Bolidt wins backing across the cruise sector

5 March, 2014 – Bolidt Synthetic Products & Systems has booked orders for its decking solutions covering newbuildings for some of the highest profile cruise ship operators in the industry that include vessel deliveries envisaged in five years’ time.

Among others, Bolideck® products have been specified by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Royal Caribbean International (RCI), Viking River Cruises and TUI Cruises, whose 2014-2015 deliveries take in some of the industry’s most significant ships.

In February this year the 324m long, 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway made its maiden voyage to the Caribbean. Continuing a long track record of cooperation with both NCL and shipbuilder Meyer Werft, Bolidt installed nearly 17,000m2 of decking on the colorful and visually striking vessel, covering indoor and outdoor areas. Products supplied included the low maintenance Bolideck® Future Teak, the slip-resistant material which also offers cruise operators an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional teak.

Also featured extensively onboard Norwegian Getaway is Bolideck® 525 – the flexible decking system that gives a cruise ship’s designers the freedom to incorporate almost any feature in a deck area. For example, the material was used to create the grass-like putting surface for the vessel’s mini-golf course.

Bolidt completed a similar installation on the sistership, Norwegian Breakaway, which was delivered to NCL in 2013. The company has also supplied decking to a number of other ships in the NCL fleet, including Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Spirit. Bolideck Future Teak and Bolideck® 525 will feature on the 4,200 passenger capacity Breakaway Plus-class Norwegian Escape, which is due for delivery in October 2015.

Another repeat customer is RCI, which used Bolideck® products on its ground-breaking 361m long, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Now Bolidt is working closely with RCI) and Meyer Werft on the 248m long, 4,905 guest capacity Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, due for delivery in November 2014 and March 2015 respectively. Future Teak will be used for the stateroom balconies on the Quantum-class vessels, while Bolideck® Select Soft will feature extensively in public areas.

Quantum of the Seas will leave Southampton on its maiden voyage on November 2 for its home port of Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, where RCI will mark the introduction of this extraordinary new class of vessel with a commemorative book honoring the major contributions of partners and suppliers.

Select Soft has been developed for its excellent sound attenuation qualities and is specified for passenger ships with specific sound requirements, particularly in areas above cabins.

Meanwhile, Bolidt decking will be a feature of the 295m long, 2,500 passenger Mein Schiff 3, which is nearing completion for Tui Cruises at STX Europe, Turku. Both Bolideck® Future Teak and Bolideck® Select Soft will be onboard.

Bolidt is also making its mark in the fast-growing river cruise sector. In particular Viking River Cruises has specified the company’s products for a number of new vessels that enter service in 2014, including Viking Ingwi, Viking Eistla, Viking Bestla and Viking Alsvin. Bolideck®Future Teak has been used on the outer decks, including the 95 stateroom balconies and the Aquavit Terrace at the bow. Future Teak will also be a feature of the embarkation decks, the shuffleboard area on the top deck and various staircases.

Jacco van Overbeek, Bolidt Director Maritime Division, Bolidt says: “We are delighted that we have secured the backing of so many high quality cruise ship operators, onboard vessels which have very different ambiences. This shows that we deliver not only very flexible decking systems that can be used within many different design frameworks, but also that we meet requirements in terms of cost, ease of maintenance and environmental protection.”