A magrodome is a sliding glass roof found aboard

passenger ship A passenger ship is a merchant ship whose primary function is to carry passengers on the sea. The category does not include cargo vessels which have accommodations for limited numbers of passengers, such as the ubiquitous twelve-passenger freig ...

s. It can be opened and closed automatically depending on the weather and is often positioned over a swimming pool to offer an indoor-outdoor setting.

History

The first magrodome was fitted aboard the . The primary purpose of the magrodome was to shelter the Lido pool area from inclement weather. The magrodome offered a method of covering the deck in case of rain or fog, while also allowing it to be opened in sunny conditions favorable to sunbathers. Magrodomes have since been included in a number of modern cruise ships. Some traditional liners (such as Cunard's former flagship ''

Queen Elizabeth 2 ''Queen Elizabeth 2'' (''QE2'') is a retired British ocean liner converted into a floating hotel. Originally built for the Cunard Line, the ship, named as the second ship named ''Queen Elizabeth'', was operated by Cunard as both a transatlantic ...

'') had a magrodome placed over an existing pool.

Notable vessels

Ms Birka Stockholm MS ''Birka Stockholm'' is a cruise ship Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, which are used for transport, cruise ships typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports-of-call, wh ...

, completed in 2004, offers a unique indoor winter garden with a pool and artificial sun. *, completed in 1965, credited as the first passenger ship to feature a magrodome. *''

'' had a magrodome fitted over her quarterdeck pool during a 1985 refurbishment in Bremerhaven. This magrodome was later removed in a subsequent refit. *, completed in 2000,one of the first British based cruise ships to feature a magrodome. *, completed in 2003, the world's largest ocean liner, has a magrodome over the Pavilion Pool and Bar.

References

{{reflist Shipbuilding Domes