The Engine

[globalwife]

Okay so I am sure this is going to sound weird, unless you know or are an engineer....

 

My husband is a Mechanical engineer. We are going on our first cruise together. The one thing he really wants to do is see the engine. My thinking is no way because of things like 9/11. has anyone been in the engine rooms? do you think it would be possible for him to see them on our cruise?

[DanJ]

No, he will not see the engine (actually there are anywhere from 4 to 6 engines on the ship). Depending on the ship, they offer a tour of behind the scenes areas (for a fee). I did the Behind The Fun tour on the Carnival Pride last week and one of the stops was the engine control room, but that is just the room where all the computer monitors and a set of ship controls are, not the space at the bottom of the ship where the engines actually are.

[TrentS]

Okay so I am sure this is going to sound weird, unless you know or are an engineer....

 

My husband is a Mechanical engineer. We are going on our first cruise together. The one thing he really wants to do is see the engine. My thinking is no way because of things like 9/11. has anyone been in the engine rooms? do you think it would be possible for him to see them on our cruise?

 

It's not going to happen... And quite frankly it's very hot and quite miserable in there. They sell pictures of the engine room in the photo shop, but the closest it's possible to come is the ECR.

[wwinfl91]

My dad was a stationary engineer and during WW II he was a chief petty officer on a transport ship, the Wakefield and ran the engine room during his shift for that ship. I had always wanted to see a ship's engine room but have been refused the privledge on every cruise ship we have sailed on.

 

I have been to engine rooms on several WW II ships that have been opened for historic purposes.

 

I suspect your husband will NOT be able to see the engine room during your cruise but give it a try.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[Cruzaholic41]

Actually, contrary to what has been said so far in this thread, some cruise lines are starting to offer behind the scenes tours that include the engineering control room. I believe Princess is one. Some, if not most, engineering control rooms have large picture windows overlooking the engine space.

[dfb]

I have been to the engine room on a couple of ships on a couple of lines. So, the answer is maybe. Ask at the Reception Desk when you board your ship. Make friends with the Chief Engineer, Cruise Director, Hotel Manager, Captain, Chef, Dining Room Manager, Food and Bev. Mgr., any one you can find onboard and tell them about wanting to see the engine room. If your cruise line allows it at all, you may get an invitation. Good luck, Debbie

[sail7seas]

It is harder to be permitted a tour of the engine room than the bridge. Won't say it absolutely is impossible but very difficult to get permission. Among other obvious reasons is liability and chance of accident.

 

[kitty9]

I've watched some shows on cruising and cruise ships and on those, they wouldn't even let the TV crews shoot in the engine room for security reasons. I'm guessing it's because they don't want anyone to see how/what/where in order to avoid terrorist attacks.

[ehfl]

You will likely not be able to see the engine room for obvious security reasons.

 

The engines are just big generators. The propellers are operated by electric motors mounted beneath the hull...you won't be able to see the propulsion motors unless the ship is drydocked.

[DanJ]

Actually, contrary to what has been said so far in this thread, some cruise lines are starting to offer behind the scenes tours that include the engineering control room. I believe Princess is one. Some, if not most, engineering control rooms have large picture windows overlooking the engine space.

 

Gee, where have I heard that before. The engine control room on the Pride is on A deck, which is the tender embarkation level, and has a large picture window overlooking the ocean. Our tour went down to C deck, which is the level above the engine spaces.

[Putterdude]

Odds are you are not going to get a tour. But once aboard I would get the name of the Chief Engineer, normally you will find picutes and names of the senior officers in one of public areas, and write him a note requesting a tour and why you would like it...try to make a connection that catches his imagination. If you don't ask .... you won't get.

[spongerob]

Actually, contrary to what has been said so far in this thread, some cruise lines are starting to offer behind the scenes tours that include the engineering control room. I believe Princess is one. Some, if not most, engineering control rooms have large picture windows overlooking the engine space.

They have cameras. Corporate policy does not permit passengers going into the areas where the engines and other machinery is located. Some of us asked if we could go further and were told that we could not.

 

Anyway, have been in similar facilities (natural gas compression plants) it's not really a place you want to be anyway. Noisy and hot doesn't really describe what it's really like.

[smeyer418]

I have been to the engine room on a couple of ships on a couple of lines. So, the answer is maybe. Ask at the Reception Desk when you board your ship. Make friends with the Chief Engineer, Cruise Director, Hotel Manager, Captain, Chef, Dining Room Manager, Food and Bev. Mgr., any one you can find onboard and tell them about wanting to see the engine room. If your cruise line allows it at all, you may get an invitation. Good luck, Debbie

I agree also if you have a particular reason to want to see it(like being a chief engineer from the Navy) write a note to the Chief engineer telling why you want a tour and asking for his help(yes I know this is sexist but I have yet to see a female chief engineer). You can get the person's name from the front desk or from the picture list they have of the officers(also normally near the front desk). They will deliver the note for you and you have a chance(not a great one) of getting the tour.

The engine room is restricted for safety reasons but the CE can authorize an escorted tour.

[dfb]

Photo below doesn't show the heat or noise! They issued us the white coveralls like that one and earplugs to wear. We needed them. Actually, not much too look at either, but it is interesting. Debbie

[wecruiz]

If your husband's interest is work based then he will probably get more information through technical manuals and literature at work. If he is just curious then, as suggested he should make himself known to the Chief Engineer - talk shop and develop a personal connection. This will take time and eat up a good portion of the cruise, so his interest will need to be genuine. As mentioned before some lines will be giving tours of certain area, but security, crew availability and insurance concerns will dictate what areas are to be opened to these tours.

[grand isle joe]

I was on RCCL Freedom of the Seas over New Years and the line raffled off a tour of the engine room given by the head Engineer with all proceeds going to Make A Wish program. Mon it and it was a complete tour with the Engine control room, the engines themselves (6 of them) and the electrical rooms,water distillery, and waste control. It was amazing how large and clean those facilities are kept. It Your husband would be amazed of the amount of power and energy is developed and used. The Head Engineer knew everything down to the smallest detail and teh ship was his pride and joy. Try asking one of the officers onboard and the Head Engineer is onboard topside at a number of events and would think he would be proud to show off his space so long as the line approves. Wish you luck.

[Aquahound]

The engines are just big generators.

 

Actually, the engines are what power the generators.