WO2024086225A1

WO2024086225A1 - Modular ship cabins

Info

Publication number: WO2024086225A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/035413
Authority: WO
Inventors: Krissia LARIOS
Original assignee: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Priority date: 2022-10-20
Filing date: 2023-10-18
Publication date: 2024-04-25

Abstract

A modular cabin system for a ship includes a plurality of first modular ship cabins disposed within a first plurality of spaces within a deck of a ship, each first modular ship cabin including a plurality of modules. The deck includes a row of support beams and a row of support columns, the row of support beams parallel to the row of support columns. The system also includes a plurality of second modular ship cabins disposed within a second plurality of spaces within the deck of the ship. At least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within a corridor between cabins of the plurality of second modular ship cabins, and at least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins. Each space can be at least partially defined by walls of a first module and a second module of one of the adjacent cabins.

Description

RCC.041WO PATENT MODULAR SHIP CABINS BACKGROUND [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.63/380,371, filed October 20, 2022, titled “MODULAR SHIP CABINS,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND Technological Field [0002] The present application relates to ship cabins, and more particularly to modular cabin systems. Background [0003] Cruise ships are often described as floating cities. These ships are designed to provide every convenience and necessity to hundreds and in many cases thousands of passengers during a sailing that can range from 2 days to as many as 4 weeks. Cruise ships typically include sleeping accommodations for all passengers and crew, in some cases in the form of prefabricated modular staterooms or cabins which must be designed so as to fit within the predetermined dimensions of a portion of a deck of the ship. It is desirable to provide accommodations that efficiently use the minimal space available within a modular cabin configuration while providing a comfortable living space for extended time periods. SUMMARY [0004] The systems, methods, and devices of this disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes disclosed herein. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how the features of this disclosure provide advantages over other personalized recommendation solutions. [0005] In a first aspect, a modular cabin system includes a plurality of first modular ship cabins disposed within a first plurality of spaces within a deck of a ship, the deck including a row of support beams and a row of support columns, the row of support beams parallel to the row of support columns; and a plurality of second modular ship cabins disposed within a second plurality of spaces within the deck of the ship. At least some of the support beams or columns are disposed within a corridor separating cabins of the plurality of second modular ship cabins, and at least some of the support beams or columns are disposed within a space surrounded by adjacent cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins. The space can be formed by recesses or notches in adjacent cabins, for example, recesses or notches defined by walls of the adjacent cabins or other structures defining a space. In one embodiment, the support beams are steel beams, for example but not limited to high tensile steel beams. In some cases, the support columns are steel columns, for example but not limited to high tensile steel columns. [0006] In a second aspect, a modular cabin system for a ship includes a plurality of first modular ship cabins disposed within a first plurality of spaces within a deck of a ship, each first modular ship cabin including a plurality of modules, the deck comprising a row of support beams and a row of support columns, the row of support beams parallel to the row of support columns; and a plurality of second modular ship cabins disposed within a second plurality of spaces within the deck of the ship. At least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within a corridor between cabins of the plurality of second modular ship cabins, and at least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins, each space being at least partially defined by walls of a first module and a second module of one of the adjacent cabins. [0007] In some embodiments, the plurality of first modular ship cabins includes pairs of individual ship cabins, each pair including a first one of the first modular ship cabins having a first entry door configuration; and a second one of the first modular ship cabins having a second entry door configuration, wherein the second entry door configuration is a mirror-image or partial mirror-image of the first entry door configuration. In some embodiments, entry doors and adjacent wall portions of the first and second ones of the first modular ship cabins define a vestibule area disposed between the entry doors and the corridor. In some embodiments, each pair further comprises a vestibule door separating the vestibule area from the corridor. [0008] In some embodiments, the support beams or support columns disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins include beams oriented substantially parallel to a centerline of the deck. [0009] In some embodiments, the corridor is substantially aligned with a centerline of the deck. In some embodiments, the modular cabin system further includes a plurality of third modular ship cabins disposed within a third plurality of spaces within the deck, wherein a second corridor between cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins and the third plurality of modular ship cabins is laterally offset by a distance relative to the centerline of the deck. [0010] In some embodiments, the deck includes at least two rows of support columns parallel to a centerline of the deck, the row of support beams being parallel to and between the at least two rows of support columns. [0011] In some embodiments, at least the support beams or the support columns include steel. In some embodiments, the steel is high tensile steel. [0012] In some embodiments, a portion of each first modular ship cabin is cantilevered outboard or inboard of the support beams or the support columns. In some embodiments, the cantilevered portion of each first modular ship cabin includes an indoor/outdoor space. [0013] In some embodiments, the space is defined by walls of the adjacent cabins. [0014] In some embodiments, the space is defined by recesses or notches of the adjacent cabins. In some embodiments, each first modular ship cabin includes a first recess or notch on a first side of the first modular ship cabin and a second recess or notch on a second side of the first modular ship cabin opposite the first side. [0015] In some embodiments, the space is adjacent to a wet module of at least one of the adjacent cabins, the wet module including a head. [0016] In a third aspect, a method of installing modular cabins in a ship includes installing a plurality of first modular ship cabins within a first plurality of spaces within a deck of a ship, each first modular ship cabin including a plurality of modules, the deck including a row of support beams and a row of support columns, the row of support beams parallel to the row of support columns; and installing a plurality of second modular ship cabins within a second plurality of spaces within the deck of the ship. At least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within a corridor between cabins of the plurality of second modular ship cabins, and at least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins, each space being at least partially defined by walls of a first module and a second module of one of the adjacent cabins. [0017] In some embodiments, installing the plurality of first modular ship cabins includes at least installing a first one of the first modular ship cabins having a first entry door configuration; and installing a second one of the first modular ship cabins having a second entry door configuration adjacent to the first one of the first modular ship cabins, wherein the second entry door configuration is a mirror-image or partial mirror-image of the first entry door configuration. In some embodiments, entry doors and adjacent wall portions of the first and second ones of the first modular ship cabins define a vestibule area disposed between the entry doors and the corridor. In some embodiments, the method further includes installing a vestibule door separating the vestibule area from the corridor. [0018] In some embodiments, the support beams or support columns disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins include beams oriented substantially parallel to a centerline of the deck. [0019] In some embodiments, the corridor is substantially aligned with a centerline of the deck. In some embodiments, the method further includes installing a plurality of third modular ship cabins within a third plurality of spaces within the deck, wherein a second corridor between cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins and the third plurality of modular ship cabins is laterally offset by a distance relative to the centerline of the deck. [0020] In some embodiments, the deck includes at least two rows of support columns parallel to a centerline of the deck, the row of support beams being parallel to and between the at least two rows of support columns. [0021] In some embodiments, at least the support beams or the support columns include steel. In some embodiments, the steel is high tensile steel. [0022] In some embodiments, the plurality of first modular ship cabins are installed such that a portion of each first modular ship cabin is cantilevered outboard or inboard of the support beams or the support columns. In some embodiments, the cantilevered portion of each first modular ship cabin includes an indoor/outdoor space. [0023] In some embodiments, the space is defined by walls of the adjacent cabins. [0024] In some embodiments, the space is defined by recesses or notches of the adjacent cabins. In some embodiments, each first modular ship cabin includes a first recess or notch on a first side of the first modular ship cabin and a second recess or notch on a second side of the first modular ship cabin opposite the first side. [0025] In some embodiments, the notch is adjacent to a wet module of at least one of the adjacent cabins, the wet module including a head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0026] The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations denote like elements. [0027] FIG.1A is a top plan view of a ship deck depicting a plurality of modular cabins. [0028] FIG.1B is a top plan view of a ship deck depicting a plurality of modular cabins in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0029] FIG.2 is a top plan view of an individual modular cabin in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0030] FIG.3 is a top plan view of an individual modular cabin in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0031] FIG.4 is a cutaway perspective view of the modular cabin of FIG. 2. [0032] FIG. 5 is an interior perspective view depicting a bunk portion of a modular cabin in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0033] FIG. 6 is an interior perspective view of an individual modular cabin in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0034] Cruise ships include private or shared sleeping accommodations in the form of staterooms and/or cabins for all passengers and crew. Some vessels may be equipped to carry hundreds or thousands of passengers at a time. Various cabins, including crew cabins and some staterooms, can be prefabricated, modular cabins that can be manufactured on land as self-contained cabin modules and subsequently installed within a deck of a cruise ship during initial construction, renovation, or retrofit. Certain standard sizes are commonly utilized within the industry for manufacturing efficiency. For example, cabin modules may typically be built to fit into a space with a maximum height that leaves about 100-150 millimeters of free space above each cabin module (along a height dimension) for the routing of utility conduits, such as electrical wiring, air ducts, water pipes, and the like. The present disclosure provides modular cabin configurations that can make efficient use of the space within such constraints, as well as providing desirable combinations of sizes and shapes of modular cabins. [0035] It is also desirable to provide ship cabins with visibility and/or access to an exterior space. For example, many cruise ship staterooms include a balcony or veranda accessible from the stateroom which overlooks an exterior space such as the outside of the ship or an interior atrium space. Due to construction constraints, conventional staterooms typically include structural components disposed between the stateroom and the balcony or veranda, reducing a maximum door or window size between the stateroom and the balcony or veranda. Embodiments of the modular cabins and modular cabin systems disclosed herein can provide for modular cabins with integrated balcony or veranda spaces, and/or integrated convertible indoor/outdoor spaces, that can extend to the exterior of a ship without requiring structural components disposed outboard of the cabin modules. Embodiments of the modular cabins and modular cabin systems disclosed herein can also provide for modular cabins with integrated balcony or veranda spaces, and/or integrated convertible indoor/outdoor spaces, that can extend to an interior atrium space without requiring structural components disposed inboard of the cabin modules. [0036] Although embodiments of the modular cabins and modular cabin systems described herein are described in the context of stateroom cabins for cruise ships, it will be understood that the present technology is not limited to this class of accommodations, this type of service provider, or the particular cruise context. Embodiments of the present technology can be implemented, as non-limiting examples, in cargo, merchant marine, and military vessels. As will be described in detail below, features of the present technology can be employed in many other contexts, such as but not limited to entertainment, hotel, and other hospitality services. The present technology can be implemented in any system where it is desirable to provide modular sleeping accommodations. [0037] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a ship deck depicting a plurality of modular cabins. FIG. 1B is a top plan view of a ship deck depicting a plurality of modular cabins in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The plurality of modular cabins are implemented in a cruise ship in this non-limiting example, but as noted above, embodiments of the present technology are not limited to modular cabins in cruise ships. FIG.1A depicts a deck 10 including a plurality of cabins including complementary modular cabins 15, 20 configured to interlock side-by-side within the deck 10. It will be understood that the deck 10 may extend across the entire beam of the ship or may extend across less than the entire beam of the ship. For example, in some embodiments the deck 10 is a level (or part of a level) of a ship having a width narrower than the beam of the ship, and/or having a longitudinal axis that is off-center relative to the longitudinal centerline of the ship. In one particular example, the deck 10 is a level of one of two or more parallel structures disposed on opposite sides of the centerline of the ship. The two or more parallel structures may be arranged generally equidistant from the centerline of the ship, or they may be arranged off-center relative to the centerline of the ship. It will also be understood that the two or more structures arranged on a deck need not be parallel. Two rows of cabins 15, 20, on opposing sides of the deck 10 can be separated by a corridor 35. Balconies 25 are disposed on outboard (outward-facing) sides of the cabins 15, 20. In the example modular configuration of FIG.1A, the modular portions of the cabins 15, 20 are separate from the balconies 25, which may be manufactured as a part of the ship structure before or after installation of the modular cabins 15, 20. Structural members 30, such as metal reinforcing structures or the like, may be needed between the modular cabins 15, 20 and the balconies 25 in order to support the load of the modular cabins 15, 20 at an outboard end of the module. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the outermost ends of the modular cabins are supported by structural members and are not cantilevered. [0038] Referring now to FIG. 1B, a deck 100 includes a plurality of modular cabin configurations that may provide a number of advantages. It will be understood that the deck 100 may extend across the entire beam of the ship or may extend across less than the entire beam of the ship. In one particular example, the deck 100 is a level of one of two or more parallel structures disposed on opposite sides of the centerline of the ship. The two or more parallel structures may be arranged generally equidistant from the centerline of the ship, or they may be arranged off- center relative to the centerline of the ship. [0039] A first portion 105 of the deck 100 includes modular cabins 106, 107 disposed about a corridor 35 disposed in approximately the middle of the deck 100. In the non-limiting example illustrated in FIG. 1B, the corridor 35 runs along a centerline of the deck 100. A second portion 110 of the deck 100 includes a plurality of longer-dimensioned modular cabins 115, 120, as well as a plurality of shorter-dimensioned modular cabins 130. The shorter-dimensioned modular cabins 130 are separated from the longer-dimensioned modular cabins 115, 120 by a corridor 135 that is offset a distance D from the centerline of the deck 100. [0040] In one non-limiting example, the ship includes a second deck 100 having features that mirror the features of the deck 100 illustrated in Figure 1B. The second deck 100 is arranged opposite to the deck 100, with an open atrium space separating the two decks 100. In this example, the shorter-dimensioned modular cabins 130 of the deck 100 illustrated in Figure 1B and the shorter-dimensioned modular cabins of the second deck 100 (not illustrated) have balconies that open to the open atrium space. In another non-limiting example, the deck 100 illustrated in Figure 1B extends across the entire beam of the ship, such that balconies of the longer- dimensioned modular cabins 115, 120 and balconies of the shorter-dimensioned cabins 130 open to the exterior of the ship. [0041] The longer-dimensioned modular cabins 115, 120 can have mirror-image or partially mirror-image configurations. For example, pairs of cabins 115, 120 can including entry doors 121 in different mirror-image or partial mirror-image entry door configurations such that the entry doors and adjacent wall portions of a pair of adjacent modular cabins 115, 120 form a vestibule 122 which may be desirable, for example, when larger traveling groups such as families book adjoining cabins for a voyage. The vestibule 122 may further have a vestibule door 123 disposed to optionally separate the vestibule 122 space from the corridor 135. For example, when the two adjacent modular cabins 115, 120 adjoining a vestibule 122 are booked by unrelated groups, the vestibule door 123 may remain open or unlocked during a voyage. However, when the two adjacent modular cabins 115, 120 are booked by related groups or members of a larger group, they may have the option to close and/or lock the vestibule door 123 while leaving the individual entry doors 121 open or unlocked so as to share the interior space of both adjacent modular cabins 115, 120. In these configurations, some or all other components of the cabins 115, 120 may be mirror-imaged, or the cabins 115,120 may be identical other than the orientation of their entry door areas. [0042] In some embodiments, the vestibule configurations illustrated in FIG. 1B may have advantageous features for fire safety. For example, the presence of vestibule doors 123 may prevent inadvertent travel into a dead end corridor in an emergency egress situation. In addition, entry doors 121 and/or vestibule doors 123 may be fire doors, such as B-class or A-class fire doors, which may provide additional protection to occupants within a cabin 115, 120 or within the vestibule 122 in the event of a fire. In some embodiments, the inclusion of a vestibule door 123 may further allow for the vestibule 122 to have desirable dimensions while also complying with relevant design regulations relating to fire protection and emergency egress. [0043] Structural requirements in the shipbuilding industry may in some cases require that the deck 100 be supported by one or more rows of intermediate structural components. For example, the deck 100 includes a row of columns 140A, 140B (e.g., steel, high tensile steel, or other suitable material) extending in a line parallel to the centerline of the deck 100. In some embodiments, the plurality of different cabin configurations shown in FIG.1B can be implemented by having the columns 140A disposed within the corridor 35 in the first portion 105 of the deck 100. For example, column 140A in FIG. 1B is disposed within the corridor 35 and not disposed within a space surrounded by adjacent modular cabins. In some embodiments, the plurality of different cabin configurations shown in FIG.1B can be implemented by having the columns 140B disposed within spaces defined by cutouts, recesses, or notches 150 of adjacent modular cabins 115, 120, so that longer modular cabin dimensions and offset corridors can be accommodated without requiring significant structural changes that could weaken existing ship designs. [0044] In another example advantage of the present technology, modular cabins 106, 107, 115, and 120 may include integrated balconies at an exterior side 125 of the deck 100. As used herein, an exterior side of the deck 125 is not necessarily an outboard or exterior side of the ship, but may be a side facing the exterior of the ship, a side facing an interior atrium space of the ship, or otherwise disposed facing outward from a centerline or middle of the deck 125. The integrated balconies will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2-4. Advantageously, the integrated balconies may provide a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor space which may be open to the exterior side 125. It may therefore be desirable to omit structural components at the exterior side 125 of the deck 100, (e.g., structural components 30 as shown in FIG.1A). [0045] Accordingly, the deck 100 may be designed such that the structural loads conventionally carried by externally disposed structural components are instead carried by medially located beams 145 (e.g., steel beams, high tensile steel beams, or other suitable structural members). The medially located beams 145 may be oriented substantially parallel to the centerline of the deck 100. The medially located beams 145 may be disposed in a row between rows of columns 140A, 140B. Due to the medial location of the beams 145, they may be accommodated within a space defined by cutouts, recesses, or notches 155 of the modular cabins 106, 107, 115, 120. In various embodiments, the columns 140A, 140B and/or beams 145 may be interchangeably used, for example, the rows of columns 140A, 140B and beams 145 shown in FIG. 1B may be switched such that the columns 140A, 140B are disposed outboard of the beams 145, or the deck 100 may include two rows of columns 140A, 140B, or two rows of beams 145. In such embodiments, at least a portion of some modular cabins (e.g., modular cabins 115 and 120) are cantilevered rather than being supported fully at their respective opposing ends (e.g., at both the corridor-facing end and at exterior side 125). In the particular example configuration of FIG. 1B, cantilevered structural support may be improved by disposing the support columns 140A, 140B and support beams 145 in spaces 150, 155 on opposite lateral sides (e.g., the sides bordering adjacent cabins 115, 120) of each modular cabin 115, 120. [0046] FIGS.2 and 3 are top plan views illustrating individual modular cabins 115 and 120, respectively. The example modular cabins 115 and 120 can be implemented in combination with a modular cabin system such as those illustrated in FIGS.1A and 1B, or in combination with any other suitable modular cabin system. [0047] Modular cabins 115 and 120 can be manufactured and installed as single modules, or can include two or more modules that make up an individual cabin. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the modular cabins 115 and 120 includes a first module 160, a second module 165, and a third module 170. In this particular example implementation, the first module 160 includes a living space 161 (e.g., including a sleeping area, sitting area, and/or any other living area components) and an integrated balcony area 162 which extends to an outer end 163 of the modular cabin 115, 120. The second module 165 can include additional space such as a bunk area 166 and/or an entrance from a corridor into the modular cabin 115, 120. The third module 170 can include a head, storage space, or other internal area. It will be understood that first module 160, second module 165, and third module 170 can include any combination of these features, or different features. [0048] In some embodiments, the third module 170 can be a “wet” module which contains all plumbing connections (for example, the head and/or any sinks, toilets, or other plumbing fixtures) that receive water from a shipboard water supply and/or output or drain wastewater. Confining all plumbing connections for the modular cabin 115, 120 to a single “wet” module can efficiently reduce the number of plumbing connections to be made between the modular cabin 115, 120 and shipboard water lines. [0049] As described above, due to the extended length of the modular cabins 115, 120, the modular cabins 115, 120 can be configured to accommodate existing ship structures such as columns and/or beams in an intermediate portion of the modular cabin 115, 120. In one example, a portion of the modular cabin 115, 120 (such as, the second module 165 in the example configuration of FIGS. 2 and 3) can include a cutout, recess, or notch 150 sized and shaped to accommodate a support column. In another example, the modular cabins 115, 120 can include a recess 155 sized and shaped to accommodate a support structure, for example a support beam. In the non-limiting example illustrated in FIGS.2 and 3, the support beam is a high tensile steel beam configured to support the cantilevered portion of the modular cabin 115, 120 between the recess 155 and the outer end 163. For example, the recess 155 can be shaped and sized to accommodate a support beam 145 illustrated in FIG. 1B. In some embodiments, the boundary between the first module 160 and the second module 165 can be located along line 164, such the modular cabin 115, 120 can be installed around a preexisting beam by assembling the first module 160 and the second module 165 together around the preexisting beam, thereby forming the recess 155 within a space defined by walls of the modular cabin 115, 120 or within a space surrounded by adjacent modular cabins 115, 120. [0050] FIG. 4 is a combined perspective cutaway view of the modular cabin 115 of FIG.2, in which the modular cabin 115 is divided roughly into halves to illustrate interior portions of the modular cabin 115. As discussed above, the modular cabin 115 includes a combination of a first module 160 that includes living space and an integrated balcony 162, a second module 165 that includes a corridor and a bunk area 166, and a third module 170 including a head, which may be divided into two separately usable head areas. The notch 150 and/or the recess 155 described above, which may be provided to accommodate structural components of the surrounding ship deck, can be located behind bulkheads 156 or other interior structures. [0051] The upper surface 175 of the modular cabin 115 can generally have a first height which may be constrained by a nominal module height for the surrounding ship deck. For example, the nominal module height may be defined to allow space above the upper surface 175 for electrical conduits, plumbing lines, or any other connections between the ship and the modular cabin 115. [0052] In some embodiments, the interior configuration of the modular cabin 115 may be improved by increasing the height of one or more portions of the modular cabin 115. For example, a portion of the bunk area 166 may include a pop-up portion 176 providing increased height within the bunk area such that a lower bunk 167 and an upper bunk 168 can be provided in an L-shaped partially overlapping configuration. In another example, the integrated balcony 162 may include a second pop-up portion 177 providing additional height in the indoor/outdoor space of the integrated balcony 162. [0053] FIG. 5 is an interior perspective view illustrating an example L-shaped configuration of a bunk area 166 of a modular cabin 115, 120 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). FIG.5 illustrates the improved head room provided in both bunks of the bunk area 166 due to the L-shaped bunk configuration and the pop-up portion 176 illustrated in FIG. 4. [0054] FIG. 6 is an interior perspective view illustrating an example configuration of one of the shorter-dimensioned modular cabins 130 illustrated in FIG.1B. As shown in Fig.6, and with continued reference to FIG.1B, shorter-dimensioned modular cabins 130 can be implemented in conjunction with relatively longer-dimensioned modular cabins 115, 120 to take advantage of the reduced remaining deck space resulting from the use of longer-dimensioned modular cabins 115, 120, as well as to provide a desirable variety of cabin configurations to suit various sizes and preferences of parties traveling together within a ship. Additional Embodiments [0055] It will be understood that not necessarily all objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain embodiments may be configured to operate in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. [0056] The present technology optimizes modular cabins for a current industry- standard of sizes, dimensions, and/or volume of cabin module. However, it will be understood that this is merely an example implementation. Different industry-standard criteria may apply to different types of ships, such as cargo or military crew berthing, and industry-standard criteria may also change from time to time. The presently-disclosed configurations can be adjusted to accommodate these differences in industry-standard dimensions for modular cabins. [0057] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “involving,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. [0058] Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y or at least one of Z to each be present. [0059] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” should generally be interpreted to include one or more described items. Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended to include one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devices can also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B and C” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry out recitations B and C. [0060] While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to illustrative embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As will be recognized, certain embodiments described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A modular cabin system for a ship comprising: a plurality of first modular ship cabins disposed within a first plurality of spaces within a deck of a ship, each first modular ship cabin comprising a plurality of modules, the deck comprising a row of support beams and a row of support columns, the row of support beams parallel to the row of support columns; and a plurality of second modular ship cabins disposed within a second plurality of spaces within the deck of the ship, wherein at least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within a corridor between cabins of the plurality of second modular ship cabins, and wherein at least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins, each space being at least partially defined by walls of a first module and a second module of one of the adjacent cabins.

2. The modular cabin system of Claim 1, wherein the plurality of first modular ship cabins comprises pairs of individual ship cabins, each pair comprising: a first one of the first modular ship cabins having a first entry door configuration; and a second one of the first modular ship cabins having a second entry door configuration, wherein the second entry door configuration is a mirror-image or partial mirror-image of the first entry door configuration.

3. The modular ship cabin system of Claim 2, wherein entry doors and adjacent wall portions of the first and second ones of the first modular ship cabins define a vestibule area disposed between the entry doors and the corridor.

4. The modular ship cabin system of Claim 3, wherein each pair further comprises a vestibule door separating the vestibule area from the corridor.

5. The modular ship cabin system of any one of Claims 1-4, wherein the support beams or support columns disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins comprise beams oriented substantially parallel to a centerline of the deck.

6. The modular ship cabin system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the corridor is substantially aligned with a centerline of the deck.

7. The modular ship cabin system of Claim 6, further comprising a plurality of third modular ship cabins disposed within a third plurality of spaces within the deck, wherein a second corridor between cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins and the third plurality of modular ship cabins is laterally offset by a distance relative to the centerline of the deck.

8. The modular cabin system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the deck comprises at least two rows of support columns parallel to a centerline of the deck, the row of support beams being parallel to and between the at least two rows of support columns.

9. The modular cabin system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein at least the support beams or the support columns comprise steel.

10. The modular cabin system of Claim 9, wherein the steel is high tensile steel.

11. The modular cabin system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein a portion of each first modular ship cabin is cantilevered outboard or inboard of the support beams or the support columns.

12. The modular cabin system of Claim 11, wherein the cantilevered portion of each first modular ship cabin includes an indoor/outdoor space.

13. The modular cabin system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the space is defined by walls of the adjacent cabins.

14. The modular cabin system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the space is defined by recesses or notches of the adjacent cabins.

15. The modular cabin system of Claim 14, wherein each first modular ship cabin includes a first recess or notch on a first side of the first modular ship cabin and a second recess or notch on a second side of the first modular ship cabin opposite the first side.

16. The modular cabin system of any of Claims 1-4, wherein the space is adjacent to a wet module of at least one of the adjacent cabins, the wet module comprising a head.

17. A method of installing modular cabins in a ship, the method comprising: installing a plurality of first modular ship cabins within a first plurality of spaces within a deck of a ship, each first modular ship cabin comprising a plurality of modules, the deck comprising a row of support beams and a row of support columns, the row of support beams parallel to the row of support columns; and installing a plurality of second modular ship cabins within a second plurality of spaces within the deck of the ship, wherein at least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within a corridor between cabins of the plurality of second modular ship cabins, and wherein at least some of the support beams or the support columns are disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins, each space being at least partially defined by walls of a first module and a second module of one of the adjacent cabins.

18. The method of Claim 17, wherein installing the plurality of first modular ship cabins comprises at least: installing a first one of the first modular ship cabins having a first entry door configuration; and installing a second one of the first modular ship cabins having a second entry door configuration adjacent to the first one of the first modular ship cabins, wherein the second entry door configuration is a mirror-image or partial mirror-image of the first entry door configuration.

19. The method of Claim 18, wherein entry doors and adjacent wall portions of the first and second ones of the first modular ship cabins define a vestibule area disposed between the entry doors and the corridor.

20. The method of Claim 19, further comprising installing a vestibule door separating the vestibule area from the corridor.

21. The method of any of Claims 17-20, wherein the support beams or support columns disposed within spaces surrounded by adjacent cabins comprise beams oriented substantially parallel to a centerline of the deck.

22. The method of any of Claims 17-20, wherein the corridor is substantially aligned with a centerline of the deck.

23. The method of Claim 22, further comprising a plurality of third modular ship cabins disposed within a third plurality of spaces within the deck, wherein a second corridor between cabins of the plurality of first modular ship cabins and the third plurality of modular ship cabins is laterally offset by a distance relative to the centerline of the deck.

24. The method of any of Claims 17-20, wherein the deck comprises at least two rows of support columns parallel to a centerline of the deck, the row of support beams being parallel to and between the at least two rows of support columns.

25. The method of any of Claims 17-20, wherein at least the support beams or the support columns comprise steel.

26. The method of Claim 25, wherein the steel is high tensile steel.

27. The method of any of Claims 17-20, wherein the plurality of first modular ship cabins are installed such that a portion of each first modular ship cabin is cantilevered outboard or inboard of the support beams or the support columns.

28. The method of Claim 27, wherein the cantilevered portion of each first modular ship cabin includes an indoor/outdoor space.

29. The method of any of Claims 17-20, wherein the space is defined by walls of the adjacent cabins.

30. The method of any of Claims 17-20, wherein the space is defined by recesses or notches of the adjacent cabins.

31. The method of Claim 30, wherein each first modular ship cabin includes a first recess or notch on a first side of the first modular ship cabin and a second recess or notch on a second side of the first modular ship cabin opposite the first side.

32. The method of any of Claims 17-20, wherein the notch is adjacent to a wet module of at least one of the adjacent cabins, the wet module comprising a head.