World Travel

How the world’s biggest cruise ship was constructed

February 21, 2022
James Robinson

(CNN) — It’s been 3 many years in the making, but the world’s premier cruise ship is eventually all set to welcome travellers.

Measuring a staggering 1,188 feet, Royal Caribbean’s Surprise of the Seas was delivered last thirty day period and is because of to start off its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean on March 4.

The 18-deck cruise ship was created at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and has capability for 6,988 guests and 2,300 crew members.

Progressive ship

A rendering of the Wonder of the Seas, which is the world's largest cruise ship.

A rendering of the Question of the Seas, which is the world’s largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean

“We are thrilled to introduce attendees throughout the globe to Wonder of the Seas and its earth-class capabilities right after a 6-yr-long course of action,” Mark Tamis, senior vice president of lodge operations at Royal Caribbean Global tells CNN Journey.

“From arranging to shipping and delivery, we have used our expertise across Royal Caribbean, as very well as incorporating our guest’s recommendations and journey partner opinions to make some thing certainly awe-inspiring.” 

The ship will start operating five- to seven-evening cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean in March just before launching Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome in May.

Surprise of the Seas comprises 8 neighborhoods, one of which includes around 20,000 true vegetation, and its on-board attributes consist of what is actually explained as the “tallest slide at sea,” as nicely as a 10-deck-high zip line and a big poolside motion picture screen.

Covid disruptions

Wonder of the Seas during the start of its physical construction at Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France.

Wonder of the Seas throughout the commence of its physical development at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

Bernard Biger/Chantiers de l’Atlantique/Royal Caribbean

“We’ve normally prided ourselves on presenting friends the greatest and most revolutionary ships to give them a actually extraordinary practical experience. Wonder encompasses all of that,” provides Tamis.

The ship was at first scheduled for delivery in 2021, but this was pushed again thanks to delays brought about by the world wide pandemic.

The cruise line field has confronted consistent disruption in excess of the previous two a long time as a consequence of Covid-19. The US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention pushed cruise travel up to the optimum-hazard amount in late December, indicating that the threat for Covid-19 was “very superior” because of to an maximize in bacterial infections among cruise travellers and crew right after the emergence of the Omicron variant.
In January 2022, the overall health agency’s Covid direction turned optional for a huge range of cruise ships. This thirty day period, the CDC reduced the chance stage from Degree 4 to Amount 3, which means that its tips is now that folks should be thoroughly up to date with their Covid vaccinations before touring.

Welcome addition

Wonder of the Seas features eight on board neighborhoods spread over 18 decks.

Wonder of the Seas characteristics 8 on board neighborhoods distribute above 18 decks.

Royal Caribbean

The guidelines underneath the CDC’s conditional sailing buy, which finished on January 15, required 95{e9f0aada585b9d73d0d08d3c277fd760092386ec23cac37d50f4b8cd792b062a} of both equally passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated to sail in most situations, whilst some cruise strains essential vaccination for all passengers and crew.
The cruise line at present necessitates all friends aged 12 and in excess of to be totally vaccinated, even though individuals aged more than two ought to submit a unfavorable Covid-19 exam ahead of sailing. All company aged two and up are necessary to be masked in most general public indoor spaces.

The fifth and newest of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class vessels, Ponder of the Seas is one of numerous brand name new cruise ships that are established to hit the waters in the coming weeks and months.

Discovery Princess, the latest addition to the Princess Cruises fleet, was handed more than at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

In the meantime, Disney Wish, the initially new cruise ship Disney has constructed in 10 a long time, is owing to be delivered this summer season, even though Silversea Cruises’ new luxurious cruise ship Silver Dawn is scheduled for a spring debut.

CNN’s Marnie Hunter contributed to this report.