RECENTLY, Royal Caribbean hyped up the advent of Australia’s firstever
megaliner, Voyager of the Seas – but I had my doubts.
Generally, megaliners are defined as ships with a gross registered
tonnage (GRT) exceeding 100,000 tonnes. Based on this classification,
two megaliners have already been based here, since 2004: Princess
Cruises’ 116,000-tonne Diamond Princess, which continues its trans-
Tasman crossings this summer, and Sapphire Princess.
And if you count short deployments, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will be
here for 28 nights for its inaugural Australian circumnavigation,
departing 14 Feb.
The 3,840-passengerVoyager is set to be based in Sydney for five
months from November 2012, and in December 2012 Celebrity Cruises’
122,000–tonne 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice will offer sailings to
Auckland and around Australia.
Megaliner History
At 101,353 tonnes, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Destiny was the first
to make the grade in 1996; two years later came Princess Cruises’
Grand Princess.
Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator and Mariner of the Seas
followed between 1999 and 2003. These ships upped the ante with iceskating
rinks, rock-climbing walls and a promenade of shops, bars and
cafés, setting the standard for the megaliners of today.
With its next class, Royal Caribbean added flow-riders for onboard
surfing and ‘water parks’ on the 154,000-tonne Freedom, Liberty and
Independence of the Seas (2006-2008).
The company blew everyone out of the water with its 225,000-tonne,
5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas (2009) and twin sister Allure of the
Seas (2010). These jaw-droppers are separated into ‘neighbourhoods’
to accommodate a zip-line, outdoor ampitheatre and numerous sport
facilities, theatres, bars and restaurants.
Carnival, the other innovator in big ships in America, has produced 10
megaliners, including this year’s Carnival Magic.
The 128,000-tonne Disney Dream was also unveiled this year – the first
new ship from Disney Cruise Line in more than a decade.
Norwegian Cruise Line has produced one megaliner: the 4,100-
passengerNorwegian Epic, which debuted last year with more than 100
single studio cabins.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Costa Cruises has christened eight ships since
2003, with one left to deliver in May 2012. Costa Favolosa is the latest
(and largest) to show off the line’s high-tech entertainment such as 4D
cinemas, Playstation World and Grand Prix simulators.
The world’s newest megaliner is Celebrity Silhouette, launched in July,
which has the exclusive Lawn Club with real grass on the top deck, a
rooftop barbecue, and The Alcoves, where couples can hire a cabana.
Newbuilds on the way
Several companies have megaliners on the way next year. In March
2012, the 4000-passenger Disney Fantasy will be turned into reality,
cruising in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
In May, Costa Fascinosa will start sailing from Italy to Greece, Turkey
and Croatia, while MSC Cruises’ new MSC Divina will also offer voyages
to these countries, plus Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
An extra-cost feature on Divina is the MSC Yacht Club, offering 24-hour
concierge and butler service, access to a private pool, bar, hot tubs and a
dedicated restaurant.
In June 2012, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze will launch, and the
last in line, the 3,030-passenger Celebrity Reflection, is due in Oct 2012.
