Cruising in Second Life

Thought you might be interested in the virtual cruise ship (for field trips) now available. Maybe we can offer field trips for the classes? See news item below.

The SS Galaxy is a luxury ocean liner that is probably the single largest build ever to land within the realm of Second Life. Spanning three entire sims it is the creation of builder Bill Stirling.

Stirling had the idea for the ship build almost two years ago but didn’t get the chance to build it until he was contacted by Galaxy’s owner Nova Straffe. Beginning in February of this year,

Stirling has been working constantly on the ship, he said. “I really wanted to build something different for Second Life,”Stirling said. It looks as though he has accomplished his goal, for nowhere in SL is there a fully functional cruise ship of such massive proportions. It is in real life terms 1950 feet in overall length, making it 818 ft longer than the Queen Mary2.

Adorned in the style of the romantic cruise ships of the past, it is more of a floating palace than a ship. Hidden among the eight decks are large open spaces and cozy nooks. State rooms and suites are available for rent by the week or the month.

Over forty shops line the lower deck with designers from all over SL selling their wares and restaurants that make the stay on the ship inviting. The Japanese restaurant is more like a little quaint village than an eatery. An indoor pool with a sauna/steam room and a full-service work-out room complete with treadmills and tanning beds await the weary SL traveler. The luxury liner boasts a classic onboard casino.

The Zodiac Ballroom is a massive mid-ship area, which will host live jazz and dancing events.

Another club on board is the Boiler Room. According to Captain Seaton Skolnick, “The Boiler Room has that rustic Russian industrial look.”

Outside there is a pool deck where many events are also planned. There will be live streaming video during certain events sent to all three sims. A running track spans the upper deck’s perimeter.

Second Life residents can also "tie the knot" in the deluxe wedding chapel. The Galaxy’s chapel has high ceilings and rows of ornate columns. Adjacent to the chapel sits the Reception Garden , decorated with an array of plants and a fountain. Next to that is the Reception Hall where guests can congregate and chat about the ceremony. Honeymoon suites can also be arranged.

“This ship was built to live on and to play on. It is a fully functional cruise ship with everything one could ask for,” Skolnick said.

“The Inaugural cruise is called 'The Cruise to Nowhere' because nothing this large can move in SL,” Stirling joked. “For those hardcore seafaring types there is a joke done with the navigational lights, red, white, red, meaning 'Restricted in the Ability to Maneuver.'”

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Galaxy%20AFT%20/116/45/22/.