Fern Crest Posted August 13, 2016 #1 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Putting the last few things in the bags for tomorrow's sailing (YIPPEE!), and there's always a spot for a roll of fluffy, non-shredding stuff. Was wondering if anyone else is weird like me and doesn't fully appreciate the disappointing, disintegrating paper they put in the bathrooms? Or maybe it's just me! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattBenatar Posted August 13, 2016 #2 Share Posted August 13, 2016 (edited) Putting the last few things in the bags for tomorrow's sailing (YIPPEE!), and there's always a spot for a roll of fluffy, non-shredding stuff. Was wondering if anyone else is weird like me and doesn't fully appreciate the disappointing, disintegrating paper they put in the bathrooms? Or maybe it's just me! :D ROFL, your post is epic, I would have never asked that question. I bring way too much already to worry about TP. I think they have to use the TP they use so it breaks up in the system. If you use TP that is not compatible it may plug up the toilet and that would not be pleasant in your cabin or other cabins that are backed up. Edited August 13, 2016 by PattBenatar add Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted August 13, 2016 #3 Share Posted August 13, 2016 ROFL, your post is epic, I would have never asked that question. I bring way too much already to worry about TP. I think they have to use the TP they use so it breaks up in the system. If you use TP that is not compatible it may plug up the toilet and that would not be pleasant in your cabin or other cabins that are backed up. Myth busters to the rescue. This is a persistent urban legend about cruise ships. People equate the dissolvable toilet paper used on small boats for their sanitary systems with use on a cruise ship with its vacuum toilet system. The small boat system has no treatment ability, and the paper needs to dissolve quickly to keep from blocking pumps and valves. To put it crudely, the "product" in a vacuum system needs to hold together and form a "plug" in the pipe that can be carried along by the vacuum. If the paper dissolves too quickly, the "plug" will break down, and the "product" will not be able to travel through the piping as needed (sometimes up). The cruise lines buy the cheapest toilet paper they can, because they go through so much of it. In 40 years of working on vacuum toilet systems, I've never seen a blockage caused by "incorrect" or too much toilet paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted August 13, 2016 #4 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Who knew?:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adge01 Posted August 13, 2016 #5 Share Posted August 13, 2016 My husband always brings a roll. I make jokes at his expense but as long as it's in his suitcase and not mine, no harm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray98 Posted August 13, 2016 #6 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Uhhhhh.....no. Much bigger things to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted August 13, 2016 #7 Share Posted August 13, 2016 The last time I brought my own toilet paper was when I was in the Navy. Toilet paper made by the lowest bidder still had bits of wood in it (well, that's what it felt like anyway :eek:). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swilliams1660 Posted August 13, 2016 #8 Share Posted August 13, 2016 There's nothing worse than getting a splinter from cheap TP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinpsychRN Posted August 13, 2016 #9 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Myth busters to the rescue. This is a persistent urban legend about cruise ships. People equate the dissolvable toilet paper used on small boats for their sanitary systems with use on a cruise ship with its vacuum toilet system. The small boat system has no treatment ability, and the paper needs to dissolve quickly to keep from blocking pumps and valves. To put it crudely, the "product" in a vacuum system needs to hold together and form a "plug" in the pipe that can be carried along by the vacuum. If the paper dissolves too quickly, the "plug" will break down, and the "product" will not be able to travel through the piping as needed (sometimes up). The cruise lines buy the cheapest toilet paper they can, because they go through so much of it. In 40 years of working on vacuum toilet systems, I've never seen a blockage caused by "incorrect" or too much toilet paper. I thought for sure you'd say the opposite. Surprised again. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwadley Posted August 13, 2016 #10 Share Posted August 13, 2016 No, it's not just you. I take my own TP wherever I go. I have a sensitive bum. Also, there is nothing quite as gross as the TP provided not being "strong" enough. Just nasty. Not even through my first cup of coffee when I saw your post. Nearly messed up the screen! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted August 13, 2016 #11 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Only one cruise where we should have brought some onboard. It was basically rationed the first two days of a Princess cruise. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted August 13, 2016 #12 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Only one cruise where we should have brought some onboard. It was basically rationed the first two days of a Princess cruise. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app wow talk about cutbacks:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVLady3 Posted August 13, 2016 #13 Share Posted August 13, 2016 LOL!!!! You guys!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cushing985 Posted August 13, 2016 #14 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Myth busters to the rescue. This is a persistent urban legend about cruise ships. People equate the dissolvable toilet paper used on small boats for their sanitary systems with use on a cruise ship with its vacuum toilet system. The small boat system has no treatment ability, and the paper needs to dissolve quickly to keep from blocking pumps and valves. To put it crudely, the "product" in a vacuum system needs to hold together and form a "plug" in the pipe that can be carried along by the vacuum. If the paper dissolves too quickly, the "plug" will break down, and the "product" will not be able to travel through the piping as needed (sometimes up). The cruise lines buy the cheapest toilet paper they can, because they go through so much of it. In 40 years of working on vacuum toilet systems, I've never seen a blockage caused by "incorrect" or too much toilet paper. Learn something new every day! Thanks for completing my life!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted August 13, 2016 #15 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Myth busters to the rescue. This is a persistent urban legend about cruise ships. People equate the dissolvable toilet paper used on small boats for their sanitary systems with use on a cruise ship with its vacuum toilet system. The small boat system has no treatment ability, and the paper needs to dissolve quickly to keep from blocking pumps and valves. To put it crudely, the "product" in a vacuum system needs to hold together and form a "plug" in the pipe that can be carried along by the vacuum. If the paper dissolves too quickly, the "plug" will break down, and the "product" will not be able to travel through the piping as needed (sometimes up). The cruise lines buy the cheapest toilet paper they can, because they go through so much of it. In 40 years of working on vacuum toilet systems, I've never seen a blockage caused by "incorrect" or too much toilet paper. Very interesting! Why then does John Heald tell people not to use the wet wipes and to dispose of them in the Sanitary bags instead of flushing them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted August 13, 2016 #16 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Wet wipes aren't toilet paper. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyDenise Posted August 13, 2016 #17 Share Posted August 13, 2016 (edited) I have IBS. I would have to bring a whole Walmart aisle of Charmin [emoji3] Instead I'll just pack the Imodium and stop MYELF up instead of the plumbing Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited August 13, 2016 by IndyDenise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHNEV2003 Posted August 13, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Just when you thought that every possible topic had been discussed.....:D For us, no, we don't--not on land nor on sea do we bring our own.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted August 13, 2016 #19 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Wet wipes aren't toilet paper. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Well I know that. You still wipe your behind with them and they claim to be safe for septic systems, plumbing, and all that stuff. Just wondering why it doesn't matter which TP you use, but these are forbidden. I'm guessing it's because they are thicker and don't break down as fast. But I would like to hear the real reason from an expert. Because I admit, I fell for the TP myth as well. Not that I would ever pack my own but I thought it was true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GICNJC Posted August 13, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Best thread ever. LOL's & information. Worthy of a prize. Only take on camping trips and Ship's on excursions. :):):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMSACE6 Posted August 13, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Well, there ya go! I learned something new today:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireofficer5 Posted August 13, 2016 #22 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Some wet wipes are not all paper, they are some sort of plastic and will not dissolve in a septic tank. With that said, as long as it is soft and mushy, flush it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted August 13, 2016 #23 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Well I know that. You still wipe your behind with them and they claim to be safe for septic systems, plumbing, and all that stuff. Just wondering why it doesn't matter which TP you use, but these are forbidden. I'm guessing it's because they are thicker and don't break down as fast. But I would like to hear the real reason from an expert. Because I admit, I fell for the TP myth as well. Not that I would ever pack my own but I thought it was true. The difference in paper products is how they are produced. Toilet paper and facial tissue use "pressed" paper fibers, which will break apart when wet (as we all know :o ). Wet wipes, paper towels, and shop wipes use "woven" fibers that will not break apart. While the "product" "plug" does need some cohesion to move along the pipe, it also needs some "give" to manage corners and the like, and the woven products just won't do that. They are also difficult to "macerate" when they get to the treatment plant, so they end up clogging these filters as well, and have to be removed. Also, because vacuum pipes don't slant downhill like septic lines ashore (some even go up), over time they can build up a scale that partially clogs the pipes, and the woven products get stuck here. This can be managed by regular dosing with citric acid packets in the toilet (typically weekly for pax cabins, monthly for crew) which dissolves the scale. There, now you are all marine sanitation system experts. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted August 13, 2016 #24 Share Posted August 13, 2016 The difference in paper products is how they are produced. Toilet paper and facial tissue use "pressed" paper fibers, which will break apart when wet (as we all know :o ). Wet wipes, paper towels, and shop wipes use "woven" fibers that will not break apart. While the "product" "plug" does need some cohesion to move along the pipe, it also needs some "give" to manage corners and the like, and the woven products just won't do that. They are also difficult to "macerate" when they get to the treatment plant, so they end up clogging these filters as well, and have to be removed. Also, because vacuum pipes don't slant downhill like septic lines ashore (some even go up), over time they can build up a scale that partially clogs the pipes, and the woven products get stuck here. This can be managed by regular dosing with citric acid packets in the toilet (typically weekly for pax cabins, monthly for crew) which dissolves the scale. There, now you are all marine sanitation system experts. :D Thanks! I always enjoy your answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruckerDave Posted August 13, 2016 #25 Share Posted August 13, 2016 The last time I brought my own toilet paper was when I was in the Navy. Toilet paper made by the lowest bidder still had bits of wood in it (well, that's what it felt like anyway :eek:). I usually kept a roll in my rack as well. Plus I was a DC in R div so the CHT system was part of my job. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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