Explorer of the Seas [antikvár]

It was a chilly day in May 2000 when Captain Olav Nyseter took me on a personal tour of Explorer of the Seas. Together we walked the length and breadth of Explorer of the Seas— and I came away with such intimate and memorable details of the ship that I will never again look at a cruise vessel the same way. Captain Nyseter was not alone in his gracious-ness. Though it was nearing the 11th hour in the construction of Explorer of the Seas, many Royal Caribbean International executives at the Turku, Finland, shipyard took the time to cell me about what it takes to build and sail what would become the second of the two largest cruise ships afloat. Many thanks go to Captain Nyseter, as well as to Juhani Pitkanen, Royal Caribbean's Turku-based project manager, who entertained me at his home and discussed the details entailed in shipbuilding, and to Maximilian Horbiger, Royal Caribbean's hotel director for newbuilding, who helped arrange my meetings in Turku and showed me the Finnish countryside. Thanks to Gunnar Bj0rn, senior naval architect with Royal Caribbean's office in Oslo, who lent his knowledge of past events to the manuscript. My thanks also go to Royal Caribbean International personnel in Miami and Europe who helped me understand shipbuilding. 1 would like to thank Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's chairman and CEO, for sharing the dreams that helped bring Explorer of the Seas to fruition. I thank Jack Williams, Royal Caribbean's president, for his thoughts about this exciting industry. I extend a special thanks to Harri Kulovaara, senior vice president of Marine Operations, who fielded questions to guide me on my way. Other insightful resources included Adam Goldstein, senior vice president of Total Guest Satisfaction; Tariq Sheikh, director of Newbuilding Administration; and Kelly Gonzalez, manager of the Newbuilding Design Department. I also extend my appreciation to members of the KvEerner Masa-Yards shipbuilding team, including Kaj Liljestrand, executive vice president of Marketing and Sales; Bo-Erik Blomqvist, project manager; Kai Levander, senior vice president for Kvaerner Masa-Yards Technology; and Henrik Segercrantz, manager of Corporate Communications. They lent a special perception to the process. As with shipbuilding, the writing of a book is a team effort. I thank Lynn Martenstein, vice president of Corporate Communications at Royal Caribbean, for endorsing me for this project. And a special thanks to Linda Horkitz, my editor at Onboard Media, who helped hone my words and prepare a book worthy of the vessel it honors. ®