry conference event held in Shanghai.Debuting in 2021, the world’s largest cruise ship will introduce a new era of cruising as the first of the renowned Oasis Class to sail the Asia Pacific.
“Royal Caribbean is known for its innovation and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and anOasis Class ship inChina is proof of that,” said Bayley. “Wonder of the Seaswill redefine the ultimate vacation and be revolutionary in her own right, and she marks one of Royal Caribbean’s most exciting chapters to come.”
“Royal Caribbean has been a market leader in China for more than 10 years by consistently showcasing bold deployment strategies and driving growth of the new to cruise market,” said Dr Zinan Liu, Chairman, Royal Caribbean Asia. “The deployment ofWonder of the Seasis a manifesto of new era for Royal Caribbean.”
Image: Royal Caribbean
What to expect onboard
Wonder of the Seaswill be part of the Oasis class of ships which are the largest in the world. The new ship will combine the iconic seven-neighbourhood concept that her sister ships feature along with a bold lineup of thrilling experiences, imaginative dining, unparalleled entertainment and the latest technology.
Image: Royal Caribbean
Construction
Today also marked an important milestone forWonder of the Seasas the ship began constructionat the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.During what is known as the keel-laying ceremony,Wonder’sKeel, a 970-tonne block measuring 155 feet by 65 feet, was lifted onto the building dock with a 1,400-tonne crane. This ceremony marks the beginning of her construction.
1st keel section lifted in to building dock at Saint Nazaire Image: Royal Caribbean
Wonder of the Seas continues the popular Oasis Class ship series, whose last introduction was 2018’s Symphony of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has said Oasis 5 will have the same seven-neighborhood concept, thrilling experiences, imaginative dining, exciting entertainment and the latest technologyMore information onWonder of the Seasitineraries and brand-new adventures will be announced soon.
No further details of the ship have been revealed but she will be a similar design to her sisters’ ships however comparing the renderings to her earier sister Harmony of the Seas she some significant changes in her design.
Comparison between Harmony & Wonder of the SeasNote: huge Royal Caribbean Logo
Sports Deck & Aqua Theater Image: Royal Caribbean
Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean entered into an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for a sixth Oasis-class ship, to be delivered late in 2023.
The cruise line currently has six cruise ships currently under construction or on order. Odyssey of the Seas will be the next new ship to join the fleet in 2020 and then followed by Wonder of the Seas in 2021. In 2022 the first Icon-Class Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered Royal Caribbean ship will arrive taking the cruise line into a new era of cruising.
Have you sailed on an Oasis class? and are you excited for the fifth Oasis class ship?
As always thank you for taking the time to read my latest post
About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean Internationalis the world’s largest global cruise line, delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous holidaymakers. The cruise line continues to revolutionise holidays with itineraries to more than 260 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Perfect Day Island Collection including the first private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
UK consumers and travel agents think we’re doing great things… in 2018, Royal Caribbean won over 30 national and international awards including “Best in Cruise ” in the Sun Travel Awards, “Best Cruise Line for Entertainment” and “Best Cruise Line for Suites” in the Cruise Critic UK Editor’s Picks, and “Best Mainstream Cruise Company” in the Globe Travel Awards.
The cruise line sails 26 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand.
To date Southampton has now seen visits from three of the four current Oasis class ships, Oasis, Allure and Harmony.
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