Abstract:
A cruise chip having a plurality of decks, certain of the decks having a plurality of staterooms therealong, the plurality of spaced staterooms extending along one of the decks and a second plurality of spaced staterooms extending along another of the decks directly above the other of said decks, and a single central double height corridor extending inboard of the ship, each of the plurality of spaced staterooms and shared entryways coming from the single central corridor and leading into a pair of side by side staterooms, the corridor terminating in a transparent glass window spanning one the decks to the other of decks.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. General Background 
         [0002]    This disclosure relates to cruise ships; and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing improved passenger amenities and desirable locations on a cruise ship. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Many changes have taken place in the cruise ship industry in recent years. A new type of cruise ship passenger, the baby boomer, has come along. This new generation passenger is interested in the ultimate luxury that a cruise ship has to offer. 
         [0005]    There is a need for a cruise ship wherein light penetrates into various areas of the ship. Such improved amenities should include staterooms giving one a feeling of open areas, light and unrestricted views. A sense of the outside light surrounding the cruise ship is brought into the interior of the cruise ship. 
         [0006]    These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a cruise ship having a plurality of decks, certain of the decks having a plurality of staterooms therealong. There are a plurality of spaced staterooms extending along one of the decks, and a second plurality of spaced staterooms extending along another of the decks directly above one of the decks. 
         [0007]    A single central corridor is inboard the plurality of spaced staterooms, and the single central corridor terminates in a transparent glass window extending from one of the decks to the other forming a double height corridor. 
         [0008]    Other important features are shared entryways coming from the single central double height corridor and leading into a pair of side by side staterooms, a main dining area having an upper mezzanine with a floor to ceiling glass window, a lockable area functioning as walk-in safe or closet in the staterooms, a high ceiling area in the staterooms providing a loft effect and a crystal-like effect on the outside of the cruise ship. Another feature is a grand atrium light shaft extending from a lower deck to the upper deck terminating in a skylight having a window garden area. A vertical promenade may be provided midship eliminating the need for fore and aft stairwells flowing downwardly from the upper deck 
         [0009]    The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which: 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a cruise ship in accordance with the disclosure, parts broken away for convenience of illustration; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of side by side staterooms on two decks coming into a single double height central corridor in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the upper level of the single central double height corridor of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the layout of a pair of staterooms; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a shared entryway coming from the single central corridor and leading into a pair of side by side staterooms in accordance with the teachings of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  illustrating the placement of doors leading into each side by side stateroom; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the interior of one of the staterooms; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  illustrating the lockable door leading into a safe or closet of one of the staterooms; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the living room of one of the staterooms; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the living room and another area of the stateroom of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is an elevational view of a portion of the outside of the cruise ship of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the main dining room of the cruise ship of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the dining room of  FIG. 12  illustrating the upper mezzanine area; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the grand atrium light well in accordance with the teachings of the invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a vertical promenade in accordance with the teaching of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a cruise ship  10  in accordance with the disclosure is shown, broken away to show a plurality of decks  11  as is well known in the art. 
         [0026]    As particularly contemplated in the present disclosure, a number of innovative features are present in cruise ship  10 . Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , one or more decks  11  ( FIG. 1 ) of ship  10  may have a bottom floor  12  on one deck and upper spaced floor sections  13 ,  14  (see also  FIG. 3 ) on an upper deck. As particularly seen in  FIG. 2 , entryways  15  separate cabins  16  from each other as will be discussed. A window  17  extends from floor  12  up past floor sections  13 ,  14  as seen by comparing  FIGS. 2 and 3 . On the deck above floor  12 ,  FIG. 3 , floor sections  13 ,  14 , along with floor  12 , form a single central double height corridor with railings  18 - 20  extending along and above floor section  13  with like railings  21  to  23  extending along and above floor section  14 . Passageways  24  are provided between floor sections  13 ,  14  with rail portions  25  connecting railings  18 ,  21 ;  19 ,  22 ; and  20 ,  23 , as shown. 
         [0027]    Of course, any suitable number of railings and passageways may be provided. However, glass paneling or partitions  26  are used throughout between the railings, rails and floor sections  13 ,  14 . This gives an open appearance formed by the floor sections and railings, particularly in conjunction with window  17  which extends from the lower deck to the upper deck such that the environs are “brought into” the single central double height corridor. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the shared entryways  15  lead into the staterooms coming off the single central double height corridor, such as side by side staterooms  27 ,  28 . These staterooms are essentially identical and may be occupied by one client in each stateroom, or combined so that, for example, part of one family may be lodged in stateroom  27  and another part of the same family lodged in stateroom  28  for privacy. Thus, each stateroom  27 ,  28  has a door  36 ,  37  opening into each of the 2 suites. Each suite has a bathroom  30 , which may have side by side sinks  300 , toilet  301 , shower  302  and tub  303 . A door  304  closes off bathroom  30  and a vanity  305  is provided between bathroom  30  and closets  32  which closets  32  lead into bedroom  31  having one or more beds  306  and suitable nightstands  307 ,  308 . A living room  33  is next to bedroom  31  having suitable chairs  308 , couch  309 , tables  310 ,  340 ,  312 , hanging lamps  311 , etc. 
         [0029]    A verandah  42  extends outboard of each living room  33  in each suite and may be separated by a wall  313 . Dotted line  315  indicates where the loft area of living room  33  begins, as will be discussed. 
         [0030]    As seen in  FIG. 5 , door  29  opens into the interior of shared entryway  15 , which may be tastefully decorated, as with a pedestal  34  and sculpture  35 .  FIG. 6  show entry doors  36 ,  37  closing off staterooms  27 ,  28 , respectively. 
         [0031]    Living room area  33  is shown again in  FIG. 9  and may have a ceiling  38  higher than the ceiling  39  in the remainder of the staterooms (see also  FIG. 10 ). The hanging lamps  311  extending down from ceiling  38  give a sense of height and openness on the outboard side of the stateroom leading to verandah  42 . 
         [0032]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the cruise ship  10  may have, on the outside thereof, a portion thereof indicated at  43 , which is normally closed off from the interior by clear glass, covered with glass panels  44  ( FIG. 11 ) giving a “crystal” effect. This effect may be carried throughout the entire ship  10 . 
         [0033]    As seen in  FIG. 12 , the cruise ship  10  has a main dining room  45  with a plurality of spaced tables  46  and chairs  47 . An upper mezzanine level  48  is provided also having table  46  and chairs  47  at spaced locations (see also  FIG. 13 .) Transparent glass paneling  49  extends along the upper mezzanine level  48 . As seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a floor to ceiling clear transparent glass window  50  brings light and openness from the outside environment into the interior of dining room  45  and mezzanine level  48 . 
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the guests embarking on cruise ship  10  enter onto the fifth deck (for example) and, as particularly contemplated in the invention, an atrium light well  51  (see  FIG. 14 ) may be provided extending from the 5th deck upwardly terminating at top in a glassed enclosure  52  forming a garden area which brings in light from the outside down between the floors as indicated by arrow  53 . Transparent glass partitions, such as partitions  54 , are used throughout so passengers can walk from one side of the middle area indicated by arrow  53  where light goes down between the floors of the decks. 
         [0035]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , one or more centrally located vertical promenades  55  (see  FIG. 15 ) may be provided having a stairwell  56 ,  57  on each side of the central area  58 . The clear glass ceiling  59  at top of each stairwell  56 ,  57  opens at the upper deck and brings sunlight in and down along the stairwell. The cruise passengers are bathed in sunlight as they go up and down the stairs in stairwells  56 ,  57 . Corridors  60 ,  61  are on the outside of the stairwells  56 ,  57 . 
         [0036]    Looking again at  FIG. 4 , one area  400  in each suite  27 ,  28  may be a small safe or closet for the guest as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . A door  401  leads into area  400  and, as seen in  FIG. 8 , door  401  has a combination lock  402  that can be set by the guest to any desired combination known only to the guest. Thus, the guest has a closet or safe where any valuables can be locked up. 
         [0037]    It can be seen that there is disclosed a new type of cruise ship that is elegant, bathed in light throughout, contemporary and spacious. The interior environment of the cruise ship brings the light surrounding the ship into the interior of the ship. Clear structural glass is used throughout to provide an ambiance of light, order and calmness. 
         [0038]    Corridor 
         [0039]    The single central double height corridor includes both the upper and lower levels with structural clear glass partitions and a floor to ceiling window at the end spanning both levels. This gives an airy, open, spacious feeling to the double height central corridor bringing the outside light and ambiance into the interior of the cruise ship. 
         [0040]    Staterooms 
         [0041]    The improved staterooms feature double height loft living areas, floor to ceiling windows and unrestricted views. A shared entrance into a double stateroom provides privacy and the possibility of interconnecting rooms. By using a shared entrance for two standard staterooms, added space over conventional side by side staterooms allows for larger bathrooms with separate showers and full size bathtubs. 
         [0042]    Main Dining Room 
         [0043]    The main dining room includes a upper mezzanine level and double height windows extend upwardly from the main dining room to the mezzanine level. Alternative dining restaurants are located on the mezzanine level surrounded by glazing. 
         [0044]    Grand Atrium Light Well and Vertical Promenades 
         [0045]    The grand atrium  51  is of full height having a skylight at top and may have a winter garden on the interior. The grand atrium light well may extend from Deck  5  upwardly so that guests embarking on the cruise ship will experience a light filled and spacious grand atrium light well with clear views of the cruise ship. The guests will be provided with a view to the sky from the very heart of the ship. 
         [0046]    Further, one or more vertical promenades may be provided midship, thus eliminating the need for forward and aft stairwells and having light flowing downwardly from the upper deck. 
         [0047]    Closet Safe 
         [0048]    Instead of a small safe in the room, the guest may use the entire closet as a safe, keying in his or her&#39;s own numeral or alphabetical code. 
         [0049]    Crystal Effect 
         [0050]    The “crystal effect” in  FIG. 11  lends a crystal-like appearance to the cruise ship. This appearance may be related to the name of the ship, e.g., “Crystal Harmony”®, carrying out the overall look and open environment effect. 
         [0051]    While the apparatus and method have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.