freedom of the Seas arrival is delayed

[dccooper]

It does not look like FOS spent 2 days in Nassau to make repairs. So my question is did they do anything to fix the propulsion problems that has been talked about in this thread.

[ryano]

It does not look like FOS spent 2 days in Nassau to make repairs. So my question is did they do anything to fix the propulsion problems that has been talked about in this thread.

 

No, they just removed the blades of the prop to prevent further damage. My guess is the actual repair cannot be made until drydock next month.

 

This pic was taken by a member of a FB forum I belong to.

 

Edited December 4, 2014 by ryano

[LetsGetWet!]

No, they just removed the blades of the prop to prevent further damage. My guess is the actual repair cannot be made until drydock next month.

 

This pic was taken by a member of a FB forum I belong to.

 

Not sure if there would be any damage from leaving the blades in place, but if that pod is incapable of being powered/driven then the blades in place create TREMENDOUS drag. They'll be able to cruise a lot faster & more efficiently without the blades.

[ryano]

Not sure if there would be any damage from leaving the blades in place, but if that pod is incapable of being powered/driven then the blades in place create TREMENDOUS drag. They'll be able to cruise a lot faster & more efficiently without the blades.

 

I totally agree and I think you are the closest to the truth as to why they removed them. :) Someone on that forum that is on the ship posted it was to prevent further damage.

 

From my understanding, it was the center stationary pod that had the trouble.

Edited December 4, 2014 by ryano

[LetsGetWet!]

I totally agree and I think you are the closest to the truth as to why they removed them. :) Someone on that forum that is on the ship posted it was to prevent further damage.

 

From my understanding, it was the center stationary pod that had the trouble.

I can't say with authority that there would be no damage, but I CAN say with certainty that the drag and resulting loss of speed would be very significant. :)

[molly361]

Someone onboard also posted on the roll call for 12/7 that during the Captain's Corner they were told that on the next few sailings they PROBABLY will miss a port on each sailing

[reallyitsmema]

I totally agree and I think you are the closest to the truth as to why they removed them. :) Someone on that forum that is on the ship posted it was to prevent further damage.

 

From my understanding, it was the center stationary pod that had the trouble.

 

There is a copy of the letter that people received on board that says the blades were removed to prevent further damage to the motor. Not sure if the letter is in this thread or one of the other Freedom threads but it is around here somewhere.:)

[Ourusualbeach]

In addition to what Ellen posted they also stated that they were told by the Captain they would lose 4-5 knots of speed due to the propellers being removed. They said they were travelling at 16 knots. Her cruising speed is listed at 21.6 knots on the fact sheet.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Ourusualbeach

[ryano]

There is a copy of the letter that people received on board that says the blades were removed to prevent further damage to the motor. Not sure if the letter is in this thread or one of the other Freedom threads but it is around here somewhere.:)

 

To "prevent further damage" sounds much better in a letter than "we are doing this to reduce drag and save some fuel" :D :p:cool:

[LetsGetWet!]

To "prevent further damage" sounds much better in a letter than "we are doing this to reduce drag and save some fuel" :D :p:cool:

True true - although... "we are doing this to reduce drag so we can maintain a higher speed that keeps us closer to our scheduled port arrival/departure times" would probably sound pretty good too! ;)

[Ocean Boy]

I can't say with authority that there would be no damage, but I CAN say with certainty that the drag and resulting loss of speed would be very significant. :)

 

If the issue is something like a bearing problem (which pods are notorious for) leaving the blades on can cause further damage. It doesn't matter if the internal parts are rotating from power to the pod or from the blades causing rotation as the ship moves through the water. The movement of the internal parts can cause damage. Locking the blades to prevent rotation greatly increases drag and fuel consumption. So the best option is to remove them.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Ocean Boy

[dccooper]

Thanks for the update we leave on the 12/14 sailing, so it should be interesting to see what changes they make.

[cruisegirl1]

I am sailing later in December. Will December Freedom cruisers keep us posted on any itinerary changes.

 

Thanks,

M

Edited December 5, 2014 by cruisegirl1

[WX6Y]

No, they just removed the blades of the prop to prevent further damage. My guess is the actual repair cannot be made until drydock next month.

 

This pic was taken by a member of a FB forum I belong to.

 

 

Anyone else pick up on the fact that the blades are NOT from the same prop shaft? look at them, they turn in opposite directions... Hmmm... That adds to the mystery...

[A6cruiser]

It looks like they are from the same shaft just facing different direction s on the dock. I could be off on that but take a look.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[papaflamingo]

If the issue is something like a bearing problem (which pods are notorious for) leaving the blades on can cause further damage. It doesn't matter if the internal parts are rotating from power to the pod or from the blades causing rotation as the ship moves through the water. The movement of the internal parts can cause damage. Locking the blades to prevent rotation greatly increases drag and fuel consumption. So the best option is to remove them.

 

Good points all. Seems obvious that dragging blades would significantly increase fuel costs. These would certainly be passed on to passengers at some point. But it is very likely cheaper to remove the blades.

Additionally the blades would want to move, even if capable of being "locked" in place. This would create tremendous strain on the pods. I am a pilot. In a propeller driven airplane we "feather" the props if an engine fails to keep them from turning, not only creating tremendous drag, but also to prevent "turning the engine." A common problem in radial engines was the "underboost." It occurred when the prop turned the engine instead of the engine turning the prop. I suppose if the screw turned the pod on a cruise ship it could lead to tremendous damage.

So, likely they were removed with both economy and safety in mind. Imaging the locking mechanism (I would assume there is one) failing at sea.

Seems that this was a minor inconvenience, disappointing (we have 8 friends onboard), but not the worst cruise ever.

[sand and water]

So, with the problem on the Freedom, will we be missing port? I called Royal and they told me no change, just wondering

[breezy_carol]

It looks like they are from the same shaft just facing different direction s on the dock. I could be off on that but take a look.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Looks that way to me also.

[Ourusualbeach]

So, with the problem on the Freedom, will we be missing port? I called Royal and they told me no change, just wondering

 

It's all speculation right now. Your sailing will be the first full sailing since the blades on one of the propellers were removed. My guess is that if there is a change you won't find out about it until you are on board.

 

Looking at marine traffic as the freedom left Cozumel it showed she had a speed of 18.9 knots which is much better than what was reported on here. Not sure if that speed is 100% accurate though.

[Royalcaribbeans]

I am wondering if you receive a Sea Pass Card or a bracelet for all your accounts and to enter your cabin.

[APDMOM]

So, with the problem on the Freedom, will we be missing port? I called Royal and they told me no change, just wondering

 

Soneone on our roll call for Dec 7th is updating us there. He is currently on the ship, staying on for a back to back. Word from him is that we will still visit all the ports, with possible time adjustments. They are running on time to reach Port Canaveral tomorrow morning. Yay!!! I am just happy to be getting onto the ship :)

[UNV-IT!!!]

I am wondering if you receive a Sea Pass Card or a bracelet for all your accounts and to enter your cabin.

 

Wrong ship

[GonnaSailtoo]

Good news! Boarding the Freedom this morning :cool:

[Jessie2013]

Good news! Boarding the Freedom this morning :cool:

 

 

Have a wonderful cruise! I'd love to hear how the boarding process goes- hopefully smooth as usual!

 

 

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[CruisingWalter]

I was standing outside on the balcony I think when these were taken. Cabin 9662 behind the kickout, probably under "of the" in the Freedom Of The Seas name.

 

 

sent from my galaxy s4 please excuse any error's thanks

Edited December 7, 2014 by creativegenius