Drydocks: what goes on exactly?

[WaStateBG]

I assumed that ships sat empty while in drydock while the crew took a break. However, a recent program on the Travel Channel illustrated that nothing could be further from the truth, they showed a drydocked ship where the crew stayed on board and gave the ship a good dose of TLC from cleaning/scrubbing to replacing/repairing. Is it the same on HAL? The Amsterdam is scheduled for a drydock right before my cruise next year, my TA found out from HAL that it was just routine and there will be no changes to the staterooms, but I'm curious if HAL's drydocks are similar to the ship on the Travel Channel (I think it was one of the Disney ships).

[Copper10-8]

I assumed that ships sat empty while in drydock while the crew took a break. However, a recent program on the Travel Channel illustrated that nothing could be further from the truth, they showed a drydocked ship where the crew stayed on board and gave the ship a good dose of TLC from cleaning/scrubbing to replacing/repairing. Is it the same on HAL? The Amsterdam is scheduled for a drydock right before my cruise next year, my TA found out from HAL that it was just routine and there will be no changes to the staterooms, but I'm curious if HAL's drydocks are similar to the ship on the Travel Channel (I think it was one of the Disney ships).

Stuff that goes on in drydock on a dam ship (from an old HAL H/M):

There are a great many things the crew does just before and during a dry dock. These are the things they cannot do in normal operation without disturbing the passengers:

1. Clean and renovate all the sun loungers.
2. Deep-clean cabins and public areas.
3. Empty, clean, and re-stock all the minibars.
4. Shampoo all the carpets.
5. Replace worn carpets.
6. Touch up interior paint.
7. Re-paint exterior.
8. Repair the thousands of little things broken in normal operation.
9. Repaint / re-tile Galley floors.
10. Renovate / replace Galley equipment.
11. Install new cables and pipes for new equipment.
12. Clean up all the mess made by the contractors onboard.
13. Feed and care for the 100s or 1000s of contractors living onboard during the dry dock.
14. Wrap every interior area in plastic to avoid damage from contractors.
15. Repair, clean, upgrade crew areas.
16. Stand fire watch.
17. Carry garbage and debris off the ship every hour.
18. Clean and inventory all items in hundreds of storage lockers.
19. Clean, repaint, and repair swimming pools and jacuzzis.
20. Renovate teak decks.

[cf_chuck]

I assumed that ships sat empty while in drydock while the crew took a break. However, a recent program on the Travel Channel illustrated that nothing could be further from the truth, they showed a drydocked ship where the crew stayed on board and gave the ship a good dose of TLC from cleaning/scrubbing to replacing/repairing. Is it the same on HAL? The Amsterdam is scheduled for a drydock right before my cruise next year, my TA found out from HAL that it was just routine and there will be no changes to the staterooms, but I'm curious if HAL's drydocks are similar to the ship on the Travel Channel (I think it was one of the Disney ships).

HAL's drydocks seem to mimic the story you got from the DC. I base this on my hearsay evidence from the crew of the Volendam in Feb this year, before they did the repositioning from the Caribbean to the AK cruises. The Volendam was scheduled to go into drydock before starting the AK cruise season and most of the crew (except for those that were rotating on vacation) had to remain on board. Those that I spoke with were not looking forward to the experience since many of the ship's major systems (e.g. AC) were shut down during the period and the job assignments were going to be very different than what they were used to. I didn't pry into whether there was any monetary compensation for the loss of tips.

[WaStateBG]

Very informative, thanks guys! So when I sail the ship will be in tiptop shape but the crew will be worn out and in need of a: cruise maybe?

It also sounds like the logistics could be just as extensive as an actual cruise. I would assume if contractors were living on board that staterooms need to be assigned, meals need to be served, etc.

[pipedreams62]

Stuff that goes on in drydock on a dam ship (from an old HAL H/M):

There are a great many things the crew does just before and during a dry dock. These are the things they cannot do in normal operation without disturbing the passengers:

1. Clean and renovate all the sun loungers.
2. Deep-clean cabins and public areas.
3. Empty, clean, and re-stock all the minibars.
4. Shampoo all the carpets.
5. Replace worn carpets.
6. Touch up interior paint.
7. Re-paint exterior.
8. Repair the thousands of little things broken in normal operation.
9. Repaint / re-tile Galley floors.
10. Renovate / replace Galley equipment.
11. Install new cables and pipes for new equipment.
12. Clean up all the mess made by the contractors onboard.
13. Feed and care for the 100s or 1000s of contractors living onboard during the dry dock.
14. Wrap every interior area in plastic to avoid damage from contractors.
15. Repair, clean, upgrade crew areas.
16. Stand fire watch.
17. Carry garbage and debris off the ship every hour.
18. Clean and inventory all items in hundreds of storage lockers.
19. Clean, repaint, and repair swimming pools and jacuzzis.
20. Renovate teak decks.




I'm worn out just reading the list. Sounds like NO FUN

[cf_chuck]

Stuff that goes on in drydock on a dam ship (from an old HAL H/M):




Thanks for the info. I'm looking for a new shipboard experience and also trying out the "ship is the destination" attitude. I think being aboard during drydock would be a great change of pace since there's so much going on, there would likely be no children, and the shore excursions could be done at a leisurely pace since there would be so many days in the port. I figure with the savings of port fees, fuel surcharges and government taxes I can probably afford to get swing at least a veranda if not a suite. But before I get too excited about this, I have to ask a few questions:

1. Do they still have 2 formal nights / week?
2. Do they have art auctions?
3. Is the PG open?
4. How's the evening entertainment?
5. Are the movies really recent DVD releases or are they a week or two old like the sea cruises?
6. Do you think a deluxe would be better than a simple veranda? The way is see things, each will have a restricted view of the bee hive of activity, so I'll probably be spending time roaming on deck (where permitted).
7. Does the shopping advisor run multiple talks about the port and talk about different things, or is it the same spiel repeated over and over?

I will likely have more questions, but I figured I would start with these and see what happens. TIA. :D :D :D :D

[cf_chuck]

It also sounds like the logistics could be just as extensive as an actual cruise. I would assume if contractors were living on board that staterooms need to be assigned, meals need to be served, etc.

Most shipyards hire workers from the local area, so accommodations shouldn't be a problem. Also realize that operations run 24 hrs a day (and often 7 days a week in cases like this). I don't know about serving the contractor meals, most of these people bring a lunch bucket or go to the canteen truck to minimize the amount of down time for meals. The HAL crew aboard has to be fed, of course. Either way, we're not talking the Lido buffet or DR service.

But yes, it is a logistical nightmare, much of which lies in the lap of the shipyard. Crew duties need to be scheduled around whatever work is being done by the shipyard so they don't interfere.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We talked to a crew member we know one time -- it is a rough time on board. When they were doing a lot of electrical updates, while the ship was in dry docked, there were times when the air conditioning was even turned off for several hours at a time.

The crew have to help the workers -- they don't just get to sit around and relax for a couple of weeks.

And remember -- for all this extra work they are doing -- they get only their wages -- no tips.

[Copper10-8]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking for a new shipboard experience and also trying out the "ship is the destination" attitude. I think being aboard during drydock would be a great change of pace since there's so much going on, there would likely be no children, and the shore excursions could be done at a leisurely pace since there would be so many days in the port. I figure with the savings of port fees, fuel surcharges and government taxes I can probably afford to get swing at least a veranda if not a suite. But before I get too excited about this, I have to ask a few questions:

1. Do they still have 2 formal nights / week?
2. Do they have art auctions?
3. Is the PG open?
4. How's the evening entertainment?
5. Are the movies really recent DVD releases or are they a week or two old like the sea cruises?
6. Do you think a deluxe would be better than a simple veranda? The way is see things, each will have a restricted view of the bee hive of activity, so I'll probably be spending time roaming on deck (where permitted).
7. Does the shopping advisor run multiple talks about the port and talk about different things, or is it the same spiel repeated over and over?

I will likely have more questions, but I figured I would start with these and see what happens. TIA. :D :D :D :D

Sorry to say No to questions 1 through 7 but the good news is:

1. Dress codes are enforced 24/7 while in dock with the addition of matching formal and smart casual helmets
2. No water - No problem with diapers in the pools
3. Chair hogging allowed but only below the keel of the ship
4. Photographers may be aggressively pursued for fun
5. Daily popcorn cart races on Promenade deck
6. No running kidies
7. Nighly entertainment by dockworkers

[cf_chuck]

Sorry to say No to questions 1 through 7 but the good news is:

1. Dress codes are enforced 24/7 while in dock with the addition of matching formal and smart casual helmets
2. No water - No problem with diapers in the pools
3. Chair hogging allowed but only below the keel of the ship
4. Photographers may be aggressively pursued for fun
5. Daily popcorn cart races on Promenade deck
6. No running kidies
7. Nighly entertainment by dockworkers

Well, geez, I was hoping that they'd at least have a formal night or two. I suppose I'll have to adjust my expectations. I'm not sorry to see the auctions go.

Since I have my own hard hat (which is appropriate for formal occasions since it's black and white) that has my name on it, do you think I should bring it or go with what they issue aboard? It's good to know that there's no problems with diapers in the pool, I've already consigned myself to the lack of the splashes from the rock and roll of the sea (I doubt they simulate that in dry dock). It's encouraging to know that HAL has responded to the popularity of the chair hogs and have given them their own sty. Do they provide implements for the search and destroy missions against the photographers, or should I bring my own paintball equipment? Is one of the popcorn carts "lite" popcorn? Thanks for the good news about no running kidies, that was one of the questions I forgot. I'm looking forward to the dock worker opera. One of the things I enjoy on embarkation is to watch the activity going on in port as the ship loads. Such a web of activity and it's remarkable that everything comes together the way that it does. But this is looking good so far. :D

[bepsf]

Stuff that goes on in drydock on a dam ship (from an old HAL H/M):

There are a great many things the crew does just before and during a dry dock. These are the things they cannot do in normal operation without disturbing the passengers:

1. Clean and renovate all the sun loungers.
2. Deep-clean cabins and public areas.
3. Empty, clean, and re-stock all the minibars.
4. Shampoo all the carpets.
5. Replace worn carpets.
6. Touch up interior paint.
7. Re-paint exterior.
8. Repair the thousands of little things broken in normal operation.
9. Repaint / re-tile Galley floors.
10. Renovate / replace Galley equipment.
11. Install new cables and pipes for new equipment.
12. Clean up all the mess made by the contractors onboard.
13. Feed and care for the 100s or 1000s of contractors living onboard during the dry dock.
14. Wrap every interior area in plastic to avoid damage from contractors.
15. Repair, clean, upgrade crew areas.
16. Stand fire watch.
17. Carry garbage and debris off the ship every hour.
18. Clean and inventory all items in hundreds of storage lockers.
19. Clean, repaint, and repair swimming pools and jacuzzis.
20. Renovate teak decks.



Also:
Re-upholster, repair and/or replace worn furniture in public rooms and staterooms.
Replenish supplies of china, glassware, cutlery, bedlinens and towels.
Update/replace shipboard computer systems.
Repair/upgrade/maintain all shipboard mechanical/propulsion systems.
Clean/maintain all ballast tanks.
Clean, strip and repaint the hull below the waterline.

It's not easy work, and definitely not a vacation.

[Taxguy7]

The sound of the sea is through records, Choice of light, medium or heavy seas.:)
No expense is to much to keep pax happy.