FAQ on the ship

Well DCL released some more public information so I can share it here. I will use this post to post Q&A of common questions.

What Shipyard was chosen?

Meyers Werft   in P@penburg, Germany. Meyer-Werft is a world-renowned shipyard with incredible  attention to detail.Their long shipbuilding history and covered docks along with the incredible technology makes them standout.

Where is Papenburg? It is located in Northern Germany on the Ems river. Population is around 35,000.  Map below is interactive.

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How does the ship yard put the ship together.
  The ship is built in 83 individual blocks which, when finished, are welded onto the ship's structure in one of the world's largest covered dry docks (Baudock). Two ships are usually being assembled at the same time in this baudock. The hull is made in two pieces at a separate facility and brought into the baudock at two different times.  Each cabin is made off site as well and when ready is slid into place as a complete unit.  Wiring and plumbing are then hooked up in a common access panel shared by the two adjoining rooms.  When the ship's ready, half of the building is flooded to float the ship onto the Ems River.  The build process takes almost 15 months, the total project is much longer. A new build team was assembled in 2006.  Right now the Cast living in Germany will return in 2013.

Once out of the building then what?
On Halloween the ship will be floated outside of the baudock and sit alongs side the building.  It is customary for the locals to camp out and watch the sail out.  It will be highly publicized.  It is then loaded with around 500 tons of equipment, supplies and items needed for sea trials.  


Sea Trials?
I have to admit I do not know everything that is done during trials but here is a Wikipedia link with information.

How big is the Dream?
The third ship in the fleet. Boasting 14 decks, a ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet, the 128,000-ton vessel includes 1,250 staterooms and has the capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,458 Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each and every day. (from website) The Magic class ships are 83,000-ton vessels with 10 decks and are just shy of 1000 feet. The Magic and Wonder have a guest capacity of ~2700 and little over 1000 crew members.