Not being a Design Engineer

[kruisey]

Could it be possible that a few brand new ships are being built a wee bit top heavy,too much hight? Strong winds could push her slightly out of control? The new Queen Mary 11 has length as well.Let me repeat I am not a Design Engineer....maybe one of these ladies/gentleman might read these posts and answer this question?

[kruisey]

Excuse the spelling mistake 'Height' I tried to correct it but it was over 30 minutes........rather a shame that we are not allowed to do that,I realized as soon as I went back it glared at me....sorry everyone. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gifHope someone will give reply to my question ???.

[Druke I]

Kruisey

Almost all of the "mega-ships" are subject to being wind-prone. They are slab-sided,catch the wind, and have little keel (almost flat-bottomed). To be able to get into most of the ports they visit, they have a relatively shallow draft.

A ship like the Royal Princess, which has a more liner-like hull, is much less wind-prone, and rides much better than a Grand class ship in seas of Force 8 or better.

I have been on the Royal Princess in a Force 8 gale, and barely felt any movement (Sep 00, Royal's trans-Atlantic), while on the Golden Princess in a Force 8 storm, people had difficulty walking, and we lost several windows along Prom Deck, "blown out" by the ship's flexing and bucking. (Sep 02, Golden's trans-Atlantic).

Michael

[auntieann]

Not long ago there was a thread about the Caribbean Princess not being able to bring the ship to the pier because of high winds. The pax were in an uproar because they had to tender in to port and the staff was ill prepared for it (getting the life boats down). At the time they said that the 17th deck (Skywalkers Lounge) acted like a sail and made the ship hard to control. I don't know if this is true but feel the Captains must be under great preasure to make it to the dock and not anchor offshore because it inconviences the passenger and staff.

Ann

Until Golden Princess
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2004;10;3;23;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

[woodofpine]

Skyewalkers has been modified, lowered and integrated on the newer ship designs because of the structural torque (twist) the flying "handle" places on the rest of the ship.

As structurally unique as it is, Skyewalkers is empty during the day, and often the same many nights - it takes some getting to, can be a flag in moderately heavy seas. Princess pax demographics makes it underutilized most cruises.

[GloriaF]

Speaking of Skywalker's being under utilized: I've always thought that Skywalkers was a nice place to go during the day when you can enjoy the view. It makes no sense to me to only use it at night. The a/c is running and the doors are unlocked, I think they should man the bar and promote it as a daytime area as well.

Gloria

Grand Princess, Eastern, April 2001
Grand Princess, Western,April 2002
Regal to Hawaii, April 5-20, 2004

[derf5585]

Here is the deal on keeping ships upright
from
http://www.mcasco.com/qa_srs.html

USS Chilton APA-38 1966-1968
USS Guam LPH-9 1968-1970
Pacific Princess Oct 21 2001 Bermuda
Golden Princess Dec 7 2002 "Eastern Caribbean"
Coral Princess Dec 9 2003 "Panama Canal"

Carnival Miracle 17 Oct 2004

NOT UPDATED again 25 Feb www.geocities.com/fsbsdel (http://www.geocities.com/fsbsdel)

[Green4me]

Derf5585, Excellent description and analogy using the rocking chair! In additon most ships have retractable stabilizers which extend into the water at angles to increase the resistance to the side to side motion. One can see these in action often if you look on at sea days.

GloriaF, here here to you suggestion on opening the bar in Skywalkers during the day! We have cruised the Grand twice and both times found the lounge to be very active in the evenings with packed dance floors. Mornings and afternoons it can be an excellent quite get away for a read of your favotie book.

Christmas on the Caribbean Princess begins in...
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008000&cdt=2004;12;18;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500

[Druke I]

Green

Yes - most ships have stabilizers, but in many (not all) sea conditions, they will be retracted - as they can act like diving planes and pull the bow down!

Michael