Pop Art Pool Deck On Mariner Of The Seas!
Ray Goldenberg
I received this press release from Royal Caribbean and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.
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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
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Royal Caribbean International And Romero Britto Prepare To Unveil Pop
Art Pool Deck On Mariner Of The Seas
Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Newest Voyager-Class Ship
MIAMI, Oct. 29
Neo-pop art sensation Romero Britto has completed one of his most
ambitious and colorful works to date -- the 25,000-square-foot pool
deck of Royal Caribbean International's new Mariner of the Seas, which
was delivered to the company today by the Kvaerner Masa-Yards in
Turku, Finland. Royal Caribbean commissioned Britto to transform the
main pool area into a one-of-a-kind art experience for its guests.
"It's an incredible coup to have an artist of Romero Britto's caliber
create what is essentially an outdoor art museum for our newest ship,"
said Jack Williams, president and COO for Royal Caribbean
International. "Our goal always is to provide outstanding and
unexpected experiences for guests, whether it is through innovative
ships, exciting destinations, superior service, or, in this case, a
unique and uplifting atmosphere."
From "Absolut Britto" ads to Michael Jackson's latest album cover,
Britto's work is a hot commodity, collected by connoisseurs from
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Jordan to Guggenheims, Rothschilds
and Kennedys. His upbeat, colorful art hangs in more than 140
exclusive galleries around the world. The artist's work also has
inspired clothing by designers from Nicole Miller to Enrico Coveri, as
well as two fragrances, "Britto Man" and "Britto Woman."
Britto calls his distinctive style "a celebration of the simple and
good things in life," a theme that extends throughout Mariner of the
Seas' entire $8.5 million collection by a variety of artists. Britto's
whimsical figures and playful patterns adorn two levels around the
main pool, including the deck and wading area, pool columns, wall
panels, Jacuzzi and bandstand canopies, the Pool Bar and the Sky Bar.
The vibrant focal point is a 10-foot aluminum sculpture of a surfer
titled "All About Fun."
Britto spent more than a year on the project, from initial concept
through final construction. He traveled to Turku, Finland, where the
ship was built, to hand-paint the pool deck pillars and oversee the
installation of the components. His designs adorn a wide variety of
materials, including metal sheets, rubber flooring, painted columns,
canvas awnings and translucent plastic.
A gallery adjacent to the main pool chronicles the creation of the
Britto pool deck, featuring design sketches and photos at various
phases of construction. One wall is a biography of Britto himself and
his remarkable body of work. In addition, a video about the artist and
the project will run in staterooms.
For those who want to own a little bit of Britto, Mariner's gift shops
will feature items such as beach towels and sun visors sporting the
artist's distinctive designs. In addition, Britto's work will grace
the cover of Royal Caribbean's in-stateroom magazine, Explore!, on all
of the line's Caribbean- bound ships this winter.
The new, 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas will be the fifth ship in
the company's Voyager class and will be the largest ship to sail from
Port Canaveral year-round. Mariner will be officially named on Nov.
14, 2003, by her godmother, Olympian and Paralympian Jean Driscoll.
Mariner begins her regularly scheduled itineraries on Nov. 16, sailing
alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. The
Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Nassau, Bahamas; St.
Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The Western
Caribbean sailings include port calls in Labadee, Hispanola; Ocho
Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. Pricing
starts at $699 per person, double occupancy.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand currently with
18 ships in service, with the introduction of Mariner of the Seas, and
two more under construction or on firm order. The company also offers
unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe. For
additional information about the cruise line, please contact your
travel professional.