Royal Caribbean International’s Project Genesis ship will feature a park the length of a football field along the centre of the vessel offering inside cabins an “outside” view for the first time.
The ship, yet to be named, will be the largest cruise ship in the world when it launches in late 2009. It will span 16 decks and carry 5,400 passengers, sailing out of Fort Lauderdale.
The cruise company today revealed plans for Central Park, a park situated along an open central area of the ship, featuring trees, flower gardens and pathways as well as a town square, restaurants, shops and bars. Concerts and street performances will also be staged there.
It is the first of seven new concepts to be unveiled as part of Project Genesis.
The park will be overlooked by 334 staterooms, 254 with balconies, at a height of six decks. Usually inside cabins do not have a view of an outside areas because of the layout of a traditional cruise ship.
The ship will also boast the first moving bar at sea. The Rising Tide bar will span three decks and move between the Central Park and public areas below.
Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive Adam Goldstein said: “Central Park is a true evolution of a cruise ship design and allows us to provide our guests with not only a more varied selection of balcony accommodations, but also a public venue that will be a central element of the ship during the day and at night.”
At a cost of 230,000 US dollars per berth, Project Genesis is the most expensive cruise ship ever to be ordered. It is 1,180 feet long, 154 feet wide and 240 feet high – one and a half times taller than the O2 Arena and longer than four football pitches.
The company is also planning a further sister ship to Project Genesis for 2010.