Google Street View offers virtual insight into world’s largest cruise ship

Google Street View technology is to be used to give online insight into the world’s largest cruise ship.

Google Street View technology is to be used to give online insight into the world’s largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean International claims to be the first cruise line to launch Google Maps Business View to allow agents to provide consumers interactive experience when they are searching for a holiday.

More than 20,000 images of the ship were taken over eight days to complete the virtual representation of the ship which carries more than 5,000 passengers

The images were taken using a basic DSLR camera using a fisheye lens and a panoramic head resting on a tripod.

This method takes 12 photographs at each point and uses high-dynamic-range imaging to ensure the best exposure for areas of different light, according to the cruise line, which is bringing Allure of the Seas to the Mediterranean from May 2015.

Google UK programme manager Deborah Schenker said: “Business View allows people all over the world to explore a range of businesses and organisations in great detail in just a few clicks.

“You can check out anything from restaurants to aircraft in Google Maps, and now for the first time you can sail the seas too with the first ever cruise ship coming on board.”

Royal Caribbean UK and Ireland sales director Ben Bouldin said: “Consumers go online to research their holidays and this is the closest they can get to actually being onboard.

“We are confident that once agents give potential holidaymakers a look at the new virtual immersion available on Allure of the Seas’ various decks and features thanks to Google Street View technology, racking up the bookings will be smooth sailing with excited consumers eager to experience the real thing.”