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— Cruise Shipping Annual *»t*55S?i . * # * * * * * « # « « mm * * • * * * mm* « * « It could be clubbed "the new classic." The idea of creating a comfortable passenger vessel encom- passing old world classic decor — as per the famed ocean liners of the early 20th Century - while instilling modern safety and mechanical requirements, as well as sophisticated amenities. Last fall, Miami, Fla.-based Celebrity Cruises created its own rendering of this trend via its new "Millennium" Class of ships. With construction currently underway at French shipyard Chantiers de VAtlantique, the inaugural vessel of the four part class is scheduled for a maiden voyage in June 2000. — By Regina P. Ciardiello, assistant editor i Richard Sasso, president, Celebrity Cruises, said "If you don't invest in technology you'll be left behind ... When you're more technologically advanced, it makes it much easier to communicate with passen- gers and travel agents." A company only 10-years young has already earned itself a place in cruise ship history with the new "Mil- lennium" ship series. Celebrity Cruises, which merged with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) in 1997, has taken its design pursuits a step further with this new class by combining, according to Celebrity's pres- ident, Richard Sasso, the line's two most important facets, "traditional and elegantly casual ships, which are technologically advanced." "We prefer to go with a unique classic style, which protects the integrity of Celebrity's casual elegance," Sasso said. With three more Millennium vessels scheduled for construction to Panamax standards through 2002, each will cost approximately $350 million. The first mem- ber of the fleet will perform varied European voyages from June through October 2000, before embarking on alternating eastern and western Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale in November 2000. At 91,000 tons, 965 x 106 ft. (294.1 x 32.3 m) Mil- lennium is equipped to carry 1,950 passengers (double occupancy) at a cruising speed of 24 knots. While the Millennium project will undoubtedly strengthen Celebrity's worldwide customer base with its tribute to early 20th Century design aspects — cus- tomers will also be treated to a vessel that houses a technological base synonymous with the 21 st Century. "If you don't invest in technology you'll be left behind," Sasso said. "When you're more technological- ly advanced, it makes it much easier to communicate with passengers and travel agents." "We are trendsetters and industry leaders in develop- ing technology and we'll continue to do that." he added. Proving his point is the fact that Millennium will be the first vessel ever built to offer passengers with the premiere application of gas turbine technology. According to Celebrity, the vessel will house a pair of GE Marine Engines' LM2500 + aeroderivative gas tur- bines and a single steam turbine rather than the con- ventional four or five large diesel engines used on today's cruise ves- sels. The turbines then drive the ves- sel's generators, which work to pro- vide electricity to Millennium's propulsion motors. Long a tenet of naval vessel and specialty fast craft applications, gas turbine propulsion is quickly making inroads with the environment sensi- A rendering of the Olympic Dining Lounge/Room as it will appear onboard Millennium. The lounge area holds the orig- inal paneling that once stood in the a la carte dining room aboard the famed R.M.S. Olympic. tive and performance demanding cruise market. "The gas turbine technology provides for a smooth, quiet and safe excursion," Sasso said. Resulting from this technologically-driven applica- tion is not only less noise and vibration, but increased deck space on Millennium, not to mention the fact that the system's compact size requires less space to house and maintain, thus allowing for more spacious state- rooms and activity areas onboard. Featuring the largest percentage of ocean view staterooms, with 80 percent of the total 975 staterooms having exterior views, Mil- lennium also boasts the largest suites at sea - measur- ing as much as 3,000 sq. ft. with verandas. Adding to its list of firsts, the ship also houses the industry's pre- miere exterior glass elevators. A Historical Discovery It was a time where the trend of simple elegance ruled the day, as was reflected through the famed White Star Line's great ship of 1911 — R.M.S. Olympic. Sistership to the world-renowned Titanic, the vessel was referred to, according to maritime historian, John Maxtone-Graham, "as the first of a huge new class of ships." The Olympic, which debuted in June of that year was "White Star's response to Cunard Line's Lusitania and Mauretania," said Maxtone-Graham, who also acts as Celebrity's historical consultant for the Millennium Class. With the debut of Cunard's Mauretania in 1907, White Star chose a different route of shipbuilding by deciding to build a vessel that focused on comfort rather than speed — thus the idea of Olympic was born. Displacing 45,000-tons, and boasting "all the com- fort that a large ship could," Olympic housed a swim- ming pool, squash and racquetball court and the February, 2000 19
