FUNA creates AV show magic for Oasis of the Seas

Online, January 12, 2010 (Newswire.com) - FUNA, a global design, engineering, integration and consulting firm employing more than 150 professionals in six international locations, provided technical design, engineering and audiovisual system integration for all of the 50+ venues in Royal Caribbean's celebrated Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship which has been making international headlines since its November debut. State of the art, new and interactive technologies for entertainment, display and communications were applied by FUNA in creating many of the theaters, restaurants, clubs, entertainment and public spaces, as well as the crew recreation and support areas, within the seven themed zones of the 16-deck, 5,400-passenger, 225,282-ton, $1.4 billion ship, acknowledged to be the largest cruise ship ever built.

Under contract to the ship owner, Royal Caribbean, FUNA provided technical design of the venues, and under contract to the ship builder, STX, FUNA realized those designs, providing equipment, installation, and commissioning. Oasis was a vast, specialized contracting project for FUNA from a management and logistics viewpoint not only in the sheer size and number of venues, but also having to work within the unique requirements of international cruise ship construction. FUNA's various entities came into play: FUNA Oy (detailed design/installation), FUNA GmbH (commissioning) and FUNA Inc. (design, purchasing, logistics, and commissioning).

"Oasis of the Seas is a mixed-use hotel and entertainment resort complex - similar in scope to building a Universal CityWalk or a Downtown Disney - but designed and built to more demanding constraints and more robust specifications because of tighter safety regulations and a wide array of special considerations you don't have in land construction. Having experienced staff and infrastructure in place in Turku was a major factor in our ability to complete this project on time and on budget. Our fabrication workshop and engineering design office is only minutes from the shipyard and our local staff of 15 skilled technicians and designers formed the core of our multinational project team led by Project Manager Derek Warner from FUNA's USA office," says Doug Ellis, Senior VP of FUNA and Program Director for Finland operations.

FUNA's innovative technical design applied to the ship's safety backbone as well. An extensive digital signage (LES IP) network can be quickly deployed to carry emergency messages and instructions throughout the ship. A number of the many entertainment and informational screens tie into the network. Another innovative design stroke from FUNA was working with RCI to integrate an automated muster demonstration system, where passengers are instructed on what to do in the event of an emergency.

"It was a challenge and an honor to create this floating themed resort, which reinvents the cruise ship business model, and redefines the luxury cruise guest experience," says Rex Stull, President of FUNA. "Oasis of the Seas has most certainly raised the bar for cruise ships - but we believe this visionary project will also significantly influence the entire resort and themed entertainment industry." Christopher Vlassopulos, Entertainment Technology and Technical Direction for Royal Caribbean International & Celebrity Cruises, adds, "It was a pleasure to work with FUNA. I am always confident that they will do an outstanding job."

About FUNA
FUNA (www.funa.com) was founded in 1972 and its headquarters are located in Emden, Germany. FUNA has over 35 years of experience integrating a variety of complex systems encompassing projects from A to Z (well, at least A to W) including Airports to Wind Turbines and everything in between. FUNA's extensive maritime experience is comprised of vessels of all types including superyachts and cruise ships. These include such high profile projects as the largest cruise ship currently afloat as well as four of the largest superyachts in the world.

In 2007, as part of FUNA's strategic growth plan, FUNA GmbH Nachrichtentechnik merged with Teledimensions International Inc. (TDI) to create FUNA International GmbH ("FUNA"). Based in the USA, TDI's experience in both land and maritime projects as well as their business activities in Finland created a powerful blend of synergies. The end result of merging these two successful companies is a global design, engineering, integration and consulting firm consisting of over 150 people and 5 strategically located international facilities to serve FUNA's clients.

FUNA is certified ISO 9001 compliant in Germany and Finland and is in the process of receiving certification in the United States and is an ICSEPA member. FUNA is also a member of the Themed Entertainment Association.

About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and one under construction. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Travel professionals: visit www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.

About STX
STX Europe AS is an international shipbuilding group which aims to be the leading builder of cruise and offshore vessels. The group has a strong position in terms of developing state-of-the-art concepts, technology, processes and products for customers around the world. STX Europe AS comprises 15 shipyards in Finland, France, Norway, Romania, Brazil and Vietnam. STX Europe has approx. 16 000 employees. Formerly known as Aker Yards, the group changed its name to STX Europe in November 2008. STX Europe's principal shareholder, the international industrial group STX, has approximately 40 000 employees and aims to be a global top player in its core areas; shipping and trade, shipbuilding and machineries, plant and construction, and energy. Visit www.stxeurope.com.

Contact: Kevin Cartier, Press Relations
[email protected] | p: (305) 622-2878 | f: (305) 622-2872

Photos available to the media at http://oasisoftheseas.com/video-form.php