A male MSC Cruises guest drowned recently while swimming at MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas during a port of call visit from MSC Meraviglia.
The guest’s family is seeking answers about the safety of the island, and the investigation into the passenger’s death is ongoing.
Drowning Incident at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
A 26-year-old male guest identified as Akeem Charles, a native of Guyana and resident of New York, unfortunately drowned during a visit to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Charles had been cruising aboard MSC Meraviglia with family members and a large church group when the ship visited the private island sanctuary.
Charles’ sister was with him when the incident occurred, and stated that their fun day at the beach quickly turned tragic shortly after 5 p.m. when Charles became unresponsive in the water. The sister’s boyfriend helped get Charles out of the water, and a nearby lifeguard was alerted to the situation.
Family members claim the lifeguard did not properly administer CPR, and a defibrillator was not successful in helping resuscitate Charles. Local authorities were also contacted, and the man sadly passed. The investigation is ongoing, and the family is awaiting the man’s body to be returned to the US from Nassau.
MSC Meraviglia is one of the larger ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet, coming in at 171,600 gross tons. The ship can host 4,428 guests at double occupancy, and up to 5,642 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. Also onboard are more than 1,500 international crew members.
Any unfortunate incident on what should have been an enjoyable vacation is upsetting not only to the family and friends involved, but also to other guests onboard the cruise as well as crew members.
MSC Cruises has responded to the incident with a statement provided to Cruise Hive, emphasizing their cooperation with the local authorities and the fact that lifeguards do receive professional training, which includes CPR:
“All of us at MSC Cruises remain saddened by the death of a passenger travelling aboard MSC Meraviglia during the ship’s call at Ocean Cay on August 31. The safety of our guests is our top priority, which is why we focus so closely on ensuring safe swimming conditions at Ocean Cay. Lifeguards are stationed on the beaches and patrol its perimeter—all of whom are certified through the Red Cross under a program covering CPR, professional rescue, first aid and water skills,”the statement read.
MSC Cruises Private Island (Photo Credit: Victor Maschek / Shutterstock)
Because the investigation is continuing, and to protect the privacy of Charles’ family and friends at this difficult time, no further details have been released about the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
It is possible that underlying medical conditions or other factors may have contributed to the incident, but a full medical examination must be conducted to ascertain the complete cause of death. The incident reportedly happened at the Lagoon Beach area of the island, where waters are more protected.
At the time of MSC Meraviglia‘s visit to Ocean Cay, Hurricane Idalia was spinning near South Carolina and Hurricane Franklin was near Bermuda – both storms having contributed to rougher than usual waters, even as far away as the Bahamas.
In a move that could shape the future of Virgin Voyages, the cruise line has announced a significant investment and a change in leadership. With a focus on expanding its reach, the company has closed a $550 million capital raise and also revealed a shift at the helm.
Following the new investment round, the current CEO, Tom McAlpin, will be stepping down as head of the cruise line, making space for Nirmal Saverimuttu.
Significant Investment as Virgin Looks at Further Growth
Virgin Voyages has successfully closed on a $550 million capital raise led by Ares Management’s Private Equity Group. Additional funds also came from existing investors, including the Virgin Group and Bain Capital. The investment follows another $550 million investment by Blackrock earlier this year.
The new influx of capital aims to strengthen the company’s financial standing and accelerate international expansion plans.
Since Virgin Voyages launched its first cruise ship in March 2020, the cruise line has quickly grown into one of the world’s fastest-growing and most popular cruise brands, making a name for itself with a new style of cruising that sets it apart from the establishment.
Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
“It is hard to express just how proud I am of all that the Virgin Voyages Crew has created and the strong endorsement we are receiving from Ares. We have won numerous industry awards and received many five-star reviews because of our passion for this brand,” said McAlpin.
In addition to the financial news, Virgin Voyages announced the retirement of its founding CEO, Tom McAlpin. He will transition to the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors, while Nirmal Saverimuttu will take the reins as the new CEO.
“While I will miss the day-to-day, I believe it is the right time to step aside as CEO. Nirmal is a great friend and experienced leader who lives and breathes the Virgin Voyages culture. I know he will help take this amazing brand and Crew to new heights, and I look forward to continuing to support the leadership team as Chairman,” McAlpin continued.
Nirmal Saverimuttu has been with Virgin Voyages since the company was first formed. He joined the cruise line in 2014 as Chief Commercial Officer from the Virgin Group after being involved with the first round of investments. Saverimuttu is currently serving as President and Chief Experience Officer.
“I want to send our deepest thanks, on behalf of all our Crew and the Board, to Tom for his leadership and passion for the business. We are so grateful for all he has done and are thrilled to continue to partner with him as our Chairman,” said Saverimuttu.
Going Beyond Three Cruise Ships?
Currently operating three ships, Virgin Voyages seems unlikely to be using the new investment round towards building more ships. The cruise line is putting more focus on developing more in new international markets by the end of the year.
The emphasis will be on sailing to more ports in the Caribbean, Australia, and a return to the United Kingdom. The cruise line announced a new series of itineraries today, September 7, which includes 19 new destinations across 27 new itineraries.
The delay of Brilliant Lady marks another instance where Virgin Voyages has had to postpone ship launches, but it doesn’t appear to overshadow the company’s ambitious plans for growth.
Currently, Virgin Voyages operates three 110,000 gross tons cruise ships—Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady. Scarlet Lady, the cruise line’s first cruise ship, offers cruises out of PortMiami, sailing on four and five-night cruises with calls to Puerto Rico, Puerto Plata, Bimini, and Nassau.
Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady both operate in the Mediterranean. Valiant Lady is sailing cruises in the Western part of the Med, while Resilient Lady operates in the Eastern Mediterranean. On October 29, Valiant Lady will join Scarlet Lady in Miami, while Resilient Lady will reposition to Australia.
Carnival Cruise Line has notified guests the day before embarkation that Carnival Venezia will not be able to sail the planned Eastern Caribbean itinerary due to the influence of Hurricane Lee.
Instead, the ship will stay safely away from the projected path of the storm by visiting the Bahamas, with three ports of call and longer port times for guests to enjoy.
Carnival Venezia Itinerary Change
Carnival Venezia is scheduled to depart New York at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023 for what was to have been an Eastern Caribbean sailing with visits to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Grand Turk. Instead, the ship has been forced to adapt to a new itinerary because of Hurricane Lee.
“In partnership with our Fleet Operations Center, we are monitoring Hurricane Lee, which is moving in a northerly direction from the Leeward Islands,”the email explained.“Due to the projected path of the storm, we have no choice other than to change our itinerary.”
Now, the ship will be enjoying two days at sea before spending three days in the Bahamas. First, Carnival Venezia will visit Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination, followed by both Nassau and Freeport. Two further days at sea will return to the ship to New York as planned on Saturday, September 16.
Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz / Shutterstock)
“We know this change impacts your plans and we share your disappointment,”the email continued.“We trust you understand this decision was made with everyone’s safety in mind.”
Travelers should note that the visits in the Bahamas are scheduled for longer times docked than on the original itinerary. This will give guests more time to enjoy each port of call and the opportunity to take advantage of additional shore tours or to enjoy local attractions.
In total, Carnival Venezia will now spend 28.5 hours in ports of call, compared to 22.5 hours planned on the original itinerary.
Carnival Venezia is the only Venice-class vessel in the Carnival fleet, transferred from Costa Cruises as part of the “Carnival Fun, Italian Style” program in March 2023. The unique ship can welcome 3,934 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 4,977 travelers when fully booked.
Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)
Other cruise ships from multiple lines will undoubtedly make similar changes in the coming days. Eastern Caribbean and Bermuda itineraries are the most likely to be impacted, and the storm may also interfere with Canada and New England sailings in the next 7-10 days.
This could mean that Carnival Venezia‘s next sailing – a 7-night Canada & New England sailing departing New York on Saturday, September 16 – might also be altered because of the storm. That potential impact is too far in the future to accurately predict at this time, however, and no official itinerary adjustments have yet been announced.
Hurricane Lee Continuing to Strengthen
Hurricane Lee is already one of the top 20 strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, with maximum sustained winds of 165 miles per hour (265 kilometers per hour). The storm is expected to continue to strengthen over the next day or two as it remains over warm water.
The center of the storm is currently located approximately 830 miles (1,336 kilometers) due east of San Juan, Puerto Rico, moving west-northwest at 14 mph (23 kph).
Hurricane Lee
While the current path does put the storm on a direct line to impact the Bahamas, forecast modeling is confident that Hurricane Lee will make a strong turn to the north early next week, followed by a more gradual turn east as it curves back into the Atlantic Ocean.
This does put the hurricane on track for what could be a close pass by Bermuda, depending on how sharp the eastern curve becomes. If the storm stays more to the north, destinations in eastern Canada may be impacted, including Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Travelers booked on sailings in those regions should stay in close communication with their cruise line for itinerary adjustments and updates.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy has developed “technical issue” with the propulsion system, which has resulted in the ship skipping its planned visit to Castaway Cay and instead returning directly to Port Canaveral in order to debark on schedule.
Guests are being provided compensation, but there is no word yet whether this may impact the ship’s next cruise.
Disney Fantasy Develops Engine Difficulties
Disney Fantasy‘s Captain Michele Intartaglia reached out to guests onboard via the cruise line’s Navigator app late on the evening of Thursday, September 7, 2023 to notify them of an “engine technical challenge” that has resulted in a loss of speed that will impact the ship’s itinerary.
“Due to our loss of speed, we will not be able to make our call at Castaway Cay and we will proceed directly to Port Canaveral to arrive as per our original schedule,”the message stated, noting that more information would be provided in the morning.
The visit to Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay, was originally planned for 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Friday, September 8. Instead, the ship is sailing for Port Canaveral at a speed of 16 knots (18 miles per hour / 30 kilometers per hour). This is well below the ship’s typical sailing speed of 22 knots (25 mph / 41 kph), or its top speed of 24.7 knots (28 mph / 46 kph).
Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock
Disney Fantasy is currently sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that departed on Saturday, September 2. The ship has already successfully called on Tortola and St. Thomas in the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands, respectively. Castaway Cay was to have been the final port of call for the sailing.
“We know that this is disappointing news and apologize for the modification to our itinerary,”a letter delivered to guests on Friday morning read.“We appreciate your understanding and are dedicated to ensuring that you and your family have an enjoyable rest of your vacation onboard the Disney Fantasy.”
It must be noted that the ship’s safety systems are not compromised in any way, and all onboard operations are proceeding normally.
Disney Fantasy is a 129,750-gross ton, Dream class vessel, capable of welcoming 2,500 guests at double occupancy or up to 4,000 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Homeported from Port Canaveral, Florida, the ship offers Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, and Bermuda and Bahama sailings ranging from 6-8 nights, depending on sailing date.
Compensation Offered
Because Disney Fantasy will no longer be visiting Castaway Cay, port fees for the destination, as well as any pre-booked Port Adventures, are being refunded to guests’ original form of payment.
Furthermore, Disney Cruise Line is giving each stateroom an onboard credit of $250 (USD) for the current sailing. This credit is being automatically applied to guests’ accounts, and can be used for souvenirs, photos, specialty dining, drinks, and other onboard purchases.
Photo Credit: Leigh Trail / Shutterstock
Guests will also receive a 25%, one-time discount on a future Disney Cruise Line sailing taken prior to September 2, 2025. The future discount will be available for use after September 21, 2023.
Terms and conditions apply to the discount, which has blackout dates and is not valid for special holiday cruises or maiden voyages. The discount is also non-transferrable and only available to guests who are on the current sailing.
Will More Cruises Be Impacted?
The nature of the “engine technical challenge” has not been disclosed, and it is not known at this time whether or not additional sailings may be adjusted, delayed, or even cancelled as repairs are made.
If the ship cannot maintain higher sailing speeds, however, additional adjustments may be necessary. Booked guests should stay tuned for possible updates.
A special sailing of Carnival Legend to ports in Greenland is not going to Greenland after all, as poor weather has made it impossible for the ship to visit any destinations on the world’s largest island. Instead, the ship will be visiting multiple Canadian ports of call as an alternative.
Major Itinerary Change for Carnival Legend
Carnival Cruise Line’s Spirit-class Carnival Legend is currently sailing what was to have been a special sailing to Greenland, with visits to Nanortalik and Qaqortoq, as well as several stops in Canada.
The ship set sail from Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, September 2, 2023, and it quickly became clear that the calls to Greenland would not be possible due to the lingering influence of Hurricane Idalia.
At first, the remnants of the storm caused a slight delay in Carnival Legend‘s return to Baltimore, delaying embarkation by one hour. A medical evacuation was also necessary Monday night, causing a slight diversion as the ship met a US Coast Guard helicopter. Such evacuations do happen, and did not cause a significant change to the ship’s itinerary at that point.
Coast Guard medevacs cruise ship passenger 180 miles from Cape Cod, Monday.https://t.co/MsdFGaMT8W
As of Tuesday afternoon, September 5, the ship was still hoping to visit Greenland as scheduled on Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9.
Rough weather was expected as the ship continued further north, however, making it unsafe to continue toward Greenland. Because both ports of call in Greenland are tender ports requiring the use of smaller boats to take guests ashore, the prospective choppy weather made such operations impossible.
The decision to cancel both port visits to Greenland was made Tuesday evening, just four days in to the 14-night itinerary.
Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock
It wasn’t until Thursday that the rest of the ship’s itinerary was confirmed, with ports of call shifted around and one additional Canadian port visit added in to the schedule. Guests were notified of the itinerary with letters delivered to their staterooms.
“Thank you for your patience while we finalized our itinerary,”the letter began.
Now, Carnival Legend is sailing to a total of four Canadian ports of call – Corner Brook, Sydney, St. Anthony, and Halifax. The ship has already had five days at sea while these arrangements were made, and there will be four more days at sea on the remainder of the itinerary.
“Once again, we apologize for this change and thank you for your understanding,”the letter concludes.
Disappointment Onboard
Many guests onboard are understandably disappointed at not being able to visit Greenland as planned, particularly since this Carnival Journeys longer sailing was specially designed to highlight that unique destination as the first time Carnival Cruise Line was visiting Greenland in decades.
In fact, when this exact sailing of Carnival Legend was first announced in 2021, the cruise sold out in just hours, prompting Carnival Cruise Line to add a second sailing to depart even earlier, on August 13, 2023. That sailing was able to visit Greenland as planned.
What is most upsetting to many guests is that it seems there is little effort being made to preserve the Greenland ports of call, but instead, the focus of the cruise has shifted to a Canadian sailing – which is much less unique and not nearly as “bucket list” for many travelers.
Greenland
It is possible, however, that the weather forecasts for the next week preclude the possibility of safe tendering in Greenland, making any attempt to preserve either Nanortalik or Qaqortoq on a different day futile at best, potentially leading to even more disappointment if the visit would need to be cancelled again.
Instead, the sailing has become an exclusively Canada itinerary. As always, the safety and comfort of guests onboard remains the top priority.
Because of the changes in port days, however, many shore excursions in Corner Brook and Sydney are now unavailable, leaving very few options available for guests to make the best of a bad situation and immerse themselves in Canadian maritime culture and history.
Shore tours that are no longer available are being automatically refunded to guests’ onboard accounts. Carnival Cruise Line is also giving every stateroom onboard $400 (USD) of non-refundable onboard credit to use during the cruise, which can be applied to shore tours for the remaining ports, souvenirs, photos, spa treatments, drinks, or other onboard expenses.
How would you feel if you were on this no-longer-a-Greenland cruise? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
Carnival Cruise Line has issued a guest advisory to announce several changes to itineraries across three of its ships: Carnival Panorama, Carnival Jubilee, and Carnival Dream. These adjustments vary from minor changes in port timings to more substantial shifts in destinations.
While the itinerary changes likely stem from operational efficiencies for Carnival Dream and Carnival Jubilee, it seems that the engine issues plaguing Carnival Panorama have not been resolved.
Significant Alterations for Carnival Dream
Carnival Dream is undergoing the most considerable itinerary changes. The cruise departing on December 22, 2024, will now skip the original visit to Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Honduras.
Instead, guests will spend time in Belize from 08:00 AM to 5:00 PM—an hour longer than the initially planned call to Roatan. Sailing from Galveston, Texas, the cruise also includes stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel.
Another Carnival Dream cruise impacted is the 14-night Eastern Caribbean Carnival Journey set to sail on January 11, 2025.
The ship’s call to Grand Turk has been replaced by a visit to Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, now scheduled from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Additionally, the port time for San Juan, Puerto Rico, has changed; the ship will now dock from 12:00 PM to 08:00 PM, an hour earlier than the initial 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM window.
Besides the calls to San Juan and Amber Cove, the 128,250 gross tons Carnival Dream will also visit St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Croix, and Falmouth, Jamaica.
Minor Adjustments for Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship, the 183,521-gross-tonCarnival Jubilee, is seeing a relatively minor change for its November 30, 2024, cruise from Galveston.
Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship
During the call to Cozumel, Mexico, the ship will now be alongside from 09:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Other stops during this journey include Costa Maya, Mexico, and Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Honduras. Carnival Jubilee willdebut on December 23, 2023, setting sail from Galveston, Texas, on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing.
Carnival Panorama Changes
Carnival Panorama has changes to five different cruises, primarily focused on arrival and departure timings. For the cruises departing on September 9 and September 16, 2023, the time in port for Cabo San Lucas has been extended by 30 minutes. The ship will also return to Long Beach at 09:00 AM, half an hour earlier than the previously scheduled 09:30 AM.
The ship will bypass La Paz, Mexico, for the October 7 cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Instead, guests will have two days in Cabo San Lucas.
Water shuttles will be available from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on day one and from 07:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the second day. The same schedule now applies to the October 15, 2023, departure.
Finally, for the cruise departing on October 21, 2023, Carnival Panorama will stay in Cabo San Lucas from 06:30 AM to 2:30 PM, slightly longer than initially planned. As a result, the vessel will return to Long Beach by 09:00 AM.
While changes to the Carnival Dream and Carnival Jubilee stem from operational adjustments, the alterations in Carnival Panorama’s schedule are more critical. The vessel has been dealing with engine issues since at least August 2021, impacting its maximum cruising speed.
If you have ever wondered how a cruise ship can stay afloat and navigate the water with such impressive maneuverability, you should take a minute to understand how a cruise ship’s draft impacts its overall performance. Fortunately, this guide explains everything you should know about cruise ship draft!
Not only will we cover how cruise ship draft can affect the ship’s stability, maneuverability, and speed, we will dive into some other interesting elements.
To help you gain a more in-depth understanding of ship draft, we will compare how the draft of a typical cruise ship differs from that of other types of vessels.
In simple terms, it is a measure of the vertical distance between the waterline sits and the deepest part of the ship’s hull. So, you can think of ship draft as the amount of the vessel immersed in the water.
As you may have guessed, the ship’s draft will depend on the type of vessel it is, the ship’s size, operational requirements, and even how much cargo space it needs. While certain types of ships need a larger draft than others, the draft’s measurement and size can seriously impact the ship’s performance.
How Ship Draft Impacts the Performance of the Vessel
The following are just some of the ways that ship draft can affect a vessel’s performance in the water.
The Ship’s Stability
The measure of the ship’s draft will play a critical role in determining how stable it will be at sea. The deeper the ship’s draft is, the more stable it will be because a deep draft lowers the ship’s center of gravity, meaning it is more difficult to capsize.
Photo Credit: Mascha Tace / Shutterstock
Not only can a deep draft help prevent the vessel from completely tipping over, but it can also reduce movement when the ship is navigating through rough waters and high winds. For cruise ships, a deep draft is essential for the safety and comfort of the passengers on board the vessel.
The Ship’s Top Speed and Fuel Efficiency
One of the drawbacks of a deep draft is that it generates drag when the vessel moves through the water. With that said, if the lower portion of the ship is designed to maximize hydrodynamic performance, it can reduce water resistance enough to allow the ship to move with speed and efficiency.
Basically, there has to be a balance between the draft depth and how hydrodynamic the draft is. Largescale cruise ships can take a while to get up to full speed, but once they reach it, they can navigate the water without burning excess fuel.
The Ship’s Maneuverability and Ability to Access Shallow Waters
Draft also significantly impacts the ship’s maneuverability and turning radius. While a deep draft allows the vessel to turn without leaning too much, which is more comfortable for the passengers and crew, it also means the vessel needs more space and time to turn.
Cruise Ships in the Dominican Republic (Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin / Shutterstock)
In contrast to the deep draft of a full-size cruise ship, a small passenger boat would have a shallow draft so that it would be far more maneuverable in the water.
As you would expect, draft depth also decides how capable a ship is of navigating shallow waters. Since cruise ships tend to have a deep draft, they can only access certain coastlines and ports. This is why cruise lines take such careful precautions when plotting a course and deciding which ports the ship will visit.
How Much Weight the Ship Can Carry
Finally, draft depth also has a significant influence on the payload a ship is capable of safely carrying. In other words, the deeper the depth, the more weight the vessel can carry, as the ship will be more buoyant than a ship of equal length but with a shallower draft.
Carnival Cruise Line Deck Party
For cruise ships, which are top-heavy and loaded with thousands of passengers, cabins, amenities, incredible propulsion systems, and so much more, a deep draft is necessary to keep the vessel stable and at no risk of overloading.
What Are the Components of a Cruise Ship Draft?
The area of a cruise ship that could be considered the ship’s draft is composed of several areas. The following are the most prominent:
The Ship’s Bilge
The bilge of a ship is the curved sides of a ship’s hull that provide structural integrity to the entire ship. Since it is where the ship’s lowest part meets up with its sides, it needs to be incredibly strong. It also helps with drainage of the ship’s wastewater and soiled fluid from the ship’s engine.
The Ship’s Ballast
Ballast is the weight of cruise ships that helps keep the vessel balanced and stable. It sits at the bottom of the ship and can be increased or decreased depending on the ship’s needs.
It can also be moved around to counteract forces acting against the ship. Typically, the ballast is filled with seawater, which is easy to take in and drain during the voyage.
The Ship’s Keel
The keel can be viewed as the ship’s spine. It is the lowest point of the hull and stretches along the entire underside of the vessel. Often, it is the first piece put in place when a ship is being built. Essentially, the draft of a ship is a measure of where the lowest point of the keel sits to where the waterline hits on the side of the ship’s hull.
Photo Courtesy: Fincantieri
How Is the Draft of a Ship Measured?
When measuring a ship’s draft, there are several ways to do it. Each method offers varying degrees of accuracy. Since cruise ships are so massive in scale and have to carry such a tremendous number of passengers, they are typically equipped with the necessary equipment to take draft measurements in more than one way.
For cruise ships, these methods can include the following:
Measuring Load Lines or Plimsoll Marks
Load lines, also referred to as Plimsoll marks, are markings made along the sides of a ship’s hull. These highly visible lines act as a sort of ruler, so observers can easily see how deep the waterline is sitting. Since these lines are carefully plotted from the deepest point of the keel, they provide a quick, accurate, and convenient way to measure the current draft.
Draft Line Measurement (Photo Credit: Denys Yelmanov / Shutterstock)
While they offer an accurate way to measure a ship’s draft, they can be challenging to read if the vessel is not in port. Not only is it difficult to view them while onboard the ship, but rough waters can also make it difficult to see where the water line actually hits.
Electronic Draft Sensors
Most modern cruise ships have electronic sensors and cameras that take up-to-the-second measurements while the ship navigates the water to provide more accurate and current measurements.
The sensors measure pressure against the hull, then average that pressure to find where the water and air meet. This is incredibly beneficial, as it considers water conditions and provides instantaneous readings that the ship’s bridge can use in its navigational efforts.
Draft Survey Cameras
Some cruise ships also have downward-facing cameras that can measure the vertical distance between the waterline and various points of the ship’s hull where they are pointed.
By taking measurements at multiple points across the hull, they can provide an accurate average so the ship’s bridge crew knows where the draft sits at all times.
How Does a Cruise Ship’s Draft Differ from the Draft of Other Types of Vessels?
Now that you understand how it can impact the performance of a vessel and the comfort of those on board the vessel, it is easy to understand why cruise ships need a unique draft depth and shape.
Passenger comfort is critical on a cruise ship, unlike other vessels, like shipping freighters. Cruise ships have such a deep draft. This deeper draft helps limit rocking and pitching while the vessel is in rough waters, which means passengers enjoy a more comfortable voyage and reduce the risk of seasickness.
Cruise ships also need numerous decks, so they are relatively tall vessels. They need separate cabin quarters for every passenger on board, which takes up a significant amount of space compared to the shared basic quarters that crewmembers are given on cargo and naval ships.
Cruise ships must also accommodate spacious and heavy amenities, like bars, restaurants, swimming pools, and countless other entertainment venues. All of this added weight and height requires a deep draft.
In other words, without a deep draft, the cruise ship would be too heavy and at risk of toppling over in rough waters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the draft of a ship change during a voyage?
Yes, a ship’s draft can vary during a single voyage. Given that the ship’s weight will impact how much it will sit below the waterline, a ship’s draft can lower as it unloads passengers and cargo.
Water conditions can also temporarily affect the draft, as the vessel will bob up and down in the water if it is navigating through rough seas. The fact that ship draft can change is why taking accurate and current measurements throughout a voyage is so important.
Can cruise ship passengers see draft markings?
It is possible to see the markings on the side of a cruise ship, but only when viewing the ship from dry land or another vessel. Typically, they look like small markings that sit just a little bit above the waterline. They tend to be at the bow or stern of the ship.
What is the average draft of a cruise ship?
The average draft of a cruise ship is roughly 20 feet. As you would expect, larger cruise ships have a much deeper draft, while smaller ships can afford a shallower draft.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class cruise ships have some of the deepest drafts of any. The draft of these enormous vessels will measure nearly 31 feet in most conditions.
Final Words
While ship draft is one of the less visible parts of a cruise ship, it is integral to its overall safety and performance. Not only does it impact the ship’s stability and buoyancy, but it also plays a significant role in determining its maneuverability and fuel efficiency.
A ship draft also determines where a ship can visit, as a deep draft prevents a ship from visiting shallow coastal waters and low-depth ports. This explains why it is so essential that the ship’s crew can access accurate and instant measurements of the ship’s draft.
Hurricane Lee has necessitated multiple itinerary changes for four different Royal Caribbean International ships, each sailing from a different US homeport.
Impacted are this weekend’s departures of Adventure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.
Hurricane Lee Causing Itinerary Changes
Hurricane Lee, currently a major Category 3 storm located approximately 575 miles east-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is causing concern among all major cruise lines as it threatens potentially significant impact in the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda.
Though the storm is still well away from travel routes at this time, its projected path and intensity have cruise lines already making itinerary changes to ensure safe, comfortable cruising. Royal Caribbean International has now reached out to guests aboard four different ships with notices of itinerary alterations to steer clear of the storm.
Adventure of the Seas Itinerary Change
The 138,200-gross ton, Voyager class Adventure of the Seas is departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, September 9. The ship will not be sailing the originally planned Eastern Caribbean itinerary to the Virgin Islands and CocoCay, however.
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock.com
Instead, Adventure of the Seas will now visit Western Caribbean ports of call on its 7-night itinerary, including both Roatan, Honduras as well as Cozumel, Mexico.
The ship will still visit Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, on Friday, September 15 as originally scheduled.
Harmony of the Seas Itinerary Change
The Oasis-class Harmony of the Seas will depart Miami, Florida as planned on Saturday, but is unable to sail the originally planned Eastern Caribbean itinerary to the US Virgin Islands and St. Kitts.
Photo Credit: GERARD BOTTINO / Shutterstock
The 227,000-gross ton vessel will now still visit CocoCay as originally scheduled on Sunday, September 10, but then will shift course for a Western Caribbean itinerary to call on Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico before returning to PortMiami on Saturday, September 16.
Vision of the Seas Itinerary Change
Vision of the Seas is homeported from Baltimore, Maryland and will set sail as scheduled on Saturday, September 9. Instead of a 5-night cruise to Bermuda with an overnight call in Kings Wharf, however, the ship will be visiting the Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas (Photo Credit: Stefan Lambauer / Shutterstock)
Two ports of call are on the revised itinerary for the 78,700-gross ton ship – Perfect Day at CocoCay for an afternoon and early evening call from 2-7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 11, followed by Nassau on Tuesday morning from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The ship’s return to Baltimore on Thursday, September 14 will also be three hours later than originally scheduled, now 10 a.m. rather than 7 a.m.
Wonder of the Seas Itinerary Change
Currently the world’s largest cruise ship, the 236,857-gross ton Oasis-class Wonder of the Seas will not be able to sail the planned Eastern Caribbean voyage departing Port Canaveral on Sunday, September 10. The dates of the 7-night cruise remain the same, but the route will now be a Western Caribbean voyage.
Photo Credit: EWY Media / Shutterstock
Wonder of the Seas will visit Cozumel, Mexico on Wednesday, September 13, and Roatan, Honduras on Thursday, September 14. The ship’s first port of call – Perfect Day at CocoCay – remains the same on Monday, September 11, but the ship will spend an extra hour at the private island destination, now leaving at 5 p.m. instead of 4 p.m. as originally scheduled.
Other Ships Impacted
Royal Caribbean ships are not the only cruises already impacted by Hurricane Lee.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy has likewise shifted itineraries for the ship’s September 9 sailing from Port Canaveral, which was to have been a cruise to Bermuda. Instead, like the Royal Caribbean itinerary changes, the ship will now be sailing a Western Caribbean cruise.
Additional ships from various cruise lines are likely to be affected by Hurricane Lee in the coming days. Travelers with upcoming sailings should stay closely connected with their travel agent or cruise line for updates on any necessary adjustments.
Hurricane Lee Update
As of 11 a.m. Saturday morning, September 9, Hurricane Lee remains a major Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour (185 kilometers per hour).
Hurricane Lee
While wind shear has caused this decrease from earlier reported windspeeds and strength, Lee is still a dangerous storm that can cause significant disruption to maritime traffic and damage to any land it encounters.
The storm is moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph), and is forecast to begin a stronger northward turn on Wednesday.
Depending on the exact location of that turn, as well as how much the storm then turns to the east back into the Atlantic, Bermuda may face a substantial threat from the storm. Less of a turn would bring the storm to eastern Canada, potentially impacting any Canada and New England sailings in the next 7-10 days.
During the Destination D23 expo at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida, Disney Cruise Line revealed the name of its upcoming vessel – Disney Adventure.
A lot of mystery surrounds what will be the seventh or eighth ship in the Disney fleet when it debuts, but there is a great deal that we do know about the massive cruise ship.
Disney Cruise Line Names New Ship
The revelation of the new ship’s name as Disney Adventure sets the tone for the vessel, mimicking the “adventurous spirit” recently revealed for the upcoming Disney Treasure. Undoubtedly, Disney Adventure will likewise offer amazing adventures and an explorer spirit onboard when the ship debuts in 2025.
The ship remains under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Wismar, Germany. At the time Genting Hong Kong – the parent company of Genting Cruise Lines – declared bankruptcy in January 2022, the new ship was approximately 70% completed. For months, the hull remained in limbo while rumors swirled about cruise purchases or potential scrapping.
While Disney Cruise Line has named the new vessel, precise details about its overall theme and signature finishes – including the stern characters, Grand Hall statuary, or symbolic captain – have not yet been announced.
While there have been no itineraries yet announced for the vessel, visits to destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia are likely, as well as options slightly further afield in India, Australia, and New Zealand.
Impressive Stats for an Impressive Ship
While the incomplete Global Dream was rumored to have a capacity of more than 9,000 passengers, Disney Adventure is expected to have a capacity closer to 6,000 guests.
This will still make the ship the largest by passenger capacity in the Disney fleet, surpassing the 5,000-guest capacity of Disney Wish and the upcoming Disney Treasure, as well as the as yet unnamed third vessel in the cruise line’s Wish class.
Disney Adventure will also outstrip the other Disney cruise ships in other ways. The ship’s gross tonnage is estimated to be approximately 208,000 gross tons, whereas Disney Wish is 144,000 gross tons.
Render Courtesy: Disney Cruise Line
Furthermore, Disney Adventure should measure 1,122 feet long – three feet longer than Disney Wish. A small amount, to be sure, but still longer than her fleetmate.
Disney Adventure should also have a deeper draft of roughly 31 feet, whereas Wish-class ships have a 27-foot draft.
Crew complement will also be bigger on the larger Disney Adventure, with an estimated 2,300 crew members as befits the Global-class design. Wish-class ships, however, are home to 1,555 international crew members.
Because Disney Adventure will have a smaller guest capacity than the ship’s original design, however, it is possible the crew will also be slightly reduced from the original projections.
More details will undoubtedly be revealed about Disney Adventure in the coming months, though the cruise line’s focus will likely first be on Disney Treasure, as that ship is scheduled to debut in December 2024 from Port Canaveral.
The third Wish-class ship, sister to Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, is also scheduled to debut in 2025, but it is unknown which ship – the Wish-class or Disney Adventure – will set sail first in that year.
Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for all your Disney Adventure updates, and discuss all your Disney cruise fantasies on the Cruise Hive boards!
