Stabilizer issue on the Magic

[kcashner]

We were on the February 2008 cruise when the Magic lost an engine. That problem took longer to fix than expected, and was probably why you missed CC in March. That problem has nothing to do with stabilizers.

 

[tvguy]

Stabilizers would not have stopped you from docking at Castaway Cay. Their only purpose is when you are in deep water they help the ship from rocking as much. They have to be retracted when docking as they stick out some 20-30 feet from the side of the ship when they are deployed. Case in point, the stabilizers were not functioning and we docked in Castaway Cay just fine on Friday. =)

If the stabilizer was stuck in the deployed position, it certainly could prevent you from docking at Castaway Cay. The channel is very narrow, and having a stabilizer sticking out in the deployed position could make the ship too wide to navigate the channel safely.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Just got back from that cruise myself.

Had the Captain not told us about the Stabilizers, I would never have known. I barely felt any movement at all. Then again, both of my other cruises were during hurricane season, and one involved 30 foot swells. Now that was fun!

It appeared as if the Captain kept a slow speed during the dinner and show periods, and then sped up late at night while everyone was sleeping. Unfortunately the "Bridge Report" channel wasn't working, so I can only hypothesize that based on the view from my verandah.

 

[WDWKevin]

If the stabilizer was stuck in the deployed position, it certainly could prevent you from docking at Castaway Cay. The channel is very narrow, and having a stabilizer sticking out in the deployed position could make the ship too wide to navigate the channel safely.

Hey TV Guy...

Was talking to the engineer on this voyage and I asked him if the ship had ever been prevented from docking because they could not bring in a stabilizer. He said that they have a manual system that allows them to 'crank' in the stabilizer fins should they not come back in thus they had never been prevented from docking due to them. Therefore, I doubt this was the reason the Magic could not dock at CC. More than likely the currents and/or winds.

 

[WDWKevin]

Just got back from that cruise myself.

Had the Captain not told us about the Stabilizers, I would never have known. I barely felt any movement at all. Then again, both of my other cruises were during hurricane season, and one involved 30 foot swells. Now that was fun!

It appeared as if the Captain kept a slow speed during the dinner and show periods, and then sped up late at night while everyone was sleeping. Unfortunately the "Bridge Report" channel wasn't working, so I can only hypothesize that based on the view from my verandah.

Hey Tyler...

I think we were just REALLY blessed with smooth seas. Saturday morning when everyone started to REALLY feel it was after 4pm when he had to slow down to pick up the PC pilot. The faster the ship cuts through the water, the less effect the swells have on it. I too kept checking the Bridge Report channel and NADA! I would guess we were averaging 13-18 knots during out sea days.

It was an AMAZING cruise! It was great meeting everyone at the meet n' greet on Saturday too. =)

 

[ranidayz]

Stabilizers would not have stopped you from docking at Castaway Cay. Their only purpose is when you are in deep water they help the ship from rocking as much. They have to be retracted when docking as they stick out some 20-30 feet from the side of the ship when they are deployed. Case in point, the stabilizers were not functioning and we docked in Castaway Cay just fine on Friday. =)

I am pretty sure that the stabilizers did have something to do with us not getting in. It was a majorly windy and choppy day and one was totally gone and others were having issues and they said something about not being able to negotiate the rough waters enough to get the ship into dock. However, if I'm wrong - I totally conceed....

 

[lbgraves]

I am pretty sure that the stabilizers did have something to do with us not getting in. It was a majorly windy and choppy day and one was totally gone and others were having issues and they said something about not being able to negotiate the rough waters enough to get the ship into dock. However, if I'm wrong - I totally conceed....

If the water was that rough the ship would not have been able to dock at CC due to the danger of hitting against the dock. The channel there is very narrow and the stabilizers are not deployed when docking because they stick out too far. The Captain also needs to keep in mind what the water conditions may be like when trying to leave CC later in the day. They have left CC early due to conditions changing in the past.

 

[ranidayz]

If the water was that rough the ship would not have been able to dock at CC due to the danger of hitting against the dock. The channel there is very narrow and the stabilizers are not deployed when docking because they stick out too far. The Captain also needs to keep in mind what the water conditions may be like when trying to leave CC later in the day. They have left CC early due to conditions changing in the past.

I stand corrected ---- sorry!

 

[MiknMinMouse]

LIVE FROM THE DISNEY MAGIC...

Yes, no stabilizers but to be honest, the seas are very calm and movement is minimal. NO impact on the cruise at all.

Only thing impacting our cruise is the AMAZING ship, AMAZING crew, and AMAZING weather.

I was actually on the Magic last week without the stabilizers and I have to say it was a bit rocky at times. The worst night was coming back in to PC, there were a couple of times, I honestly wondered how far the ship was going to tilt. That being said. Overall it didn't have a huge impact on the trip. They did say the part would be there on Saturday so I'm sure the crew that's on now is fine