Where does the ship go?

[sueandkent]

We booked a quick 3 night from Vancouver to San Fran. Itinerary is leaving Vancouver at 4:30pm arriving in Victoria at 7am the next day. It's a two hour ferry ride over to the island, where does the ship sail all night? Does it sail around the island, do circles out in the ocean? Anybody know who has done this? Thanks.

[Colo Cruiser]

We booked a quick 3 night from Vancouver to San Fran. Itinerary is leaving Vancouver at 4:30pm arriving in Victoria at 7am the next day. It's a two hour ferry ride over to the island, where does the ship sail all night? Does it sail around the island, do circles out in the ocean? Anybody know who has done this? Thanks.

 

 

Travels really slow and may do a few circles etc to kill time.

[Pam in CA]

Travels really slow and may do a few circles etc to kill time.

Yup. First, they sail very, very slowly and then sail in circles or figure eights. Bet you're asking why the ship doesn't just dock. It doesn't for a couple of reasons: port time is pretty expensive (I believe something like $10,000/hour) and extra port charges would be passed on to passengers making the cruise very expensive; and the harbormaster sets the schedule, not the cruise line. He says when ships arrive and sail, and in which order if there are several ships.

[sueandkent]

Thanks everyone. Yes Pam that was going to be my next question. Guess we'll enjoy our circles or figure 8's.

[greenie082756]

Yup. First, they sail very, very slowly and then sail in circles or figure eights. Bet you're asking why the ship doesn't just dock. It doesn't for a couple of reasons: port time is pretty expensive (I believe something like $10,000/hour) and extra port charges would be passed on to passengers making the cruise very expensive; and the harbormaster sets the schedule, not the cruise line. He says when ships arrive and sail, and in which order if there are several ships.

 

Thanks Pam! Learn something new everyday here on CC!:)

[BigGuy25]

And, it's not just about the ports charges. People on cruises like to be, well, cruising ... not simply tied up at the dock two hours after leaving port. So, the ship just wanders about overnight allowing passengers to enjoy the experience.

[Pam in CA]

Another factor is that as long as the ship is at sea, the shops and casino can open. While these are moneymakers, passengers get really ticked if they're closed.

[AKman2495]

Another factor is that as long as the ship is at sea, the shops and casino can open. While these are moneymakers, passengers get really ticked if they're closed.

 

Very true, and to allow them to open the Casino they have to be some distance offshore (like 3 miles or maybe 12) for them to legally open it. So they sail out to sea and sail around until the time to dock.

[donaldsc]

Very true, and to allow them to open the Casino they have to be some distance offshore (like 3 miles or maybe 12) for them to legally open it. So they sail out to sea and sail around until the time to dock.

 

So assuming that the water is not too horribly deep, why don't they drop anchor. it would save even more fuel.

 

DON

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes its all about the money. :cool:

[BruceMuzz]

So assuming that the water is not too horribly deep, why don't they drop anchor. it would save even more fuel.

 

DON

 

Assuming usually gets people into trouble.

 

If you are 3 to 12 miles from shore, the water is usually far deeper than the few hundred feet of anchor chain on the ship.

 

Ships can only make water when the ship is moving.

Ships can only discharge treated waste water when the ship is moving.

 

Ships in port or at anchor require one engine running at a high load to power the hotel.

Ships sailing very slowly require two engines running at medium loads to power the hotel and propel the ship.

Two engines running at medium loads burn about as much fuel as one engine at high load.

There is no fuel saving.

[ar1950]

Assuming usually gets people into trouble.

 

If you are 3 to 12 miles from shore, the water is usually far deeper than the few hundred feet of anchor chain on the ship.

 

Ships can only make water when the ship is moving.

Ships can only discharge treated waste water when the ship is moving.

 

Ships in port or at anchor require one engine running at a high load to power the hotel.

Ships sailing very slowly require two engines running at medium loads to power the hotel and propel the ship.

Two engines running at medium loads burn about as much fuel as one engine at high load.

There is no fuel saving.

 

I had thought that that was the case. Glad to see someone with actual shipboard knowledge post what is what. Thank you.

[BigGuy25]

So assuming that the water is not too horribly deep, why don't they drop anchor. it would save even more fuel.

 

DON

Also, when anchored, stabilizers, etc. have no effect. So, you be bobbing and rolling at the will of the sea.

[Thrak]

It's like the cruises that leave LA at 4:00 PM and stop at Catalina the next morning at 7:00 AM. Those two places are very close together - something like 14 miles. I would much rather be on a moving ship with the ocean going by and the feel of the ship moving that stuck at a dock or anchored.

Edited May 30, 2015 by Thrak