International. Royal Caribbean has built the world's largest and most advanced cruise ship, a state-of-the-art vessel called the Oasis Symphony of the Seas, which showcases all the new experiences while continuing to minimize the energy footprint with energy-efficient infrastructure such as Elation Professional LED lighting systems.
Symphony has spent its inaugural summer season sailing to destinations in the Mediterranean, and will head to Miami in early November to begin itineraries in the eastern and western Caribbean.
Elation Professional supplied a large package of energy-efficient LED lighting to Royal Caribbean. Symphony of the Seas, being the fourth Royal Caribbean-class ship to sail with Elation lighting, following sister ships Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. Elation has also equipped the Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas ships with energy-efficient LED lighting, helping Royal Caribbean set new standards in terms of energy-efficient in-flight entertainment lighting systems. Royal Caribbean's first Quantum Ultra-Class ship, Spectrum of the Seas, will launch in 2019.
Symphony of the Seas
Built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, Symphony of the Seas can accommodate around 6,600 passengers plus 2,200 crew. The ship first sailed in April this year and is packed with all the perks one would expect from a large megacruiser along with new thrills to enhance the guest experience like the laser etiquette and the highest slide at sea. Like other Oasis-class ships, Symphony of the Seas features the concept of an easily navigable neighborhood and other popular amenities from across the fleet.
Efficient LED lighting
Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Royal Caribbean set out to improve the ship's energy efficiency performance and reduce its environmental impact, and the plethora of Elation LED lighting products perfectly fit that energy-saving spirit with significant savings in energy and dollars.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique worked with Benjamin Couling, Project Manager - newly built SLVR at Royal Caribbean International, who specified the equipment for onboard entertainment lighting and commissioned the lighting systems to the entire ship. He also directed the installation at the Royal Theatre and Studio B.
With Symphony, as with Harmony, the savings are marked. "The directive to use no incandescent lamps on board and no lamp change means we realize millions of dollars in savings over the life of Royal Caribbean ships," said Christopher Vlassopulos, Sound and Light Manager for Royal Caribbean International, who coordinated the design and specifications for all entertainment equipment in Symphony of the Seas' public spaces. including the ship's entertainment lighting systems.
From an entertainment lighting perspective, many of the Elation LED lighting systems in the ship's entertainment and relaxation areas mirror those found on the sister ship Harmony of the Seas, albeit with updated accessory options. "Almost every aspect is the same as those found in Harmony," Vlassopulos said. "A key exception is in Studio B, where all conventional fixtures were removed and replaced with all DMX-controllable automated lighting, which is a significant difference."
Studio B
One of Royal Caribbean's many innovations, Studio B is a favorite among guests. It is a theatre ice rink in which world-class skaters perform a high-tech ice skating show called "1977" that takes visitors to London, where the crown jewels are stolen in the heist of the century. The adventure of time travel combines cutting-edge projection and lighting technology with highly skilled artists to bring acting to life.
Keeping up with the ice skating show and adding an enhanced visual dimension to the show is a dynamic lighting equipment comprised of almost all Elation LED luminaires. "The Elation lighting in Studio B is the best constellation for performance, energy saving and maintenance," Vlassopulos added.
Theatre
In the evening, most guests head to the two-story Royal Theatre, where the production of the award-winning Broadway hit "Hairspray" is on display, as well as an original production titled "Flight: Dare to Dream." Both shows thrill the audience with a series of Elation lights including Artiste DaVinci and Platinum Seven moving heads, Color Chorus 72 LED slats, Fuze Wash Z350 LED wash lights, ZCL 360i beam effects, Platinum Beam 5R Extreme and strobe 3K LED protons. Meanwhile, adding color and effect to two shows at the AquaTheater, an impressive outdoor stage, and a high-performance space for acrobatic performance at the rear of the ship, are the SixPar 300 IP color changers and Proton 3K LED strobe lights.
And much more
Other Symphony inflight entertainment technology enhancements include new luminaires on the pool platform where the Elation ELAR 108 Par lights – on previous Royal Caribbean ships – have been replaced by Elation's SixPar 200 IP, a weatherproof LED pair lamp that provides a better overall color and larger wash, according to Vlassopulos. The SixPars house a high-powered 6-color LED multichip and are used to illuminate the band stand and pool platform in vibrant colors. In fact, versatile coloured wash lights are employed in Symphony from Royal Promenade and AquaTheater, to the pool deck and FlowRider surf area, as well as in the club and lounge areas.
Strolling along the Royal Promenade, a popular meeting area along the ship where guests come to shop, dine and entertain, the Elation Platinum Spot LED Pro 3 LED, Fuze Wash Z350 and SixPar 100s moving heads are used as atmospheric and show improvements during the day and night, even for a popular parade show complete with artists and floats called "Anchors Aweigh".
Symphony of the Seas keeps guests entertained well into the night and when the time comes, a plethora of venues keep running late into the night. Elation's LED lighting is used to add color and excitement to a number of clubs, bars, and lounges on board, including the Boleros Latin club, Dazzles nightclub, The Attic comedy club, On Air Club, and Jazz on 4, as well as teen areas.
