By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCCL) has contracted German shipyard Meyer Werft to construct a third Quantum-class cruise ship for delivery in mid-2016.
The unnamed vessel will join the Royal Caribbean International (RCI) fleet, alongside Quantum of the Seas, which will be launched in 2014, and Anthem of the Seas, scheduled to debut in 2015.
“This order follows our stated goals of moderate growth, driving improved returns and leading to an investment grade rating,” said Brian Rice, vice chairman of RCCL.
Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean International (RCI), added: “The Quantum class will offer vacationers more unexpected activities in the most extraordinary spaces, and a third ship will offer even more opportunities for vacationers to experience Quantum cruising.”
The 167,800gt Quantum ships will feature SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea, which includes a circus school with a flying trapeze, a full-size basketball court, bumper cars, roller-skating and a floating DJ booth. Music Hall, a two-storey, multi-purpose venue, will host live performances, themed parties and DJ booths.
Various industry ‘firsts’ will be featured on the 4,180-passenger vessels, such as the RipCord by iFly skydiving experience and the North Star glass observation pod, which is inspired by the design of the London Eye and transports guests 300 ft above the ocean and over the side of the ship.
RCCL’s projected capital expenditures for 2013 and 2014 are US$700 million and US1.2 million respectively, while expenditures for 2015 and 2016 are predicted to be US$1.2 billion and US$2.1 billion.
The company expects a four per cent capacity growth rate per annum from 2012 and 2017.