RCCL orders giant Genesis class

Royal Caribbean International (RCCL) has ordered a new generation cruise vessel from Aker Yards. The contract price is around ?900m ($1.08 billion), the most valuable ship ever ordered in the history of commercial shipbuilding. The 220,000gt ship, a prototype developed under Project Genesis, will be delivered from Aker Yards, Finland in autumn 2009.

Taking a huge leap of 43% in size from the new record breaking ?Freedom of the Seas? which is due for delivery to RCCL from Aker Yards in April, the new giant of the cruise market will be 360m long, 47m wide, 65m high above waterline and accommodate 5,400 passengers. The contract includes an option for a similar vessel.

‘After developing so many generations of cruise ships together over the 35 years of our partnership with RCCL we are excited about jumping so far out in front of cruise-ship design with this highly innovative and exciting new ship,’ says Yrjö Julin, president responsible for Aker Yards Cruise & Ferries business area.

‘It is exhilarating to take such a giant step into the future,’ said Royal Caribbean chairman and ceo Richard Fain. ‘Project Genesis truly is a remarkable ship. Its bold design, daring innovation and technological advancements will delight our existing customers and help us draw in new ones.’ The contract is subject to final confirmation of buyers financing.

With 18 newbuildings including this latest contact, the total value of the order book of Aker Yards in Finland is some 4.3 billion euro.