ALLURE ADVANCING
The second Oasis-class cruise ship
is taking shape in Turku
dy very much in the making. In fact, the keel laying ceremony took place on 2 December 2008 at
STX Europe’s shipyard in Turku, Finland. At the
ceremony, Royal Caribbean International, a cruise
brand owned and operated by Royal Caribbean
Cruises Ltd., and STX Europe laid the keel of Allure of the Seas according to old marine traditions.
R
epresentatives of both RCCL and
When she launches in 2010, Allure of
STX Europe placed coins of their na-
the Seas will share the title of the world’s
tive countries under the keel. This ritual
largest and most revolutionary cruise ship
– which dates back to the Roman times
with sister ship Oasis of the Seas. Allure
– is performed to bring good luck to the
of the Seas will span 16 decks, encom-
ship-building effort. In addition, it sym-
pass 225,000 gross tonnage (GT), carry
bolises the solid collaboration of the two
5,400 guests at double occupancy, and
parties.
feature 2,700 staterooms. The Oasis sis-
In this undertaking, all cooperation,
coordination and communication must be
ters will be homeported at Port Everglades
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
optimised to perfection, since the Oasisclass cruise ships are expected to “rede-
DRY DOCK STAYS ACTIVE
fine the industry”. As the very first block
In fact, the ships are advancing, not quite
of Allure of the Seas was placed in the
hand in hand, but very close to each other.
dry dock, there was a feeling of excite-
Case in point: Oasis of the Seas was float-
ment – and anticipation – in the air. In
ed out – e.g. the vessel was moved from
the months to come, the ship will begin
dry dock to wet dock – on November 21.
to take shape.
Allure of the Seas swooped in almost im-
26
seatec 1/2009
Photos: STX Europe
The sister ship of the Oasis of the Seas is alrea-