Looking at Enchantment of the Seas

In 2005, Enchantment of the Seas was cut in two and a new 73 foot midsection was inserted. This raised her gross tonnage from approximately 70,000 tons to over 80,000 gross tons. As a result, Enchantment is one of, if not the largest cruise ship to be expanded.

While the fact that such a large ship was expanded this was is interesting in itself, what is more important is what the expansion did for the ship. For one thing, it allowed Royal Caribbean to re-design the main pool area. Not only were the pools re-done but an interactive computer-controlled splash fountain was added, whirlpools were added including one cantilevered over the ship’s starboard side, a new bar area was built and two spectacular suspension bridges were created on each side. In addition, the interior public spaces were revitalized and new features added including a specialty restaurant and an art gallery.

Enchantment’s public spaces have a tasteful contemporary look. Except in the casino, there is no neon or bright lights, nothing of the theme-park. In many respects it resembles a good quality modern hotel.

My profile of Enchantment of the Seas is at http://www.beyondships.com/ENOS-Profile.html and the photo tour and commentary begins at: http://www.beyondships.com/ENOS-tour.html

The New Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess is the latest ship to join the fleet of Princess Cruises. She is based on the design of that line’s extremely successful Grand Princess but has the benefit of ten years of operational experience with this design of ship. As a result, she incorporates all of the features and the design changes that have been made in the Grand class in the eight ships that have preceded her. In short, she is a well-laid out ship with a pleasing contemporary décor with numerous places to go and things to do.

Of course, the fact that a ship has a great design is no guarantee that it will provide a good vacation experience. Ships coming out of the shipyard frequently have service and/or technical problems. It frequently takes several months for the crew to come together as a team. Thus, it was with some trepidation that I embarked on Ruby Princess’ fourth cruise in November.

I was quite amazed, however, to find that the officers and crew of Ruby Princess were already acting like a veteran team. There were none of the mishaps and service problems often associated with new ships. It was an excellent cruise experience.

Ruby may well be the ultimate Princess Grand-class cruise ship. Only one more ship of this design is on order and that is earmarked for P&O Cruises. Thus, it is highly appropriate that the ship and the crew have come together so well in such a short time.

My profile of Ruby Princess is at http://www.beyondships.com/Princess-RU-Profile.html and the photo tour and commentary begins at http://www.beyondships.com/Princess-RU-Tour-1.html.

Renewing Queen Mary 2

Passenger ships periodically return the shipyard for refits. These respites from cruising breath new life into worn areas, allow the line to fix broken parts and provide an opportunity to upgrade the technology and/or the features used by the passengers. However, not much is written about what goes on during refits.

Queen Mary 2 (“QM2”) did a refit at the Bolm + Voss Repair drydock in Hamburg, Germany during three weeks in October and November of last year. The ship is now five years old and various laws require inspection and maintenance of various areas. In addition, Cunard Line took the opportunity to counteract some of the wear and tear that results from carrying thousands of passengers week after week Finally, some of the technology and the public spaces were altered in order to keep the ship top-of-the-line.

I had the opportunity to talk with Staff Captain Trevor Lane about the refit shortly after QM2 returned to service. Captain Lane as second in command of the ship and head of the Deck and Navigation Departments is uniquely situated to talk about what was done to the ship. It was a busy three weeks and much was done to the ship that may escape the eye of the casual observer.

My article about the refit is posted at http://www.beyondships.com/QM2-refit-1.html.

Focusing on Carnival Sensation

Carnival Sensation is one of eight 70,000 gross ton large cruise ships built for Carnival Cruise Lines in the 1990s known as the Fantasy class. While Carnival had had ships before the Fantasy class, including a few that were built for the line, these eight were what really cemented Carnival’s position as the world’s leading cruise line. They enabled Carnival to bring the features of a large ship to mass market cruising.

Since then Carnival has gone on to build even larger and more luxurious cruise ships. However, it has not forgotten the Fantasy class ships. Through a multi-million dollar program called "Evolutions of Fun," Carnival is making over these ships so that they have the type of features that today’s passenger has come to expect.

For Carnival Sensation, this has been a two part process. Following Hurricane Katrina, Carnival Sensation was leased to the government for use as emergency housing. The ship then went through a major refit in 2007 during which all of the staterooms were redone with things like flat panel televisions being added. In addition, several of the public rooms were refurbished and enhanced. As a result, the ship remains a vibrant, gleaming venue for having a fun time.

This month, Carnival Sensation will go in for a second refit during which balconies will be added to 98 staterooms. In addition, all of the ship’s swimming pools will be changed. A resort style pool will replace the main swimming pool. An extensive water park will replace the aft pool on Verandah Deck and the children’s pool will be replaced with an adults-only spa pool.

My profile of Carnival Sensation is at http://beyondships.com/CarnivalSensation-Profile.html. The photo tour and commentary, including discussion of what is about to be changed on the ship begins at http://beyondships.com/CarnivalSensation-Tour-1.html