Posts in category: Cruise News

Cruise ships are epic, magnificent feats of engineering. But how are such incredible ships, which are often huge, launched in the first place?

You might’ve wondered this when standing atop a deck of the biggest ships on the ocean, or you might just have an interest in shipbuilding.

In this guide, I’ll explain the different ways that ships can be launched, and which method is primarily used for cruise ships.

The different ways ships can be launched…

There are four main ways that ships can be launched into the water. Two of those only really apply to smaller ships, though.

1. Mechanical launching

Mechanical launching involves using a crane to lift a boat or small ship, and then move it into the water. Imagine trying to do this with a cruise ship!

2. Air bag launches

Some boats and small ships are launched by placing air bags underneath, inflating them, and then using that cushion of air to slide a ship into the water.

The two methods above aren’t possible with most cruise ships. There’s not a crane in the world that could lift a completed cruise ship, nor can airbags lift that much weight.

3. Gravitational launching

Gravitational launching is a method used for cruise ship-sized vessels, but not really with actual cruise ships these days.

This method involves transporting the ship to the side of the water, if that wasn’t where it was built, and then using sliders to slide the ship into the water at the side.

The momentum causes the entire ship to plunge into the water, before it rights itself just in time to avoid taking water on from the top deck.

It’s messy and dramatic, and it risks damage to the ship because of the pressure placed on it by the sudden force of water.

It looks cool on YouTube videos, though.

4. Floating out

The fourth method is possibly the most boring, but it is by far the most sensible for cruise ships. Cruise ships are ‘floated out’.

How floating out works

Cruise ships are launched into the water using the float out technique. This means the cruise ship is built in a special dry dock – an open dock area which has been drained. Once the ship is ready, the dock is flooded with sea water and the ship simply floats out.

While the actual launching of the ship is therefore low on drama, it’s often accompanied by a lot of pomp – cruise ships are expensive and so cruise lines like to celebrate each stage of their building journey.

Here’s an example from when Disney Wish was floated out – it’s Disney, so of course there are multiple sets of fireworks:

In terms of the safety of the ship, floating a ship out really is the best way. The ship is just positioned on a dry space and then, once that dock is flooded, it naturally begins to float. There’s no risk of waves crashing against it, or shock forces. The supports holding the cruise ship upright don’t move, and the ship just naturally raises from them.

Obviously, for this type of launch to work, you need a lot of space, and so dry docks are limited to just a handful of shipyard locations around the world.

Here’s a look at the biggest ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, floating out for the first time. It involved 219 million litres of water, which took 9 hours to fill the dock.

Cruise ship float outs, step-by-step

Here’s a quick run-down of how cruise ship float outs work.

1. Cruise ships are built in a large dry dock, using support structures to make sure they stay upright. It’s always interesting to see photos of a cruise ship out of water – it doesn’t look right.
2. Once the outer shell is completed and the ship is judged to be sea-ready, the float out begins.
3. The dock is flooded using seawater. This is a slow process that is often done overnight.
4. Once the dock is flooded, the ship will begin to float.
5. The ship is then dragged into position, often out of the hangar where it was built, using tugboats. The ship’s engines are not usually used at this stage.
6. Once the ship is in the new correct position for construction to continue, it is anchored and secured in place.

Construction will then carry on until the ship is almost ready for passengers. She’ll then be sent on sea trials while final fixtures are added.

That’s the practical side of a float out, but there may be other ceremonial steps involved too. Again, this is seen as quite the important stage in a cruise ship’s life.

So often, speeches will be given by the CEO of the cruise line, or another senior staff member. The ship’s godmother may also be present, and a bottle of Champagne may be smashed against the hull. This will be repeated at the naming ceremony too.

Depending on the ship and the stage of the build, the senior dignitaries may take in the float out from the dock at the side of the ship, or they may board and witness it from the current top deck.

Cruise ships are often finished off in the water

The initial steps of a cruise ship build don’t happen in the water. They happen in a dry dock, which has been drained. Once the exterior of the ship is complete and the ship can be floated, the dock will be flooded, the ship floated out, and construction will continue.

So, ships are partially built while they’re in the water. It may be that the ship needs to be moved to a new location to fit specialist features, or it just has to be outdoors to allow for larger works to be carried out on the ship.

This means that ships are typically floated out as soon as they’re ready. The dry docks will have limited space for just the shell of the ship, and when that is intact and seaworthy, the ship is floated into a bigger area to make it easier to fit the ship with the next building blocks.

Read more: How Long Does It Take To Build A Cruise Ship?

Once a ship has been floated out, it will stay in the water almost permanently. The only difference is when she may need to undergo extensive repairs or renovations, such as Royal Caribbean’s Amplification Program.

When this happens, she’ll return to the shipyard for another dry dock. She’ll be positioned above support structures, and the water will be slowly drained until the ship is sitting on dry land.

The repair work will be carried out, and then the dock will be flooded again, ready for the ship to float out and resume service.

Final word

The process of launching a cruise ship is not so dramatic compared to some other large ship launches. Float outs are quite complex, and they require a dedicated space large enough to house the whole ship – which is why other large ships still stick with the gravitational launches.

The floating out process keeps the cruise ship in perfect condition, with no risk of damage, meaning these incredible investments that cost hundreds of millions of dollars (or into the low billions) are properly looked after and kept pristine for their first guests.

Related posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Are you ready to set sail on a cruise adventure, but feeling a bit confused or overwhelmed by all the deck names?

Don’t worry, I’m here to help! From the Sun Deck to the Riviera Deck, each deck on a cruise ship has its own unique name and purpose.

But why are they called what they’re called, and what can you expect to find on each one?

1. Sun Deck

The Sun Deck is typically the highest deck on a cruise ship. It’s used for sunbathing, lounging, and enjoying the panoramic views of the ocean. It’s called the Sun Deck because it’s the best place to soak up the sun!

2. Lido Deck

The Lido Deck is usually the main outdoor deck on a cruise ship, and is home to the ship’s pools, hot tubs, and outdoor bars. Sometimes, people just call this the ‘pool deck’.

Lido is a fancy word for ‘outdoor pool’. But did you know that the word ‘lido’ comes from the name of the Lido di Venezia district in Venice, Italy? The town is an island and its name comes from the Latin word ‘litus’, ‘meaning shore’.

3. Sports Deck

This deck is usually located near the top of the ship towards the aft. It’s used for sports and fitness activities like basketball, golf nets and the jogging track. It’s called the Sports Deck because it’s where you’ll find all of the ship’s sports facilities.

Most cruise ships have outdoor sports courts, but some do have indoor sports halls instead.

4. Promenade Deck

The Promenade Deck (or Prom Deck for short) is a wide, outdoor deck that wraps around the entire ship. It’s used for strolling and enjoying the ocean views. It’s called the Promenade Deck because promenade is a word meaning ‘walk’.

Not all cruise ships have promenade decks, and even when they do, they don’t always wrap all the way around the ship.

One of the best promenade decks can be found on P&O Cruises ships, Iona and Arvia. These ones each have eight whirlpool jacuzzis on them, as well as an outdoor bar, dining areas, lots of sun loungers and some of the most controversial balcony cabin designs.

5. Bridge Deck

The Bridge Deck is the deck where the ship’s bridge is located. The bridge is usually off-limits to passengers unless you’re lucky enough to book a behind-the-scenes ship tour.

The term ‘Bridge Deck’ isn’t used all that much in reality. While it refers to the deck from which the ship’s captain and crew navigate the ship, that’s just the front section. The rest of the deck is just a normal deck and usually has cabins on it.

6. Landing Deck

This is the deck that you use to get on and off a cruise ship. However, it’s not always the same deck!

Depending on the tides, a ship may sit higher or lower in relation to the dock at different times. At some ports, the gangway will be open and quite short, whereas at others it will be a long closed tunnel that takes you into the terminal building.

So some days you may disembark from Deck 3 and on other days you may disembark from Deck 5. In the photo below, you can see that you can get on and off the ship on two different decks.

7. Poop Deck

Modern cruise ships don’t have poop decks, but I’m including it here because people often wonder what it is! And no, it’s nothing to do with actual poop!

A “poop deck” is a term that was commonly used in the past to refer to a deck that’s located at the aft (rear) of a ship, above the main deck. The poop deck was typically used by the ship’s officers as a high point for observation and navigation.

As for why it’s called a “poop” deck, there are a few theories. One theory is that the term comes from the French word “la poupe,” which means stern or rear.

Another theory is that it comes from the Latin word “puppis,” which also means stern.

However, there is also a more humorous theory that the name comes from the fact that the deck was located at the rear of the ship, where the smell of the ship’s waste (or “poop”) would be carried away by the wind. While this theory is not supported by historical evidence, it has become a popular explanation for the name.

Read more about poop decks.

Other deck names

Cruise ship decks typically have numbers, but some decks also have names. These names are specific to the ship and each has its own meaning.

For example, on MSC Grandiosa, the decks are named after famous artists such as Monet and Van Gogh, whereas on Costa Deliziosa the decks are named after ornamental flowers such as Petunia and Azalea.

There are some deck names that are common across several different ships. These include:

• Riviera Deck
• Sky Deck
• Atlantic Deck
• Empress Deck
• Marina Deck
• Vista Deck
• Panorama Deck

However, these names don’t particularly mean anything more than the obvious. The Sky Deck is likely to be the top deck, the Vista Deck or Panorama Deck will have great views and so on.

When it comes to choosing your cabin, the deck that you pick definitely matters and some decks are much better than others.

To find out which decks you should avoid for cabins on a cruise ship, be sure to read my guide to The Best and Worst Decks on Cruise Ships. This will help you to avoid any noisy locations or those that might make you feel particularly seasick.

Related posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Cruising has undergone significant changes in recent years, leaving many passengers feeling disappointed and nostalgic for the golden days of luxury at sea.

From reduced services to extra charges, cruise lines have implemented various cutbacks that leave cruisers grumbling.

Let’s dive into the seven most disappointing trends that have everyone talking about cruise cutbacks.

1. The Return of In-Person Muster Drills

Remember when muster drills were a quick and painless part of embarking on your cruise adventure? You could just watch a short video on your stateroom TV, then quickly scan your card at your assigned muster station?

Well, many cruise lines have reintroduced in-person muster drills, ending the brief era of digital convenience brought on by the pandemic. This change has been met with mixed reactions from passengers, to say the least.

The complaints often centre around poor organisation and overcrowding, with passengers feeling that their precious holiday time is being squandered. ‘ChiefMateJRK’ on Cruise Critic didn’t mince words when describing the return to in-person drills as “a wasted 40 minutes of my life that I will never get back.”

I too experienced one of the most depressing muster drills ever on Ambassador Cruise Line. We had to stand outside on the deck for at least 30 minutes, with no chairs available for any of the older or larger people who appeared to find the experience uncomfortable.

When the muster drill started, with so many people crowded around it was impossible to see the life vest demonstration properly anyway.

2. Reduced Choice and Lower Quality Food In the Dining Rooms

One of the most significant areas of discontent is the noticeable decline in dining options and food quality over the years. Many cruise passengers have reported a reduction in menu choices and a drop in the overall culinary experience, particularly in main dining rooms and buffets.

A Royal Caribbean passenger expressed their disappointment on Cruise Critic, noting a “significant drop in quality compared to pre-COVID experiences” on the Grandeur of the Seas.

Another cruiser claimed that their dining experience on Navigator was “the worst we’ve experienced” compared to six previous Royal Caribbean cruises.

The cutbacks seem to go beyond just quality. Cruisers have pointed out the disappearance of higher-cost items from menus, such as lamb chops. It’s clear that cruise lines are tightening their belts, but at what cost to passenger satisfaction?

Cheese boards, once a symbol of indulgence, are now often served pre-plated, taking away the fun of selection and presentation. Even luxury touches, like the beloved port-infused Stilton cheese, have been removed from some cruise lines’ offerings. 

These changes have left many cruisers feeling shortchanged, especially when cruise fares haven’t necessarily decreased to reflect these cutbacks.

3. Housekeeping Reductions

The days of returning to a freshly made bed and spotless bathroom twice a day seem to be behind us. Many cruise lines have reduced their housekeeping services from twice daily to once daily, a change that hasn’t gone unnoticed by passengers.

On Cruise Passenger, Lissete expressed her preference for evening cleaning: “I don’t mind once daily, but I’d like it to be done while we’re at dinner… I like coming back to a fresh bed and bath when turning in at night.”

This reduction in service is also placing more pressure on the room stewards. “kelkel2” on Cruise Critic highlighted the increased workload: “I think the room stewards have to be some of the hardest-working individuals on the ship.”

Many passengers have noticed that stewards are now responsible for more rooms, leading to a decline in the personal touches that once made cruising feel so special.

The loss of nightly turndown service, complete with towel animals and chocolates on pillows, has been particularly hard for long-time cruisers to swallow. These small gestures once contributed significantly to the feeling of being pampered on holiday.

4. Nickel-and-Diming

One of the most frustrating trends is the introduction of fees for services that were once complimentary. Room service, for example, now often comes with a charge.

Princess Cruises is just one of the lines that has implemented this change, much to the chagrin of passengers who enjoyed the luxury of breakfast in bed without an extra cost.

On Cruise Community, cruisers have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with these additional charges. One user summed up the sentiment: “The headline price of a cruise has come down… more and more reliance is placed on charging for anything we want.”

Even small amenities haven’t escaped the chopping block. Some cruise lines have removed complimentary toiletries from cabins, while others have cut back on elite benefits without prior notice.

These changes have left many cruisers feeling like they’re being nickel-and-dimed at every turn, diminishing the once-inclusive nature of cruise holidays.

5. No More Little Luxuries

It’s often said that the devil is in the details, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the cruise industry’s recent cutbacks. Many of the small luxuries that once made cruising feel special have disappeared, leaving passengers longing for the good old days.

Gone are the fresh flowers in cabins and main dining rooms, the complimentary cakes with coffee, and the nibbles and canapés in certain bars. On some ships, even practical items like facecloths in cabins are now only available on request.

These changes might seem minor, but collectively they contribute to a significant shift in the cruise experience. As one cruiser on Cruise Community put it: “It has been dumbed down to a point where it is simply a sea-based holiday rather than a special experience.”

The absence of little cards reminding passengers of time changes or the discontinuation of cruise logs at the end of the trip might not break the bank, but they do break with tradition. These small touches once added to the sense of adventure and the unique nature of cruise travel.

Suggested read: 27 Most Thoughtful Little Touches on River Cruise Ships

6. Lacklustre Entertainment

While the main shows and activities on cruise ships remain largely intact, there’s a growing concern about potential future charges for entertainment. Some cruisers worry that shows or lectures, which have always been included in the fare, might soon come with an extra fee.

The traditional cruise atmosphere has also taken a hit. Sailaway parties, once a highlight of embarkation day, have reportedly diminished in scale and excitement on some ships. This has left some passengers feeling that the cruise experience has become more mundane and less celebratory.

On Reddit, one cruiser shared their recent experience: “Completed a 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan on the NCL Viva. Felt underwhelmed; lacked the usual ‘magic’ experienced on prior cruises.”

This sentiment is echoed across various cruise forums, with passengers noting a general decline in the overall cruise atmosphere. The reduction in activities, and the perceived lack of effort in creating special moments, have left many wondering if they’re getting less bang for their buck.

7. Diminishing Staff Interactions

Perhaps one of the most significant changes noticed by cruisers is the reduction in personal interactions with staff. This shift is partly due to technology advancements, such as the increased use of tablets for ordering in restaurants and bars. Although these innovations can improve efficiency, they often come at the cost of the warm, personal service that many cruisers value.

On Reddit, one passenger noted that “servers primarily used tablets for service, affecting personal interaction.” This technological barrier, combined with reduced staff numbers and increased workloads, has led to fewer opportunities for meaningful exchanges between passengers and crew.

Kobie Edwards shared on Cruise Passenger: “I know they are busy, but long gone are the days where you had a quick chat in the hallway or a hello in passing.” This loss of personal connection has not only affected passenger satisfaction but also impacted tipping habits. Cruisers feel less inclined to reward service that feels impersonal or rushed.

The reduction in staff-to-passenger ratios has put immense pressure on crew members. Jason McIntosh empathised with a room attendant who was “just trying to hang out for his 15-year service bonus to feed his family.” 

Navigating the New Cruise Reality

It’s clear that the cruise industry is navigating choppy waters. From dining dilemmas to vanishing luxury touches, these changes have significantly impacted the experience that many passengers have come to know and love.

While cruise lines grapple with post-pandemic recovery and economic pressures, some are left wondering if the value proposition of cruising has fundamentally changed. The loss of small luxuries, reduced personal interactions, and the introduction of additional charges have many questioning whether cruise holidays still offer the same magic they once did.

The loyal guests of P&O Cruises have been particularly vocal about the cutbacks made over the past few years, with over 20 things no longer on offer.

However, it’s worth noting that not all experiences are negative. Some passengers continue to find joy in cruising, adapting to the new reality or exploring different cruise lines and destinations to recapture that special feeling. As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether these cutbacks are temporary measures or a permanent shift. 

One thing is certain: passengers are vocal about their dissatisfaction, and cruise lines would do well to listen. A balance must be found between cost-saving measures and making cruising a unique and cherished holiday experience.

For now, cruisers may need to adjust their expectations and perhaps be more selective in their choices to ensure they get the experience they’re looking for. As one wise cruiser put it, it might be time to “personalise experiences rather than paying for all-inclusive options.”

Despite the challenges, the allure of the open sea and the promise of adventure continue to draw people to cruising. It’s up to both cruise lines and passengers to navigate these changes together, finding new ways to create memorable experiences.

Related Posts:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me