Vista class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 MS Noodam, a Vista Class cruise ship |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, Italy |
| Built: | 2001-2006 |
| In service: | 2002-present |
| Building: | 5 |
| Completed: | 5 |
| Active: | 5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Length: | All except ms Noordam: 951 ft (290 m) ms Noordam: 935 ft (285 m) |
| Beam: | 105 ft 9 in (32.2 m) |
| Decks: | 11 passenger decks |
| Installed power: | Diesel-electric |
| Propulsion: | Azipod |
| Speed: | 24-knot (44 km/h) maximum (service at 22 knots) |
| Capacity: | varies by configuration 1848-1952 (2 berths/cabin) 2272-2388 maximum |
| Crew: | 800-976 |
The Vista Class cruise ships are so named to reflect the extensive use of glass in their superstructure. They were built by Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, in Italy and are equipped with a diesel-electric power plant and an Azipod propulsion system. The ships are designed so that eighty-five percent of the staterooms have ocean views and sixty-seven percent have verandahs.
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[edit] History
The Vista Class design was originally created for Holland America Line, using the Panamax guidelines to determine their designed size. A fifth hull which was originally intended for Holland America was transferred to Cunard Line in 2003 where it was planned to become the MS Queen Victoria. However, due to restructuring within their parent corporation Carnival Corp., as well as a later decision by Cunard that modifications should be made to the design to bring in certain aspects which had proven successful on the Queen Mary 2, the hull was again transferred to become P&O Cruises' Arcadia.[1]
[edit] Ships by delivery date
- 2002: MS Zuiderdam
- 2003: MS Oosterdam
- 2004: MS Westerdam
- 2005: Arcadia
- 2006: MS Noordam
[edit] Derivative designs
The Vista class design has been used in two derivative designs. After the transfer of the original hull to P&O Cruises, Cunard Line ordered a new Queen Victoria with Fincantieri in 2004. This modified design extended the hull to 964 ft 6 in (294.0 m) and added an additional deck, as well as redesigning the layout of cabins and all public areas of the ship. In order to meet the requirements of regular trans-Atlantic crossings, she has also had key parts of her decks, bulkheads, and hull reinforced.[2] The MS Queen Elizabeth is under construction based on this same design, and is expected to enter service in 2010.[3]
The second derivative design is Holland America Line's Signature Class cruise ship, the MS Eurodam. While the same length as the ms Noordam, she has one more deck than the standard Vista Class design, and her public areas and cabin placement have been significantly redesigned, especially on her upper-most decks.[4] Holland America has taken the option to build an as-yet unnamed second ship based on this same design, expected to enter service in 2010.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ (Swedish) Micke Asklander. M/S Arcadia (2005). Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
- ^ Queen Victoria Technical Information. Cunard Line. Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ Cunard to Build "Queen Elizabeth". Cunard Line (2007-10-10). Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ ms Eurodam. Holland America Line. Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- ^ Cruise Ship 6181. Fincantieri. Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
[edit] External links
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