Dry Dock

[Firepath]

Is it possible that any ships scheduled for renovation later this year could have that done during the no- cruise time instead? Or is the schedule firm with no working around that?

[rkacruiser]

A great question and one that I have considered as well.  If dry dock space is available in a shipyard somewhere, such might well be done.  All ships have a mandatory time frame in which to do a set number of dry docks.  Also, I think, wet docks.  If so, and space is available, it's an ideal time for them to do so.  

[CruiserBruce]

The consideration here is twofold. First, there isn't unlimited drydock space...so that could limit things. And drydocks take extensive planning and staging of supplies. So, if there isn't time to acquire the required equipment and supplies, its going to be difficult. Remember, drydocks are planned and prepared for months, if not years, in advance.

[leaveitallbehind]

And to add to CruiserBruce's comments, while many drydock periods are basically for planned and routine mechanical maintenance, many also include extensive refurbishments to staterooms and venues, as well as on certain ships, complete stage remakes for major entertainment shows that are on board for several years running. 

 

Even those that are not that extensive are often based on maintenance time lines that are at performed at specific intervals that are typically the basis for their scheduled times.  Either way, those drydock periods simply cannot be jumped into short notice time slots.

 

So for the most part, while maybe some can, the answer is likely no.

Edited March 15, 2020 by leaveitallbehind

[taglovestocruise]

1 hour ago, Firepath said:

Is it possible that any ships scheduled for renovation later this year could have that done during the no- cruise time instead? Or is the schedule firm with no working around that?

Royal Caribbean has cancelled two dry docks for later this year. Allure of the Seas went into a 58 day $125 million dollar dry dock yesterday,  last night they announced Allure will cut 30 days from the dry dock schedule, cancel about 90% of the Amped upgrades and only do propulsion and maintenance issues.  Royal will save over 1/4 billion on upgrades this year. 

[That sinking feeling]

And of course what's to say people will be allowed to work on ships just now?

 

Is it safe to have a few hundred workers on board if you cant have passengers?

 

It's all part of the current madness.

[chengkp75]

If you were to find drydock space, and have your materials ready, if you do a drydock outside of the statutory "window" (6 months either side of the 5 year date), you would then have to do another at sometime inside the window.  In other words, depending on how early you do a docking, you won't get "credit" for having done it.

 

As for having workers onboard a ship in shipyard, the ship is no more hazardous to your health in this epidemic than any other factory or workplace, and no one has shut down all industry or business.  And, the shipyards have hundreds of workers on cargo ships undergoing repairs every day, and no one questions this?  Why would a cruise ship be any different?

[chengkp75]

10 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Royal Caribbean has cancelled two dry docks for later this year. Allure of the Seas went into a 58 day $125 million dollar dry dock yesterday,  last night they announced Allure will cut 30 days from the dry dock schedule, cancel about 90% of the Amped upgrades and only do propulsion and maintenance issues.  Royal will save over 1/4 billion on upgrades this year. 

Only smart to defer optional expenses during a downturn.

[wishIweretravelling]

Not to mention those dry dock facilities located in countries like Italy that are completely shut down.

[navybankerteacher]

Most dry dock slots are booked months in advance - usually for  a week or two.  I suppose there could be some open slots, but I imagine those in Italy might not be available right now.

[Capt_BJ]

I once had need of an 'unscheduled' dry dock ..... in other words an emergency issue .... but we didn't like to use that word!

 

FINDING a suitable place on short notice was an issue ......

 

places that run dry dock services for large ships try to NOT have them sitting empty

 

and agree with comments about staging materials for 'not emergency' work.

 

as lines see income dry up I suspect they will try to CUT spending, not increase . . . .

 

******\side bar: I have a late May cruise booked and the drink package price jumped significantly in recent days ....... got to recoup lost revenue . . . . 

Edited March 15, 2020 by Capt_BJ