Spirit Engine solution, your thoughts?

[going2cruz]

The Spirit doesn't have Azipods, so that isn't the problem.

 

When people say there's an engine problem, that means a problem with one of the diesel generators, not with the propulsion motors and propellers.

 

The Spirit has four Man B&W 14V48/60 diesel engines, each developing 14,700kW at 514rev/min and driving ABB synchronous generators. For propulsion, two ABB reversible synchronous electric motors, each developing 20,000kW at 123/rev/min, are installed. Each transmit their power via shaft lines to a five-bladed fixed-pitch skew propeller. Electrical installation is designed so that in the event of any single failure of the power generation the ship's propulsion, auxiliary systems and hotel services remain operational. But the maximum speed of the Spirit drops.

 

To run the propulsion motors at full speed, 40,000 kW is required. Three of the diesel generators can supply 44,100 kW. If NCL was willing to drop the hotel load down to 4,100 kW; by turning off lights, casino machines, freezers, air conditioning, elevators, water filtration systems, sewage treatment systems, etc.; they could still achieve maximum speed. But I don't think the passengers would be happy without basic hotel services.

 

As for how long it will take to repair the diesel generator set, assuming it's the diesel, it depends upon what is broken. Some parts are readily available, others might require building from scratch. Back in 2004, or was it 2005, it took NCL and the diesel vendor months to fix a diesel engine aboard the Dream that broke its camshaft and threw a rod. Let's hope the problem with the Spirit's diesel engine isn't as bad.

 

 

If you recall when NCL changed the Spirit's itinerary to include Roatan after Costa Maya was ramsacked by a hurricane, I wrote that the Spirit would have to travel at almost full speed to get there and was surprised NCL actually attempted this itinerary.

 

Putting it into prespective, your car may reach 90 or even 100 mph at full speed, but how long do you think it can go 90 to 100 mph before breaking down?

 

P.S.

I've read somewhere, I don't know if it's true or not, that NCL has fixed the diesel engine already. What's slowing the Spirit down now is that they have a damaged propeller. I don't know what caused the propeller to be damaged, or if it may be just a bent main shaft. But there aren't any spare fixed pitched propellers this large lying around, it would have to be forged at a foundry, machined at a mill, shipped to a shipyard, and a drydock to install a new propeller. These propellers weigh up to 25 tons, there's no way a team of divers can install one with the ship at wet dock.

 

 

So the full load is split between 4 generators and they don't have a stand-by unit.....is this typical for a cruise ship that the plant has to be almost a 100 percent operational at all time's?

 

Its seems crazy not to have a stand by unit ....mechanical equipment will always fail.

 

Respectfully, are you really that familiar with cruise ship power plant design?

[Lollygil]

What compensation do we get for the change?

[MrsLeo]

zippo, nada, ziltch. bupkus

[familyof4cruising]

zippo, nada, ziltch. bupkus

 

 

Honestly no compensation could replace St Thomas. The fact that NCL didnt offer anything even to the first cruisers that are effected more because of the short notice and lack of other vacations at this point, is very disappointing. Did they not compensate the first sailings on the Spirit that only lost 2 hours to to Roatan????? Sorry ,but what we lost is much more significant.

 

Now my friends are not coming and I am even more disappointed.

[pixiedustdawn]

I feel the same pain "familyof4". I also had other families traveling with us on our back to back and now no one!!

We all took this ship for St Thomas too.

[familyof4cruising]

I feel the same pain "familyof4". I also had other families traveling with us on our back to back and now no one!!

 

We all took this ship for St Thomas too.

 

Thanks for the support.

 

I notice you are sailing next weekend so are we, HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

[scottyo72]

So the full load is split between 4 generators and they don't have a stand-by unit.....is this typical for a cruise ship that the plant has to be almost a 100 percent operational at all time's?

 

Its seems crazy not to have a stand by unit ....mechanical equipment will always fail.

 

Respectfully, are you really that familiar with cruise ship power plant design?

 

All of the information is freely available online. Check out:

 

http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/leo/

 

(Spirit was originally named Superstar Leo)

 

Yes, this configuration of 4 - 8+ generators (diesel, gas turbine, or both) powering 2 - 4 electric motors that spin propellors (via shaft or azimuthing pod) is very typical now. I don't think they always run all the generators splitting the load evenly, though. I think they run a generator at maximum efficiency, and if they need more power, they bring additional generators online. Spirit only needs all 4 generators online to pull those few extra knots approaching full speed. There is already greater redundancy in the system than in direct drive systems that are still used in some ships. I'm almost sure there are backup generators to power emergency systems.

[Smellytoes]

I cancelled the Spirit:mad: But rescheduled the Gem:D I'm happy now.:)

[KerCar]

I cancelled the Spirit:mad: But rescheduled the Gem:D I'm happy now.:)

 

 

Yeah! Glad everything worked out for you! Does this mean your countdown clock got a little shorter??? Have a great trip:D:D:D

[familyof4cruising]

I cancelled the Spirit:mad: But rescheduled the Gem:D I'm happy now.:)

 

I am sorry you will not be sailing with us.

 

I am jealous that you could change ( wish I could :mad: ) - HAVE A GREAT TRIP!:D

[jnmrlk]

If allot of people start cancelling/changing cruises and more cabins become available will they drop the price of the cruise to try and "refill" the sailing - and if so will I be able to request that my rate drops to that rate if it is less than I paid?

I am trying so hard to be positive about this change but with 3 teenage boys that are not so sure they want to go i am so worried they are not going to enjoy shorter port stops that may limit what we are able to do - is PR a dangerous place to be in the evening hours???? Will we be able to go it alone or will it be better to stay in a excursion type tour?

[rfendt]

If allot of people start cancelling/changing cruises and more cabins become available will they drop the price of the cruise to try and "refill" the sailing - and if so will I be able to request that my rate drops to that rate if it is less than I paid?

I am trying so hard to be positive about this change but with 3 teenage boys that are not so sure they want to go i am so worried they are not going to enjoy shorter port stops that may limit what we are able to do - is PR a dangerous place to be in the evening hours???? Will we be able to go it alone or will it be better to stay in a excursion type tour?

 

 

as for PR at night, my son's high school spanish teacher (who is puerto rican) told him that if we do go out at night there, that we should stay in groups!

[KerCar]

If allot of people start cancelling/changing cruises and more cabins become available will they drop the price of the cruise to try and "refill" the sailing - and if so will I be able to request that my rate drops to that rate if it is less than I paid?

I am trying so hard to be positive about this change but with 3 teenage boys that are not so sure they want to go i am so worried they are not going to enjoy shorter port stops that may limit what we are able to do - is PR a dangerous place to be in the evening hours???? Will we be able to go it alone or will it be better to stay in a excursion type tour?

 

 

If you've already made your final payment, then no you will not be able to get a price adjustment. If you haven't, depending on the sailing date, you might be able to. If your on the 4/19 or any of the peak summer cruises, the price will most likely continue to go up. The price of my 5/11 cruise dropped last week and actually went back up the day after the itinerary change was announced. Go figure! Even when the price dropped I was unable to get an adjustment because it was for new bookings only.

[jnmrlk]

We just got an email from NCL in regards to our May 31, 2008 8 day cruise. They are early for a change in, informing us.

 

We leave out of New York at 4:00 p.m. as planned. At sea Sunday & Monday as planned. Suppose to go to St. Thomas 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. Big change, not going to St. Thomas.

 

We have been there many times, so no big deal. We do like St Thomas better than San Juan (we have also been there several times too), Guess we'll go with the flow. This intinerary wouldn't be one we would usually choose, but we have credits coming from another cruise we had last June with NCL (Hawaii) and we have to use our credits before July 9, 2008, so we picked this cruise.

 

Changed to: San Juan, Puerto, Rico from 2:00 p.m. - midnight.

 

Changed to: Tortola, BV. Islands 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (was 8:00 - 5:00)

 

Changed to: Samana, D.Republic 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (was 9:00 - 6:00)

 

Then at sea Friday & Saturday and into N.Y. on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Suppose to be back in NY at 8:00 a.m.

 

Not alot to do in Tortola or Samana anyway. We just enjoy relaxing and staying on the ship and doing nothing. I know alot of people want to stay busy all the time.

 

NCL offered us a full refund if we cancel by February 22, 2008. We haven't made our final payment as of yet. Due in March.

 

Just posting this info, so maybe it will help someone else with their plans.

 

WEH

 

 

Not sure what to do with the kids - I though St Thomas was going to be the best stop - we had an idea of what we wanted to do - heard allot of negative about Samana - and not sure about PR at night - no option to cancel so we are going to "roll with it" but I have to admit I am very disappointed - it won't ruin my vacation - BUT I am not happy with the way NCL handled this - and to ad insult to injury I heard about it on this board not a word from NCL via email to me.

[jnmrlk]

as for PR at night, my son's high school spanish teacher (who is puerto rican) told him that if we do go out at night there, that we should stay in groups!

 

That doesn't make me really happy - I think we get there at 2?? Do you know how long it stays light? Does the ship actually dock or do we have to deal with tenders?

 

PS - I live in Port Ewen!!

[KerCar]

as for PR at night, my son's high school spanish teacher (who is puerto rican) told him that if we do go out at night there, that we should stay in groups!

 

This is good advice for ANY port of call, not just PR! Even in ports like Bermuda that I consider safe, I would never venture out by myself after dark!

[welikepalms]

Please check www.ncl.com and click on "My Cruises" to make sure your intinerary hasn't changed. Our 4/27/08 six day itinerary was changed.

 

 

Thanks Maryln. I did see that on Wednesday, We have had a problem here at work and I haven't had time to get back on the boards. I actually like the changed intinerary. Don't like the fact that they waited until final payment was in to announce anything but what can I do at this point.