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Cruise lines and shipyards work together to come up with a dry dock schedule that should leave enough time for all repairs and upgrades to be made before the ship goes back into service. However, unexpected snags can cause delays, which could lead to work continuing after passengers are scheduled to embark. This work was done while the massive vessel was not in service during the industry-wide shutdown. All cruise ships ceased operations in mid-March 2020, and Symphony of the Seas was out of service for over 17 months before welcoming passengers again in August 2021. Yet, she has already undergone one short dry dock, in spring 2021, for technical updates. From May 20 and into June 2021, the ship received routine maintenance as well as hull painting and updates to the propellers, fin stabilizers, and other engineering components.
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Besides the ship's staff and crew, Costa cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots - the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation, and also assist them throughout the voyage with information and tips. Each of these vessels is now 824 ft / 251 m long, with a weight of ~60,000 GT and passenger capacity 2,070. After the refit, each of them is 902 ft / 275 m long, with a weight of ~65,000 GT and capacity 2,680 pax, featuring 193 additional cruise staterooms and 59 new crew cabins. These old and future planned fleetwide upgrades are by the company's "Fun Ship 2.0" fleet renovation program.
Key Cruise Ship Drydocks in January
During scheduled maintenance, the cruise ship’s hull is inspected, cleaned and sometimes repainted, while its propellers and thrusters are also checked. If the cruise ship is scheduled for a makeover, structural changes and cosmetic work will be carried out. Overall, dry dock cruises provide an array of benefits for both the cruise line and the passengers. The ship’s enhancements and innovations, improved safety measures, exclusive access, and educational experiences all contribute to a more enjoyable and memorable cruise vacation. Overall, the purpose of a dry dock cruise is to ensure the ship’s longevity, improve guest satisfaction, and align with industry standards.
Disney Cruise Line drydock refurbishments
Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas has entered drydock in preparation for the summer Mediterranean season. The ship is being renovated at the shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, which is a convenient choice as the ship’s summer homeport will alternate between Barcelona, Spain and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. La Scala said he has a drydock plan stretching 10 years into the future, set according to classification society rules and regulations. That means ships drydock typically every two to three years or every five years depending on the ship age.
Accessibility Upgrades and Technical Updates
During the drydock, the Firenze is being adapted to offer the new product, with the addition of new public areas, stateroom upgrades, and more. Teens, and really travelers of all ages, will also appreciate the new video arcade as well as the beautification to the ship’s swimming pools. Furthermore, all public areas have been refreshed, which likely includes updates to décor, more efficient lighting, new flooring, furnishings, and other details to truly make the ship good-as-new. By knowing what to expect during a dry dock cruise, you can better prepare for the unique experiences and make the most of this extraordinary voyage.
Cruise Ship Set to Resume Service as Dry Dock Repairs Near End - Cruise Hive
Cruise Ship Set to Resume Service as Dry Dock Repairs Near End.
Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation
For example, dry docks are used when inspections and maintenance of the lower hull and propulsion equipment are needed. Inspections are required every few years by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). Contractors might still be onboard while you cruise, meaning construction will be taking place in some passenger areas of the ships. You could encounter heating or plumbing problems or cabins that aren't quite finished. During the dry dock cruise, passengers have the unique opportunity to witness the ship’s transformation firsthand.
NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line drydock refurbishments
However, crew members might remain aboard to help out with refurbishment work or to support the contractors and shipyard staff who work night and day to prepare the ship for its return to service. Throughout a dry dock cruise, passengers can enjoy exclusive shipyard tours, gaining behind-the-scenes insights and observing repairs and renovations. While some areas may be restricted or undergoing maintenance, cruise lines strive to provide alternative options for entertainment, dining, and activities to ensure a fulfilling onboard experience. Maintenance, repairs and refurbishments are carried out on cruise ships while in dry dock.
Guests were compensated for the shorter sailing, and guests on the canceled cruise were offered alternatives. It's not uncommon for furnishings to seem sparse throughout the ship as pieces are gathered below decks to speed along flooring changes or to begin re-upholstery work. The closer you get to the end of your sailing, the more likely you are to notice work being done, but in most cases, it should not interfere with your cruise.
In comparison to cruise newbuilds' cost (especially of bigger units), ship refurbishments are a lot cheaper than building a new one. Due to the impact of the Coronavirus crisis and IMO's new maritime regulations, all major cruise shipping companies started to sell (and eventually replace) the fleet's oldest units to smaller travel operators. Cruise ship drydocking (vessel refits and onboard refurbishments) is a multi-billion market with regularly scheduled vessel renovation projects every 2-3 years. Most drydocks are planned by the world's largest cruise shipowners - Carnival Corporation, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Shipping Group, and NCLH-Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. During dry dock, ships undergo routine mechanical work as well as checks of the ship’s propeller blades, thrusters, stabilizers, navigation software, etc.
The atrium was transformed during the initial 2018 makeover to a more contemporary silver and gold palette, replacing the previous purple accents and creating a more radiant space. The 110,000-gross-ton Carnival Glory can welcome 2,980 guests aboard at double occupancy, or up to 3,806 travelers when fully booked. Carnival Glory will welcome her first post-dry-dock guests on Thursday, April 18 at embarkation in Barcelona as she sets sail on a 14-night transatlantic cruise to return to Florida. The report is available for purchase as a PDF download, and an Excel addendum is also available. The addendum provides an Excel/XLS file of all drydockings by ship, from 2012 to 2026, organized by operator, ship, and capacity. Works on the fleetwide refurb project involved 1000+ artisans and craftsmen and resulted in 1368 new cabins, 8000 new light fixtures, new sofas and chairs.
Similar to how a professional athlete that is injured cannot help the team win, a cruise ship that goes in for work will not improve the cruise line's bottom line. For a ship to enter a dry dock, the basin must first be filled with water, allowing the ship to sail in safely. Once the ship sails into the dry dock and is situated in the correct position, the gate is closed and water is drained. On the morning of Wednesday, January 4, 2023, the dry dock would be flooded to refloat the ship, which is expected to set sail once more within a few hours. “Queen Victoria will be going into a dry dock in Cadiz during your voyage,” a letter from the ship’s master, Captain Tomas Connery, stated.
The company's additional program for ship technology upgrades (also fleetwide) was budgeted USD 300 million. This is a regularly updated list of dry-dock dates, with concise info about the cruise ship upgrades, deck plan changes and refits by the cruise company. All links in the following table are internal (CruiseMapper) and redirect to the ship's deck plan page. Cruise ship refurbishment news are some of the "most wanted" and extremely popular on all major online travel forums.
It’s a chance to see how ships are meticulously maintained to ensure passenger safety and comfort. The project resulted in bigger passenger capacity, adding new staterooms, venues, public spaces, new and more efficient engines. The drydocks were scheduled for the period October 2019 through November 2020, at Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo Sicily.
During some dry docks, Royal Caribbean ships will undergo significant refurbishments or amplifications through Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified program. The unexpected diversion to dry dock is due to issues with one of the ship’s Azipod engines, which has been causing excessive vibrations at the vessel’s aft in recent months. A propeller blade on the engine needs replacing, which requires the ship to be in dry dock for appropriate repairs. Cruising right before or after a dry dock can mean noticeable changes taking place onboard the ship’s last sailing pre-dry dock or its first cruise post-dry dock. Cruise Critic put together a list of frequently asked dry dock questions so you'll know what to expect. The 110,000-gross-ton, Conquest-class Carnival Glory is now undergoing dry dock refurbishment in Cadiz, Spain, and great enhancements are coming to the popular vessel since she began the dry dock on March 24.
Dry dock cruises provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a cruise ship, offering a unique perspective that adds depth and understanding to the cruising experience. It’s an opportunity for passengers to connect with the ship on a different level and appreciate the immense effort that goes into maintaining these floating marvels. If you are an avid traveler or cruise enthusiast, you may have come across the term “dry dock cruise” at some point. A dry dock cruise is a unique experience that offers a different perspective on cruising. It allows you to witness the behind-the-scenes world of cruise ship maintenance and renovation.
Besides the ship's staff and crew, AIDA passengers are also served by Peper robots - the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. In 2023, HAL conducted 5 refurbishment projects to expand the casino space on its vessels in the Pinnacle-class (Nieuw Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) and Signature-class (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam). Each of the enlarged gambling facilities now has 140 of the gaming industry's newest slot and video poker machines. In addition, a separate non-smoking area was added in the casinos of Nieuw Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam. Teak decks and overall decor will be redone, and all cabins will get new carpeting and televisions with on-demand programming.
