Global cruise lines are in a race of one-upmanship to build ever more outrageously extravagant ships.
The latest cruise line to raise the stakes is Royal Caribbean, whose two new Quantum Class ships set sail in Chinese waters in 2015.
One of Royal Caribbean's quantum leaps in design is a "metamorphic venue."
Called Two70 because of its 270-degree view, the venue morphs from a boutique hotel-style lobby lounge during the day to an "ice bar" in the evening and a theatre backdrop for acrobatic performances at night.
A half-dozen robotic arms move 100-inch digital signage screens, to match the shipboard evening show’s music and choreography -- while still synchronizing each screen’s display to form a cohesive image.
Here's a look at those robotic arms, prior to installation:
The venue is enclosed in 9-meter-tall, inclined windows. About 50 digital projectors can create backdrops simulating virtual experiences in a three-deck-high area.
A 360-degree Sphere panorama of the Two70 lets you click around online to get a sense of the space.
This YouTube video gets the idea across pretty well:
The Quantum class ships will have other perks, such as a jewel-shaped glass capsule that extends 300 feet in the air for panoramic photo opportunities. Also new is an indoor skydiving simulator and an indoor circus school.
In a first for a global cruise line, the megaships are being aimed at the Chinese market first, because that's where the growth is.
Until now, most Chinese have associated cruises with gambling trips, and it will take some clever attractions to convince them that cruising can make for a romantic or family-friendly outing.