R-Class (1998)

**R-class**
	Type ship R One as insignia on the quay in Bordeaux
Ship data
Ship type	Cruise ship
draft	John McNeece
Shipyard	Chantiers de l'Atlantique , Saint-Nazaire
Construction period	1997 to 2001
Launch of the type ship	January 24, 1998
Units built	8th
Ship dimensions and crew
length	180.45 m ( Lüa ) 157.85 m ( Lpp )
width	25.73 m
Draft	Max. 5.95 m
measurement	30,277 GT / 11,484 NRZ
Machine system
machine	Diesel-electric drive; 2 × electr. Propeller motors ( Cegelec ), each 6,750 kW; Wave system
Machine ; performance	13,500 kW (18,355 hp)
Top ; speed	21 kn (39 km / h)
Energy ; supply	4 × diesel engines ( Wärtsilä 12V32LNE), each 4,860 kW
Generator ; power	19,440 kW (26,431 hp)
propeller	2 × fixed propellers
Transport capacities
Permitted number of passengers	about 700

The R-Class is a series of eight almost identical, medium-sized cruise ships that were designed for the now defunct American shipping company Renaissance Cruises and built between 1998 and 2001. The class designation goes back to the original naming of the ships ( R One to R Eight ).

history

After the shipping company Renaissance Cruises had successfully established itself on the market in the 1990s, it signed a contract with the French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique for eight new cruise ships with a total value of US $ 1.2 billion. The ships are based on a design by Scottish architect John McNeece . The keel of the type ship with the hull number H31 took place on June 26, 1997 in Saint-Nazaire , the commissioning as R One took place on June 25, 1998. The last ship, the R Eight , was integrated into the fleet in February 2001. At the time of delivery, the hull was dark blue and the superstructure was white.

Renaissance Cruises had to cease shipping operations on September 25, 2001 due to insolvency. Then six ships were sold to a group of French investors (Cruiseinvest) for US $ 700 million. The remaining ships R Three and the R Four took over Princess Cruises and brought them into service as Pacific Princess and Ocean Princess .

During the following years, the ownership and shipping company of the individual ships changed several times. The former R Seven was brought onto the German market as Delphin Renaissance from 2003 to 2006 by the Hamburg shipowner Heinz-Herbert Hey, and the type ship R One was sold by the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten for two years between spring 2012 and 2014 Charter operated under the name Columbus 2 .

Machine system and drive

The main engine of the R-Class consists of four diesel generator sets of the type Wärtsilä 12V32LNE, each with an output of 4,860 kW at a speed of 720 rpm. It is operated with heavy fuel oil . In order to enable quiet and vibration-free operation, the motor-generator units are floating.

The actual drive takes place via two three-phase synchronous machines from the French manufacturer Cegelec, which are controlled and supplied by two converters from GEC Alsthom . The motors are equipped with double windings and develop an output of 6,750 kW at a speed of 170 rpm. They drive the two fixed propellers via shaft systems . The cruising speed of the ships is 18 knots , the maximum speed is 21 knots.

Furnishing

The ships of the R-class have almost 290 cabins, of which only 28 are inside the ship. Compared to other cruise ships, the R-Class offers a generous space ratio of 43.3 GT / passenger. The ships are equipped with two restaurants, two lounges with a dance floor and stage, several bars, a library and a fitness area.

Overview

Surname	Build number	IMO no.	delivery	Owner	Renaming and whereabouts
R One	H31	9156462	June 1998	Insignia Vessel Acquisition	Insignia → Columbus 2 → Insignia → so in motion
R Two	I31	9156474	Nov 1998	Prestige Cruise Services LLC	Regatta → so in motion
R Three	N31	9187887	1999	Princess Cruises	Pacific Princess → so in motion
R Four	O31	9187899	October 1999		Tahitian Princess → Ocean Princess → Sirena → so on
R Five	P31	9200938	January 2000	Prestige Cruise Services LLC	Nautica → on the move
R Six	Q31	9200940	June 2000	Azamara Quest Inc.	Blue Dream → Azamara Journey → so on
R Seven	Y31	9210218	Sept 2000	Azamara Quest Inc.	Dolphin Renaissance → Blue Moon → Azamara Quest → so on
R Eight	Z31	9210220	Feb 2001	Carnival Corp.	Minerva II → Royal Princess → Adonia → Azamara Pursuit → so on