Cruising right before Refurbishing

[Twinkletoes101]

I read that you should never take a cruise on a ship right before it goes in to be refurbished. I have searched to read about that but cannot come up with anything. Am wondering why that would be a problem. I can imagine the ship is showing wear and tear, but what could the other problems with it be? We are sailing POA right before its dry dock in Feb/March. Answers anyone?

[CruiserBruce]

And I am sure you have read those cautions about blanket statements that include "always" and "never"?

 

The main purpose of a drydock in below the water line work, and repairs in places that can't be addressed while the ship is operating. Many of these things the average passenger usually doesn't see.

 

Yes, soft items like carpets, drapes and furnishings may be replaced. Overhauls of pools and decks may take place. Lots of painting will take place, but on most cruise lines, painting is a 24/7 job.

 

So, yes, if you are on the last cruise prior to a drydock, you may see worse than normal wear. You may even see extra personnel on board starting on some projects. But I have heard few experienced people caution against cruising on a ship immediately before drydock.

 

I have seen many more people caution on sailing on a cruise ship immediately after a drydock. There was a time where it seemed many ships coming out of drydock weren't finished, thus your cruise might be impacted. That seems to have eased a little- don't see that warning as much any more.

Edited September 12, 2015 by CruiserBruce

[Keith1010]

As CruiserBruce noted a portion of the maintenance performed during the dry dock is under the hood so to speak.

 

At the same time just like a hotel other work is performed to refurbish areas of the ship used by the public.

 

I would not hesitate to sail on a shop right before dry dock.

 

Keith

[fishywood]

Materials for the refurbishing are often loaded weeks before the drydock date. And fixtures that are to be replaced can be removed several cruises early as well.

 

I've seen reports here of things like this:

Pallets of construction supplies stacked on the pool deck and in public rooms.

One or more pools closed to let them dry out before painting.

Casino machines shut down to be prepared for removal.

Limited hours and/or selection in some dining venues in preparation for galley to be stripped out.

Less entertainment and activities as some of the cruise staff left for their break early.

Earlier final disembarkation to quickly move ship to drydock site, especially if stewards have to strip cabin and pack up linens and bedding for offloading.

 

Note that in the OPs case the Pride of America is being moved from Hawaii to the mainland for what I hear is a major refit (an exception to the PVSA is being made for a Honolulu to SF sailing).

Edited September 12, 2015 by fishywood

[RuthC]

Twice I have sailed on the last (long) cruise before a major dry dock---one in which there was going to be cabins added, and lots of reconfiguration of the ship.

Neither time was there a problem with that final cruise.

 

The last time, as I came out of dinner on the last night (about 10:00 PM) I found that they had started emptying the shops, padded the elevators, and started some prep work. That was the first real sign that something was about to happen.

During the cruise there were workmen aboard, but they were almost inconspicuous. Were it not for the steel-toed shoes, and the way they picked up, stacked, and brought their lunch dishes to the steward area at lunch time, we wouldn't have noticed them.

 

Now, the first cruise after a major dry dock---that's a different story! If the work hasn't been finished on time, it can be a real mess on that first cruise. Even if the work was finished, sometimes the clean-up leaves a lotto be desired.

[Keith1010]

Materials for the refurbishing are often loaded weeks before the drydock date. And fixtures that are to be replaced can be removed several cruises early as well.

 

I've seen reports here of things like this:

Pallets of construction supplies stacked on the pool deck and in public rooms.

One or more pools closed to let them dry out before painting.

Casino machines shut down to be prepared for removal.

Limited hours and/or selection in some dining venues in preparation for galley to be stripped out.

Less entertainment and activities as some of the cruise staff left for their break early.

Earlier final disembarkation to quickly move ship to drydock site, especially if stewards have to strip cabin and pack up linens and bedding for offloading.

 

Note that in the OPs case the Pride of America is being moved from Hawaii to the mainland for what I hear is a major refit (an exception to the PVSA is being made for a Honolulu to SF sailing).

 

Sorry but I've never seen items loaded on the ship before a dry dock.

 

They are shipped to where the ship will be in dry dock.

 

Yes, they want to begin work as soon as the ship is in the dry dock.

 

And they might do a little prep work the day before.

 

I have been on ships prior to a dry dock and plan to be on another ship prior to a dry dock next year.

 

Keith

Edited September 12, 2015 by Keith1010

[Keith1010]

From the CDC web site:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/preventing-infection.html

 

Keith

[mr green]

I have done it once, with no problems.

 

john

[Cheffiecruiser]

Twice I have sailed on the last (long) cruise before a major dry dock---one in which there was going to be cabins added, and lots of reconfiguration of the ship.

Neither time was there a problem with that final cruise.

 

The last time, as I came out of dinner on the last night (about 10:00 PM) I found that they had started emptying the shops, padded the elevators, and started some prep work. That was the first real sign that something was about to happen.

During the cruise there were workmen aboard, but they were almost inconspicuous. Were it not for the steel-toed shoes, and the way they picked up, stacked, and brought their lunch dishes to the steward area at lunch time, we wouldn't have noticed them.

 

Now, the first cruise after a major dry dock---that's a different story! If the work hasn't been finished on time, it can be a real mess on that first cruise. Even if the work was finished, sometimes the clean-up leaves a lotto be desired.

 

 

We cruised the week before drydock, there were workers, strong smell of varnish, cabin was in shabby shape, and in what I think was an unprecendented move, the cruise line issued OBC's and future cruise credit for literally 100's of people. I would never book a cruise just before dry dock again, unless I was getting an extraordinary deal.

[zqvol]

Materials for the refurbishing are often loaded weeks before the drydock date. And fixtures that are to be replaced can be removed several cruises early as well.

 

I've seen reports here of things like this:

Pallets of construction supplies stacked on the pool deck and in public rooms.

One or more pools closed to let them dry out before painting.

Casino machines shut down to be prepared for removal.

Limited hours and/or selection in some dining venues in preparation for galley to be stripped out.

Less entertainment and activities as some of the cruise staff left for their break early.

Earlier final disembarkation to quickly move ship to drydock site, especially if stewards have to strip cabin and pack up linens and bedding for offloading.

 

Note that in the OPs case the Pride of America is being moved from Hawaii to the mainland for what I hear is a major refit (an exception to the PVSA is being made for a Honolulu to SF sailing).

 

You've seen reports but have you ever seen any of this? Of course not because it doesn't happen.

 

A passenger will never know that a ship is going to dry dock after their cruise based on what they observe on board.

[NMLady]

You've seen reports but have you ever seen any of this? Of course not because it doesn't happen. A passenger will never know that a ship is going to dry dock after their cruise based on what they observe on board.

 

Not always true. We were on a ship that started refurbishing cabins on the lowest deck during the cruise, having upgraded those passengers pre-cruise to cabins on higher decks. (We were upgraded from porthole to balcony :) ).

We often saw workmen carrying materials from storage areas to that deck and often we could hear hammering while we sat in a lounge one deck above. One of the Specialty restaurants was closed the last few days so work on it could start. The observation lounge work was started the day before disembarkation.

None of this really impinged on our enjoyment of the cruise.

Edited September 12, 2015 by NMLady

[LocoLoco1]

Here's a sample of what I've personally experienced while at Sea. Cruise Dept's late because cranes are still loading massive Steel I-beams for upcoming Drydock. No jogging 'round Promenade Deck because 10's of thousands sq/ft Carpet rolls on Deck. Pool drained because decking tore up prior to Drydock date. Crow's Nest Lounge closed last 2 nites prepping for Drydock. Welder's torches force roping off areas near Pool readying for Drydock. I could go on, but Yeah...drydock date matters. Locomotiveman Tom

[iancal]

We avoid a cruise befor dry dock. We will not take the first one or teapots dry dock cruise. We would never take an inaugural cruise or the first one or two after either.

[MCC retired]

Cruised week before drydock 4 times .

Contractors onboard and closed off areas on every one .

Good thing is that sailing may be priced lower .

[VMax1700]

We avoid a cruise befor dry dock. We will not take the first one or teapots dry dock cruise. We would never take an inaugural cruise or the first one or two after either.

 

autocorrect? priceless!

[marco]

On the other hand, sometimes booking an inaugural cruise comes with a perk. A few years ago we booked an inaugural cruise. The ship was not ready and that sailing was canx. We got a full refund and "book any cruise on that ship within the next year and pay 50%". And as far as sailing on the last cruise prior to dry dock for refurbishing....I wouldn't have any qualms at all regarding booking it.

Edited September 13, 2015 by marco

[CPT Trips]

I give little credibility to a poster that says things like this.

 

Note that in the OPs case the Pride of America is being moved from Hawaii to the mainland for what I hear is a major refit (an exception to the PVSA is being made for a Honolulu to SF sailing).

[fishywood]

I give little credibility to a poster that says things like this.

 

 

Quote:

Note that in the OPs case the Pride of America is being moved from Hawaii to the mainland for what I hear is a major refit (an exception to the PVSA is being made for a Honolulu to SF sailing).

 

 

Not one false word in my statement. Much discussion of exactly that on the NCL boards. And there is no position less credible than that of a self-appointed arbiter of others' credibility.

Edited September 13, 2015 by fishywood

[CPT Trips]

Not one false word in my statement. Much discussion of exactly that on the NCL boards. And there is no position less credible than that of a self-appointed arbiter of others' credibility.

 

I'll decide for myself what is credible. I find the discussion here - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2237956 - credible. POA is US flagged and needs no exemption.

 

Are there other related threads to the contrary?

Edited September 14, 2015 by CPT Trips