Royal Caribbean International officially took delivery of the 26th ship in its fleet, Spectrum of the Seas, in a ceremony held in Bremerhaven, Germany. The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum will homeport from Shanghai starting June 2019.

Royal Caribbean took delivery today of its first Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship, Spectrum of the Seas.

At a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Meyer Werft shipyard handed over Spectrum of the Seas to Royal Caribbean's leadership team.

The first cruise ship of the Quantrum-Ultra class has a rating of 169,000 GRT; it measures 347.1 m in length and 41.4 m in width, with capacity for 4,246 passengers.

As a further development of Quantum-Class, Spectrum of the Seas is fitted with state-of-the-art emission control systems such as the a hybrid scrubber. Energy-efficient technical systems, optimized hydrodynamics, heat recovery and exceedingly effective underwater paintwork together with an extremely energy-saving LED lighting system result in considerable energy savings. A diesel/electric pod drive, extensive alarm and safety systems, interactive communication systems and the very latest stage equipment guarantee safety and entertainment on board in accordance with the highest technical standards.

Photos provided by Meyer Werft

The cruise ship has  18 decks with 2,137 cabins offering space for 4,246 passengers in double occupancy.

After being handed over to the shipping company, Spectrum of the Seas will be leaving Bremerhaven. The maiden voyage to Asia will begin in Barcelona on April 18.

The first Quantum Ultra class ship, Spectrum of the Seas, makes her way down the River Ems on her conveyance from the Meyer Werft shipyard to the North Sea.

Spectrum of the Seas began her conveyance up the River Ems, and Royal Caribbean shared photos of the event.

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Spectrum of the Seas, will have her conveyance down the River Ems on March 19, 2019 at 6:00pm.

Photo by Björn Haß

Spectrum of the Seas, is expected to leave Papenburg on Tuesday, March 19 and be transported on the Ems River to Eemshaven (Netherlands). The arrival in Eemshaven is scheduled for Thursday, March 21. After technical and nautical trials, Spectrum of the Seas arrives later in Bremerhaven.

Spectrum of the Seas' conveyance will take the ship from Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany along the Ems River to the North Sea.

The conveyance is scheduled to being at 6:00pm local time with a tentative timetable, which can be postponed due to weather or tide conditions:

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

• approx. 6:30 pm Ship in waiting position (Papenburg) 
• approx. 7:00 pm Passing the Dockschleuse (Papenburg)

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

• approx. 01:30 am Passing the Weener Bridge (Weener) 
• approx. 06:00 am Passing the Jann-Berghaus-Brücke (Leer) 
• approx. 10:15 am Arrival Emsperrwerk (Gandersum) 
• approx. 11: 45 am passing Emsperrwerk 
• about 1:15 pm passing Emden

All information is subject to the wind and weather conditions, the water levels and thus without guarantee. Time shifts are possible at short notice!

The river conveyance is necessary because the Meyer Werft shipyard is located inland to avoid the North Sea's unpredicatability.

Spectrum of the Seas is getting closer to completion as she was floated out of the dry dock on February 25, 2019 to begin the next phase of her construction at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Designed specifically for the Chinese market, Spectrum is scheduled for delivery in April 2019.

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship floated out of its Meyer Werft shipyard, and we have a first look at what the ship looks like lit up at night.

The talented photographer, Björn Haß, sent us these great shots of Spectrum of the Seas.

All photos by Björn Haß.

The ship is scheduled to be delivered in April 2019.

Spectrum of the Seas is entering her final phases of construction. See what it takes to install the ships massive propellers for its azipod propulsion system. Designed specifically for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas will be the largest and most expensive ship in Asia when she sails from Shanghai, China starting in June 2019.

Meyer Werft shipyard has announced Spectrum of the Seas is scheduled to leave its dock on February 25, 2019.

Once Spectrum of the Seas has left the dock, she will berth at Meyer Werft's out-fitting pier to be fitted with its funnel cladding.  If the weather holds up, the plan is for the North Star to also be installed on the ship.

The plan is for Spectrum to remain in the shipyard for further work and onboard trials until the ship's conveyance through the river Ems up to the North Seas, sometime in March 2019.

The ship yard reiterated that all of these plans are contingent on weather, and delays may result.  Before Spectrum of the Seas can berth at the out-fitting pier, the floating section (engine room unit) of the Norwegian Encore that is currently moored here will have to be moved to another berth in the shipyard port. Once the Spectrum of the Seas has left the dock, the floating part for the Norwegian Encore, which is due for completion in autumn 2019, will be maneuvered back into the free covered building dock II for further construction work.

Royal Caribbean just released new construction photos of Spectrum of the Seas from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

The 7,860 lb. propellers, part of the 20.5-megawatt azipods, are getting their finishing touches before being placed onboard Spectrum of the Seas.

The 20.5-megawatt Azipod is installed onto Spectrum of the Seas.

The ship is scheduled to be delivered in April 2019.