Bringing along a power strip

[FulltimeRVer]

I plan to bring a power strip on our upcoming cruise, so we can keep the various electronic devices charged. Then I saw this from HAL:

Electrical Appliances: All staterooms are equipped with
standard 110 AC and 220 AC outlets. Guests with pre- or
post-cruise hotel packages may want to bring converters
and/or adapters for their hotel stay. All staterooms are
equipped with hair dryers. If more outlet space is necessary,
only Holland America Line provided power bars are to be
used. Please contact the Front Office for more information.

Does HAL really care if I use my own power strip?

[mllewis48]

Most staterooms have plenty of 110v outlets for charging phones, toothbrushes, etc. and in my opinion powerstrips are not needed. I do take along a 3 outlet adapter just in case but rarely use it. They do recommend to not leave anything plugged in while not in your stateroom. You can purchase international adapters if you choose for use in the stateroom.

[MrsMuir]

My husband uses a CPAP machine, so he always asks the steward for an extension cord. He also brings one, just in case, but has never had to use it. I'm no electrician, but I believe HAL would much rather have passengers use their equipment for safety reasons.

Linda

[SwissMyst]

For other travel needs, Magellen's sells a very handy, compact, short cord travel power strip designed to get around some of the outlet placement limitations in hotel rooms, as well as including a port to charge your iPod etc. The cord wraps around itself and plugs into one of the sockets for packing. You can slip it inside a shoe for even more packing efficiency. http://www.magellans.com/store/Adaptors___Converters___Plug_AdaptorsEA104

[Joy R]

As we need an adaptor anyway for our UK plugs, I take a power strip which plugs into the adaptor and has three outlets into which we can plug our various appliances. Would that be a problem with HAL?

[oofroggie]

What do you consider PLENTY of outlets. I travel down staires with the poor folks and the cabins that I stay in only have one outlet by the desk and one in the bathroom for razors etc . I would not consider being able to plug in one thing at a time as plenty.

[eh2zed]

Is there a charge for a HAL provided power bar??

[1cruiselvr]

Hubby always brings a surge protector cord since he likes all his gadgets. Never been a problem. They just don't want somebody bringing some old, frayed thing that's likely to start an electrical fire in the cabin. Use common sense, bring a new surge protector power cord and you will be fine.

[SuitCaseBears]

My husband is a journalist and we've been on some trips where he was working, so we have A LOT of electronic equipment and have had multiple power strips plugged in so he could charge all his stuff and we've never had a problem.

We do however use good quality power strips with circuit breakers. I'm not sure if that mattered. And I am obsessive about keeping all of the cords neat because in a cabin that stuff can take over quickly. Again, I don't know if the room steward would have said something if we looked like we were creating a hazard.

Our deck steward for our Lido Cabana was perfectly happy to bring us a long extension cord so we could even work in the cabana and no, there was no charge for using it.

[chipmaster]

:eek:

Just imagine if everyone on your cabin's line decided to bring a x6 powerstrip and plugged in 2 or 3 laptops, hair dryers, maybe a hotplate and portable heater too....

Is it likely that you'll blow the circut breaker low
Is it likely a bunch of folks will be like you and cause your area to blow very low
Is it likely that your baggage will get x-rayed and the power strip removed, very very very low

So you got to ask is with worth the convenience or can you live without :D

[SwissMyst]

The captain explained on our last Ryndam cruise that there is only so much power the ship can produce on its own and the more that gets drained out for individual cabin use, the less available to power the ship and its engines so it has to slow down.

(Not sure if the engines are diesel how this actually works or if it was more of an idle threat, but maybe someone else can explain - but it was good to be reminded what a closed system it was - zero sum game.)

[Wayfairers]

I carry an extension cord because a receptacle never seem to be located where we need one. I also carry a 3 prong adapter. I have carried a power strip but not really used it because the cord wasn't long enough to put the extra receptacles where I needed them.

[Wayfairers]

The captain explained on our last Ryndam cruise that there is only so much power the ship can produce on its own and the more that gets drained out for individual cabin use, the less available to power the ship and its engines so it has to slow down.

(Not sure if the engines are diesel how this actually works or if it was more of an idle threat, but maybe someone else can explain - but it was good to be reminded what a closed system it was - zero sum game.)

The engines for the generators that provide power are different than the engines that propel the ship. So, the captain wasn't technically correct. However, if he is given a certain amount of diesel to use for the trip, he could have to slow down the ship to get more mpg from the propulsion engines if the power demand is unusually high. Not likely this would happen though.

[Topsham]

HAL says...

If more outlet space is necessary,
only Holland America Line provided power bars are to be
used.

I don't see how this could be any clearer.

This is in place for your SAFETY.... and the safety of ALL the other passengers and crew on board.

It is NOT safe to use your own power bars. By ignoring this you are putting everyone on board at risk. HAL provide the power bars if you require them.
To anyone that uses their own you are playing with FIRE. Use some common sense!

[Topsham]

The engines for the generators that provide power are different than the engines that propel the ship. So, the captain wasn't technically correct. However, if he is given a certain amount of diesel to use for the trip, he could have to slow down the ship to get more mpg from the propulsion engines if the power demand is unusually high. Not likely this would happen though.

Sorry Wayfarer you got this one wrong. The propulsion MOTORS are electrically driven and use power from the same generators that provide the power to the ships electrical system. The captain was technically very correct but as you read into it... his answer contained a small amount of BS!!!:rolleyes:

Stephen

[SwissMyst]

HAL says...

If more outlet space is necessary,
only Holland America Line provided power bars are to be
used.

I don't see how this could be any clearer.

This is in place for your SAFETY.... and the safety of ALL the other passengers and crew on board.

It is NOT safe to use your own power bars. By ignoring this you are putting everyone on board at risk. HAL provide the power bars if you require them.
To anyone that uses their own you are playing with FIRE. Use some common sense!

An electronics hobby class instructor was very much against "surge protectors" in power strips because he said they were cheap and often burned out, and also unnecessary since good appliances had surge protectors already built inside internally.

His question was whether you wanted a surge protected flame-out outside the appliance or contained inside the appliance, if there was to be such an circuit overload. (Again, this was one person's opinion - check out the facts, I only raise the question.)

[Essiesmom]

Do not discount the bathroom shaver outlet. Most cellphone/camera battery chargers pull so little current that the bathroom outlet can be used. EM

[tcook052]

HAL says...

If more outlet space is necessary,
only Holland America Line provided power bars are to be
used.

I don't see how this could be any clearer.

This is in place for your SAFETY.... and the safety of ALL the other passengers and crew on board.

It is NOT safe to use your own power bars. By ignoring this you are putting everyone on board at risk. HAL provide the power bars if you require them.
To anyone that uses their own you are playing with FIRE. Use some common sense!

Agree with both the safety and practical considerations.

FWIW I can't quite understand holidaying with so much gear your actually feel the need a power strip but I suppose in this wired 24/7/365 world some folks can't do without the gadgets. I holiday to get away from all the clutter & noise but to each their own.

[Topsham]

An electronics hobby class instructor was very much against "surge protectors" in power strips because he said they were cheap and often burned out, and also unnecessary since good appliances had surge protectors already built inside internally.

His question was whether you wanted a surge protected flame-out outside the appliance or contained inside the appliance, if there was to be such an circuit overload. (Again, this was one person's opinion - check out the facts, I only raise the question.)


I'm certain there are arguments for and against surge protectors. I'm not even thinking about that part of it. HAL says if you want to use a power strip ask for one of theirs. They have qualified electrical engineers on board who will inspect their own equipment. I seriously doubt if anyone ever takes their electrical bits and pieces to anyone for inspection on a frequent basis. HAL have experienced fires on board from electrical appliances brought on board by passengers AND crew!

If they charge $250 for smoking in the cabin just imagine what they would charge for a burn out?!!!!

[chipmaster]

ROFL that is a good one :D

The captain explained on our last Ryndam cruise that there is only so much power the ship can produce on its own and the more that gets drained out for individual cabin use, the less available to power the ship and its engines so it has to slow down.

(Not sure if the engines are diesel how this actually works or if it was more of an idle threat, but maybe someone else can explain - but it was good to be reminded what a closed system it was - zero sum game.)

[chipmaster]

:D

iPad, iTouch, iPhone, iPod, iEverthingElse ( camera, laptop, dumbphone, hair dryer, coffee maker, Gameboy, xbox/wii/PS3, DVDplayer etc. etc ) :eek:


FWIW I can't quite understand holidaying with so much gear your actually feel the need a power strip but I suppose in this wired 24/7/365 world some folks can't do without the gadgets. I holiday to get away from all the clutter & noise but to each their own.

[RuthC]

Do not discount the bathroom shaver outlet. Most cellphone/camera battery chargers pull so little current that the bathroom outlet can be used. EM
The bathroom outlet in the newer and renovated ships is totally useless for many of us. It was put up at ceiling level where we can't reach it. :eek:
When you find a tall person to reach it for you, you find that the toothbrush has no place to set anyway. So now you have to plug the toothbrush in at the desk, taking up the one outlet that's there! :mad:

Guessing that a former NBA player now works in HAL/Seattle. :rolleyes:

[SwissMyst]

The bathroom outlet in the newer and renovated ships is totally useless for many of us. It was put up at ceiling level where we can't reach it. :eek:
When you find a tall person to reach it for you, you find that the toothbrush has no place to set anyway. So now you have to plug the toothbrush in at the desk, taking up the one outlet that's there! :mad:

Guessing that a former NBA player now works in HAL/Seattle. :rolleyes:

Time for those 3M "On Command" sticky shelves and hooks to the rescue. You can attach a small shelf on the bathroom mirror or wall that can hold your toothbrush and several other items and then remove it without a trace when you leave.

[SwissMyst]

:D

iPad, iTouch, iPhone, iPod, iEverthingElse ( camera, laptop, dumbphone, hair dryer, coffee maker, Gameboy, xbox/wii/PS3, DVDplayer etc. etc ) :eek:

Not so sure heating appliances like coffee makers are allowed. Call room service instead. Unplugged just might make a good vacation theme, maybe? :confused:

[RuthC]

Time for those 3M "On Command" sticky shelves and hooks to the rescue. You can attach a small shelf on the bathroom mirror or wall that can hold your toothbrush and several other items and then remove it without a trace when you leave.
Not if you can't reach the outlet to plug in the danged thing in the first place! :rolleyes:

Besides, I'm not about to purchase, pack, and carry extra "stuff" the cruiseline should be furnishing.
Takes up too much jewelry space. :D

[ASIWISH]

They just don't want somebody bringing some old, frayed thing that's likely to start an electrical fire in the cabin.

That is likely the real reason... at least that is the common reason given at hotels and convention centers when planning for meetings. We brought one on the first two times we cruised, but never used them... made it through security just fine.

As for slowing the ship down, or draining it's electrical supply...? Really? That is an incredible stretch... that is hilarious!

If they're free, I'd use theirs... if they aren't free, I'd still use theirs... less hassle.

[Typhoon1]

Electrical fires are all too common. It happened on one of our cruises.

See your cabin steward if you need assistance with electrical devices.

[SwissMyst]

......
As for slowing the ship down, or draining it's electrical supply...? Really? That is an incredible stretch... that is hilarious!

......

This is the inside stuff you get when you have Neptune Lounge special parties and get to talk to the captain. He did not say this with tongue in cheek. And it sounds like there is a connection.

There is no power cord running from the ship to the great Power Socket in the Sky so being a self-contained vessel, this is not entirely .... hilarious .... considering the bulk of necessary electronics people are traveling with these days and the age and wiring many HAL ships were built for.

[cruisinjudy]

Do not discount the bathroom shaver outlet. Most cellphone/camera battery chargers pull so little current that the bathroom outlet can be used. EM
I have found that the bathroom outlets only take non directional plugs. I used to take a nightlight to plug in but I could no longer find nondirectional ones. OK I don't know what that is called but both prongs are the same size. I wondered how a shaver would work but we don't have one.

[Alberta Quilter]

I have asked for and received HAL power bars on one or two cruises. The cabin steward has brought them and they were provided free of charge. I kept it for the length of the cruise and plugged it in when necessary.

[Sea42]

Again, this seems to be another issue where people pick and choose which policies apply to them. For some it comes down to their own convenience versus the health and safety of others.

[ASIWISH]

This is the inside stuff you get when you have Neptune Lounge special parties and get to talk to the captain. He did not say this with tongue in cheek. And it sounds like there is a connection.

There is no power cord running from the ship to the great Power Socket in the Sky so being a self-contained vessel, this is not entirely .... hilarious .... considering the bulk of necessary electronics people are traveling with these days and the age and wiring many HAL ships were built for.

I assure you... that is entirely hilarious!

[nothriver]

I've traveled with my own power strip for years and never thought about any potential safety hazard, thank you so much for bringing this policy to light. I'll leave my power strip at home next cruise!

I keep a power strip and extra chargers for most of our electronics packed in my suitcase at all times. Not that we have a ton of electronics to charge but the beauty of a power strip is that I keep the chargers together where I can see them and remember to take them home. I can't tell you how many phone chargers I've plugged in underneath a hotel bed and left behind...

[eh2zed]

I have asked for and received HAL power bars on one or two cruises. The cabin steward has brought them and they were provided free of charge. I kept it for the length of the cruise and plugged it in when necessary.
That is good to know

[hpf]

I travel with a surge protector and always ask our steward before pluging it in and they have always checked it and ok'ed it and i have used it for our duration aboard ship.

Helen

[jschm27]

I have asked for and received HAL power bars on one or two cruises. The cabin steward has brought them and they were provided free of charge. I kept it for the length of the cruise and plugged it in when necessary.

Same for me. We needed more power outlets on one cruise, we asked our cabin steward on the first day. It was delivered very quickly for use during the whole cruise at no cost.

To those of you who have been bringing extension cords or power strips, you can now leave them at home. That should give you enough room in your luggage so that you can bring your formal wear again! :D

John

[startwin]

I have always brought a power bar w/surge protector, for C-PAP and chargers. The room steward has never said anything, and until now I wasn't aware it was a no-no - my bad, and thank you for bringing this up. In future I will ask the room steward for a HAL-approved one.

[Big Dawg CC]

Just to confirm, got a power strip from HAL on out last curise - it was provided at no charge (so long as we returned it).

[Tamaracboy]

HAL says...

If more outlet space is necessary,
only Holland America Line provided power bars are to be
used.

I don't see how this could be any clearer.

This is in place for your SAFETY.... and the safety of ALL the other passengers and crew on board.

It is NOT safe to use your own power bars. By ignoring this you are putting everyone on board at risk. HAL provide the power bars if you require them.
To anyone that uses their own you are playing with FIRE. Use some common sense!
Yes, please do use come common sense AND a dash of knowledge.

Again, this seems to be another issue where people pick and choose which policies apply to them. For some it comes down to their own convenience versus the health and safety of others.

I travel with a surge protector and always ask our steward before pluging it in and they have always checked it and ok'ed it and i have used it for our duration aboard ship.

Helen

First: That Captain was totally pulling someone's leg. I'm very surprised you couldn't see his tongue protruding from his cheek !
And yes there are separate generators for the propulsion. Not that all systems couldn't be cross connected if ever necessary in case of emergency.
Think Carnival Splendor in Mexico earlier this year.

Second: a few posters here have actually used the "HAL supplied" power strips.
They can attest that they are nothing special.
They are exactly the same as you can buy at Home Depot, Walgreen's or Radio Shack.
No, NOT "similar", the very same ones !
In fact if you go to the front desk to ask for one, they will pull out an assortment looking just like a grab bag of whatever has been left behind by passengers.
Nothing special, no secret patented shipboard only technology, no HAL branded exclusive equipment.
PLUS, they do not have all that many, so they can easily run out.
If you do not have your own in that case, you do without.

Third: as to the comments about traveling "unplugged"; two people in a cabin, each with their own camera that needs charging, one outlet = you do the math.
This does not even account for an iPad or similar for backing up the memory card in the camera, just to be safe.
Or a Kindle for reading, or that rechargeable flashlight, or GPS for Geocaching.
These ARE vacation devices.
100% necessary ? no, but useful tools to enhance your travels.
AND, we haven't even gotten to medical devices like CPAPs, and various pumps, fans, ionizers, etc.
ONE outlet per cabin is far from enough.
And the battery chargers take such little current, that every cabin on the ship could have two plugged in, and the technicians wouldn't even notice it.

Fourth: if you really insist on being a stickler, just take your own, regular, off-the-shelf power strip to the front desk, have them wave their magic wand over it, and abracadabra you have an "Approved" power strip !

Facts, not speculation nor hysteria.

r.

[English_in_Spain]

The trouble with the ship provided power strips is that they are all for US plugs.

In each cabin there is a socket for European type plugs. If we want to plug in more than one item (recharge for camera, video, Kindle, toothbrush, netbook) we have to have our own power strip.

Whenever we cruise we always buy a new power strip and take it onto the ship still in its original wrapping (the ones we buy here are seal wrapped). The cruise lines (not just HAL) have always been ok with that.

The only thing we have been told is not to leave anything plugged in when we are not in the cabin. That makes it even more necessary to have more than one socket as we mainly have to do our charging at night.

[Wehwalt]

Interesting. I think what I will do is bring one with a surge protector, and if there's any questions, say that there was nothing in the rules against surge protectors and HAL didn't say if their equipment would have them. That being said, I will ask for a power strip first thing and if it is supplied, leave my equipment in my suitcase. I'm going to have (sorry folks and hope it doesn't make the ship late) iPhone, headphones that require recharging, camera ditto, extended power source for my iPhone (almost two years old, so it needs it on transcontinental flights just playing games and listening to music, laptop and travel kettle (I will check to see if it is allowed, I like my coffee first thing and I'm an early riser and first thing does not mean dressing and walking up several decks). Considering that few of those will consume much power at sea what with high internet prices, I don't think the ship will be late into port. Incidentally, they refuel and resupply almost constantly (they have to do something while we are loaded into shore excursion buses) so I do not think my iPhone will cause the captain to tap the fuel gauge nervously.

[Wehwalt]

The bathroom outlet in the newer and renovated ships is totally useless for many of us. It was put up at ceiling level where we can't reach it. :eek:
When you find a tall person to reach it for you, you find that the toothbrush has no place to set anyway. So now you have to plug the toothbrush in at the desk, taking up the one outlet that's there! :mad:

Guessing that a former NBA player now works in HAL/Seattle. :rolleyes:

Umm, call the cabin attendant?

[Boytjie]

Originally Posted by RuthC http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=30929527#post30929527)
The bathroom outlet in the newer and renovated ships is totally useless for many of us. It was put up at ceiling level where we can't reach it. :eek:
When you find a tall person to reach it for you, you find that the toothbrush has no place to set anyway. So now you have to plug the toothbrush in at the desk, taking up the one outlet that's there! :mad:

Guessing that a former NBA player now works in HAL/Seattle. :rolleyes:

Umm, call the cabin attendant?


Have you seen the HAL cabin stewards? :D

[tcook052]

Third: as to the comments about traveling "unplugged"; two people in a cabin, each with their own camera that needs charging, one outlet = you do the math.
This does not even account for an iPad or similar for backing up the memory card in the camera, just to be safe.
Or a Kindle for reading, or that rechargeable flashlight, or GPS for Geocaching.
These ARE vacation devices.
100% necessary ? no, but useful tools to enhance your travels.

Facts, not speculation nor hysteria.

Sorry but this portion of your post is opinion, not fact, and isn't an opinion I can fully agree with. I understand the reality of playing with all the toys but can't see them being as necessary as you do. And that's okay as we can have differing opinions on the subject.

[SwissMyst]

.......travel kettle (I will check to see if it is allowed, I like my coffee first thing and I'm an early riser and first thing does not mean dressing and walking up several decks). ........

Room service is friendly, fast and safe. You can answer the door in your PJ's. Or pull the covers over your head and they will silently leave the tray in your room.

[SwissMyst]

......
Third: as to the comments about traveling "unplugged"; two people in a cabin, each with their own camera that needs charging, one outlet = you do the math.
This does not even account for an iPad or similar for backing up the memory card in the camera, just to be safe.
Or a Kindle for reading, or that rechargeable flashlight, or GPS for Geocaching.
These ARE vacation devices.
100% necessary ? no, but useful tools to enhance your travels.
AND, we haven't even gotten to medical devices like CPAPs, and various pumps, fans, ionizers, etc.
ONE outlet per cabin is far from enough.
And the battery chargers take such little current, that every cabin on the ship could have two plugged in, and the technicians wouldn't even notice it.
......

Times 2000 plus passengers and you have quite a new power demand on old ships. How are they designing outlets in the newer ships -- any brand? How many outlets in Oasis of the Seas cabins for example for this newer generation of Plugged-In tourists. Remember when travel at one time was a flirtation with terra incognita. Now it is Jaunts to GPS City.

[RuthC]

Umm, call the cabin attendant?



Have you seen the HAL cabin stewards? :D
Maybe Wehwalt meant the cabin steward should stand in the bathroom holding the suspended toothbrush after a tall person had plugged it in. ;)

[Wehwalt]

Times 2000 plus passengers and you have quite a new power demand on old ships. How are they designing outlets in the newer ships -- any brand? How many outlets in Oasis of the Seas cabins for example for this newer generation of Plugged-In tourists. Remember when travel at one time was a flirtation with terra incognita. Now it is Jaunts to GPS City.

:How many of the 2000 are, so to speak, "plugged in"? Look, HAL has fine engineers, who are paid very good money I'm sure to worry about these things. If there was a need, I'm sure we would be told to economize on power in a way beyond the level of "let's all be green". As in announcements from the Captain. I would certainly respect his requests, and ensure in future I took a vessel on which I did not feel guilty about recharging my camera battery.

[ASIWISH]

Or pull the covers over your head and they will silently leave the tray in your room.

My wife does that all the time... so funny!

[Wayfairers]

Sorry Wayfarer you got this one wrong. The propulsion MOTORS are electrically driven and use power from the same generators that provide the power to the ships electrical system. The captain was technically very correct but as you read into it... his answer contained a small amount of BS!!!:rolleyes:

Stephen

I got my information from an officer on the Ryndam. I cannot imagine propulsion and electrical hotel load would be on the same power grid due to the potential variation in power usage (on both ends). I would think lights would be blinking and the drive system would be surging. I may be wrong - I am not the person who designed the system, but I wouldn't design the two systems to use the same power source.

[Typhoon1]

:How many of the 2000 are, so to speak, "plugged in"? Look, HAL has fine engineers, who are paid very good money I'm sure to worry about these things.

I am sure your cabin steward can make contact with the appropriate people in maintenance or engineering.

[iflyrc5]

We had a behind the scene engine room tour of the Rotterdam while sailing back to San Diego from the south pacific. The Rotterdam has 5 diesel engines each driving a generator. At the time we were cruising at about 21 knots. We were using 2 engines to drive 2 generators to drive the 2 electric motors on the shafts. A third was being used to generate the power for the ship and the other 2 were in standby so I would say in general that there is plenty of reserve power available to run most anything electrical on the ship.

[Alberta Quilter]

[quote=English_in_Spain;30935585]The trouble with the ship provided power strips is that they are all for US plugs. quote]

The first time I requested a power strip from our cabin steward, he specifically asked me if I needed a North American or a European power strip. So I believe that they do have European power strips on board.

[SeaSheep]

First: That Captain was totally pulling someone's leg. I'm very surprised you couldn't see his tongue protruding from his cheek !
And yes there are separate generators for the propulsion. Not that all systems couldn't be cross connected if ever necessary in case of emergency.
Think Carnival Splendor in Mexico earlier this year.


Just to clarify this discussion. In most of the ships there are 5 diesel engines powering 5 generators. The difference between the ships is the amount of cylinders per engine. S-class (2x12+3x8), Volendam+Zaandam (5x12), Rotterdam (5x 16), Amsterdam (3x12+2x16), Vista (3x16+2x12+gasturbine).

The generators all feed to the same main electric board (S-class 6.6kV, Vista 11kV) which is just a little bit more than the 110V or 220V you are used to. This board has 3 users: starboard propulsion electric motor, portside propulsion electric motor and the hotel load. Off course the hotel is first downgraded to a lower voltage. But yes at nighttime a ship can travel 1 or 2 knots faster than just before dinnertime.

The story of the separeted generators comes from the vista's. When they were designed, the plan was to have the gasturbine powering the propulsion electric motors and the diesels the hotelload. This was done because a gasturbine gives less smoke when the load fluctuates. Which is ideal for Alaska where you are allowed to 'smoke' for 5 minutes an hour.

[Wayfairers]

SeaSheep - thanks for the information.

[SwissMyst]

Just to clarify this discussion. In most of the ships there are 5 diesel engines powering 5 generators. The difference between the ships is the amount of cylinders per engine. S-class (2x12+3x8), Volendam+Zaandam (5x12), Rotterdam (5x 16), Amsterdam (3x12+2x16), Vista (3x16+2x12+gasturbine).

The generators all feed to the same main electric board (S-class 6.6kV, Vista 11kV) which is just a little bit more than the 110V or 220V you are used to. This board has 3 users: starboard propulsion electric motor, portside propulsion electric motor and the hotel load. Off course the hotel is first downgraded to a lower voltage. But yes at nighttime a ship can travel 1 or 2 knots faster than just before dinnertime.

The story of the separeted generators comes from the vista's. When they were designed, the plan was to have the gasturbine powering the propulsion electric motors and the diesels the hotelload. This was done because a gasturbine gives less smoke when the load fluctuates. Which is ideal for Alaska where you are allowed to 'smoke' for 5 minutes an hour.

Thank you for these details. Yes, the captain had his tongue in his cheek when he blamed all the "ladies with their hair dryers" slowing the ship down. However, his basic point there was a connection between passenger "hotel" use and overall power available for transit appears valid, as well as thought-worthy.

And in this evolving discussion here, the context was also the vast increase of "necessary" plug-ins passengers are starting to carry. Is their a critical tipping point where this "hotel" impact will affect transit efficiencies?

[gte937k]

Most staterooms have plenty of 110v outlets for charging phones, toothbrushes, etc. and in my opinion powerstrips are not needed. I do take along a 3 outlet adapter just in case but rarely use it. They do recommend to not leave anything plugged in while not in your stateroom. You can purchase international adapters if you choose for use in the stateroom.
My room on Veendam had only one outlet with two plugs (1 North American, 1 European). No outlet in the bathroom even.

[ASIWISH]

There does seem to be a lot of "an officer told me" whenever somebody tries too hard to get their point across...

Just in the past several weeks, it's been an epidemic..!

Not saying it happened here, at all.... the explaination of how it was said here makes complete sense to me. definately tounge in cheek.

[Wehwalt]

There does seem to be a lot of "an officer told me" whenever somebody tries too hard to get their point across...

Just in the past several weeks, it's been an epidemic..!

Not saying it happened here, at all.... the explaination of how it was said here makes complete sense to me. definately tounge in cheek.

I call them "Asa" posts, because of posts on boards that start "As a [fill in lie here] ... " Doctor, lawyer, cabin steward you know. Anything that will add credibility. My standard line is that they were all posted by Asa the 99er!

[ASIWISH]

I call them "Asa" posts, because of posts on boards that start "As a [fill in lie here] ... " Doctor, lawyer, cabin steward you know. Anything that will add credibility. My standard line is that they were all posted by Asa the 99er!

Well, as a Cool Cruiser, I find this fascinating...!:)

as a rule, I wait until Sail7Seas comments to decide if I believe anything...

[RonnieS]

On RCI Radiance my dw needed a extention cord for her cpap mask. The cabin steward said he would provide one but never did. My dw went the pursers desk and they gave her one and charged a $25.00 deposit. It was refunded when she returned it on the final day.

[lvz2cruz]

What do you consider PLENTY of outlets. I travel down staires with the poor folks and the cabins that I stay in only have one outlet by the desk and one in the bathroom for razors etc . I would not consider being able to plug in one thing at a time as plenty.


This is too funny. I thought the same thing but you said it so well.

[startwin]

On RCI Radiance my dw needed a extention cord for her cpap mask. The cabin steward said he would provide one but never did. My dw went the pursers desk and they gave her one and charged a $25.00 deposit. It was refunded when she returned it on the final day.

What a shame. Our experience on the RCI Mariner OTS each time was they not only provided an extension for free, but also a bottle of distilled water, no charge.

[GeriatricNurse]

My room on Veendam had only one outlet with two plugs (1 North American, 1 European). No outlet in the bathroom even.


Another reason that I would not book a cruise on the Veendam! ;)

[KirkNC]

We take a power strip on every cruise.

Kirk

[Taxguy77]

We like TAs and only plug in our cellphone charger the night before we disembark, no coffee maker or anything during the crossing. Did not realize we assisted in ending the cruise early. :eek:

[Randyk47]

http://www.belkin.com/images/product/BZ103050-TVL/STD1_BZ103050-TVL.jpghttp://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/75/758bb71e-0907-4617-8e6b-42b22ab716d2_300.jpg
We carry a couple of very light and compact devices that work just fine for us. The first one is a Belken mini surge protector and the second is a very inexpensive but effective splitter from Home Depot. Mrs. K picked up the Belken for her business travel as it has USB ports for charges cell phones, etc., and we took it on our last cruise. Loved it and are thinking of getting another.

[FulltimeRVer]

We returned from our 28-day cruise a couple days ago.

One of the items that I'm really glad I brought along was the power strip.

I had pre-ordered a fan for the cabin. With the fan, bricks for our two laptops, night light, and charger for my NOOK, I would have been in trouble trying to use the single outlet in the cabin (aside from the bathroom) for everything!

[Typhoon1]

Once again, see your cabin steward before playing with power strips.

[Wehwalt]

I have a small 4-outlet power strip. I leave it out, very obviously, plugged into the power strip (but with nothing attached to it) on the first day. If the cabin steward says nothing, I use it. The problem with asking permission is that so often the reflexive response to anything seems to be "no".

[catl331]

We returned from our 28-day cruise a couple days ago.

One of the items that I'm really glad I brought along was the power strip.

I had pre-ordered a fan for the cabin. With the fan, bricks for our two laptops, night light, and charger for my NOOK, ...I'm glad you weren't the person to cause a fire or other problem while ignoring the rule.

The problem with asking permission is that so often the reflexive response to anything seems to be "no".You don't really expect them to contradict the rules written by HQ, do you?

[TheCalicoCat]

What do you consider PLENTY of outlets. I travel down staires with the poor folks and the cabins that I stay in only have one outlet by the desk and one in the bathroom for razors etc . I would not consider being able to plug in one thing at a time as plenty.

Thanks for the reality check - I'll be bringing my power strip.

[Wehwalt]

I'm glad you weren't the person to cause a fire or other problem while ignoring the rule.

You don't really expect them to contradict the rules written by HQ, do you?

:No. However, the cabin steward has considerable experience with this, not only the letter of the rules (often unclear) but also how it is applied in practice. Thus, I leave it where he is bound to see it, with its purpose apparent, so he can advise me if there is a problem. As he has to see it to clean the desk, if he doesn't twig, I'm fine with using it. However, if you put him on the spot by asking him, you may find him CYA. (CHA?)

Much better than to hide it every morning and evening when he cleans or turns down, no?

[Wehwalt]

Thanks for the reality check - I'll be bringing my power strip.

Also consider bringing along an international adapter, assuming your electronics are able to handle 220V (most are, these days, but watch certain electrics like fans that may not). Most cruise cabins of my experience have a US and international plug side by side. Use both. I have an adapter that you can buy from Amazon that is under ten bucks, adapts worldwide (except South Africa, which has weird plugs) and very compact and light. And not a word in Da Rulez against it!