SPIRIT CLASS CRUISE VESSELS

[aukepalmhof]

The Bridgetown Port (officially called The Deep Water Harbour) was opened in 1961 upon the completion of five years of construction. Situated at the North-Western end of Carlisle Bay, the Port handles all of the country’s international bulk shipping, and is also the port of entry for international and Caribbean cruise ships. It is one of three designated ports of entry into Barbados; the other two being the privately-owned Port Saint Charles Marina and the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport.

The Port handles approximately 700,000 cruise passengers and 900,000 tonnes of containerized cargo per year. A premier Caribbean cruise call, the port is lauded as one of the most competitive and efficient in the region.

Situated in the Bridgetown Port is a spacious Cruise Terminal designed to enhance visitors’ experience. Within this Terminal are Customs, Immigration, Health and Quarantine offices. Several duty-free shops cater to the thousands of cruise ship visitors who pass through the Terminal.
The Bridgetown Port has received the “Port of the Year Award” four times and is recognized as one of the best run ports in the Caribbean.

Source: Internet

The cruise vessel behind the blue hulled vessel is identified as one of the Spirit class of the Carnival Cruise Lines by Mr. Peter Crichton.
The photo is taken between June 2000 and December 2002, only three vessels of this class were in service for Carnival Cruise Line before December 2002, the CARNIVAL LEGEND, CARNIVAL PRIDE and CARNIVAL SPIRIT.
Following a series of e-mails to and from Tony Bushell, Systems Administrator for Barbados Port Inc, I can now confirm the names of the vessels shown on the Barbados 50c stamp. They are, clockwise, from the top :-
RADIANCE OF THE SEAS
VICTORIA
NORDIC EMPRESS
CARNIVAL SPIRIT
OLYMPIC VOYAGER
There was a sixth cruise ship in on the same day - Carnival’s HOLIDAY, but, this is not shown on the stamp.
My thanks go to Tony Bushell for all his help. Attached is an image he sent me showing the ships’ names.
Peter Crichton


The class was built by Kvaerner Masa-yard (now STX Europe), Helsinki Finland for the Carnival Cruise Line, Nassau, Bahamas.
Tonnage 85,920 grt, 7,200 dwt, dim. 292.50 x 32.20 x 8.00m (draught) length bpp. 260,6m.
Powered by six Wärtsilä 9l46D diesel engines, connected to two generators that power two ABB Azipods, total power 62,370 kW., speed 22 knots.
Accommodation for 2124 passengers and 930 crew.

The class was built to the Panamax form factor, allowing them to pass through the Panama Canal.
All three cruise vessels are in 2012 still in service with the Carnival Cruise Line.

Barbados 2012 $2.80 sg?, scott?

Source: Wikipedia

[aukepalmhof]

I got the following from Mr. Peter Crichton: Going by the red stripe along the side of the nearest cruise ship he would say that it belongs to the Carnival Cruise Line.
She is one of the Spirit class comparing the position of what he calls the “Golf Balls” (satellite aerial dome) and the two swimming pools.

Four ships of this class were built for Carnival, the CARNIVAL SPIRIT, CARNIVAL PRIDE, CARNIVAL LEGEND and CARNIVAL MIRACLE, which ship is depict till so far unknown
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_class_cruise_ship

The ship is designed after a painting but probably , based on a photograph.

Peter can till so far not give a class or name by the other cruise vessel.

Attached one of the vessels of this class the CARNIVAL LEGEND.

St Maarten 2011 405c sg?, scott?