Sovereign class

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For the Star Trek starship class, see Sovereign class starship

Class overview

Builders:	Chantiers de l’Atlantique; St. Nazaire, France
Preceded by:	None
Succeeded by:	Vision Class
Built:	1987-1992
Completed:	3 Ships
Active:	3 Ships
General characteristics
Tonnage:	73,192 grt -73,941 grt
Displacement:	47,508 tonnes
Length:	268.33 m (880 ft, 4 in)
Beam:	32.21 m (105.68 ft)
Draft:	7.55 m (24.77 ft)
Installed power:	4 × 9-cyl, Pielstick-Alsthom diesels combined 21844 kW[2]
Propulsion:	Two controllable pitch propellers rear; two thrusters each side forward
Speed:	21.5 kts
Capacity:	2,744 passengers
Crew:	833

The Sovereign class is Royal Caribbean International's 3rd generation of cruise ships. The three ships of the class were built in Saint-Nazaire, France at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyards. They were the first modern megaships to be built. They were the first series of cruise ships to include a multi story atrium with glass elevators. They also had a single deck devoted entirely of cabins with private balconies instead of oceanview cabins. Launched in 1988, their first ship, the Sovereign of the Seas was the world's largest ship when launched, preceding the SS Norway. It held the record until 1990 when the SS Norway succeeded her after being refurbished with the addition of 2 more decks. In 1991, Royal Caribbean International launched a slightly modified sister ship, the Monarch of the Seas. In 1992, they launched their third and final sister ship, the Majesty of the Seas. These ships were the among the largest modern cruise ships ever to sail during the late 80's and early 90's. During that time, other major cruise lines followed suit in building their ships to include many of the same features and dimensions as the Sovereign Class had. Carnival Cruise Lines launched the Fantasy class in 1990, which was almost as large as the Sovereign Class and also featured a multi story atrium with glass elevators. Princess Cruises launched the Crown Princess and the Regal Princess launched in 1990 and in 1991 was also almost as large as the Sovereign Class. They also featured an atrium and other features such as a single deck devoted to having cabins with private balconies instead of oceanview cabins. Since then, newer and larger ships have succeeded the Sovereign Class size. Comparing to today's size of the largest cruise ships afloat, they are less than 1/2 the size of the Independence of the Seas, which is about 160,000 gross tons. In 2008, Royal Caribbean will retire the Sovereign of the Seas, and transfer her to Pullmantur Cruises.