Table Of Content
- Cruise Ship Dry Dock: What to Expect When Sailing Before or After
- Norwegian Announces Massive Fleet Expansion and New Private Island Pier
- Next Norwegian Ship Will Sail with New Restaurants
- Carnival Ship to Disembark in Norfolk After Weeks of Uncertainty
- American Actor to Serve as Godfather to Carnival Firenze
Cruise ship refurbishment tends to be the best value-for-money strategy and highly successful policy for major cruise line companies in a time of worldwide economic uncertainty. The 90,049-gross-ton ship can welcome as many as 2,081 guests (double occupancy) on each voyage, and has 900 international crew members aboard to provide Cunard’s signature elite service. While in dry dock, guests were provided with complimentary shuttles to the downtown area to enjoy the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and diverse markets. Because of the activity of the shipyard, guests were not permitted to walk downtown, but the shuttles were expected to operate on a regular schedule for guests’ convenience.
Cruise Ship Dry Dock: What to Expect When Sailing Before or After
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.
Norwegian Announces Massive Fleet Expansion and New Private Island Pier
The MSC Fantasia drydocked in October in Malta for general hotel and technical work, as well as the installation of shore power, said Emilio La Scala, president and managing director for MSC Cruises Management UK. The reconfigured promenade offers a more interactive pathway through the Sunrise Casino, with the new Warehouse Arcade and Hereos Tribute Bar that pays homage to the military servicemembers and their families. Additional enhancements include the Java Blue Cafe, a bona fide coffee shop open from early morning till late at night, which serves a selection of pastries and drinks. A few steps into the aft dining area, much remains as it was, albeit updated with a refresh during the 2024 drydock.
Next Norwegian Ship Will Sail with New Restaurants
Cruise ships take advantage of the time to replace carpeting, beds and other furnishings. Sometimes extreme reconfiguration of the ship may be undertaken while the ship is in dry dock, including structural changes that add or rearrange cabins and/or public spaces. The length of time a ship is in dry dock can vary widely, from a few days to weeks or even months if extensive refurbishments are planned.
MSC Cruises: Six Drydocks for 2024
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.
Cruise alongside the Battleship New Jersey on its way to dry dock - Courier Post
Cruise alongside the Battleship New Jersey on its way to dry dock.
Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Carnival Glory has departed the shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, following her extensive dry dock renovation. The ship entered dry dock on March 24, 2024, and her time out of service has been put to amazingly good use to refresh the 21-year-old vessel. Preparing for a dry dock cruise involves researching the cruise line, checking the schedule, and managing expectations. Packing appropriately and staying informed about any updates or changes related to the dry dock process also ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience. The purpose of a dry dock cruise is multi-faceted and serves several important objectives for both the cruise line and the passengers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
