Fountain Design Essentials – Welcome to Fountain Lights
Fountain Design Essentials – Welcome to Fountain Lights
When you think of a cruise ship, images of sun-soaked decks, elegant dining, and serene ocean views often come to mind. But have you ever wondered about the intricate technology and engineering that bring these floating resorts to life? Well, buckle up, because I’m about to take you on a wild ride through the world of cruise ship fountains – the unsung heroes that make some of the most dazzling onboard entertainment a reality.
It all started back in 2006, when the team at Crystal Fountains got involved in the development of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, the largest passenger cruise ships in the world. These vessels were set to feature one of the most innovative attractions at sea – the AquaTheater, a 500-seat amphitheater surrounding a kidney-shaped pool, complete with high-diving towers, zip lines, and a trampoline.
Now, let me tell you, turning this vision into a reality was no easy feat. The AquaTheater was designed to push the boundaries of what was possible on a ship, incorporating elements that had never been attempted at sea before. And that’s where the team at Crystal Fountains came in, tasked with creating the custom components that would bring this aquatic extravaganza to life.
As you can imagine, building a high-tech fountain system on a floating vessel presents some unique challenges. The team at Crystal Fountains knew they couldn’t simply adapt off-the-shelf products to the task – they needed to approach it from the opposite direction, designing custom components that would be tailored to the specific demands of the AquaTheater.
One of the biggest hurdles was creating a solution that could withstand the harsh marine environment. “We’ve spent countless hours in product development team meetings and overseeing the installation process,” says George Ayer, Crystal Fountains’ Director of Supply Chain. “It’s certainly been an exciting ride as we’ve learned all about developing equipment for use in a marine-grade environment and the highly disciplined and large-scale world of ship building.”
So, what did the team at Crystal Fountains come up with to make the AquaTheater’s fountain system a raging success? Let me break it down for you:
Clear-Stream Arching Jets: These babies can shoot water up to 40 feet in the air and 30 feet across, without the stream breaking up. Each one has an individual variable-speed drive pump, allowing for mesmerizing waving effects.
Vertical Leaping Deck Jets: Mounted in an oval plate with two LED lights and a “Choreoswitch” system, these 96 jets in each theater can be programmed to create a dazzling array of choreographed effects.
Finger Jets: Instead of the traditional sheeting fan of water, these jets create a series of individual streams that can be separately controlled, enabling a wide range of choreographed movements and patterns.
Gargoyle Nozzles: A modified version of a fixture developed for the iconic Crown Fountain in Chicago’s Millennium Park, these nozzles are designed to break the water’s surface when the movable floor of the AquaTheater is just inches below.
Rain Curtain: Spanning between the two dive towers, this feature includes 1,400 small nozzles that create a fine, theatrical wall of water, adding depth and drama to the performances.
But the real magic happens in the show control booth, where all of these fountain effects are seamlessly synchronized with the lighting and music. “Being able to control all of the fountain effects from the show control booth may not sound like a big innovation from a 2021 perspective,” explains Ayer, “but back in 2007, it was something very new.”
The AquaTheater’s fountain system is no mere water feature – it’s a complex, integrated performance that combines water, light, and music to create a truly mesmerizing spectacle. And the key to pulling it all together lies in the advanced control system developed by the Crystal Fountains team.
“Up to that point, the controls were all industrial in design and operation,” Ayer says. “We were one of the first to take it from a theatrical control standpoint using DMX technology, which has since become the standard for theatrical fountain control.”
This cutting-edge system allows the show operators to pre-program intricate water displays, synchronizing the fountain effects with the pulsing beats and shifting hues of the lighting. But it’s not just a static performance – the control system gives them the ability to fine-tune the show in real-time, creating a truly dynamic and responsive experience for the audience.
As Ayer explains, “From the audience standpoint, you wouldn’t notice any difference. The changes have all been under the hood.” And with more than a dozen years of operation and nearly 15 years of development on these special venues, the AquaTheaters have become a mainstay of the Royal Caribbean cruise experience.
But the story doesn’t end there. The team at Crystal Fountains is currently working on the next generation of Royal Caribbean’s ships, the Icon class, set to debut in 2024. And you can bet they’ve got some new tricks up their sleeve.
“We’ve learned so much from these projects,” Ayer says, “and we’re excited to take that knowledge and push the boundaries even further. Who knows what kind of aquatic wonders we’ll be able to create next?”
One thing’s for sure – if you ever find yourself on a Royal Caribbean cruise, be sure to carve out some time to catch the AquaTheater show. It’s a testament to the power of innovation, engineering, and showmanship – a true symphony of hydraulic harmony that will leave you awestruck and eager to discover what the future of cruise ship entertainment has in store.
And if you’re interested in bringing a touch of that aquatic magic to your own home or business, be sure to check out the services and products offered by Fountain Lights. Their expert team of designers and technicians can help you create a custom fountain display that will captivate and delight your guests, just like the ones you’ve read about on the high seas.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and uncover the secrets of the cruise ship fountain world together!
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