Vision-class cruise ship

The Vision class is a group of six cruise ships built by Royal Caribbean International, and operated by themselves and Marella Cruises. Although called a class by Royal Caribbean, the Vision-class ships were built as three pairs of sister ships, each pair differing from the others in size and design. Unlike other Royal Caribbean classes, the Vision class is not named for the first ship built; Vision of the Seas was the last ship in the class to be built. Royal Caribbean had been promoting "Project Vision" for some time before ordering the first two ships in the class in 1992,[1] but Vision of the Seas was not ordered until 1994.[2]

Class overview
Builders:
Operators:
Preceded by: Sovereign class
Succeeded by: Voyager class
Subclasses: 3
Built: 1995–1998
In service: 1997–present
Planned: 6
Completed: 6
Active: 6
General characteristics
Type: Cruise ship
Tonnage: 70,000–80,700 GT
Length: 867–990 ft (264–302 m)
Beam: 106 ft (32 m)
Decks: 11
Speed: 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Capacity: 2,076–2,446 passengers
Crew: 1,200 average

Vision-class ships were designed to have more glass windows than any other ships at the time they debuted, and therefore greater views of the oceans from interior spaces. Ships in the Vision class were also the fastest built in 25 years thanks to their diesel-electric propulsion systems (the first in the Royal Caribbean fleet), which allowed the larger engines to be placed closer to the middle of the ships for better weight balance.[3]

Two of the ships were built at Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Helsinki New Shipyard, Finland, while the others were built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France (both shipyards are now a part of STX Europe).

Ships

Royal Caribbean International

Grandeur of the Seas & Enchantment of the Seas

Built in 1996 and 1997 by Kvaerner Masa-Yards, approximately 74,000 gross tons when built. Enchantment was lengthened by 73 feet in 2005, making it over 80,000 gross tons.

Ship Year Built Entered service
with Royal Caribbean		 Gross tonnage Notes Image
Grandeur of the Seas 1996 December 14, 1996 73,817 In October 2019 it was announced that Grandeur of the Seas will transfer to Pullmantur Cruises in 2021.
Enchantment of the Seas 1997 July 13, 1997 82,910 In 2005, a 74-foot (23 m) midsection was added to Enchantment of the Seas, allowing for the addition of a pool, suspension bridges, specialty restaurants, additional staterooms, and expanded areas for guest comfort.

Rhapsody of the Seas & Vision of the Seas

Built in 1997 and in 1998 by Chantiers l'Atlantique, approximately 78,000 gross tons.

Ship Year Built Entered service
with Royal Caribbean		 Gross tonnage Notes Image
Rhapsody of the Seas 1997 May 19, 1997 78,491 Received upgrades in 2012 to add an outdoor movie screen, new dining venues, digital signage, Wi-Fi internet access, concierge and diamond lounges, and a nursery.
Vision of the Seas 1998 May 2, 1998 78,340 Received upgrades in 2013 to add an outdoor movie screen, new dining venues, digital signage, Wi-Fi internet access, concierge and diamond lounges, and a nursery.

Marella Cruises

Marella Discovery & Marella Discovery 2

Built in 1995 and in 1996 by Chantiers l'Atlantique, approximately 70,000 gross tons, as Legend and Splendour of the Seas. The only two ships in the Vision class to feature miniature golf courses.

Ship Year Built Entered service
with Royal Caribbean		 Gross tonnage Notes Image
Marella Discovery 2 1995 May 16, 1995 69,130 Previously operated until 2017 by Royal Caribbean International as Legend of the Seas. Retrofitted in 2013. Sold to Thomson Cruises and renamed in 2017, first as TUI Discovery 2,[4] then as Marella Discovery 2, as part of Tui's rebranding of their cruise businesses.[5]
Marella Discovery 1996 March 31, 1996 69,130 Previously operated until 2016 by Royal Caribbean International as Splendour of the Seas. Sold to Thomson Cruises and renamed TUI Discovery in 2016,[6] then Marella Discovery in 2017.[7]

References
  1. "Building Boom Coming?". Cruise Industry News. 18 August 1992. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  2. "New Royal Caribbean Ships Ordered". Cruise Industry News. 17 October 1994. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  3. Kraft, Randy (30 July 1995). "New Ship is of Legendary Proportions". LA Times/Washington Post News Service. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  4. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/15061-royal-caribbean-sells-legend-to-thomson-cites-capacity-growth.html
  5. ""TUI Discovery 2" formally renamed as "Marella Discovery 2"". Crew Center. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  6. http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/12277-splendour-of-the-seas-sold-to-tui-for-thomson-cruises.html
  7. "Thomson Cruises Changes Name to Marella Cruises | CruiseBe". CruiseBe. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
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