Silhouette mechanical problem ? (Several Threads Merged)

[Barwick Cruiser]

For those of you with a 12 noon arrival in Venice, please note that our June 10 sailing had an original 9 a.m. arrival time and we learned when checking in that we would not dock until 12 noon in Venice for mechanical reasons. But, in reality, we didn't actually dock in Venice until closer to 1 p.m. and the gangway didn't open until about 1:30 p.m. (Barwick Cruiser, can you confirm that my memory was correct?). So folks who are scheduling private tours should be aware that 12 noon is not a hard and fast time. Folks on our cruise were very disappointed by the late arrival as it really cut into their day in Venice.

 

We had a marvelous cruise on the Silhouette and no other ports or times were affected.

 

Haha, yes your memory is working perfectly. We were still traversing the Grand Canal at noon and it was 1:30 before anyone could depart. I know many who kept their booked tours that were scheduled to start at that time, thinking that even with the delayed arrival of noon they'd have time to make their tours and still missed out. If you haven't paid upfront then no worries, but I wouldn't count on a specific arrival time for Venice, if our cruise is anything to go by.

[LPCKG]

We sailed on the Silhouette, 22 June sailing from Venice. We sailed on time and we left Dubrovnik a few (I think 2 hours earlier) ; we then had a day at sea however we did arrive into Rome one hour later than planned however we sailed out one later than planned - so same amount of time Port, just slightly different timings.

 

On the second sea day we attended the Captain's talk - first time we have attended such as talk and we were very impressed. Great Captain. He explained that the ship was NOT suffering from a mechanical issue. However, the ship was undergoing testing each sailing that meant the 'cruise speed' was fractionally reduced and this had impacted upon the arrival times into Dubrovnik and Rome. No further Ports were affected. However, he had sailed later out of Rome to enable everyone to have the same 'time in Port'.

 

Hope that information helps. Forgive me if already answered in full - didn't scroll the thread before responding.

Edited July 12, 2014 by LPCKG

[Kevnzworld]

I do not want to alarm you, but ....I am on the Sept 23 sailing...but went back on the X website to check for updates, etc. and found that the Nov 1 TA cruise is not even showing up on their website for booking. I hope that is not an indication of when they expect to fix the problem. I have checked this for the past 2 days.

 

So, since you are on the Nov 1 TA sailing, perhaps you have some inside info to share.

 

Last I checked it was sold out... I guess others already answered that :)

Edited July 12, 2014 by Kevnzworld

[dkjretired]

We sailed on the Silhouette, 22 June sailing from Venice. We sailed on time and we left Dubrovnik a few (I think 2 hours earlier) ; we then had a day at sea however we did arrive into Rome one hour later than planned however we sailed out one later than planned - so same amount of time Port, just slightly different timings.

 

On the second sea day we attended the Captain's talk - first time we have attended such as talk and we were very impressed. Great Captain. He explained that the ship was NOT suffering from a mechanical issue. However, the ship was undergoing testing each sailing that meant the 'cruise speed' was fractionally reduced and this had impacted upon the arrival times into Dubrovnik and Rome. No further Ports were affected. However, he had sailed later out of Rome to enable everyone to have the same 'time in Port'.

 

Hope that information helps. Forgive me if already answered in full - didn't scroll the thread before responding.

 

Captain should contact Miami and get their stories straight, Miami says it is a mechanical problem, see below link.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5912

 

Also, I'm working off my phone today and can't research it but the Celebrity Cruises poster stated they have made alterations to nine cruises. If someone checks nine cruises out, we might get a better indication of when they might be looking to fix it. I really can't see them crossing the Atlantic without fixing it. Of course, we don't know what the actual problem is.

[cle-guy]

I really can't see them crossing the Atlantic without fixing it. Of course, we don't know what the actual problem is.

 

From what I've read, they can now only travel at 20kts or so as opposed to 23-24. My TA's have been at 18kts, so seems like its not such a big deal to make the crossing with the issues whatever they may be. Allure went 6 months without being fixed, and I thought another poster (maybe a similar thread and not this one) said Reflection crossed in 2013 with similar issues, but I have no idea if that report is accurate.

 

That RCI has ownership in a shipyard in the Bahamas, seems lie a natural that's where they intend to get things fixed sometime this winter once they can juggle with existing ships from whoever already has the dry dock slots reserved to get a slot for the fix.

[cruise47]

Are mechanical problems this early commons with new ships that are less than 10 years old ?

[cle-guy]

Are mechanical problems this early commons with new ships that are less than 10 years old ?

 

If you do a google search, Azipod issues are somewhat common across multiple cruise lines and ships, as they are a relatively new technology and therefore no real data exists on useful life and when they need firm repairs or replacement.

 

Bearings seem to be a primary culprit of issues.

[dkjretired]

From what I've read, they can now only travel at 20kts or so as opposed to 23-24. My TA's have been at 18kts, so seems like its not such a big deal to make the crossing with the issues whatever they may be. Allure went 6 months without being fixed, and I thought another poster (maybe a similar thread and not this one) said Reflection crossed in 2013 with similar issues, but I have no idea if that report is accurate.

 

That RCI has ownership in a shipyard in the Bahamas, seems lie a natural that's where they intend to get things fixed sometime this winter once they can juggle with existing ships from whoever already has the dry dock slots reserved to get a slot for the fix.

 

I agree, my own gut feeling is I would be worried if I booked the first cruise after the TA. The Bahamas shipyard has been used many times by Celebrity but all this is speculation since we don't know the actual problem.

[Turtles06]

I really can't see them crossing the Atlantic without fixing it. Of course, we don't know what the actual problem is.

 

I'm on the Silhouette TA this fall, and Celebrity has shortened two of our port calls by an hour each, so apparently "fixing it" (whatever "it" is) will not take place before the crossing. Perhaps we'll get an extra sea day. :)

[cle-guy]

One thing I find interesting, is the pot that said Captain said they were "data logging" Perhaps they are experimenting for a whole season on this ship monitoring fuel consumption at reduced speeds to look at adjusting port calls in the future to determine fuel savings versus lost revenues for fewer ports or something. That the changes have all bee just a couple hours, and even on a long TA being just a couple hours changes (well, the TA already travels at a relatively slow pace, so maybe nothing telling there...), is odd to me.

[Opal91086]

I'm on the Silhouette TA this fall, and Celebrity has shortened two of our port calls by an hour each, so apparently "fixing it" (whatever "it" is) will not take place before the crossing. Perhaps we'll get an extra sea day. :)

 

As long as we have a ride home! We are on an RCL Serenade cruise prior to this one. Any idea what would happen?

[momofmeg]

How long has she been missing ports and does Celebrity plan to fix her before she return to the Caribbean? I want to hear it form those who have cruised her and I mean since she left the Caribbean for Europe.

 

I am on her Thanksgiving week and I think her TA from Europe is late October. Heck, if it is as bad as the CC article says will she even be made it to the Caribbean by November 23?

[momofmeg]

How long has she been missing ports and does Celebrity plan to fix her before she return to the Caribbean? I want to hear it form those who have cruised her and I mean since she left the Caribbean for Europe.

 

I am on her Thanksgiving week and I think her TA from Europe is late October. Heck, if it is as bad as the CC article says will she even be made it to the Caribbean by November 23?

 

Okay, I had started a thread and the mod moved it here-now that I have read this, my question is answered. I am on the second Caribbean sailing after the TA so I see there is a good chance my cruise will be cancelled in the drydock is over 7 days.

 

Thank you mods for moving my post here as I had not seen this thread.

[Opal91086]

I was on Silhouette in late January. I didn't notice anything. I wonder when it started?

[emcee207]

I was on Silhouette in late January. I didn't notice anything. I wonder when it started?

 

Port Charlotte?? We're in South Gulf Cove.

[Opal91086]

Port Charlotte?? We're in South Gulf Cove.

 

Riverwood! :)

[cle-guy]

How long has she been missing ports and does Celebrity plan to fix her before she return to the Caribbean? I want to hear it form those who have cruised her and I mean since she left the Caribbean for Europe.

 

I am on her Thanksgiving week and I think her TA from Europe is late October. Heck, if it is as bad as the CC article says will she even be made it to the Caribbean by November 23?

 

What article are you referring to?

 

The "official release" that was referred to here earlier just says it's not traveling at optimum speed.

 

I don't believe any ports have been missed yet, arrival and departure times have been modified and a couple have had ports substituted reasons may not even be related to the mechanical issue on the swaps.

 

Another cruiser on recent sailing with modified ports said they are going 19kts (versus its designed speed of 24kts) at the reduced speeds. My TA's have both been done at 18kts, so not even the speed of the reduced speed, so crossing should be no issue. Reflection did a TA 2 years ago with under reduced speed with no issue, Oasis sailed the caribbean for 6 months with similar issues requiring reduced speed before getting its repairs.

 

I'd say they will do the fix sometime in 2015, as the Thanksgiving periods are busy and they'd want to affect as few people as possible. Also they need time to organize a slot in dry dock, which slots are often booked years in advance so that means negotiating with some other ship to swap space, and then that other ship needs to adjust its sailings too....be it a passenger vessel or cargo or some other type pot vessel.

 

There's no reason to believe will will be repaired immediately after the crossing either. Since it's not a full dry dock routine that takes a week or more, likely it only needs 2-3 days to accomplish whatever needs done to fix an azipod, if that's the issue at hand. And my assumption there is most of the time will be in getting the ship in and put of dry dock itself, not so much time to make the actual repair.

[Cruising89143]

Okay, I had started a thread and the mod moved it here-now that I have read this, my question is answered. I am on the second Caribbean sailing after the TA so I see there is a good chance my cruise will be cancelled in the drydock is over 7 days.

 

Thank you mods for moving my post here as I had not seen this thread.

 

Hopefully X will let everyone know soon. At this point no one knows for sure when the ship will be repaired. It's all a guess right now until we hear from X and any news posted here unless from X is hearsay.

[shackpacker]

Our travel agent sent us the changes. We are just arriving a little later at two of the ports, apparently. No big deal; we are mainly going for the sailing experience.:)

[nineteen]

Our travel agent sent us the changes. We are just arriving a little later at two of the ports, apparently. No big deal; we are mainly going for the sailing experience.:)

What sailing date ?

[dkjretired]

I sometimes find interesting what is not said. CelebrityCruises has often posted to help cruisers solve problems or announce new programs. The posts and offers of help are most appreciated. Interesting to me that they have not posted on this thread. What can you tell us? The first rule of Crisis Management is to get ahead of the story. Control the story, don't let it control you. Rumors and hearsay can become a PR nightmare.

 

Getting ahead of things is not something that Celebrity has ever done when something goes wrong.. If you will remember going back to all the pod problems on the M class ships and other issues, it took them a long time to finally get it.

[dkjretired]

Not upset about possible changes in port schedules hours but really need to be notified if arrival time in final destination port of Venice is delayed. As long as Celebrity knows these changes in advance, they should notify all passengers involved. Notification would enable us to make our disembarkation plans in advance and without undue stress. I noticed on our roll call board that one passenger stated that they actually received a text from Celebrity informing them of a change of one of our ports on our Itinerary. Celebrity has all our contact information, yet we received no notification that we are now going to Katakalon instead of Chania. I don't mind if they change ports but why only notify a few people when they stated they will inform their passengers of changes. Please Celebrity,if you know that the arrival into Venice on the upcoming July 15 cruise will delayed by several hours as it will be on the next identical itinerary in September please let us know. We are also Captains Club so our info is on file with Celebrity. Our cruise begins in five days.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Did you book through Celebrity or a TA...

[Compass Rose Monica]

Our travel agent sent us the changes. We are just arriving a little later at two of the ports, apparently. No big deal; we are mainly going for the sailing experience.:)

 

If you are on the Silhouette transatlantic for 1 November 2014, join our roll call.

 

Monica

[dkjretired]

What article are you referring to?

 

The "official release" that was referred to here earlier just says it's not traveling at optimum speed.

 

I don't believe any ports have been missed yet, arrival and departure times have been modified and a couple have had ports substituted reasons may not even be related to the mechanical issue on the swaps.

 

Another cruiser on recent sailing with modified ports said they are going 19kts (versus its designed speed of 24kts) at the reduced speeds. My TA's have both been done at 18kts, so not even the speed of the reduced speed, so crossing should be no issue. Reflection did a TA 2 years ago with under reduced speed with no issue, Oasis sailed the caribbean for 6 months with similar issues requiring reduced speed before getting its repairs.

 

I'd say they will do the fix sometime in 2015, as the Thanksgiving periods are busy and they'd want to affect as few people as possible. Also they need time to organize a slot in dry dock, which slots are often booked years in advance so that means negotiating with some other ship to swap space, and then that other ship needs to adjust its sailings too....be it a passenger vessel or cargo or some other type pot vessel.

 

There's no reason to believe will will be repaired immediately after the crossing either. Since it's not a full dry dock routine that takes a week or more, likely it only needs 2-3 days to accomplish whatever needs done to fix an azipod, if that's the issue at hand. And my assumption there is most of the time will be in getting the ship in and put of dry dock itself, not so much time to make the actual repair.

 

This article says there is a problem....I posted it awhile back but since these posts have been merged perhaps you missed it.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5912

[Celebrity Cruises]

I sometimes find interesting what is not said. CelebrityCruises has often posted to help cruisers solve problems or announce new programs. The posts and offers of help are most appreciated. Interesting to me that they have not posted on this thread. What can you tell us? The first rule of Crisis Management is to get ahead of the story. Control the story, don't let it control you. Rumors and hearsay can become a PR nightmare.

 

Hello there,

 

We're trying! At the time, we saw two different threads, and we issued a response to both. As more threads get created, are merged, or are erased, we sometimes may miss a thread - such as this one. Our statement can be found below:

 

Celebrity Silhouette is currently experiencing a slight restriction on its top speed, which has required us to make modifications to nine upcoming sailings.

 

It is important for us to assure our guests that this small restriction on the ship’s top speed does not impact, in any way, the maneuverability of the ship or the safety of our guests and crew.

 

Celebrity will contact travel partners and guests should additional modifications need to be made to future itineraries. We apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause to our guests.