Grand Princess
The Grand Princess in Livorno (August 2007)
Lloyd 's Register of Shipping
IMO no. 9104005
The Grand Princess ( dt: Large Princess ) is a post-Panamax cruise ship of Princess Cruises. It is the type of ship construction class of the same name and released at entry into the Carnival Destiny from as the largest and hitherto most expensive cruise ship in the world. The Grand Princess is ship registered in Bermuda and was designed primarily for cruising in the Caribbean and built.
History
Construction and commissioning
Princess Cruises a cruise ship construction at the Italian shipyard Fincantieri in order - On 8 February 1994, the shipping company P & O gave. The unusual design that significantly differs from other cruise ships, comes from the Italian architect Giacomo Mortola ship (GEM srl, Genoa ) and Theresa Anderson, who is responsible for Princess Cruises for the design of the interior. The keel of the vessel, yard number 5956 held in Monfalcone on 1 July 1996. A year later, in May 1997, the building dock was flooded and the ship is at the outfitting quay shipyard where it was completed on 20 February 1998. The delivery of P & O Princess Cruises took place on 19 May 1998. Maiden voyage began on 26 May 1998. First Captain of the Grand Princess was Mike Moulin, as chief engineer Ian Mark was ordered. The ship went under the flag of Liberia in service. Baptism by the actress Olivia de Havilland took place in New York City until 29 September 1998.
Use
Immediately after the entry into the Grand Princess was initially traveling in the Mediterranean, where they significantly increased the capacity of the shipping company. Meanwhile, the ship is stationed in the summer months in the Mediterranean ( Barcelona) and during the winter in the Caribbean ( Fort Lauderdale ). In the spring of 2000, the Grand Princess joined the ship register of Bermuda. 2013, Grand Princess will leave Europe. In winter 2012/2013 the Caribbean will sail, and after a short season in South America in February 2013, the ship will carry out cruises on the West Coast of the United States. Plans are cruises from San Francisco to Hawaii and Alaska.
Restructuring for 2011
During a Trockendockaufenthaltes at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport ( Bahamas) between 11 April and 4 May 2011, the Grand Princess was remodeled extensively. The most striking change was the dismantling of the characteristic of the series " Skywalker Night Club", which was moved from deck 18 to the deck 15 and renamed " One5 Lounge". This measure crosswind sensitivity and fuel consumption to be reduced. In addition to the redesign of several public areas ( restaurants, casino, shopping ) and the atrium of the ship was completely rebuilt in the style of an Italian piazza. In addition, ten new suites have been furnished.
On May 6, 2011 Grand Princess went as part of a transatlantic crossing from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton back on track in service. According to the shipping company that was the most comprehensive conversion, which had ever been made to a Princess Cruises cruise ship.
Machinery and drive
The Grand Princess is equipped with a diesel-electric machinery. The six 16-cylinder V-engines of Sulzer series ZA40S were built by GMT ( Grandi Motori Trieste) under license. They develop a capacity of 11,520 kW each driving a generator. Based on the engine speed of 514/min results in an AC frequency of 60 Hz In addition, two emergency power systems with an output of 900 kW are available. Waste heat from the diesel engine is used on a so-called exhaust gas boiler as process heat for steam generation. The drive of the Grand Princess is conventional with manufactured by Siemens three-phase synchronous motors shaft installations on two fixed pitch propeller with a weight of about 40 tons. The drive system of the Grand Princess is powered by eight converter transformers with a capacity of 6,150 kVA.
The control of the vessel has two half - balance rudder. To support the maneuverability, the Grand Princess transverse thrusters is fitted in the bow and stern. The plants in the bow develop a total output of 6,600 kW (approx. 8,970 hp), while the tail lamps make a total of 5,160 kW (approx. 7,020 hp). To damp roll motions, on the longitudinal sides of the hull extendable stabilizer fins are installed.
Machines and systems of the Grand Princess are monitored and controlled via a ship's automation system.
Cabins and onboard facilities
The Grand Princess has 1,300 cabins, in which up to 3,100 passengers can be accommodated. Of the 928 outside cabins 80 % are equipped with a balcony. This ratio was unrivaled at the time of entry into service. Unlike many other cruise ships, the balconies were not integrated into the fuselage contour, but outside appended. The larger width of the ship can no longer pass through the Panama Canal.
The most striking detail of the Grand Princess was the " Skywalker Night Club", which was arranged as a spoiler at a height of about 45 meters above the water line across the stern. He served during the day as an observation lounge and was used in the evening as a discotheque. The from a technical and aesthetic point of view ( maintenance costs, shading of the tail ) is always controversial device, often referred to as "shopping cart handle " was removed during the extensive renovation of the ship in the spring of 2011.