Where do cruise ships dock during the hiatus?

[JM_97]

It would be cool if for at least a few minutes, the Magic, Dream and Fantasy were all next to each other as they cross paths. Willing to bet that's never happened before.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

It would be cool if for at least a few minutes, the Magic, Dream and Fantasy were all next to each other as they cross paths. Willing to bet that's never happened before.

These were taken in January 2016 when the three sisters were near CC, unfortunately the Wonder wasn’t close enough to be in the picture. I don’t remember what the occasion was that they were so close to each other.
ETA: I have no idea who to credit the pics to, I think it was DCL officials

 

[ScooterScott44]

We once sailed the Magic out of Port Canaveral while the Fantasy was about to be staged. The Fantasy was docked at a pier maybe halfway between the terminal and the ocean. I am thinking that there is a commercial pier in either the same port area or Miami or similar that the ships could dock in. Well there is also castaway....

This is possible at many ports. It is likely the ship will stay just offshore for the majority of time but they can come into other berths as needed for supplies and staff. Below is the Wonder at a non-passenger berth and the Dream at the DCL berth at PC.

 

[monkeydawn]

I hope they have great weather while they are out at sea. The situation is sucky enough, they dont need rain and rough seas.

 

[JM_97]

As of this post, Dream finished a sailing yesterday and is now at Castaway Cay. Magic is still in Miami because she finished a sailing today. Fantasy is in Port Canaveral because she finished today. Wonder is at sea somewhere in the Pacific Ocean traveling to Puerto Vallarta.

 

[Marc D]

As of this post, Dream finished a sailing yesterday and is now at Castaway Cay. Magic is still in Miami because she finished a sailing today. Fantasy is in Port Canaveral because she finished today. Wonder is at sea somewhere in the Pacific Ocean traveling to Puerto Vallarta.

Actually, Dream is on her last cruise with some guests (but not many according to the muster pictures I’ve seen). She will be back to PC on Monday then will join Magic and Fantasy, who are taken offline today.

 

[accio]

Current ship status:

 

[Capt_BJ]

it is a valid question and one I've been pondering as well, with the added insite of being a former ship captain ... some thoughts ...

Most cruise terminals in the US are shared by multiple ships and often multiple cruise lines so there isn't a simple option of just 'park at home'

Most ports charge by the hour for pier space .... a non earning cruise ship don't want to pay this fee .... some ports have offered to waive this fee already but there is still issue about 'port services' like water for example. Example: ship IN PORT can't make water like they do at sea so would need to buy from land.(purity of source issues for safety)

'Extra parking' at most ports means cargo piers and those piers are typically fully employed for cargo work meaning they don't want a cruise ship filling the space long term.

'nesting' ships ... tying one ship alongside another ... 'double parking' (or more) as often done with river cruise boats in EU, often doesn't work for a cruise ship berth simply because there isn't enuf 'width' to the waterway ..

when cargo ships go 'inactive' between loads they typically anchor ... major ports have designated anchorages. But the crew size is small so issues of supply/waste management etc are minor. Cruise ships will have more issues as there is significant crew still aboard.

I'm watching to see where they go .... it is not like grounding an airplane where you take everyone off and park it at some forgotten corner of the airport.

 

[bbel]

I know it's not Disney, but I know HarmonyOTS is going to be docking 1-2 times a week for provisions, but spending the rest of the time at sea.
Major cabin fever for the crew...

 

[spacecanada]

when cargo ships go 'inactive' between loads they typically anchor ... major ports have designated anchorages. But the crew size is small so issues of supply/waste management etc are minor. Cruise ships will have more issues as there is significant crew still aboard.

We see this a lot off the coast of where I live. It's an eyesore to see a bunch of cargo ships floating in our pretty coastline, but they need somewhere to go, and the waters near us are fairly calm. I'm secretly hoping the Wonder will park here before returning to Vancouver. It was a joy to see her every day for two weeks in dry dock; it would be just as magical to see her parked off shore at our local beach. I can dream, right? Our local government likely wouldn't allow it for environmental reasons, though.

 

[SamFaniam]

One docked at Castaway Cay, maybe ... that would be fun for crew.

I guess that might be possible, but I wonder if you would have to clear that with the government of the Bahamas.

This also got me thinking about the on-island crew at CC. Since it now looks like there won’t be a cruises for a month, do they leave the on-island crew there. I know there’s cleaning and maintenance they can do, but is there a months worth, especially if there are no guests. And, they will need to be resupplied with food somehow. It made me wonder if when the Dream leaves CC if she doesn’t take some of the island crew with her.

 

[insureman]

it is a valid question and one I've been pondering as well, with the added insite of being a former ship captain ... some thoughts ...

Most cruise terminals in the US are shared by multiple ships and often multiple cruise lines so there isn't a simple option of just 'park at home'

Most ports charge by the hour for pier space .... a non earning cruise ship don't want to pay this fee .... some ports have offered to waive this fee already but there is still issue about 'port services' like water for example. Example: ship IN PORT can't make water like they do at sea so would need to buy from land.(purity of source issues for safety)

'Extra parking' at most ports means cargo piers and those piers are typically fully employed for cargo work meaning they don't want a cruise ship filling the space long term.

'nesting' ships ... tying one ship alongside another ... 'double parking' (or more) as often done with river cruise boats in EU, often doesn't work for a cruise ship berth simply because there isn't enuf 'width' to the waterway ..

when cargo ships go 'inactive' between loads they typically anchor ... major ports have designated anchorages. But the crew size is small so issues of supply/waste management etc are minor. Cruise ships will have more issues as there is significant crew still aboard.

I'm watching to see where they go .... it is not like grounding an airplane where you take everyone off and park it at some forgotten corner of the airport.

Captain, back in my Navy days we used to Med moor (stern to the pier) in Mediterranean ports such as Naples but you would know better than me if this is an option.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know it's not Disney, but I know HarmonyOTS is going to be docking 1-2 times a week for provisions, but spending the rest of the time at sea.
Major cabin fever for the crew...

Why would they need to dock that frequently? Ships typically can carry enough food for thousands of people for at least a couple of weeks at a time (maybe even longer).

 

[BCV23]

The Magic has left Miami...so pretty watching it on the webcam. Some other ship appears to being towed out?! At any rate it is going out backwards? Any insight Captain_ BJ?

 

[Capt_BJ]

I'm guessing that 'at sea' really means 'at anchor' and then

a) to 'make water' safely you must be further off shore

b) ditto disposal of certain wastes ......

so you either sail out (consume fuel) or sail in and hook to shore services ....

 

[SamFaniam]

Why would they need to dock that frequently? Ships typically can carry enough food for thousands of people for at least a couple of weeks at a time (maybe even longer).

True, but that’s when all of the provisioning companies are working the way they should, and the ships are picking up supplies for thousands of people. Who knows what’s going to happen over the next month? I would guess the ship will have to alter how it operates, since they will not need to pick up provisions for guests.

 

[Capt_BJ]

The Magic has left Miami...so pretty watching it on the webcam. Some other ship appears to being towed out?! At any rate it is going out backwards? Any insight Captain_ BJ?

your question got my attention so I went straight to the POM cam and see this .....



not being towed ... but a tug that may have been assisting with departure . . .

 

[fsjking]

I'd say they could make some sweet docking deals with all of the ports that are essentially closed for business. They aren't making money right now, so charging a reduced rate to park a ship for a few weeks is probably a done deal. If they can tie to shore power and utilites, it would have to be cheaper than burning fuel off shore for a month or more. Even anchoring would require them to use generators. I'm sure some will use this time as early dry dock/refurbs. Assuming they can get supplies. If a ship was already scheduled to be out for a week or two later this year, and they can get it handled now, they will. Either way, I can't imagine they will just leave ships out unless they have no choice.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I'd say they could make some sweet docking deals with all of the ports that are essentially closed for business.

problem is from the other direction ..... more ships than parking places ...... the average cruise terminal serves 2 different ships . . .

and btw ... ports make $ per passenger ....... all that is lost ....

I'm sure some will use this time as early dry dock/refurbs.

All those empty dry dock facilities?

 

[bbel]

I'd say they could make some sweet docking deals with all of the ports that are essentially closed for business. They aren't making money right now, so charging a reduced rate to park a ship for a few weeks is probably a done deal. If they can tie to shore power and utilites, it would have to be cheaper than burning fuel off shore for a month or more. Even anchoring would require them to use generators. I'm sure some will use this time as early dry dock/refurbs. Assuming they can get supplies. If a ship was already scheduled to be out for a week or two later this year, and they can get it handled now, they will. Either way, I can't imagine they will just leave ships out unless they have no choice.

The only problem with dry dock/refurbs is that a lot of the contractors needed for it come from Europe...
RCCL have cancelled/delayed their upcoming dry socks.