A GRASS ACT
Producing a lawn of this size on the top deck of a large cruise ship was a real challenge for Wilson Butler Architects, the Boston-based firm who designed the Solstice-class Lawn Club (and the AquaTheater aboard Royal Caribbean’s giant Oasis of the Seas). Not only did it have to be lightweight (so as not to affect the ship’s stability), the grass also had to be in perfect condition in all kinds of weather, from the high humidity of the Caribbean to the cool of Northern Europe and the heat of the mid-summer Mediterranean. It also had to withstand wind speeds up to 120 mph. The main base of the lawn is only 3½ inches deep and, instead of soil, the growing media consists of a porous mixture of calcium clay blended with crushed ignatius or volcanic rock. This rich mix sits on a filter fabric and drainage board to ensure a good balance of water retention. The grass itself is a mixture of cool-season
perennial rye and Bermuda grass, which is best for hot weather. The beautiful half-acre area is then maintained by two full-time lawn-keepers, one of whom is Marlon Razon, who learned his skills working on a golf course in the Highlands area of the Philippines. The lawn-keepers regularly water, reseed any damaged areas and mow using non- gas-emitting electric mowers and trimmers with rechargeable batteries. The result is a unique facility where passengers can enjoy sitting and playing on real, manicured grass. The section on either side of the aft funnel is used to play croquet and bocce ball (a type of boulle), or simply to practice one’s putting skills.
“The Lawn Club’s eight semi-private CABANAS boast a retractable SUN CANOPY and their OWN ATTENDANT”
86 WORLD OF CRUISING I Autumn 2011
the creation of their meal with the help of trained chefs. Alternatively, you can request your choice of meat to be cooked just how you want it while you sit back with your fa- vourite drink and watch the sun setting over the unusual half-acre of lawn at sea. Another new aspect of Silhouette’s
Lawn Club is the Alcoves. These are eight four-seater semi-private cabanas, which are
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