Vista-class cruise ship

MS Noordam, a Vista-class cruise ship, at Grand Turk Island, March 2007
Class overview
Builders: Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, Italy
Operators: Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises
Subclasses: Signature class
Built: 2001–2010
In service: 2002–present
Planned: 11 ships (including derived designs)
Completed: 11 ships
Active: 11 ships
General characteristics
Length:
  • All except MS Noordam: 951 ft (290 m)
  • MS Noordam: 935 ft (285 m)
Beam: 105 ft 9 in (32.23 m)
Decks: 11 passenger decks
Installed power: Diesel-electric
Propulsion: Azipod
Speed:
  • 24-knot (44 km/h) maximum
  • Service speed 22 knots
Capacity:
  • varies by configuration
  • 1848–1952 (2 berths/cabin)
  • 2272–2388 maximum
Crew: 800–976

The Vista class is a class of Panamax-type cruise ships, built by Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, in Italy. Vista class cruise ships are operated by Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Cunard Line, and Costa Cruises. The ships 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 verandas; the extensive use of glass in the superstructure of Vista class ships is also reflected in the class name.

Carnival Cruise Line launched a ship in 2016 named Carnival Vista, though it is much larger than and thus not a Vista Class ship.

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 Corporation & plc, as well as a later decision by Cunard that modifications should be made to introduce successful elements from the design of the RMS Queen Mary 2, the hull was again transferred to become P&O Cruises' MS Arcadia.[1]

Enlarged Vista class ship Queen Victoria passing Calshot Spit light buoy outward bound from Southampton.

Derivative designs

Signature class

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.[2] A second Signature class ship, MS Nieuw Amsterdam, entered service in 2010.[3]

Hybrid Vista/Spirit class

In 2007 Cunard took delivery of Queen Victoria[4] the first ship in a class described as a hybrid design "taking the best parts from Aker Yards' [sic] built Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea, and from Holland America’s Vista class ships". Subsequent ships based on this hybrid design include Costa's Costa Luminosa,[5] Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, and Costa Deliziosa, which entered service for Costa Cruises in February 2010.

The Cunard ships had a few additional changes including a stronger bow for direct transatlantic crossings, something Cunard ships have completed more regularly than typical cruise ships; and a large second balcony area over the Queens Room dance floor which is one of Cunard's signature features.

Ships by delivery date

Queen Elizabeth departing Southampton 2011.

Superseded by: Vista Spirit hybrid class cruise ship

Similar ships

References

  1. ↑ Micke Asklander. "M/S Arcadia (2005)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  2. ↑ "ms Eurodam". Holland America Line. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  3. ↑ "Cruise Ship 6181". Fincantieri. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  4. ↑ "ms Queen Victoria History". Chris Cunard. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  5. ↑ "Luminosa joins Costa fleet". Cruise Business Review. 2009-05-15. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
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