Cruise Talk: First ship w/ floor to ceiling bridge windows?

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line today celebrated the arrival of the all-new magnificent Norwegian Aqua to the U.S. for an exclusive preview in New York City before she returns in August 2025 for a series of voyages to Bermuda. Today, Norwegian Aqua will welcome over 2,000 invited guests for a two-day inaugural event to experience the Brand's newest offerings. Ranging from first-in-the-industry activities...

Latest News...Building on a period of expansive growth, Carnival Cruise Line is outlining its strategic plans over the next five years with the introduction of its "Innovation Itinerary," focused on three pillars: sailing the most fun fleet at sea; creating compelling experiences and destinations; and building more Carnival loyalists. The line's President Christine Duffy provided details on new ships...

Latest News...After a two-week drydock in Palermo, Italy, Majestic Princess has set sail with an exciting array of new venues, reimagined spaces, and refined touches in preparation for its 2025 Mediterranean season. Guests aboard the freshly renovated ship will be greeted by a host of new enhanced features, including various elevated culinary experiences and social spaces. Notable additions include the popular O’Malley’s...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » First ship w/ floor to ceiling bridge windows?

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: First ship w/ floor to ceiling bridge windows?

Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 11-18-2010 02:28 PM

Any idea what cruise ship was the first to feature floor to ceiling bridge windows? My quick search found that Sun Princess and Carnival Destiny, both delivered in 1995 by Fincantieri, may be the first. Any earlier ships come to mind?

Sun Princess bridge interior:

Carnival Destiny bridge:

Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

nycruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 960

posted 11-18-2010 09:29 PM

Would Carnival's Holiday class count or Celebrity's Horizon? Are these considered floor to celieng?

[ 11-18-2010: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

Posts: 665 | From: Westchester County, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

GregD
First Class Passenger
Member # 4176

posted 11-18-2010 10:11 PM

Personally, I wouldn't consider them Floor-Ceiling. Nor would I consider the Tropicale's. Just off the top of my head, the Royal Majesty comes to mind.

Posts: 548 | From: Texas | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 11-19-2010 01:44 AM

The Str. MISSISSIPPI QUEEN, which was designed by James Gardner, had floor to ceiling windows in her pilothouse. As far as I can figure, this was a first on American rivers when she came out in 1976.

Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 11-19-2010 03:14 AM

My first instinct was HORIZON but I guess those are not quite floor to ceiling. So I have to go with ROYAL MAJESTY.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

LeBarryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 5308

posted 11-19-2010 05:02 AM

Having worked on the Zenith, those bridge windows were not floor to ceiling. Carnival Destiny looks like a winner though.

Posts: 1955 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 11-19-2010 11:25 AM

I think we have a winner!

Royal Majesty (1992) was built with floor to ceiling bridge windows when delivered to Majesty Cruise Line. But she had been originally ordered for Birka Line as the MS Birka Queen. Her original use in the Baltic may explain the bridge design with closed wings and large windows.

Later sold to NCL she became Norwegian Majesty and now sails for Louis as Louis Majesty.

Built in 1992, she predates Carnival Destiny by 3 years. Here are some images of her bridge:

Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 11-19-2010 11:54 AM

There are plenty of Baltic ferries with floor to ceiling windows long before any cruise ships. Some with just the centre section floor to ceiling and some with split top and bottom windows. The 1989 Viking Line Athena went to Star Cruises for a while, now Pearl of Scandinavia. 1988 the split version.

However the winner could be 1986 Sea Diamond, originally Birka Princess.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

GregD
First Class Passenger
Member # 4176

posted 11-19-2010 04:56 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
There are plenty of Baltic ferries with floor to ceiling windows long before any cruise ships. Some with just the centre section floor to ceiling and some with split top and bottom windows. The 1989 Viking Line Athena went to Star Cruises for a while, now Pearl of Scandinavia. 1988 the split version.
However the winner could be 1986 Sea Diamond, originally Birka Princess.
Pam

Pam,
To play devil's advocate here, the sea diamond and Athena had floor to ceiling only on the center-most section of the bridge.
But i do agree with you that the baltic ferries probably are where we will find our answer.
-Greg

Posts: 548 | From: Texas | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 11-19-2010 05:16 PM

I can't disagreee with you

Ferries which are still ferries with all floor to ceiling are
1985 Svea and her sister Wellamo. [A 1981 centre section one is Queen of Scandinavia, and her sister].

By 1989/90 it was common place with Cinderella, the Silja Symphony/Serenade duo etc.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...