How a New Cruise Ship Is Built

Table Of Content

• What are the environmental considerations taken into account during the construction of a cruise ship?
• Steel-Cutting Ceremony
• The Edge Class of Ships: Modern and Cosmopolitan Design
• Are There Any Onboard Activities for Guests Who Are Not Interested in Dining or Entertainment?
• Shipwrights Cut the Steel
• How are Cruise Ships Built? Discover the Construction & Engineering Behind these Treasures of the Sea

With the sea trials complete, the ship returns to the shipyard for the last parts of the build and furnishing. The second step in the process is the steel-cutting ceremony, and this is where the actual build technically starts. It’s when the first pieces of steel are cut for the ship, normally in a ceremony held with representatives of the cruise line at the senior management level. But let’s delve in deeper and get into the specifics of how long it takes for a cruise ship to be built, where they are built, and how much the whole thing costs too. Maiden voyages are a big deal and it means the ship is ready for regular service with passengers and it's a giant party.

What are the environmental considerations taken into account during the construction of a cruise ship?

The keel is the lowest part of the ship, and during this ceremony, it is laid into place in the dry dock where the ship is going to be put together using massive cranes. By this point, we’ll normally have the announcement of the name of the ship, but not always. And the first bits of steel being cut don’t look like much at all – it’s very much a ceremony for show, to help build up the awareness of the impending ship launch.

Steel-Cutting Ceremony

After the sea trials, the ship is brought back alongside or even into a drydock again whilst her internal fit out is completed and her hull and the rest of her external paintwork is completed. Eventually, you end up with something on the outside looking like a cruise ship. Although the inside is generally bare at this point apart from structural things like decks and staircases. Temporary lifts will be fitted at the side of the ship and large equipment and more steel will be either lifted or craned onto the ship.

The Edge Class of Ships: Modern and Cosmopolitan Design

Finding enough skilled workers to meet the demand can sometimes be a challenge, particularly during peak construction periods. To mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions, cruise ship builders often maintain strong relationships with their suppliers and have contingency plans in place. This can include diversifying their supplier base to reduce reliance on a single source and establishing alternative transportation routes to ensure a steady supply of materials. One common cause of supply chain disruptions is the availability of raw materials. Cruise ship construction requires a wide range of materials, including steel, aluminum, glass, and specialized components such as propulsion systems and navigation equipment.

Shipwrights will need to know what size ship the cruise company wants, how many guests they wish to accommodate, and many other details. During sea trials, the ship is put through a series of tests to ensure that it is seaworthy. Once the ship has passed its sea trials, it is ready to be delivered to its owner. Ovation of the Seas, the ninth on our list, is also owned and operated by Royal Caribbean.

Launched in 2021, the vessel is the first expedition cruise ship capable of reaching the North Pole. On average, modern cruise ships cost between $500 million to over $900 million to build. Although cruise ships are not built in The United States of America, there are many shipyards along our beautiful coasts that do allow tours of their facilities. We have discussed how a cruise ship is made and how long it takes to build, but what materials are used to build them? The short answer is a combination of lightweight metals and super strong steel are used, which reduces the ship’s overall weight and helps with balance.

Cruises can be relaxing, wonderful experiences, but offering them to passengers requires building the cruise ships themselves first. Over a nearly two-year process, shipwrights build boats that stand as remarkable feats of structural engineering. Meraviglia was built by STX Europe and laid down its keel in October 2015. The second-largest cruise ship in the world is Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. Its keel was laid down on May 9, 2014, and it was eventually launched on June 19, 2015.

Ovation of the Seas

From its stunning art collection to its state-of-the-art theater and popular Martini Bar, the Apex has something for everyone. Claire’s love affair with writing began at an early age when she discovered the magic of words and their ability to craft worlds and emotions. Her innate curiosity led her to explore various literary genres, but it was travel writing that truly captured her heart. Drawing inspiration from her own globetrotting adventures and encounters with diverse cultures, Claire embarked on a journey to become a travel writer par excellence. In conclusion, Art Garfunkel’s presence on the music cruise, On the Blue and Feelin’ Groovy, was truly remarkable.

Royal Caribbean shares an inside look at Utopia of the Seas construction - Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean shares an inside look at Utopia of the Seas construction.

Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. The christening involves members of the clergy, music, media, the ship's Godmother. In the case of Utopia of the Seas, it took 15 hours to complete and more than 46 million gallons of water added overnight. Each of these blocks is pre-assembled elsewhere, and there can be as many as 80 blocks per ship.

These features not only contribute to the visual appeal of the vessel but also reflect its identity and brand image. From the ship’s sleek lines to its distinctive paintwork and signage, every detail is carefully considered to create a visually stunning and recognizable ship. Market research is also conducted to identify target demographics and tailor the ship’s features to meet their preferences. The design team takes into account popular trends in cruise travel, incorporating elements such as innovative dining options, entertainment venues, recreational facilities, and spa and wellness centers. Once the materials have been selected, the next step is to begin construction. This involves building the basic structure of the ship, which is made up of a series of steel blocks.

Superstructures are built in smaller blocks remotely, then placed on the hull piece by piece, almost like a massive Lego build. With some vessels reaching 500 feet high, putting these vessels together requires structural engineering. The weight of the ship must be balanced and optimized, with a focus on keeping the center of gravity low to the waterline. Celebrity Cruises has a team that manages the weight of everything aboard the ship. Once designers choose what they want to install on the ship, a separate team of engineers gets involved to see if there are more lightweight options to use.

This article will take a closer look at the shipbuilding process, from the selection of materials and construction methods to the different stages of construction. We’ll also discuss the factors that affect the build time, such as the size and complexity of the ship, the shipyard’s capacity and efficiency, and the availability of materials and labor. The capacity of the shipyard and the size and skill level of the workforce are essential considerations in cruise ship construction. Shipyards with larger capacities and well-trained teams can handle multiple projects simultaneously, reducing the overall construction time. Adequate infrastructure, including dry docks and assembly areas, is necessary to accommodate the size and scale of cruise ship construction.