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; 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, but Vision of the Seas was not ordered until 1994.
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.
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.
Ships Ship Year built Entered service with Two Ship Operations Shipyard Grosstonnage Ship Christening FlagNotes Image Royal Caribbean International 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.Grandeur of the Seas1996December 14, 1996Kværner Masa-Yards Hietalahti shipyard, Helsinki, Finland73,817Aviva OferIn October 2019 it was announced that Grandeur of the Seas will transfer to Pullmantur Cruises in 2021, however due to Pullmantur's bankruptcy, Grandeur will remain with Royal Caribbean.Enchantment of the Seas1997July 13, 1997Kværner Masa-Yards Hietalahti shipyard, Helsinki, Finland82,910Colleen Fain In 2005, a 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. In 2009 collided with Carnival Legend, which was already docked, in Cozumel, Mexico Built in 1997 and in 1998 by Chantiers l'Atlantique, approximately 78,000 gross tons.Rhapsody of the Seas1997May 19, 1997Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France78,491Bodil WilhelmsenReceived 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 Seas1998May 2, 1998Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France78,340Helen M. StephanReceived 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 (Formerly Thomson Cruises) Built in 1995 and in 1996 by Chantiers l'Atlantique, approximately 70,000 gross tons, The only two ships in the Vision class are sold to transferred by Thomson Cruises (but now, Marella Cruises). Legend and Splendour of the Seas are became as TUI Discovery and TUI Discovery 2, and they currently renamed as "Marella Discovery" and "Marella Discovery 2", and to feature miniature golf courses.Marella Discovery (Formally Splendour of the Seas)1996March 31, 1996Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France69,130Lise WilhelmsenSold to Thomson Cruises and renamed TUI Discovery in 2016, then Marella Discovery in 2017.Marella Discovery 2 (Formally Legend of the Seas)1995May 16, 1995Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France69,130Cindy PritzkerRetrofitted in 2013. Sold to Thomson Cruises and renamed in 2017, first as TUI Discovery 2, then as Marella Discovery 2, as part of Tui's rebranding of their cruise businesses.
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