Exploring the Complex Design Process Behind the World's Largest Cruise Ship

Constructed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in SaintNazaire, France, the Wonder of the Seas is gearing up for its inaugural voyage in March 2022. This massive vessel holds the title of the world's largest cruise ship, stretching 362 meters and weighing 236,857 gross tons. It boasts 18 decks and houses 2,865 staterooms, including familythemed suites, indoor slides, jacuzzis, a music hall, and a theater. Impressively, the ship was completed in just 2.5 years, even amidst the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic.

The design and construction of such a gigantic cruise ship demand a highly collaborative approach involving multiple teams. Interior designers, external suppliers, design agencies, engineers, and production experts are part of the daily workflow, engaging in over 100,000 data exchanges each day to bring the ship to life.

At Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the complexity of this monumental project is managed through advanced computeraided design (CAD) tools and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. For cabin design, the shipyard employs Solid Edge® software from Siemens Digital Industries Software's Xcelerator portfolio, ensuring that both inhouse and external teams can seamlessly collaborate on the engineering and maritime aspects of the project.

Imagery provided by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises showcases the stunning design and innovative features of this modern marvel at sea.