Mega liner premiers in northern Germany
Ultra big and ultra modern - the ocean liner "Quantum of the Seas" has left the place where it was built at the Meyer shipyard. Have a look at what it took to get it out into the open.
The gates are opening
The cruising giant "Quantum of the Seas" is moving slowly but surely out of the huge construction hall at the Papenburg-based Meyer shipyard. For the first time, the public can catch a glimpse of the biggest passenger ship ever built in Germany. Many spectators got up extra early not to miss the moment.
Longer than the "Queen Mary"
It took, weeks, yes, months of hard work to build this giant. The "Quantum of the Seas" is currently the world's third-largest cruising vessel. It's 348 meters (1,141 feet) long - that's three meters longer than the famous "Queen Mary II." Both vessels are 41 meters wide.
The final touches
Over the next weeks, the ship will continue to be fitted in the port of the Meyer shipyard. The idea is to get everything done by the fall of 2014. The vessel was ordered by US shipowning company Royal Carribbean International. It took five tugboats and a lot of maneuvering to get the ship out of the construction dock.
The giant in all its splendor
The ocean liner has a total of 18 decks and offers room for 4,200 passengers. Getting the vessel out of the dock was hard enough. But its way on the Ems river to the open sea will be equally challenging. It'll require the skills of seasoned pilots and tuggers.
Successful premiere
If everything goes according to schedule, the high-tech ship will make it to the North Sea in September. To this end, the Ems river needs to be dammed to ensure the "Quantum of the Seas" has enough water beneath its keel. The maiden journey is planned for Nov. 2. It'll set course for New Jersey, USA, via Southampton in the UK.