All never cruise ships have vacuum toilets?

[cruising cockroach]

Sailed on the Island Princess last month. Not the newest cruise ship by any chance but I noticed that the toilets weren't "flush" but rather, vacuum actuated, and a very strong vacuum at that too. That'd explain why one cannot flush the toilet while sitting on it (I can imagine more corpulent people being stuck as a result).

 

FWIW, not the same as an aircraft toilet which is blasted by air flow into the sewage tanks by pressure (sewage tank being much lower pressure than cabin pressure).

[paul929207]

Vacuum toilets are the only kind I have seen.

[Capt_BJ]

the system allows for the minimum use of fresh water per flush. Among the reasons: Fresh water is a scarce commodity on a ship so minimal use per flush is desirable. B4 this system came around the sanitary system was salt water which has problems with salt buildup in the pipes over time and added corrosion of metal parts. I departed my first ship assignment when the ship arrived at the yard to have the vacume system installed.

 

Airplane systems are chemical - that blue fluid.

[John Bull]

There's still a few venerable old ladies on the ocean with regular flush.

I've been told that its not on the same system as the bath/shower/sink, & that they use "grey" water re-cycled from baths & kitchens & such.

Not sure if that's true, it doesn't taste any different.

 

JB ;)

[Keith1010]

Mainly vacuum toilets is what you will see.

 

Keith

[6rugrats]

I've been told that its not on the same system as the bath/shower/sink, & that they use "grey" water re-cycled from baths & kitchens & such.

Not sure if that's true, it doesn't taste any different.

 

JB ;)

Do you often taste the water in the toilet :)?

[MCC retired]

Been cruising over 35 years.

Never had anything but vacume toilets .

[John Bull]

Do you often taste the water in the toilet :)?

 

Not at home, I don't.

It's un-hygienic to share with the dog.

 

JB :D

[loubetti]

Vacuum toilets usually is what it is, get used to it.

[donaldsc]

Sailed on the Island Princess last month. Not the newest cruise ship by any chance but I noticed that the toilets weren't "flush" but rather, vacuum actuated, and a very strong vacuum at that too. That'd explain why one cannot flush the toilet while sitting on it (I can imagine more corpulent people being stuck as a result).

 

FWIW, not the same as an aircraft toilet which is blasted by air flow into the sewage tanks by pressure (sewage tank being much lower pressure than cabin pressure).

 

I believe but I am not sure that Mythbusters has done something on cruise ship toilets.

 

DON

[loubetti]

Airplane systems are chemical - that blue fluid.

 

And what do you think flushes them with that blue fluid? :rolleyes:

 

VACUUM!

 

The same as what flushes the drain in the sink with water.

[boogs]

I believe but I am not sure that Mythbusters has done something on cruise ship toilets.

 

DON

 

Nope, airplane toilets. They proved that it's a myth that if you flushed while still sitting it would try to pull you in.

 

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/videos/airline-toilet-test.htm

[jamessemaj]

Nope, airplane toilets. They proved that it's a myth that if you flushed while still sitting it would try to pull you in.

 

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/videos/airline-toilet-test.htm

 

Myth or not, we do know that cruise lines invigorate you and airlines suck the life out of you.

[Capt_BJ]

airline chemical is gravity ..... just like your RV

 

and it is held for dumping unlike a ship system that "processes" for dumping at sea

 

aka it runs thru a food processor

 

curiously these systems have become SO complicated that b4 I left the service we were seeing reports for ships that they could not sail because the computer used to fix the toilet was broken

 

[cruising cockroach]

Myth or not, we do know that cruise lines invigorate you and airlines suck the life out of you.

 

Depends on your class of service....

[jamessemaj]

Depends on your class of service....

 

Very true. I was referring to the class of service that the vast majority of people travel. I'm usually in that group. I call it goat pen class.