Elation - Fantasy Class Cruise Liner

The $300m Elation is one of a series of Carnival Cruise Lines Fantasy cruise liners, of which eight vessels have been constructed at Kvaerner Masa Yard in Helsinki, Finland. These fantasy-class vessels form the longest single series of cruise liners ever built. Elation was delivered in 1998. Sister ships are: Fantasy (delivered 1990), Ecstasy (1991), Sensation (1993), Fascination (1994), Imagination (1995), Inspiration (1996) and Paradise (1998).

DESIGN

Carnival's Elation is the world's first cruise ship to feature the unique electric azimuthing Azipod propulsion system which, unlike conventional propulsion, pulls a ship through the water rather than pushes it. During sea trials, the Elation achieved an 8% increase in propulsion efficiency versus Carnival's existing Fantasy class ships, which should result in fuel savings of approximately 40t per week. A dramatic improvement in manoeuvrability was also noted, with the vessel's turning circle diameter at full speed reduced by approximately 30% over previous fantasy-class vessels.

FACILITIES

The general layout of the vessel mainly follows that of previous ships in the series. Crew accommodation, the ship's stores, laundry etc. and the ship's machinery spaces are below Deck 4. Decks 4 to 7 are passenger cabin decks.

The ship's vast six-deck atrium and promenade are embellished with floor-to-ceiling columns and finely crafted classical reliefs. On Deck 7 (empress deck) is the main passenger entrance to atrium plaza. The ground level of the six-deck high atrium, with panorama elevators, is covered by a glass dome at sun-deck level (Deck 13). On the ground plaza is the plaza bar.

On Deck 8, the Atlantic deck, are the two main dining rooms, the imagination restaurant forward and the inspiration restaurant aft, with the galley in-between. The two-deck high main show lounge, the mikado, seating more than 1,000 guests, is placed forward. On the same deck are the duke's piano bar, the Mark Twain library, the card room and the galleria shopping mall, and aft, behind the inspiration restaurant, there is a conference room. The Elation is the first Carnival vessel to have this dedicated facility to accommodate small meetings and incentive groups.

A children's world is now on the sports deck (Deck 12), and has been expanded to offer youngsters a spacious, engaging activity centre with computer and video games, playground equipment and crafts.

PROPULSION

Elation is fitted with two 14MW Azipod propulsion units. The Azipod propulsion unit azimuths through 360° and incorporates an electric AC motor, located inside the propeller pod. The Azipod propulsion system was developed by Kvaerner Masa-Yards and ABB Marine. In addition to savings in weight, space and construction hours, Azipods eliminate the need for rudders, long shaft lines, conventional drive units and stern thrusters, thus occupying less overall space on-board the vessel. They are also designed to make a cruise ship easier to steer and manoeuvre, while achieving fuel savings through improved hydrodynamic efficiencies.

The diesel-electric power plant on the Elation features six Wärtsilä 12V38 medium-speed diesel engines, with a total power output of 47,520kW (64,600hp). These are placed in two separate engine rooms. Each diesel drives an ABB 11,000kVA AC alternator, supplying electric power to a main electric high-voltage bus bar of 6.6kV 60Hz, three phase, from which the main propulsion motors and other large consumers are supplied. The power for the two 14MW synchronous electric AC motors located in the propeller pods of Azipods are controlled by cycloconverters supplied by ABB.

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