Vista class

The Vista Class cruise ships are so named to reflect the extensive use of glass in their superstructure. They were built by Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, in Italy and are equipped with a diesel-electric power plant and an Azipod propulsion system. The ships are designed so that eighty-five percent of the staterooms have ocean views and sixty-seven percent have verandahs.

History

The Vista Class design was originally created for Holland America Line, using the Panamax guidelines to determine their designed size. A fifth hull which was originally intended for Holland America was transferred to Cunard Line in 2003 where it was planned to become the MS|Queen Victoria. However, due to restructuring within their parent corporation Carnival Corp., as well as a later decision by Cunard that modifications should be made to the design to bring in certain aspects which had proven successful on the RMS|Queen Mary 2|3=2, the hull was again transferred to become P&O Cruises' "Arcadia". [sv icon cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/arcadia_2005.htm |title=M/S "Arcadia" (2005) |accessdate=2007-12-17 |format= |author=Micke Asklander |work=Fakta om Fartyg ]

Ships by delivery date

*2002: MS|Zuiderdam
*2003: MS|Oosterdam
*2004: MS|Westerdam
*2005: "Arcadia"
*2006: MS|Noordam

Derivative designs

Enlarged Vista Class

The Vista class design has been used in two derivative designs. After the transfer of the original hull to P&O Cruises, Cunard Line ordered a new "Queen Victoria" with Fincantieri in 2004. This modified design extended the hull to convert|964|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on and added an additional deck, as well as redesigning the layout of cabins and all public areas of the ship. In order to meet the requirements of regular trans-Atlantic crossings, she has also had key parts of her decks, bulkheads, and hull reinforced. [cite web|url=http://www.cunard.com/queenvictoria/QueenVictoriaTechnical.pdf|title=Queen Victoria Technical Information|publisher=Cunard Line|accessdate=2008-04-25] The MS|Queen Elizabeth is under construction based on this same design, and is expected to enter service in 2010. [cite web|url=http://www.cunard.com/AboutCunard/NewsReleases.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=6786&Active=News|title=Cunard to Build "Queen Elizabeth"|publisher=Cunard Line|date=2007-10-10|accessdate=2008-04-25]

ignature Class

The second derivative design is Holland America Line's Signature Class cruise ship, the MS|Eurodam. While the same length as the ms "Noordam", she has one more deck than the standard Vista Class design, and her public areas and cabin placement have been significantly redesigned, especially on her upper-most decks. [cite web|url=http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/ExploreShip.action?shipCode=D|title=ms Eurodam|publisher=Holland America Line|accessdate=2008-04-25] Holland America has taken the option to build an as-yet unnamed second ship based on this same design, expected to enter service in 2010. [cite web|url=http://www.fincantieri.it/CMS/Data/prodotti/000284.aspx?cms640909ff=08f4adf2a8b1413e911793a9ffcc5a20&menu_key=64dc64b6&CMSKEY_categoria=CRUISE&CMSKEY_tipo=&CMSKEY_armatore=SG9sbGFuZCBBbWVyaWNhIExpbmU=&CMSKEY_anno=&CMSKEY_sottotitolo=|title=Cruise Ship 6181|publisher=Fincantieri|accessdate=2008-04-25]

imilar ship classes

*Spirit Class - Panamax ships operated by Carnival Cruise Lines
*Radiance Class - Panamax ships operated by Royal Caribbean International
*Coral Princess and Island Princess - Panamax ships operated by Princess Cruises

References

External links

* [http://www.cunard.com/ Cunard Line official website]
* [http://www.hollandamerica.com/ Holland America Line official website]
* [http://www.pocruises.com/ P&O Cruises official site]