Passenger ship in particular a cruise ship and cabin assembly for passenger ship

Abstract

 Passenger ship, in particular a cruise ship, which extends over several decks (1, 2) equipped with a plurality of cabins (3) and fitted out with service rooms and premises for public use. The cabins (3) are structurally connected in pairs in the form of assemblies (4) provided with two parallel side walls (5) and a dividing wall (6) arranged so as to separate the two cabins (3) and having at least two non-aligned sections (7, 8) substantially parallel to the side walls (5) and each facing a bed (L) of a corresponding cabin (3) and at least partially offset with respect to a mid-plane (M) of the assembly (4), parallel to the two side walls (5). By so doing the volume of one cabin penetrates inside the volume of the other cabin, allowing a reduction in the overall width of the cabins. The assemblies (4) are arranged on each deck along the two flanks of the ship with the side walls (5) alongside each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger ship and a cabin assembly for passenger ships.

[0002] More particularly, the ship in question has large dimensions and is intended to be used advantageously for cruises and for this purpose is equipped with hundreds of passenger cabins and numerous rooms and areas for public use, such as shops, bars, restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, dance floors and the like.

[0003] In cruise ships of the aforementioned type, the cabins are usually arranged mainly in the overstructure, i.e. in that part situated above the deck level delimiting the hull, and to a lesser extent inside the hull itself or underneath the abovementioned deck level.

[0004] As is known, the cabins which are most desirable and obviously also guarantee a higher income for shipping companies, are the outermost ones, namely the cabins which are arranged with one side along the flank of the ship, since they have a view of the sea and often have balconies facing the sea.

[0005] Nowadays the design and construction of ships is geared towards achieving a distribution of the spaces which maximizes the arrangement of the cabins on the outside.

[0006] A ship called the Grand Princess is known, for example, where the distribution of spaces is such that a percentage of the cabins are also arranged on the inside of the ship, i.e. without any of the cabin sides being arranged facing the sea, as can be seen from the accompanying Figures A and B; the first of these figures shows the forward part of a deck of the hull and the second one shows the forward and central part of a deck of the overstructure.

[0007] The dimensions of the cabins and the associated distribution of the furniture inside them are structurally integrated with the architectural design of the ship and the corresponding organization of its spaces.

[0008] In the case of the Grand Princess, for example, there are two rows of external cabins along the two sides of the ship, two rows of internal cabins separated from the external cabins by corridors as well as central spaces for public or service premises.

[0009] The cabin areas and the spatial layout of the ship are therefore related to each other, in that they are the result of a single, structural, hydrostatic and architectural design of the ship.

[0010] In the Grand Princess this relationship is expressed by the data which is contained in the accompanying Table A and relates the size and distribution of the cabins to the volumes, the dimensions and therefore, ultimately, the architectural design of the ship.

[0011] At present, in order to increase the number of external cabins and satisfy the needs of various shipping companies, according to current design criteria, the ships should be increasingly longer. However, the percentage of high-class cabins, understood as being the ratio between the external cabins and the overall number of cabins of a ship, does not increase with a simple increase in the tonnage of the ship.

[0012] As is known, the tonnage of the ship is directly related both to the construction costs and to the subsequent running costs. It is obvious that a longer ship has greater costs both in terms of materials, labour, production time and complexity and in terms of management of its services and access to ports, manoeuvring, etc.

[0013] The size of the cabins is in particular linked to the organization of the spaces inside it intended for the comfort of the passengers.

[0014] In greater detail, the cabins usually have: a bathroom, a sleeping area furnished with one or two beds and corresponding bedside tables, and a living or lounge area with sofa and TV. A wardrobe and possibly a desk with chair are also envisaged.

[0015] The organization of these furnishing components obviously influences the overall dimensions of the cabin.

[0016] Figures C, D and E relate to three different types of cabin which are situated in the known cruise ships of the companies P&O, CARNIVAL and HOLLAND.

[0017] The distribution of spaces envisaged in these cabins of the known type does not comply with an architectural design of a cruise ship which is able to maximize the number of high-class cabins arranged with one side along the flank of the ship.

[0018] In the situation, the problem underlying the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks associated with the design of ships known hitherto by providing a passenger ship with a plurality of cabins where the distribution of spaces is such that it is able to increase the percentage of high-class cabins in the ships currently present on the market.

[0019] One object of the present invention is to provide a ship which, for the same number of external cabins, has a smaller tonnage or construction and running costs which are less than those of the ships currently present on the market.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cabin assembly for passenger ships which can be realized in a simple and industrially feasible manner.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cabin assembly for passenger ships which has an internal distribution of the furnishings able to satisfy the need to design the ship with an increased percentage of high-class cabins.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cabin assembly for passenger ships which is functional and comfortable for the passengers.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cabin assembly for passenger ships formed by components which can be easily transported.

[0024] These and other objects are all achieved by a passenger ship, in particular a cruise ship, according to the invention, which extends over several decks equipped with a plurality of cabins as well as service rooms and premises for public use.

[0025] According to the invention, the abovementioned ship is characterized in that the cabins are structurally connected in pairs in the form of assemblies provided with two parallel side walls and a dividing wall arranged so as to separate the two cabins and having at least two non-aligned sections substantially parallel to the side walls and each facing a bed of a corresponding cabin and at least partially offset with respect to a mid-plane of the assembly, parallel to the two side walls.

[0026] The technical characteristics of the invention, in accordance with the abovementioned objects, may be determined from the contents of the claims below and the advantages thereof will emerge more clearly from the detailed description which follows, provided with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show a purely exemplary and non-limiting embodiment in which:

[0027] - Figure 1 shows a plan view of a deck level of the overstructure of the ship according to the present invention;

[0028] - Figure 1' shows an enlarged view of a portion of the deck level according to Figure 1;

[0029] - Figure 2 shows a plan view of a deck level of the hull of the ship;

[0030] - Figure 2' shows an enlarged view of a portion of the deck level according to Figure 2;

[0031] - Figure 3 shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the cabin assembly according to the present invention;

[0032] - Table 1 shows the dimensions of the useable areas and the dimensions of the furnishing components of the cabin assembly according to the invention and the cabins of the known type;

[0033] - Table 2 shows data for an example of a ship according to the present invention.

[0034] In the remainder of the present description reference will be made to a ship with large dimensions, this expression being understood as meaning a ship provided with several hundreds of passenger cabins and a plurality of recreational areas and premises for public use, so as to allow the passengers to undertake cruises or simple sea and ocean crossings in a particularly comfortable manner.

[0035] Traditionally, the ship is composed of a hull and an overstructure and a plurality of technical apparatus such as electrical plants, water supply installations, air-conditioning ducts, lifts, etc., it being assumed that these components, since they do not form the subject of a specific claims, are known in the related sector and for this reason they are not further described here in detail.

[0036] The ship is, moreover, always divided into a considerable number of decks (also more than 10 in number) arranged on several parallel levels extending in a substantially horizontal manner and a large number of bulkheads (depending on the tonnage of the ship) separated by vertically extending fire-breaker doors.

[0037] In accordance with the Figures of the accompanying drawings, 1 and 2 denote in their entirety, respectively, a deck level of the overstructure and a deck level of the hull in an example of a cruise ship according to the present invention, in relation to which some data are provided in the accompanying Table 2.

[0038] The cabins 3 are situated on each deck, the internal layout of the spaces and their arrangement within the ship being described in detail below.

[0039] According to the present invention the cabins 3 are structurally connected in pairs in the form of assemblies 4 provided with two side walls 5 which are parallel to each other and with a dividing wall 6 arranged so as to separate the two cabins 3.

[0040] This dividing wall 6 is preferably formed as a double panel with a high sound-damping properties and with supporting sections and connection means suitable for prefabrication.

[0041] As will be better specified below, the assembly 3 may be advantageously produced in accordance with two different constructional embodiments either as a single prefabricated module or as a set of modules/components assembled together on-board the ship.

[0042] The dividing wall 6 is composed of at least two non-aligned sections 7 and 8 which are parallel to the side walls 5 and each face a bed L of a corresponding cabin 3. The two non-aligned sections 7 and 8 are joined together so as to form a continuous wall by means of a connecting section 9 directed at right angles to the side walls 5.

[0043] As can be clearly seen in Figure 3, the two non-aligned sections 7 and 8 are partially offset with respect to each other relative to a mid-plane M of the assembly 4 parallel to the two side walls 5.

[0044] In so doing, each section 7 and 8 results in the penetration of the volume of one cabin 3 inside the volume of the other cabin 3 of the assembly 4, this allowing a reduction in the overall width of the cabins 3 which are no longer penalized by the length of the bed L.

[0045] The dividing wall 6 along its sections 7, 8, 9, 10 which form it may define a line having portions with a progression slightly different from that shown in Figure 3, for example such as those envisaged in Figure 2 where the dividing wall assumes a different form in different parts of the ship.

[0046] Owing to the different arrangement of modules inside the twin cabin assembly it is possible to satisfy better the various requirements of passengers, offering them a greater selection of arrangements. With reference to an assembly, one cabin has the bed L in the vicinity of the entrance, while the other cabin has the bed accessible only by walking along the corridor in front of the wardrobe.

[0047] Preferably, the beds L are directed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ship with the head arranged along the sections 7, 8 of the dividing wall 6 so that the said head of the bed, to ensure greater privacy, cannot be seen from the entrance, in accordance with the preferred cabin configuration shown in Figure 3.

[0048] In accordance with the architectural idea forming the basis of the present invention, the assemblies 4 are situated on each deck along the two sides of the ship with the side walls 5 arranged alongside and adjacent.

[0049] In accordance with this design, each cabin is an external cabin or has a side directed towards the sea. In particular, all the cabins arranged on a deck of the overstructure may advantageously be provided with balconies B, which are not entirely visible in Figure 3 since they may be normally regarded as a component outside the cabin, fixed projecting externally on the side of the ship.

[0050] The cost efficiency of the ship is thus optimized since the decks are advantageously equipped only with the cabins which are the most desirable, namely with those cabins able to allow the shipping companies to achieve a greater profit. Since it is no longer necessary to occupy also the internal spaces of the ship with passenger cabins, it is possible to achieve a more rational and flexible design of the zones which are assigned for the numerous rooms and areas for public use, such as shops, bars, restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, dance floors, and assigned for the service and/or technical premises, such as service cabinets, electricity control rooms, machine rooms, lifts, stairs or the like.

[0051] For example, the absence of internal cabins results in a reduction in the corridors which serve the cabins of the ship, with an obvious saving of useful space.

[0052] Each assembly 4 comprises two sleeping zone modules 11 which are identical to each other and arranged in opposite directions. In turn each module has associated with it a bed L and a wardrobe A which are rigidly fixed to the opposite sides of the two sections 7, 8 of the dividing wall 6. Fixing is performed by means of mechanical connection means such as brackets, screws, etc, which are per se entirely conventional and for this reason are not described in detail. Advantageously, the dividing wall 6 may envisage suitable reinforcements for connecting the furnishing components.

[0053] A desk S with chair R may be envisaged alongside the wardrobe, as shown in Figure 3.

[0054] The assembly 4 is composed, moreover, of a bathroom module 12 arranged centred with respect to the mid-plane M and having dimensions less than the width of the assembly 4 so as to define, together with the side walls 5, the entrance corridor C for each cabin 3. This entrance corridor C is accessed externally via a door P situated in the usual manner at the end of the cabin facing the external corridor.

[0055] Preferably, a lounge module 13 will also be envisaged, said module being provided with at least two sofas D (or armchairs) fixed by means of the abovementioned connection means onto the opposite sides of a section 20 centred on the mid-plane M of the assembly 4 and connected to the remaining part of the wall by means of a second connecting section 10.

[0056] From the lounge module 13, in the case of cabins arranged in the overstructure, it will be possible to access a balcony B via a second door P' of the conventional sliding or hinged type made of glass.

[0057] Each passenger cabin 3 of the assembly 4, which forms the subject of a specific claim, has a width ranging between 2.0 and 2.4 m. This reduced distance d takes into account in particular the length of the bed L and the width of the passage F opposite the bed or the entrance corridor C.

[0058] With the preferred configuration of the modules indicated above, the useable area of the individual cabin 3 ranges between 18.0 and 20.0 m2 with a length h ranging between 8.5 and 10.0 m.

[0059] The area and the length h may be reduced if necessary, by eliminating or reducing the lounge module 13, to the detriment, however, of the comfort of the cabin 3.

[0060] As mentioned above, the assembly 4 may be manufactured entirely as a prefabricated unit in the factory and then loaded and positioned on-board after suitable adjustments.

[0061] The assembly 4 is provided with a ceiling (not shown) positioned so as to connect together the side walls 5 and therefore spaced from the upper deck once the assembly has been arranged on-board the ship.

[0062] This assembly is suitable for prefabrication and movement on-board the ship and envisages a support structure with walls and ceiling connected so as to make the assembly itself self-supporting.

[0063] Differently and preferably, the abovementioned modules of the assembly may be made separately and then fixed only once on-board the ship to the support structure and to the dividing wall 6. The latter will be suitably equipped along its various sections with the connection means for fixing the modules and/or the individual components together and for connecting the associated furnishing components.

[0064] Since the bathroom module must be equipped with sanitary facilities for two cabins it would in fact be rather heavy (for example 900 kg) and could complicate excessively the operations of moving the assembly 4 inside the ship during fitting-out.

[0065] Therefore, although it would be possible to envisage an embodiment of the assembly 4 as a single unit, it is preferable to envisage production performed by means of assembly of prefabricated modules.

[0066] Advantageously, the basic modules essential for said prefabrication of the assembly 4 will be the bathroom module with the sanitary facilities incorporated for the two cabins separated by a suitable wall, and a bedroom module comprising a bed and a wardrobe fixed to the opposite sides of the respective non-aligned section 7 or 8 of the dividing wall 6.

[0067] The head of the bed fixed to the dividing wall is advantageously concealed such that it cannot be seen from the entrance, owing to the obstacle of the bathroom module along the trajectory.

[0068] The bedroom module is identical for the two cabins and is fixed inside the assembly in two positions rotated through 180°, allowing a considerable saving in constructional terms.

[0069] Although the two cabins are made using the same modules and the same components, they are not identical since one of them has the bed at the entrance, while the other one has the wardrobe there, giving the passenger the possibility of a choice.

[0070] An important advantage of the present invention consists in the fact of managing to increase the percentage of high-class cabins in a cruise ship, which means that, for the same tonnage, a larger number of external cabins may be provided, or that the same number of external cabins may be distributed on the decks of a ship with a smaller tonnage.

[0071] The invention thus conceived therefore achieves the predefined objects.

[0072] Obviously it may also incorporate, in its practical embodiment, forms, constructional methods and configurations different from that illustrated above without thereby departing from the present scope of protection. Moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent parts and the forms, the dimensions and the materials used may be of any nature according to requirements.

Claims

1. Passenger ship, in particular a cruise ship, which extends over several decks equipped with a plurality of cabins and fitted out with service rooms and areas for public use, characterized in that said cabins are structurally connected in pairs in the form of assemblies provided with two parallel side walls and a dividing wall arranged so as to separate said two cabins and having at least two non-aligned sections substantially parallel to said side walls and each facing a bed of a corresponding cabin and at least partially offset with respect to a mid-plane of the assembly, parallel to the two side walls.

2. Passenger ship according to Claim 1, characterized in that said assemblies are arranged with the side walls alongside each other along the two flanks of the ship.

3. Passenger ship according to Claim 1, characterized in that the beds of said assemblies are directed parallel to the longitudinal direction of said ship.

4. Passenger ship according to Claim 1, characterized in that said assemblies comprise two identical bedroom modules arranged in opposite directions and each comprising a bed and a wardrobe structurally associated with opposite sides of each section of said dividing wall.

5. Passenger ship according to Claim 1, characterized in that said assemblies comprise a bathroom module arranged centred with respect to said mid-plane and defining together with the respective side wall the entrance corridor of each respective cabin.

6. Passenger ship according to Claim 1, characterized in that each cabin of said assembly has a width ranging between 2.0 and 2.4 m.

7. Passenger ship according to Claim 1, characterized in that each cabin of said assembly delimits a useable area ranging between 18.0 and 20.0 m2 with a width ranging between 2.0 and 2.4 m.

8. Passenger ship according to Claim 1, characterized in that each cabin of said assembly delimits a useable area ranging between 18.0 and 20.0 m2 with a width ranging between 2.0 and 2.4 m and a length ranging between 8.5 and 10.0 m.

9. Passenger ship according to Claim 2, characterized in that said assemblies are arranged alongside each other exclusively along the sides of the ship and define internally spaces for service rooms and/or premises for public use.

10. Cabin assembly for a cruise ship, characterized in that it comprises at least two side walls which are parallel and a dividing wall arranged so as to separate two separate cabins, each provided with at least one bathroom zone and at least one bedroom zone, said dividing wall having at least two non-aligned sections parallel to said side walls and each facing the bed of a corresponding cabin and at least partially offset with respect to a mid-plane of the assembly, parallel to the two side walls.

11. Cabin assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that the beds of the two cabins of said assembly are directed perpendicularly with respect to the side walls.

12. Cabin assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that said assembly is provided with a ceiling arranged so as to connect together said side walls.

13. Cabin assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that said assembly is formed by means of the assembly of prefabricated modules comprising at least one bathroom module with the bathroom zones of the two cabins assembled and at least two bedroom modules which are identical to each other and each have a bed directed towards the respective side wall and a wardrobe mechanically associated with the opposite sides of the respective non-aligned section of the dividing wall.

14. Cabin assembly according to Claim 13, characterized in that said bathroom module is arranged centred with respect to said mid-plane and defines together with the respective side wall the entrance corridor of each respective cabin.

15. Cabin assembly according to Claim 13, characterized in that said assembly is formed by means of the assembly of prefabricated modules comprising at least one bathroom module with the bathroom zones of the two cabins assembled and at least two bedroom modules which are identical to each other and each have a bed directed towards the respective side wall and a wardrobe mechanically associated with the opposite sides of the respective non-aligned section of the dividing wall.

16. Cabin assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that said dividing wall comprises a central section arranged along the mid-plane of said assembly.

17. Cabin assembly according to Claims 15 and 16, characterized in that it comprises a lounge module provided with at least two sofas or armchairs associated with opposite sides of said central section.

18. Cabin assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that each cabin of said assembly has a width ranging between 2.0 and 2.4 m.

19. Cabin assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that each cabin of said assembly delimits a useable area ranging between 18.0 and 20.0 m2 with a width ranging between 2.0 and 2.4 m.

20. Cabin assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that each cabin of said assembly defines a useable area ranging between 18.0 and 20.0 m2 with a width ranging between 2.0 and 2.4 m and a length ranging between 8.5 and 10.0 m.

Drawing