In Perfect “Harmony”

KONE solutions earn kudos from client and additional cruise-ship work.

Think of a cruise ship and what comes to mind is a small city. Harmony of the Seas, the newest addition to the Oasis-class fleet of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., certainly fits the bill. Displacing nearly 227,000 gross T., the vessel contains more than 2,700 rooms over multiple decks, and includes facilities like water slides, surf simulators, rock-climbing walls and even a miniature golf course.

Given these numbers, one can see why ensuring safe and comfortable movement of people in and around the massive structure is a high priority. For this project, KONE developed specially designed marine elevators that take into account factors such as the ship’s movement in the water, including pitch and roll, to ensure ride comfort. KONE installed 14 MonoSpace™ machine-room-less elevators. The vertical-transportation (VT) package, which also helps move baggage and food during transit, embarkation and disembarkation, also included:

• Eight MiniSpace™ elevators
• Two escalators
• Three easy-access platform lifts for those with impaired mobility

Some of the advanced solutions include technologies like boarding and luggage modes, which can be activated to ensure all elevators automatically go to the deck earmarked for this purpose. Further, all elevators are equipped with energy-saving technology like EcoDisc, which has regenerative drives that transfer 90% of a unit’s braking energy back into the network.

Unlike normal buildings, in which elevators are installed once the elevator shaft is in place, cruise ships require coordination from the very start. KONE worked closely with STX shipyard in France to ensure delivery of its VT products fit in seamlessly with the construction schedule.

KONE believes its ability to adapt to circumstances and its proactive approach made a difference in the speed at which the ship was built, and, in the end, resulted in a smoother people-flow experience for passengers. As a result, KONE won an award from the shipyard. KONE Marine Head of Sales Jarkko Pekkala states:

“We received the award for long-term cooperation and for the good service we provided to the customer. Although there were challenges along the way and we needed to make some compromises, one of the directors talked about how he had never heard complaints about KONE’s work.”

KONE previously provided VT for both Allure of the Seas (ELEVATOR WORLD, April 2011) and Oasis of the Seas (EW, August 2010), Harmony of the Seas’ two sister ships. In addition, KONE won a contract to outfit two forthcoming Oasis-class vessels, further cementing its relationship with Royal Caribbean.