Do the ships really anchor?

[Jemima]

The cruise log from our last cruise reads "9:12 Keeping the Veendam in a steady position on the Monte-Carlo Roads". When tendering we did notice that the Veendam's anchor was hanging ABOVE the water. Is this normal? If not, would it have been part of the reason for the extremely rough tendering?

[BruceMuzz]

Yes, ships do anchor - whenever/wherever it is legally allowed to do so. However, you must realize that ships have more than one anchor. Normally there are 2 on the bow, a spare on the foc'stle, and sometimes a stern anchor. If the ship does not have a stern anchor - or is not allowed to drop it - they often use the ships propulsion system to hold the ship in the best position to block the wind and swells that cause uncomfortable tendering conditions. That is most likely what you experienced.

[Jemima]

Thanks. I was fairly sure we've always seen anchor chains going into the water at other times we've anchored. The Amsterdam was in Monte Carlo at the same time and I couldn't see any chains there either. Getting on and off the tenders was awful; by far the worst we've had.

[jtl513]

The Amsterdam was in Monte Carlo at the same time and I couldn't see any chains there either. Getting on and off the tenders was awful; by far the worst we've had.When we were in Monaco we docked. Was there a 3rd ship there using the pier, or has HAL gone back to tendering all ships there?

[RedmondCruiser]

When not tied to a pier ships can do one of two things.
1. they can anchor or 2. they can station keep using props and thrusters.

Normally ships want to anchor but as in Grand Cayman there are only a set number of anchorages. We were on the Zaandam and had to station keep in Grand Cayman. Station keeping is not an option when the tides are strong. Hope this answers your questions.

[Jemima]

Regent Seven Seas was docked. There is not much dock space as I recall.

[rkacruiser]

I was aboard the Amsterdam in Monte Carlo at the same time the Veendam was there. I am not sure whether we were anchored or not. But, that would have no effect on the tendering conditions. That particular day, there were some good sized swells at times which made it "interesting" in trying to board or disembark the tenders.

[Gerd]

Hello Jemima,

I do see another reason why in front of the Port Hercule, Monaco's harbor, the Cruise Ship does not anchor.

Please have a look here :

http://www.ports-monaco.com/les_ports_de_monaco/le_port_hercule_en.html

http://www.ibiblio.org/maritime/Scheepvaartnieuws/Pdf/scheepvaartnieuws/2003/monacopierext.PDF

http://www.construction.com/NewsCenter/Headlines/ENR/20020603c.asp

http://www.monaco.gouv.mc/Dataweb/Actus.nsf/7efa73cf9b7e9f8588256a31006acb31/b535376dd7f28568c1256b66003c7d37!OpenDocument


The extension of its harbor outer pier is an semi-floating platform, and is hold in position by 8 long anchor lines. This ingenious construction logically don't allow at its surrounding big anchor and chains from vessels.….



Happy cruising

Gerd




Our marvelous cruises :

MS Ryndam – Wayfarer – March 1997
MS Noordam - Transatlantic Island Hook - April 2001
MS Volendam - Southern Caribbean - April 2002
MS Volendam - Westfarer Caribbean - April 2004
MS Prinsendam - Windmills & Waterford – September 2004
MS Westerdam - Western Caribbean - April 2005
MS Statendam - Hawaii Circle - September 2005
MS Rotterdam - Vikings and Czars – July 2006
MS Veendam - Southern Caribbean – March 2007

106 days - 29'479 Nm


Future Cruise :

MS Volendam, April 1st 2008

http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10731;128/st/20080401/e/MS+Volendam%2C+Panama+Canal/dt/6/k/0b7b/event.png
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)

[Copper10-8]

When we were in Monaco we docked. Was there a 3rd ship there using the pier, or has HAL gone back to tendering all ships there?

Haven't see it but they have built a cruise dock in Monaco. Last time we were there in OCT 03, it was still a tender-only port

"The new cruise ship pier (Nouvelle Digue de Monaco) is located in the Port of Monaco (Hercules Port), just east of the Palais Princier, the home of Prince Albert, and just below the sector of Monte Carlo. Although the new 352 meter dock can accommodate several ships in port, there will be the odd occasion where it's booked up and tenders will need to be utilized."

--by San Diego-based Jana Jones, who is the creator and editor of lodging Web site Sleeping-Around.com, as well as one of Cruise Critic's stalwart ship reviewers.

[rkacruiser]

The Seven Seas Voyager was at the dock when the Veendam and the Amsterdam were in port. There was most certainly not enough room at any pier I saw for a second, let alone a third, cruise ship.

[kryos]

The cruise log from our last cruise reads "9:12 Keeping the Veendam in a steady position on the Monte-Carlo Roads". When tendering we did notice that the Veendam's anchor was hanging ABOVE the water. Is this normal? If not, would it have been part of the reason for the extremely rough tendering?
I remember how rough the tendering was that day. Claudia opted to go back to the ship and not even attempt it. I was dumb enough to try ... and luckily, because of an excellent crew, got away with it.

I too remember seeing that big anchor hanging there and asked about it. I was told there are multiple anchors and that was just one that was not being used.

Blue skies ...

--rita