The Keel

Strong and rigid design provides support for all the decks above it. It is also holds the foundations for the main engines. Th keel has an inner shell and an outer shell or double bottom, which is a very important safety feature of the ship. If, by accident the ship runs on to a hard surface and outer shell is damaged, it still will not be in any danger. An important safety feature of the ship's construction are its watertight doors. If necessary, the doors of the lower decks can be shut by remote control from the bridge, preventing flooding of the lower decks and maintaining the buoyancy of the ship! At the bottom of the ship are special or fins which can be adjusted. They maintain the ship's balance...

much like wings on an airplane and make it easier to maneuver and adds to comfort of all the passengers and crew. In the double bottom, there are four generators that convert sea water into fresh water at a rate of about 850 tons a day. The double bottom also holds the fresh water storage tank and eight large pump rooms for fresh water supply to all areas on board.
Enough water is generated and stored to supply a small town! Four large engines provide the ship with propulsion. These are the main engines. For cruising, the ship usually utilizes only one or two of those four engines. The other engines are backup units used in the event of maintenance or breakdown. All repair and maintenance of the engines is done on board by the engine crew. Therefore, the ship can operate uninterrupted year-round using alternative engines whenever one of the engines has to be serviced or repaired.
Additional power is needed in addition to the power for the ship's propulsion. The ship has six auxiliary engines connected to generators which produce all the electricity on board. These generators provide enough electricity for a town of 10.000 people! Of the total 28.000 horse power of the ship, only about 7.000 hp are needed for propulsion. Some 10.000 hp are needed to generate electricity for lightning, air conditioning and refrigeration. Refrigeration is vitally important on board to store food and beverages and make ice.
Everyday, about 18,5 tons of ice cubes, enough for more than 80.000 drinks, are produced for the consumption of the passengers and for use in the dinning rooms! A large amount of electricity has to be generated to meet these needs.