Ovation & Encore Maximum Speed

[Frank5]

I read that the maximum cruising speed for these two ships is only 15 knots versus 19 knots for the smaller ships. This may be a problem for me depending upon the itinerary. Is it a potential problem for anyone else?

[wripro]

May I ask why it would be a problem for you?

[Sunprince]

Fincantieri stats show 18.6. See link below

 

https://www.fincantieri.com/globalassets/prodotti-servizi/navi-da-crociera/seabourn/seabourn-technical-document.pdf

 

I also agree, why is a slower speed a problem....unless you are worried about out running pirates? Most passengers prefer a slower speed than a fast one as the sailing is more comfortable.

 

 

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[florisdekort]

I’ve found that the actual sailing speed hardly ever is the ship’s maximum speed. It seems solely based on the average speed needed to get the next pilot station at the agreed time.

 

Floris

 

 

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[jenidallas]

Is it a potential problem for anyone else?

 

No. I prefer a much smaller and nimble vessel for a regatta.

[RustyRollock]

Very rarely do ships travel at their maximum speed. It’s not a race!

[markham]

I was told by an onboard engineer that Encore/Ovation has the same power plant capacity as the Ody class ships have. But since they are larger ships they will necessarily have a lower maximum speed. But then the itineraries will be adjusted for all the ships in terms of the line's objectives which include fuel efficiency and smooth sailing. So the question about what this all means is not so much an issue of maximum speed except, I guess, in extraordinary circumstances such as delays and trying to recover time en route somewhere.

 

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[Mr Luxury]

I can say that the Encore is a smooth ship and you hardly notice any movement here in the Med

We do not need too much speed as ports are not that far from each other

A gentle and comfortable ride we are having

 

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[Able Seaman H]

What a bizzare opening post :)

 

I have heard some strange reasons for not choosing one particular ship or cruise line over another but maximum speed isn't one of them. I bet if you were to analyise your cruising history you would find your average cruising speed to be something around 12 knots or so.

 

When purchasing a boat speed is a consideration but usually it revolves around planing, displacement or semi displacement speeds on much smaller craft.

 

9 knots max, 18 knots or mid 20 knots upwards. There is a large degree of bragging rights amongst owners. Cruise ships have long since moved on from the transatlantic record era. If you want to get the job done quickly then hop on a plane, cruising is all about the journey.

 

Even at my modest sizes the fact my boat can hit 31 knots is immaterial, we generally cruise at lower 20 knots, sometimes only 7 knots plus tide assist of a knot or two.

 

The reason for the lower speeds on Encore class ships is nothing to do with lack of relative power or available power plants. It was a design choice based around actual speeds used in operation and creating efficiency / comfort.

 

Rest assured the theoretical lower top speed won't impede on your cruise in the slightest.

 

Henry :)

[Mr Luxury]

Could the OP be hankering after a go at the Blue Ribbond

I did love the Normandie didn't you H

 

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[cruisr]

I think this first post must be some sort of joke? Why on earth would that be a problem? I echo Henry. What a bizarre first post.

[Able Seaman H]

Could the OP be hankering after a go at the Blue Ribbond

I did love the Normandie didn't you H

 

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I still remember when you graciously hosted your 40th on board.....

 

Won't lie, I was surprised to see her in Brittany Ferries livery but happy we only had to pop across the harbour to pick her up in Portsmouth :)

[Jim Avery]

I have to agree that this is an unusual topic for modern cruise ships but it caught my interest. As an aging outlier for modern cruise ships, I was a child on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and "grew up" on QE2 so sailing around 30 knots was my normal. It still "bugs" me to plod along at 10/12 knots. Passenger ships sailed those speeds in the late 1800s. More "recent" ship passengers know nothing of 30 knots so don't miss it. My point? No point, just an interesting thread.:cool:

[wcsdkqh]

Of course in those days, the ships were actually serving as a means of transportation to get passengers from point A to point B and speed was an important factor.

[Jim Avery]

Of course in those days, the ships were actually serving as a means of transportation to get passengers from point A to point B and speed was an important factor.

That is true. Other than ferries, ships are no longer looked at as transport, they are in the entertainment/hospitality realm.

[Mahogany]

C'mon Frank5. Let us in on why you posted this. Did you just wish to start some controversy?

[Frank5]

The question may only be relevant for cruises involving long distances between ports and those who prefer maximizing their time visiting ports rather than enjoying ship amenities. As previously mentioned, additional speed is helpful in being able to get back on schedule due to port departure or weather delays. A more remote advantage is being able to use more powerful engine capacity to hold a docked ship in place when heavy winds hitting the superstructure create a significant risk that mooring ropes are inadequate alone. You probably recall the Encore accident when it broke free from its mooring lines due to heavy wind (gusts) conditions. A captain once told me once that his cruise line sets a docking wind velocity limit for each of their ships and that he feels more comfortable navigating in close quarters and through heavy traffic when his ship has a significant amount of reserve power available for him to quickly access beyond the optimum power designed to maximize fuel consumption. I doubt this should be a concern for an Encore or Ovation passenger. My question is more a matter of curiosity. The explanation someone offered that the addition of a deck to the smaller ship hull without expanding the power plant probably makes good economic sense.

[ab21au]

I guess with the additional passengers on the Encore and Ovation, there is more people to push if needed. :')

[Jim Avery]

I guess with the additional passengers on the Encore and Ovation, there is more people to push if needed. :')

Row...... Those in steerage row.;p

[Roxburgh]

Row...... Those in steerage row.;p

 

Isn't that a Ventures tour?

[wripro]

If there is a problem the ship will travel at whatever speed it needs to in order to get to the final destination of a cruise. That's basically all any cruise line cares about.

[Able Seaman H]

The question may only be relevant for cruises involving long distances between ports and those who prefer maximizing their time visiting ports rather than enjoying ship amenities. As previously mentioned, additional speed is helpful in being able to get back on schedule due to port departure or weather delays. A more remote advantage is being able to use more powerful engine capacity to hold a docked ship in place when heavy winds hitting the superstructure create a significant risk that mooring ropes are inadequate alone. You probably recall the Encore accident when it broke free from its mooring lines due to heavy wind (gusts) conditions. A captain once told me once that his cruise line sets a docking wind velocity limit for each of their ships and that he feels more comfortable navigating in close quarters and through heavy traffic when his ship has a significant amount of reserve power available for him to quickly access beyond the optimum power designed to maximize fuel consumption. I doubt this should be a concern for an Encore or Ovation passenger. My question is more a matter of curiosity. The explanation someone offered that the addition of a deck to the smaller ship hull without expanding the power plant probably makes good economic sense.

 

Cruise schedules are quite complex in their design. It isn't as simple as saying if we can whiz around quicker we can have fewer sea days and spend more time in port. Port days are generally expensive and certain times of year cruises must represent excellent value for money or you will have insufficient bums on seats. Some people specifically seek out sea days.

 

 

Main engines aren't used to hold the ship against the dock. The propulsion systems on Seabourn are fixipods which means they are permanently aligned with the centreline of the hull. Azipods can be rotated to generate sideways thrust but even then you would only need a tiny amount of the potential thrust available.

 

 

Specific side thrusters are used for close quarters manoeuvring and to hold a ship in position until lines have been deployed. All ships will have safe limits for berthing and you regularly see cruise ships in places like Cozumel having to cancel due to high winds.

 

When it comes to manoeuvring in harbour or inshore shipping channels modern cruise ships are extremely capable compared to their cargo counterparts who are often limited when it comes to side thrusters and who rely entirely on the services of tugs.

 

 

Seabourn ships would see tugs as an insurance rather than a necessity if ever deployed. When doing our maiden trip through the Suez Canal we had to to have a tug escort just in case.

 

 

Just for the record I think I'm right in saying that the Encore mooring incident was the result of a defective mooring bollard, not underpowered engines.

 

 

Henry :)

[Roxburgh]

Cruise schedules are quite complex in their design. It isn't as simple as saying if we can whiz around quicker we can have fewer sea days and spend more time in port. Port days are generally expensive and certain times of year cruises must represent excellent value for money or you will have insufficient bums on seats. Some people specifically seek out sea days.

 

 

Main engines aren't used to hold the ship against the dock. The propulsion systems on Seabourn are fixipods which means they are permanently aligned with the centreline of the hull. Azipods can be rotated to generate sideways thrust but even then you would only need a tiny amount of the potential thrust available.

 

 

Specific side thrusters are used for close quarters manoeuvring and to hold a ship in position until lines have been deployed. All ships will have safe limits for berthing and you regularly see cruise ships in places like Cozumel having to cancel due to high winds.

 

When it comes to manoeuvring in harbour or inshore shipping channels modern cruise ships are extremely capable compared to their cargo counterparts who are often limited when it comes to side thrusters and who rely entirely on the services of tugs.

 

 

Seabourn ships would see tugs as an insurance rather than a necessity if ever deployed. When doing our maiden trip through the Suez Canal we had to to have a tug escort just in case.

 

 

Just for the record I think I'm right in saying that the Encore mooring incident was the result of a defective mooring bollard, not underpowered engines.

 

 

Henry :)

 

Why bring informed comment into the discussion when half truths, hearsay and innuendo are much more fun. :evilsmile::evilsmile:

[Thecat123]

 

Just for the record I think I'm right in saying that the Encore mooring incident was the result of a defective mooring bollard, not underpowered engines.

 

 

Henry :)

 

The mooring lines actually broke

If you look carefully you can see the lines snapping

http://gcaptain.com/incident-video-brand-new-luxury-cruise-ship-breaks-moorings-crashes-into-vessel-in-new-zealand/

 

Engineer was not quick enough to hit the start button for the engines

[SLSD]

We are people who seek out a certain number of sea days--not too many--but enough that we can say "aaaahhh, we an relax today."

 

Thank you for the explanation Henry.