AQUADOME, ICON OF THE SEAS

FRENER & REIFER develops world's largest glass dome for cruise ship

The "Icon of the Seas" sets new standards in the cruise industry. The gigantic luxury liner is currently being built in Finland by the Meyer Turku shipyard and has already completed its first sea trials. An absolute highlight is the impressive "AquaDome", a superlative glass roof construction extending from Deck 18 over the bridge of the ship. With a surface area of over 3,000 m² and a weight of 360 tonnes, the "AquaDome" is the largest glass dome ever built for a ship.

FRENER & REIFER was significantly involved in the technical development of the dome.
On behalf of the Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku, FRENER & REIFER took on the technical development of the spectacular custom glass roof construction for the "Icon of the Seas". The challenge was immense: the dome was to cover an area of 3,000 m² and support a total weight of over 360 tonnes. The company’s experience of custom constructions in steel and glass was decisive in finding a successful solution to the satisfaction of the customer. In addition to the solution development, the project also included the design, production and construction of a 1:1 mock-up, assembled near the company's headquarters in South Tyrol, Italy.

FRENER & REIFER had already displayed its courageous inventive spirit when it developed, fabricated and installed what was then the largest glass dome (almost 1,000 m²) on a ship for the British cruise liner "IONA". With the development of the glass dome for the "Icon of the Seas", which is three times larger, FRENER & REIFER has once again demonstrated its technical excellence.