Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess made her maiden call to the Port of Dover in southeast England, the starting point for the ship’s 55-night world cruise. The port, which is a major cruise, cargo, and ferry facility, welcomed CoralPrincess guests with fanfare and special entertainment.
Ship Calls at Dover During World Cruise
Considered the gateway to Britain, the Port of Dover received a special guest on July 26, when Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess visited for the first time. The ship was poised to begin a 55-night segment of a 107-day world cruise operating roundtrip from Auckland, New Zealand.
The port, which can accommodate up to three cruise ships simultaneously and recently opened a new marina, is a popular call for cruise ships with itineraries focusing on the British Isles, Iceland, Norway, and Scandinavia. Between cruise and ferry passengers, the port welcomes about 11 million visitors each year.
Coral Princess in Dover (Photo Courtesy: Port of Dover)
“As a world-class cruise port situated next to a stunning new marina and the dramatic views of the White Cliffs and Castle, it is no wonder that we are the port of choice in England for flagship, once-in-a-lifetime cruises sailing across the world,” said Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover.
“With plans for further growth and expansion, we can’t wait to welcome even more extraordinary calls like this in the future,” Limbrick added.
Read also: Crystal is Back With Another World Cruise
Guests onboard the 2,000-guest Coral Princess enjoyed entertainment in the cruise terminal, where a local storyteller provided a behind-the-scenes account of Dover’s history and heritage.
Princess Cruises’ President John Padgett said, “The world awaits the guests on board Coral Princess who are setting sail from Dover on a fantastic global journey. Our thanks go to the Port of Dover for providing our guests with a fantastic experience. It’s a great partnership and we look forward to returning next year.”
Several of the major cruise lines’ ships call at Dover during the port’s high season, which runs through October. In August, some of the ships scheduled to visit include Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAbella, Seabourn Cruises’ Seabourn Quest, Viking’s Viking Jupiter and Viking Mars, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Pride.
Coral Princess Is Bound For South Pacific
After departing from Dover, Coral Princess will make calls in Scotland and the Shetland Islands, followed by Iceland, French Canada (Quebec), and Nova Scotia before arriving in New York on August 16.
From there, the 91,627-gross ton ship will sail south, transiting the Panama Canal and calling at ports in Peru before cruising to South Pacific destinations such as Easter Island, Pitcairn Island, and Tahiti, before reaching Auckland.
Coral Princess in Dover (Photo Courtesy: Port of Dover)
The Coral-class ship entered service in 2003. The ship offers five stateroom categories, six lounges, four pools, and multiple dining venues, including two main dining rooms, the Horizon Court buffet, and the restaurants Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse, International Cafe, and La Patisserie.
Two Princess Ships to Sail World Cruises in 2024
Coral Princess is scheduled to sail a world cruise in 2024 as well, roundtrip from Brisbane, Australia, departing on May 2. The six-continent, 110-day voyage visits popular destinations, including Scandinavia, Iceland, and South America, and transits the Panama Canal for her Pacific crossing.
The ship will make seven maiden calls to Aarhus, Crete, and Edinburgh, Scotland. All told, she will visit 47 destinations in 32 countries, with overnight stays in New York and Lima, Peru.
A second Princess Cruises’ ship, the 2,200-guest Island Princess, also will operate a world cruise in 2024. The 111-day voyage departs January 18 roundtrip from either Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles, and calls at 51 ports in 27 countries. Princess Cruises is one of nine Carnival Corporation brands.
Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard two upcoming cruises on Carnival Dream that the port of call visit in Jamaica has been changed.
While the ship will still be visiting the tropical island nation, it will be arriving at a different port than originally scheduled. Furthermore, on one of the sailings, port time at another stop has been adjusted.
Itinerary Changes for Carnival Dream
Guests setting sail on the 130,000-gross ton Carnival Dream on the October 21, 2023 and January 13, 2024 departures have received notification of a slight itinerary change to their cruises, with port swaps for both sailings in Jamaica.
The October 31 cruise is a 14-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Galveston, Texas, calling on Key West, Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Croix, and Jamaica. The original port planned for Jamaica was to have been Montego Bay, but that has now been swapped for Falmouth.
Photo Copyright: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
Likewise, the January 13 cruise is a 14-night sailing as well, with plans to visit Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cozumel, Mexico.
For this sailing, the original Jamaica port was to have been Ocho Rios, but will now be Falmouth as well. Another change to this itinerary is a slight modification for the port times in Colon, Panama, though the ship is still visiting the port.
No explanation is given for these changes, but it is not unusual for cruise lines to tweak itineraries to provide the best possible experience for their guests. Such port swaps may be due to an overcrowded port, when another port has fewer ships and can therefore offer a more exclusive visit.
In general, Falmouth is the least-visited of the three Jamaican ports, but still welcomes cruise ships year-round.
Port construction or pier maintenance projects, harbor dredging work, and other operational needs may also impact whether or not a cruise ship can keep an original itinerary, and those needs may not be known when the cruise is initially planned and offered for booking.
Carnival Cruise Line is making adjustments for impacted shore tours as well.
“Pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions will be automatically adjusted based on these changes,”the email read.“If a port was cancelled, they will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment.”
Guests who have booked independent excursions will need to contact their tour provider for cancellation options or to see if arrangements can be made for the different port arrival. Because the ports of call are not too distant from one another, alterations may be possible depending on the tour operator’s service range.
About the Jamaican Ports of Call
While Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Falmouth are all on Jamaica’s northern coast, they are significant distances from one another.
Montego Bay is the westernmost port destination, and is approximately 21 miles (34 kilometers) from Falmouth. Depending on the shore excursion and exact time in port, many options for guests may be preserved with this port swap.
Photo Credit: STUDIO MELANGE / Shutterstock.com
Ocho Rios, however, is the easternmost of the three ports. It is roughly 45 miles (73 kilometers) from Falmouth, which means more excursions and shore tour options may be impacted for the swap on the January 13, 2024 sailing.
All three ports of call do offer fun options for visiting cruisers. In Falmouth, top tours and things to do include historical tours of the town’s amazing architecture, rafting on the Martha Brae River through the mangrove forest, visiting the iconic Dunn’s River Falls, rum factory tours, or enjoying the region’s spectacular beaches.
Carnival Cruise Line regularly visits all three ports in Jamaica. In the next few months, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Vista, Carnival Glory, and Carnival Paradise all have Jamaica on their coming itineraries.
Holland America Line has added a unique and nostalgic itinerary to its Legendary Voyage roster of longer sailings. Departing in November 2024, the 42-night cruise aboard Volendam will mimic a voyage that set sail in February 1925, visiting many of the same ports of call and offering guests the chance to visit nine different countries in the Mediterranean.
New Legendary Voyage Offered
The new 42-night “Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” sailing is scheduled to depart on November 9, 2024. A roundtrip voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, the cruise will visit 16 diverse ports of call across nine countries as well as provide guests with both eastbound and westbound transatlantic crossings.
“Holland America Line was one of the first companies to feature cruise vacations that went beyond a transatlantic crossing, and today we’re continuing to innovate our itineraries by offering memorable voyages like this ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic passage sailing,”said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer, Holland America Line.
Ports of call for the upcoming voyage include Tangier, Morocco; Naples, Italy; Athens, Greece; Haifa (Tel Aviv) and Ashdod (Jerusalem) in Israel; Alexandria, Egypt; Cadiz, Spain, and more.
Photo Courtesy: Holland America Line
Of special interest are two overnight stays – Livorno (Pisa/Florence) and Rome in Italy, giving guests extra time to explore those rich and historic destinations. The cruise will end December 21, 2024 back in Fort Lauderdale.
More than 20 days at sea – which includes scenic cruising through the Strait of Gibraltar – will ensure guests can thoroughly enjoy all the amenities that the 61,214-gross ton, Rotterdam-class Volendam offers. The ship debuted in 1999 and is the oldest and smallest in Holland America Line’s fleet, but still offers elegance and distinction for all travelers to experience.
Volendam‘s unique décor has a floral- and nature-inspired theme, including huge vases of fresh flowers to lend both beauty and aroma to the surroundings. The Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers relaxation and wellness treatments along with a thermal suite, and guests can stay fit with a friendly game of pickleball onboard.
Other features include innovative shows, the onboard movie theater, an outdoor walkaround promenade, great music at the Piano Bar, 24-hour room service, quiet spaces in the library, and much more.
Nearly 100 years ago, Holland America Line operated a similar sailing, 42 nights roundtrip from New York City aboard Rotterdam IV. That cruise departed on February 4, 1925 and visited many of the same ports of call scheduled on the 2024 itinerary.
The two ships are very different, however, as Rotterdam IV only had capacity for 550 passengers, while Volendam will welcome 1,432 (based on double occupancy), bringing this unique opportunity to nearly three times as many adventurous travelers.
About Legendary Voyages
Legendary Voyages are Holland America Line’s longer sailings, ranging from 25-59 days. Similar to Grand Voyages, these itineraries typically focus on a single region, visiting multiple ports of call and offering in-depth exploration and longer port visits where available.
“Since introducing this new Legendary category of cruises that offer an in-depth focus on one region, they’ve been very popular. We’re excited to add a longer voyage that makes it easy to explore the Med in depth without a long-haul flight,”said Bodensteiner of the newly released itinerary.
Holland America Volendam Cruise Ship
Onboard these unique sailings, travelers will also enjoy curated programming and special guests to share cultural and historical insights into the ports of call, offering even more immersion for a truly memorable, and indeed legendary, experience.
Other Legendary Voyages coming up from Holland America Line include a 35-day cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti, and Marquesas from San Diego; a 35-day “Voyage of the Vikings” visiting Canada, Greenland, Iceland and Norway from Boston; and a 53-day “Majestic Japan” sailing from Seattle and visiting ports in Alaska, Japan, Midway, and Hawaii.
From homeports outside the US, spectacular Legendary Voyages include a 28-day “Coral Triangle, Volcanos, & Great Barrier Reef” sailing from Singapore, as well as a 35-day “Australia Circumnavigation” from Sydney.
A new photo circulating on social media showing two children sitting on a cruise ship balcony railing has raised concerns about safety, poor behavior, and other issues that appear to be on the rise not just one a single cruise line, but across different lines and on all types of different ships.
What might this mean for cruise line policies in the future?
Young Passengers Seen Sitting on Cruise Ship Railings
A photo now circulating on social media shows two young cruise ship passengers who appear to be boys sitting on the railing of a stateroom balcony, dangling their stockinged feet over the edge.
One of the guests appears to be holding onto an overhead support. No adults are visible nearby, other than another passenger on a higher deck, who may not have been aware of the young guests’ behavior.
Passengers Sitting on balcony Railings
It is not clear which cruise ship the young guests are on, nor is the photo dated. As the photo has been widely shared, its origins have not been determined.
The style of the balconies, however, as well as the visible deck furniture, do identify the ship most likely as part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, Radiance class. This means the behavior could have occurred on Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, or Jewel of the Seas.
The photo is creating uproar among cruise fans, as the behavior shows blatant disregard for cruise ship safety rules and onboard behavior guidelines.
Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)
This behavior is recklessly dangerous, and could be disastrous if one of the boys were to have slipped. If that had happened, the guest would either have fallen into the water – and there is no way to tell what deck the photo is from, so no way to know how far that fall would be – or fallen onto a lower deck, which could have been equally dangerous.
Many cruise fans have questioned “Where are the parents?” or otherwise wondered about adult supervision and how such behavior could occur. Other cruisers have doubted the veracity of the photo, citing details such as the similar attire the teens appear to be wearing or size proportions to indicate that it may be a photoshopped image.
Reckless Behavior on the Rise on Cruise Ships
Whether the photo is real or fake, it does indicate a fascination with reckless and dangerous behavior, as well as the desire to “go viral” with social media likes and shares. When this behavior is glorified, it gives others the idea to gain their own popularity from copycat or similar acts.
All children, particularly teens, seek to push boundaries and may occasionally do silly, stupid, or outright reckless things. Other recent behavior from other cruise ships has shown similar incidents on various ships – and not always with teenagers.
Carnival Cruise Ship Passenger Balcony Climbing
In mid-April 2023, for example, a video showed a group of teens climbing between cruise ship balconies on Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras. Five young guests appeared to be involved in that incident, and may have been playing a game or retrieving something accidentally tossed to the higher balcony.
Similarly, in November 2022, a woman on a Carnival cruise ship, apparently in Mexico, was dangerously astride a balcony railing before being pulled off the railing by ship’s security. In that incident, emotional distress or alcohol appeared to be a factor in the woman’s very dangerous behavior.
Not all bad behavior is necessarily dangerous, but still disregards cruise line policies. In April 2023, an adult male guest was filmed fishing off a Carnival cruise ship balcony while docked in Nassau, pulling up what appeared to be a buffalo trunkfish with a long fishing line. The guests from that video were able to be identified and have been subsequently banned for life from Carnival Cruise Line.
Supervising Teens on Cruise Ships
While most cruise lines offer teen programs and teens-only spaces, children in that age range are generally not restricted to supervised-only areas and may wander freely about the ship, enjoying public areas or hanging out in their staterooms at their parents’ discretion.
Many cruise lines have policies explicitly prohibiting dangerous, reckless, or disruptive behavior. Royal Caribbean International, for example, does have language in section 9a of its cruise ticket contract regarding that passengers “shall at all times comply with the provisions of this Agreement, all applicable laws, and rules, policies and regulations.”
Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas (Photo Credit: meunierd / Shutterstock)
Further language in the contract states that “Each adult Passenger undertakes and agrees to supervise at all times any accompanying minors.”
When behavior like this incident is recorded, such supervision is clearly not taking place. Royal Caribbean then has the right to intervene with ship’s security, detain guests, suspend loyalty privileges, remove guests from the vessel, or ban them from the cruise line completely, among other consequences outlined in the Guest Conduct Policy.
Also in the policy is the note that all guests must immediately report to ship’s security staff or management “any unsafe or possibly illegal behavior.” One explicit instruction in the Guest Conduct Policy states without ambiguity:
“Sitting, standing, jumping, laying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective behaviors is strictly prohibited.”
While it may seem like a relatively simple piece of equipment, a cruise ship’s anchor is a marvel of modern engineering. When you consider the incredible size and weight of a modern-day cruise ship, you begin to realize what an incredibly difficult task is to ensure they are secured in place while they are in the harbor.
Today, we will take an in-depth look at cruise ship anchor chains. Not only will we break down how they work, but we also explore what they are made from, the various components of the chain, and the incredible engineering that goes into ensuring that they can hold a cruise ship in place.
So, if you are ready to learn everything you need to know about a cruise ship anchor chain, let’s get started!
While it may seem pretty self-explanatory, a cruise ship anchor chain plays a complex and incredibly important role in ensuring the overall safety of a cruise ship voyage. These massive chains need to withstand the incredible forces exerted on the cruise ship’s anchor when the cruise ship is in the harbor.
To withstand the immense pressure generated by holding a heavy cruise ship in place against tides, waves, and ocean currents, the anchor chain and cables need to be immensely strong, and incredibly flexible. The individual chain links look just like any other type of chain, but they are on a massive scale.
Each link in the chain is made from high-grade steel with incredible tensile strength. While the chain size will vary depending on the size and weight of the cruise ship, they are all incredibly large and heavy.
In some cases, the waters the cruise ship traverses can also be a factor when determining how large the anchor chain needs to be. For example, large ships that traverse deep waters with strong currents need a much larger anchor and anchor chain than small boats on shallow water that stay close to the coastline.
What Is the Anatomy of a Cruise Ship Anchor?
The traditional anchor chains of a cruise ship may seem like they have a relatively simple design, but they are made up of many different parts, which all have to be made to an extremely high standard.
Here are the main components of a cruise ship anchor chain:
The Chain Links
The most prominent component of a cruise ship anchor chain is the series of interconnected links that make up the bulk of the chain. These links are massive in scale, and they need to be constructed of high-tensile, high-strength steel.
The chain design allows for the perfect combination of strength and flexibility, which is necessary when holding a heavy anchor in place against the tremendous forces of a large body of water and heavy vessels.
Anchor Chain Links (Photo Credit: QiuJu Song / Shutterstock)
Each link in the chain will look like an elongated oval, or it can be designed to have more of a “D” shape. These two shapes allow the chains to be connected in a way that maintains their strength but can still move smoothly.
All links within the chain are also designed to be the exact same size. They also need to be precisely spaced so that each link has the same freedom to move as the next. If this was not the case, dropping and retrieving the anchor would be much rougher. The chain could also become damaged over time.
The Joining Mechanism
The individual links within the chain are joined together using a detachable mechanism. Basically, this mechanism consists of a connector and an anchor shackle.
Not only does this make it possible to put the chain together, it also makes it possible to remove damaged or corroded links within the chain without completely replacing the entire anchor chain.
Depth Markings
Most cruise ship anchor chains also feature depth markings at evenly spaced-out intervals. These allow crew members to easily determine how much of the chain has been released by the anchor windlass. Typically, these markings are made with bright, scratch-resistant paint; however, they can be made by stamping impressions into the metal.
To learn more about the anchor of a cruise ship, rather than just the chain that connects it to the ship, we recommend reading about how big a cruise ship anchor is. This straightforward guide explains how big these enormous anchors need to be and provides other helpful information on how modern anchors work.
How Much Do Cruise Ship Anchor Chains Weigh?
As mentioned, the anchor weight, chain length, and size of a cruise ship’s chain can vary depending on the weight and dimensions of the cruise ship itself.
That said, the general range for a single link of the anchor’s chain tends to be between 11 lbs (5 kg) to about 290 lbs (130 kg). The longer the chain length, the more it weighs.
With individual links weighing so much, the anchor chain’s overall weight can easily be measured in tons. When you think about the weight of a cruise ship and the immense forces sea and ocean water can exert, it only makes sense that the chains need to be incredibly heavy.
What Is a Cruise Ship Anchor Chain Made Of?
Cruise ship anchor chains need to be made from high-strength steel. Steel is the only suitable choice, as it offers the durability and strength required to withstand such immense forces. The high-strength steel alloys used to make these enormous anchor chains are also resistant to corrosion caused by lengthy exposure to saltwater.
Anchor Chain (Photo Credit: MIKE MANIATIS / Shutterstock)
To enhance the corrosion resistance of the anchor chain, most are given additional coatings and surface treatments to enhance the anchor chain’s corrosion resistance. Galvanization and various types of specialized coatings are used for the individual links of the anchor chain.
These surface treatments can not only delay corrosion, they can also help prevent scratching as the chain links rub against each other and even the hull.
Why Do Cruise Ship Anchor Chains Need to Be Flexible?
Not only do cruise ship anchor chains need to be heavy, strong, and incredibly durable, they need to be flexible. Flexibility is essential for the following reasons:
The Ability to Move with Currents, Tidal Changes, and Swell
Even when a cruise ship is anchored in a harbor, the anchor chain must be capable of adjusting to fluctuations in water conditions. The tide can change the depth of the water rapidly, so if the chain is not flexible, it would be under much more tension.
This could damage the anchor and the ship itself. By remaining flexible, the anchor chain can also absorb sudden forces caused by large waves and storms.
Noise and Vibration Reduction
A flexible anchor chain creates far less noise when the ship moves. For passengers to have a more comfortable experience while they are on board the ship, flexible anchor chains reduce creaks and other noises that could be disturbing.
Flexibility Makes it Easier to Drop and Retrieve the Anchor
The chain’s flexibility is essential when it comes to dropping and retrieving the anchor. When the anchor is dropped or lifted, the chain flows through a chute on the side of the ship’s bow.
Flexibility Allows the Anchor to Adjust to Differing Seabed Depths and Compositions
As you may know, a seabed in one area can differ in composition from one area to the next. While some are sandy and easy for an anchor to dig into, others are uneven and rocky. By having a strong but flexible anchor chain, the anchor can have a much more stable hold.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the biggest cruise ship anchor chain in the world?
Currently, the world’s largest anchor chain belongs to the Oasis Class cruise ships owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International. These anchor chains weigh between 130 and 160 tons!
Do cruise ship anchor chains ever break?
Although extremely rare, cruise ship anchor chains have been known to break. Typically, this is due to corrosion and long-standing exposure to salty seawater. Overloading the anchor chain by dropping anchor in rough seas can also cause wear and tear. Eventually, this damage could result in the chain breaking.
How often are cruise ship anchor chains inspected?
While the exact frequency of inspections will depend on the particular policies of each cruise line, most anchor chains are inspected as part of the cruise ship’s regular inspection and maintenance procedures. This means a visual inspection usually occurs before each voyage.
More in-depth inspections are typically conducted at least once a year. During these inspections, each chain link is checked for signs of damage and corrosion. As you would expect, the frequency and closeness of inspections can increase if the crew suspects that the anchor chain could be damaged.
Final Words
While casual cruise-goers often overlook them, there is an incredible amount of engineering that goes into making and maintaining a cruise ship anchor chain. Not only is the scale of the individual links impressive, but the ability of the chain to withstand immense forces is also truly a marvel of maritime engineering.
Several media reports have come out recently about the city of Amsterdam banning cruise ship from the downtown area, but those reports are not entirely accurate.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has made a statement clarifying the reports and explaining ongoing discussions about port facilities, improvements, and the potential for relocation.
Amsterdam NOT Banning Cruise Ships
Several media reports in recent days have quoted local Council members in Amsterdam, Netherlands with respect to criticisms about cruise travelers and the prospect of banning cruise ships altogether. The Amsterdam City Council has voted to ban ships in an effort to curb pollution and manage tourism, calling cruise ship passengers “locusts” with hardly any benefit to the local economy.
It must be noted, however, that the vote is a recommendation only, and there is no impact at this time on scheduled cruise ship calls to Amsterdam.
CLIA has issued a statement reassuring travelers and cruise lines of the commitment of the port toward upgraded infrastructure and long-term power investment to continue welcoming cruise ships.
“We are aware of the media reports about the future of cruise in Amsterdam. As the port has publicly stated, cruise ships have not been banned from Amsterdam,”the statement reads.“Furthermore, the port and Passenger Terminal Amsterdam have already pledged to undertake investments worth millions of Euros in port infrastructure and shoreside electricity for the long-term.”
CLIA also notes that discussions about the possibility of relocating the cruise port outside the city center began in 2016, and those discussions remain ongoing with no immediate plans for drastic change.
The organization also provided data on the actual figures of cruise tourism and its contribution to the city of Amsterdam.
“Of the more than 21 million visitors that Amsterdam receives each year, around 1% arrive by cruise ship, with cruise tourism contributing around 105 million Euros to the city annually,”CLIA said.
Port Responds
Cruise Port Amsterdam has also responded to the inaccurate reports, noting that it is “business as usual” for cruise ships visiting Amsterdam at this time.
“On July 20, the coalition parties of Amsterdam city council called for a ban on ocean-going cruiseships docking at the current location in the city centre. The council has appealed to the College of Mayor and Aldermen who have yet to respond,”the cruise port said.“The current situation has no influence on the already booked calls at our port.”
Norwegian Prima in Amsterdam (Photo Credit: Bert e Boer / Shutterstock)
Cruise Port Amsterdam also notes that there is no policy proposal yet made impacting cruise ship calls, nor is there any timeline mentioned for such drastic changes. While it is possible that a new port location is being investigated, but the port has no information about that option at this time.
Any changes or relocation efforts would likely take years to implement, possibly in a multi-phased approach or with only limited impact in the initial stages.
Ships Visiting Amsterdam
The capital of the Netherlands is a popular cruise ship destination visited year-round by both river and oceangoing vessels. Popular cruise lines that include regular visits to Amsterdam on itineraries include Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Costa Cruises, and more.
Amsterdam is a popular port of call on northern European itineraries, or specialized cruises visiting multiple European capital cities. It is also often part of Scandinavian, Nordic, and Baltic Sea itineraries, as it provides a convenient port of call en route to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, or Finland.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has suspended the search for a guest who went intentionally overboard from Carnival Elation over the weekend. The guest has not been recovered, as search efforts over more than 1,300 square miles failed to locate the missing male passenger.
Search Ends for Overboard Guest
The search has ended for the missing passenger from Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Elation, now identified as 30-year-old Jaylen Hill.
After thoroughly searching a total of 1,347 square miles in the vicinity of where Hill jumped from the ship, rescue crews were unable to locate the missing passenger. The search has been called off “pending any further developments,”the USCG has stated.
#UPDATE@USCG air and surface crews continue to search for missing 30-year-old male, Jaylen Hill, last seen at approximately 8 a.m., Sunday, before reportedly going overboard from the cruise ship Carnival Elation, 95 miles east of Melbourne, Florida. #SARpic.twitter.com/E0kkOH2yfx
As with any overboard incident, a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances of the event, including whether or not there may have been foul play or any safety malfunctions. Onboard security members have reviewed video footage of Hill jumping overboard, however, and it does appear to be intentional.
Various assets from the USCG were utilized in the search efforts, including the 87-foot cutter Tarpon from St. Petersburg, a Hercules C-130 aircraft from Clearwater, and an Ocean Sentry HC-144 plane from Miami. Each unit conducted multiple sweeps of the search area.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the Hill family,”said Petty Officer Eric Rodriguez, USCG District 7.“Our crews take our life saving mission very seriously. Any time we can’t bring a loved one home to their family is a pain we all feel.”
The decision to end a search and rescue operation is never an easy one, and depends on several factors. Weather conditions, the overall length of the search, number of search teams and vehicles, survivability assessments, and other factors are all taken into consideration.
Carnival Elation was not involved in the search efforts, as the overboard was not reported for several hours and the ship was already significantly far from the probable search area, en route back to its Jacksonville, Florida homeport. There was no impact on the ship’s return to Jacksonville or on the departure for the next sailing.
The 70,367-gross ton, Fantasy-class ship was finishing a 4-night sailing to The Bahamas when the overboard occurred, and has already departed on her next cruise, a 5-night Bahamas itinerary that will call on Nassau and Princess Cays.
Recent Overboards
Carnival Elation is not the only cruise ship to report an overboard situation so far in 2023. A guest went overboard from Carnival Magic in late May, and that search was sadly suspended after 60 hours with unsuccessful results.
Guests booked on 2024 sailings with Celebrity Cruises are being contacted about changes to their port taxes and fees.
This is due to the changes in tax on cruise guests in The Bahamas, and the amounts guests are seeing their cruise rates change vary, with some passengers reporting refunds while others are reporting fee increases.
Celebrity Cruises Passing Along Departure Tax Changes
Celebrity Cruises has begun to notify guests booked on 2024 sailings to The Bahamas that their reservations are being updated with changes to departure taxes. Bookings are being updated in phases according to sailing date, with earlier cruises showing the updates first.
“The Bahamian government has implemented a change to their departure tax amounts for all cruise guests visiting the Bahamas on or after January 1, 2024. As a result, we will be updating your reservation with the new amount,”the email read.
Photo Credit: Georges_Creations / Shutterstock
The email is for notification convenience only, and booked guests do not need to make any adjustments or extra payments at this time. The adjusted taxes and fees will be reflected on their bookings prior to the final payment due date.
How Much Are Fees Changing?
Guests booked on upcoming sailings with Celebrity Cruises – part of the Royal Caribbean Group – are reporting wide variations in fee changes. Some cruise fees are increasing by just $5-6 (USD), while guests from Canada seem to be reporting much larger increases, as much as $35-40 (CDN). Some guests are also reporting slight fee decreases, as small as pennies.
The amount that fees are changing – increasing or decreasing – depends on many factors. How many cruise ports in The Bahamas a ship is visiting, the length of the ship’s time in port, even the port itself, such as Nassau, Bimini, Freeport, or a private island destination all impact the overall fees.
Cruise lines try to estimate these fees when cruise fares are calculated, which can be difficult to do when sailings are open for reservations and sales months or years in advance, and fees are likely to change prior to the sailing date.
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock
When port destinations change their fees, cruise lines often correspondingly change the fees on guests’ fares. This may be done with changes prior to final payment, or it may be done as onboard credit of refunded taxes and port expenses.
With most of the fees from Celebrity Cruises increasing, booked guests will want to be aware of the changes and budget accordingly.
“We realize this is an unexpected charge and apologize for any inconvenience,”Celebrity Cruises said.“Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you onboard.”
Other Cruise Lines
Different cruise lines have reacted differently to the controversial changes in taxes for visiting The Bahamas.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, for example, has been a vocal opponent of the increase, and has been communicating with officials in The Bahamas to work on options.
“There’s a lot of development happening in The Bahamas, and we’re working with the officials in The Bahamas to see if, at least, it can get pushed out,”Duffy said of the taxes when they were initially planned to be implemented in July 2023. Duffy compared the new taxes to hotel resort fees that can surprise guests on land-based vacations.
Each cruise line may seek to adjust itineraries if necessary, perhaps removing visits to The Bahamas from future cruises, though this is unlikely considering how convenient the island nation is to Florida homeports.
Even if you have a very limited understanding of maritime terms and lingo, you have probably heard of the helm of a ship. The helm is essential for guiding that water vessel through the water. Without the helm, it would be impossible for any vessel to navigate direction properly.
To help you understand what the helm of a ship actually is and its purpose, we have provided this straightforward guide. We will cover everything from the integral role the it plays in navigation to its various components.
In simple terms, the helm of a ship is the primary control station where everything from the vessel’s course to its speed is decided and controlled. For larger ships, like cruise ships, it is located on the ship’s bridge, which is why this area is often deemed the ship’s “command center.”
The helm serves the same basic function on smaller boats as larger ships, but it is much smaller in scale. The helm of a smaller vessel is also far less sophisticated than a cruise ship’s helm. For example, a small recreational boat helm could consist of a steering wheel or tiller, ignition, and throttle.
Overview of the Ship Bridge (Photo Credit: Chen Liang-Dao / Shutterstock)
On smaller ships this could be located on the open deck. Basically, you can think of the helm of a ship just like you would think of the driver’s seat of a typical vehicle.
Regardless of the size and sophistication of a ship’s helm, it must provide a clear, unobstructed view and have the necessary controls and instruments to steer the ship, control its speed, and chart its course.
What Is the Main Purpose of the Helm of a Ship?
The main purpose of the helm of a boat or ship is navigation. As mentioned, it is the area of the ship where all controls are located. On larger vessels, like cruise ships, it is where navigational officers and other crew members tasked with piloting the ship are located.
They use the helm as a control station where they steer the vessel, control its speed, and monitor its progress, location, and expected course. Essentially, the helm is used to get the ship where it needs to be most safely and efficiently possible.
To help you have a greater understanding of what sorts of roles are carried out at the helm of a ship, here is a more detailed breakdown:
Controlling the Speed of the Ship
One of the most essential roles a ship’s helm serves is controlling the ship’s speed. While the exact nature of the speed controls will depend on the type of ship and its size, the helm is where the navigation crew will increase or decrease the ship’s speed.
Since the helm is where the ship’s speed is controlled, it is also where fuel usage and efficiency decisions are made. On more sophisticated modern ships, like a cruise ship, many of these controls are automated, but crew members will still have the option to override pre-set speeds by using optimal navigation equipment and controls.
Steering and Guiding the Ship
As discussed, the helm of a ship is also where you will find the instruments required to steer the ship. On smaller vessels, this can be a steering wheel linked to the ship’s rudder. On larger and more sophisticated ships, the ship’s course is pre-plotted, so much of this is automated ahead of time.
With that said, even the largest ships tend to have a steering wheel or similar steering mechanism, which is used in emergencies, as well as certain docking procedures.
These more sophisticated vessels will also feature a precise rudder angle indicator, which provides the navigational crew with up-to-the-second feedback on the current positioning of the ship’s rudder.
Monitoring the Ship’s Course, Position, and Avoiding Hazards
The helm is also where you will find most of a ship’s navigational tools and instruments. While a course can be plotted ahead of time, it is always important to monitor potential hazards and the ship’s course and current position.
Ensuring the ship is on course and avoiding dangerous obstacles and weather is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable voyage.
Navigation Systems (Photo Credit: Alexey Seafarer / Shutterstock)
This explains why the helm of a large vessel will feature weather monitoring systems, navigation displays, GPS equipment, radar screens, and much more.
Communicating with Crew, Authorities, and Other Ships
The helm can also serve as the central communication hub for the entire ship. Since the helm is where most of the critical decisions are made, and actions are conducted, crew members operating here must be able to remain in constant contact with other areas of the ship.
Not only will the helm feature communication equipment for contacting other areas of the ship, like the engine room, but you will also find satellite radios and other long-range communication tools for contacting port authorities, emergency responders, other ships in the area, and others not onboard the ship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between the helm of a cruise ship and a small boat?
While both helms serve the same basic purpose, they differ in scale and sophistication. Where the helm of a small boat or yacht might just feature a steering wheel, throttle, and fuel gauge, the helm of a large ship, like a cruise ship, is far more complex.
For starters, the helm is operated by numerous crew members rather than an individual. Cruise ships also plot much farther courses, so they need more sophisticated navigation systems, like autopilot controls and instruments that can measure the distance from far away hazards.
What is a helmsman?
A helmsman is an informal name given to the individual in charge of steering a ship. Typically, the helmsman will be a high-ranking individual, as they have a significant amount of responsibility for the safety of the ship and all of its crewmembers and passengers.
Photo Credit: Gargantiopa / Shutterstock
Why is it called the “helm” of a ship?
The term helm comes from the Old English word “helme”. In modern-day English, this word roughly translates to “rudder” or “instrument used to steer a ship.” Since the rudder is the piece of equipment responsible for directing a ship, it makes sense to refer to the area that controls the rudder, the helm.
Where is the helm on a ship?
On a larger vessel, the ship’s helm is almost always located on the ship’s bridge. For smaller ships and modern boats, the helm is typically found in the center forward of the vessel.
Cruise Ship Bridge (Photo Credit: Felipe Sanchez / Shutterstock)
Regardless of what type of ship or boat you are discussing, those at the helm of the ship must have a clear and unobstructed view, which also explains why the helm is usually elevated.
How is the helm of a passenger vessel protected from unauthorized visitors?
While each ship’s safety and security protocols vary, access to the helm is always strictly controlled. In most cases, a combination of cameras, alarms, locked doors, and even security personnel ensure that the helm remains restricted.
In many cases, authorized crew members are given key cards that provide them access to the bridge, where you will find the helm of the ship.
Can those operating the helm communicate with the rest of the ship?
Yes, officers and other crew members at the helm must be able to communicate with other crew members located throughout the ship.
In fact, those at the helm will also be able to communicate with passengers, just like how the pilot of a passenger plane can communicate with crew and passengers over the intercom.
How many people work in the helm area of a ship?
The exact number of crew members and officers located in the helm area of a ship depends on the size of the vessel and its unique operating requirements.
Photo Credit: Michele Rinaldi / Shutterstock
While the number varies from ship to ship, you can expect between five to ten individuals to be present at any given time.
This range usually includes the captain, staff captain, navigational officers, radio operators, lookouts, and the designated helmsman. Again, this number will vary from one cruise ship to another.
Final Words
While the helm of a ship can look very different from one ship to the next, the helm always serves an essential function by controlling a ship’s speed, direction, and course.
Larger vessels, like cruise ships, feature a wide range of sophisticated instruments and control mechanisms, but the same basic principles are the same from one ship’s helm to the next.
To learn more about where the helm of a ship is located, we highly recommend reading about the front part of a ship.
If you are interested in gaining a more general understanding of the various segments of a cruise ship, we also recommend reading about the significant parts of a cruise ship. It can provide you with a basic overview of the major parts of a ship and help you the next time you are navigating a cruise ship while on vacation!
