Modern cruise ships are massive entertainment and leisure vessels that are places of great fun, enjoyment, and joie de vivre. They provide outlets for cruise ship passengers to enjoy various activities, from dining to drinking to music, kids’ activities, and more.

There are different sections of modern cruise ships that go from the bottom deck up to the top, sometimes 20 stories above the water. In this article, we explore what goes on on the lower decks, get some facts and figures about cruise ship measurements, and understand how much of a typical cruise ship is underwater.

Cruise Ship Weight, Length, and Height Statistics

How much does a cruise ship weigh, how long does it measure, and what is its height? Well, the 50 largest cruise ships in the world weigh over 100,000 gross tons. Royal Caribbean International owns the four largest ships in the world.

In terms of height, the average Royal Caribbean International cruise ship measures 14 decks (stories) high. Length-wise, these RCG ships are 20% longer than the Titanic at an average length of 325 meters (the length of several football fields). 

The Physics of Water Displacement

As it applies to cruise ships, the physics of water displacement is based on Archimedes’ principle, which dictates that the amount of fluid displaced by an object equals its upward buoyant force.

To expand on this principle, according to a professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan, ships have to displace an equal amount of water to how much they weigh. To do so and to stabilize the ship to prevent a draft, the ship architects designed wide hulls.

That means the vessel has to be extremely wide to compensate for the weight-to-water ratio. Approximately 30 feet (9 meters) of the average large cruise ship sits underwater, but as you’ll see below, there are more understandable ways to measure this.

What’s on the Lowest Deck?

The lowest deck on a ship usually contains the nuts and bolts of the ship. On cruise vessels, it is known as the orlop. Most of the time, the lowest deck has the morgue, fuel tanks, fresh water reserves, laundry room, medical center, jail, and engine rooms. It can also contain crew quarters.

The lowest deck is typically off-limits to passengers – the fun is all on the upper decks, and passengers tend to board at Decks 4 or 5. Sometimes, however, the lowest deck is available, and passengers can book accommodations to alleviate seasickness.

Layout of a Cruise Ship

It’s essential to understand the overall layout and structure of a cruise ship – not only to familiarize yourself with the various parts so you can navigate it well but, for this article, to understand the ship’s lower decks in context. 

The following are the different locations within your average cruise ship:

• Aft – Ever heard of the “aft of a ship?” This is the penultimate backmost part of the ship, close to the stern. 
• Bow – The front of the ship.
• Bridge – ”All crew to the bridge!” You can almost imagine Captain Picard from Star Trek summoning his crew to the main control section of the ship, usually found at the bow. 
• Cabin – Sectioned, private living quarters. Akin to a hotel room. 
• Deck – A given level of a ship. 
• Galley – The kitchen, where the chefs whip up great cuisine.
• Hull – The central body of the ship.
• Lido Deck – Entertainment central! This is where the pool, bars, restaurants, and fitness center are located.
• Midship – The veritable middle of the ship!
• Port – The left side of the vessel when facing the bow.
• Starboard – The right side when facing the bow.
• Stern – The backmost part of the ship.

Navigating Cruise Ships in Various Types of Water

Knowledge is power, and knowing how captains operate cruise ships in different depths and types of water currents can help you feel safe and secure. 

First of all, cruise ships must dock in water that is at least 25 to 50 feet deep. What factors in here is the draft, which is the measurement of water between the water line and the cruise ship’s bottom hull. 

Thinking about how much of a cruise ship is underwater is best conceptualized as a percentage of the vessel rather than feet. The ship weighs in differently when unloaded and loaded, which affects the displacement. Therefore, the math best works out in ratios and percentages – one part of the ship in relation to another or the water underneath.

We have already conveniently determined the number of feet an average cruise ship sits below water, but what is the percentage? Approximately 40% of the average cruise ship sits below water. The larger or higher the ship, the less of it is in water. This may seem counterintuitive, but this is how math and physics work out!

This percentage is constant. When cruise ships set sail and navigate deeper and perhaps more rapid waters, still, 40% sits underwater. Now you know the ins and outs of determining a cruise ship’s displacement – and can explain it to your friends!

Conclusion

It’s fun to think about how much a cruise ship sits below water. As we’ve seen from our analysis, several factors go into approximating this figure. They range from how densely packed the ship is when it’s loaded or unloaded, and how large the ship is by height, width, and weight.

Read Also: Underwater Cruise Ship Rooms – What Are They?

We also discussed how much water needs to sit below the ship when it docks and learned about Archimedes’ principle of water displacement. You also found out what goes on in the lowest deck of your typical cruise ship and where most of the action happens. Lastly, we went over the different parts of the ship. 

You’re now a cruise ship anatomist and amply prepared with the knowledge of how they work on the water so that your next vacation is sublime.

Secret codes on cruise ships? Yes, the word is in: amongst the staff and crew of any given cruise ship, there are code words to indicate goings-on. There are many code words, from an emergency “all hands on deck” to “man overboard.” In this article, we’ll outline all these codes and what they mean – for the passengers and staff alike.

Different Codes Amongst Cruise Lines

It’s important to note that different cruise lines may use different codes for certain emergencies. For instance, Alpha Alpha Alpha is the code for a medical emergency on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships. 

Many of Royal Caribbean cruise ships’ codes contain words in threes: Alpha Alpha Alpha, Echo Echo Echo, Kilo Kilo Kilo, and Oscar Oscar Oscar are some of them. 

Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line uses Alpha Team, Alpha Team, Alpha Team as a fire emergency aboard one of their ships. This is why it’s important to familiarize yourself not only with secret codes on ships, but also what that particular cruise line’s codes are, since they can mean very different things depending on the company.

Emergency Codes

The following are emergency codes that the crew should memorize. Below each is the action the crew and passengers should take in response. 

Note that the codes we’ve listed are used as signals to alert crew without causing any distress to passengers. It’s imperative that if you hear any of these codes on board a cruise ship, the first step is to remain calm. Then, proceed by following the procedures outlined by the crew.

Alpha

These codes refer to a medical emergency onboard the ship. Usually, the ship’s medical staff will respond to the call. Passengers generally can go about their day, but those in the area of the emergency should stay out of the way of the first responders. This also indicates a medical emergency aboard a Royal Caribbean ship. 

Bravo

Bravo Bravo Bravo means that there’s a fire onboard. If you hear this code, don’t panic. Someone from the crew will give you further instructions if there’s something you need to do. If you are the first one to spot a fire, immediately inform the officer on watch, who will inspect the area and inform the crew. 

On Carnival Cruises, Bravo Bravo means man overboard.

Brightstar or Operation Brightstar

On a Carnival or Disney Cruise Line, Operation Brightstar is a code used to designate a medical emergency. This is only a code that can be used by a member of the medical team to indicate that someone is suffering from an urgent medical emergency, such as cardiac arrest. It is spoken on the PA system so that the ship’s medical team is alerted and can attend to the person in need immediately. 

Delta

This code has multiple uses amongst different cruise lines, and can indicate a possible biohazard, damage to the ship, or possible injuries or even multiple injuries. 

More commonly, it is used to alert the crew to possible hull damage. 

Kilo

This code means that the captain needs all crew to their emergency posts, and this may occur if there needs to be an emergency evacuation. If you hear this code, pay attention to what’s happening around you and find your travel companions, as you may be asked to evacuate soon.

Echo

Echo can mean high winds, or the ship is starting to drift, which isn’t necessarily a problem because the captain can likely get things under control. It could be more serious if the ship is near another ship or a port.

Sierra/Sierra Team

Sierra will often follow an Alpha code, which means a stretcher is required in conjunction with a medical emergency. You might not hear this over the intercom, but it may be radioed between staff responding to the emergency. 

Some other companies, such as Carnival Cruise Line, use Sierra Team Sierra Team as their code for a stretcher on site.

Oscar

If you hear the crew using code Oscar, someone’s gone overboard. Stand by and wait for further information from the crew. The ship may stop for rescue efforts, and the itinerary may change. The best things you can do with a code Oscar are to stay out of the way of the crew and be patient.

Code Green/Code Yellow

These codes mean that a less serious issue has arisen and is easily solvable by the crew members. Cruise ships generally use a traffic light system, where green means go and yellow means yield, so a Code Yellow may be more serious than a Code Green, but rest assured that neither is an emergency.

Operation Rising Star

If a death or serious medical emergency has occurred onboard the cruise ship, you may hear this code.

PVI

This code means that someone has vomited in a public area. Staff will respond appropriately to clean up the mess. We recommend that you avoid the area.

Code Pink

Code pink means an infant under one year old is suspected to be missing. The ship’s police are likely to respond quickly and assertively. As a passenger, there’s not much you can do except keep your eyes open and report anything you think looks suspicious.

Code Gray

If someone is abusive, volatile, or belligerent onboard the ship, you’ll hear a Code Gray. The ship’s police will respond to the code.

Red Party

Red Party means there is a fire at sea. Again, don’t panic. Staff are well-trained and know what to do, so sit back and wait for further instructions.

Zulu

A fight has broken out on the ship, and the best thing you can do is stay clear of this incident and let the ship’s crew and police respond.

Code Red

This designates that an illness has broken out on the ship. Norovirus is usually the culprit, but with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, passengers may be suspicious of hearing a Code Red.

Papa

Depending on the cruise line, this code means there has been some environmental emergency, like an oil spill.

Code 7

Code 7 is one of the few codes meant for crew and passengers. If you hear a Code 7, it means that everyone aboard the ship must report to their muster stations. Muster stations are emergency meeting points, and you will be briefed on the process on your first day on the ship.

Code Purple

This code means that there has been a bomb threat or other biological or chemical threat. If you hear this code, it’s important not to panic. The staff and crew members have been trained to deal with these situations, so sit back and wait for further instructions.

Code Black

A Code Black can mean a few things, like a suicide threat, a fight, or a violent confrontation. Crew and ship police will respond, and passengers should do their best to avoid the violence.

Conclusion

You may hear some of these secret codes on your next cruise. Some are not a big deal, and you can go about your day. Others, though, require a little more care and attention.

Read Also: Cruise Ship Lifeboats – How Are They Tested?

No matter what the code, don’t panic. Stay calm, and wait for further instructions. Chances are you’ll be back to enjoying your cruise in no time!