Wonder dry dock?

[truck1]

So... question for @truck1 and other dry dock experts (love your technical information, by the way--thank you!). I know there was once a past issue with the Magic not making her first scheduled sailing after a dry dock. What are the odds of this happening with the Wonder this time around? We have a family reunion planned for the first sailing out of Galveston post-dry dock in November, and I'm a bit concerned about the possibility of cancellation.

Did they have to cancel any cruises on the Magic after her latest dry dock?

I know when the Magic came home from Spain from her reimagination, she canceled her 2 or 3 day cruise out of Miami, due to not getting all of the work done. She was a somewhat pleasant surprise, sitting at PC when we left on the Fantasy in 2013. Some of it was due to the weather coming home, and Id wager some of it was due to the yard workers trying to prove a point. I don't remember the details but it had something to due with a yard dispute. When the Magic finally did leave Miami on her first trip she had to go back because they left the freon for the a/c system behind on the pier. Now, how much of her delay was due to the workers, and how much was weather related, I really don't know. From what I remember, a lot of the work that was shceduled to be done on her trip home couldn't, becuase its kind of hard to paint or do work when the ship is in 40 waves, pitching and rolling. I do know that DCL is a glutton for punishment, and if I were in charge of drydock work, thered be people cleaning out desks and contractors would not be asked back, and certain yards would be on the don't ever go back to again list.

As far as the Wonder is concerned, Id say that the chances of having to cancel her first trip is relatively low. For a couple of reasons. First, is DCL should have learned there lesson on who they can trust to get work done. Plus, now that they have done the work on the Magic, they have a much better handle on what they can realistically get done. Also, if the rumors are correct, theres a good chance that the Wonder will dead head to Cadiz, and the work will start early. They can get a lot of the rip out work done, before the ship arrives in European waters.As opposed to the MAgic that ended her last cruise there, and then went to drydock, if I'm not mistaken. So that gives them an extra 5-7 day cushion. Now factor in that the Aquadunk in on the chopping block potentially due to low guest satisfaction on the Magic, and that's at least 1 if not 2 more things that don't need to be done. Potentially with all of the other upgrades, and not getting the A/d if her center of gravity doesn't change, potentially they wouldn't have to put the ducktail on her. Which saves several hundred hours of work, not to mention money. The A/d is just speculation on my part, and we really wont know until we see progress pictures from Cadiz. I'm fairly certain that the Magic to date is the only ship that has had to cancel a cruise due to drydock work.

 

[Flossbolna]

I'm fairly certain that the Magic to date is the only ship that has had to cancel a cruise due to drydock work.

I thought that when the cancellation of the first cruise after dry dock happened, there was talk about this having happend before. But if so, then that was before I became interested in DCL, so I have no memory of it... Maybe some of the oldtimers here remember??

 

[truck1]

I thought that when the cancellation of the first cruise after dry dock happened, there was talk about this having happend before. But if so, then that was before I became interested in DCL, so I have no memory of it... Maybe some of the oldtimers here remember??

Theres been other cruises canceled, due to weather, and Noro, but as far as I know, the Magic is the only ship to cancel a cruise due to drydock. Both ships had their Maidens slip because the yard didn't finish them on time, and The Magic canceled 1 cruise due to the hurricanes in 04, more so they could get her back on her regularly scheduled itins, and I want to say she was the ship that had noro and canceled 1 of her trips. Not counting her extended stay at CC, which cut one of her cruises short by a day. The Wonder at the very least changed itins during the same time period in 04 during the hurricanes. From what I remember, the Magic had to go to Galveston for fuel and supplies, and came back out of her cycle, because the port had been closed, and the Wonder ended up delayed for the same reason. The Magic went to Ftl if I recall correctly, and the passengers bussed back and forth.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hmmm, maybe I just remember talk about how the ship was not really ready out of dry dock and the cruise was full with people still working on the ship... I just remember that their was talk about how one should not book a cruise directly after dry dock as that might not be such a good experience.

 

[luvpooh]

Hmmm, maybe I just remember talk about how the ship was not really ready out of dry dock and the cruise was full with people still working on the ship... I just remember that their was talk about how one should not book a cruise directly after dry dock as that might not be such a good experience.

I remember reading someone's trip report after the most recent drydock of the Magic (I think it was the WBTA sailing) and they did indicate that they were still doing work on the ship as they sailed. For example, I think the Concierge Lounge wasn't opened until they reached Madeira.

 

[truck1]

I remember reading someone's trip report after the most recent drydock of the Magic (I think it was the WBTA sailing) and they did indicate that they were still doing work on the ship as they sailed. For example, I think the Concierge Lounge wasn't opened until they reached Madeira.

Hmmm, maybe I just remember talk about how the ship was not really ready out of dry dock and the cruise was full with people still working on the ship... I just remember that their was talk about how one should not book a cruise directly after dry dock as that might not be such a good experience.

I was on one of those cruises where they were still working. When my wife and I got married on the Magic in 2010, the cabin we had was no where near properly finished. The carpet was laid into the cabin but never cut, the cover plates for the switches and electrical outlets were all missing, there was a hole large enough to put your finger in, in one of the railings, when they painted the railings, there was large dried paint drips on the railings etc., one of the drawers in the cabinets got stuck part way out, and we almost tripped over it several times waiting on the crew to fix it, the cabin itself had dirt and grime marks from where the workers were in the cabin working, the red boot stripe on the hull had washed off during her transit from Freeport to PC, etc......

Ended up talking to the floor supervisor when he stopped by to see the condition of the room. We didn't make a big deal over it other then to say, hey, you guys might want to look at this, especially the hole in the railing, before someone gets hurt. He was telling me that the drydock crews in Freeport, did more damage to the ship, then what was fixed. There were parts of the ship, that were supposed to be not touched, but somehow, there was cigarette burns in the carpet, torn carpet, molding that had been damaged, the brand new tile in the atrium had been broken in several places, all by careless workers. Then they sent the Wonder to the same place and surprise, it happened again. I keep hearing more of those stories, when the ships go to dd. I don't think that they had half the problems in Va. Now flash forward to Cadiz, and surprise, the dockyard workers get into a dispute, do a lot of the same things.

With that said, some of the work is planned to continue while the ship returns to service. Things like behind the scenes upgrades and rebuilds. crew areas, or areas that aren't deemed absolutely necessary for passenger comfort. Something like taking the guest laundry rooms out of service for a day or 2, to replace the machines, or upgrading Quartermasters while it was still on the ship.

 

[Flossbolna]

I was on one of those cruises where they were still working. When my wife and I got married on the Magic in 2010, the cabin we had was no where near properly finished. The carpet was laid into the cabin but never cut, the cover plates for the switches and electrical outlets were all missing, there was a hole large enough to put your finger in, in one of the railings, when they painted the railings, there was large dried paint drips on the railings etc., one of the drawers in the cabinets got stuck part way out, and we almost tripped over it several times waiting on the crew to fix it, the cabin itself had dirt and grime marks from where the workers were in the cabin working, the red boot stripe on the hull had washed off during her transit from Freeport to PC, etc......

Ended up talking to the floor supervisor when he stopped by to see the condition of the room. We didn't make a big deal over it other then to say, hey, you guys might want to look at this, especially the hole in the railing, before someone gets hurt. He was telling me that the drydock crews in Freeport, did more damage to the ship, then what was fixed. There were parts of the ship, that were supposed to be not touched, but somehow, there was cigarette burns in the carpet, torn carpet, molding that had been damaged, the brand new tile in the atrium had been broken in several places, all by careless workers. Then they sent the Wonder to the same place and surprise, it happened again. I keep hearing more of those stories, when the ships go to dd. I don't think that they had half the problems in Va. Now flash forward to Cadiz, and surprise, the dockyard workers get into a dispute, do a lot of the same things.

With that said, some of the work is planned to continue while the ship returns to service. Things like behind the scenes upgrades and rebuilds. crew areas, or areas that aren't deemed absolutely necessary for passenger comfort. Something like taking the guest laundry rooms out of service for a day or 2, to replace the machines, or upgrading Quartermasters while it was still on the ship.

Yes, it must have been stories like yours. You are a patient person, this room does not sound like it should have been turned over to accomodate guests yet! Some maintenance still goin on is absolutely fine. I know that when we were on the Magic last summer the crew told us that they were already preparing certain things for dry dock.

 

[truck1]

Yes, it must have been stories like yours. You are a patient person, this room does not sound like it should have been turned over to accomodate guests yet! Some maintenance still goin on is absolutely fine. I know that when we were on the Magic last summer the crew told us that they were already preparing certain things for dry dock.

For the most part, yes I am patient. Things work much better that way. Ive learned over time, that yelling and screaming only goes so far. However, there is still occasion for it.

 

[bcwife76]

@truck1 thank you for your detailed response re: Magic dry dock info.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I am somewhat relieved that we are on the Wonder about 2 months post dry dock so even if there are some delays our cruise will be fine. Having said that, I'd feel awful for anyone whose cruise was disrupted because the dry dock was not completed in time (for any reason).

 

[truck1]

@truck1 thank you for your detailed response re: Magic dry dock info.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I am somewhat relieved that we are on the Wonder about 2 months post dry dock so even if there are some delays our cruise will be fine. Having said that, I'd feel awful for anyone whose cruise was disrupted because the dry dock was not completed in time (for any reason).

Your welcome. Give me half a chance, and Ill go back on a cruise right out of drydock. I wouldn't get worried about a delay in dry dock right off the bat, as DCL has too much to lose. If they really want to get the ship in and out and organized, let me have the job.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Just my two cents, I personally wouldn't book any trip right after a dry dock, even the next few trips. Kind of like I wouldn't fly into MCO the same day as a cruise, just too many things that could cause you to miss the boat.

As a reference the RCCL has cancelled the first 6 sailing of the Empress due to delays in its dry dock, http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2...ancels-first-six-empress-of-the-seas-sailings.

I get that. We are booked right after dry dock because that was the date that worked for us. If it gets cancelled, we'll just have to postpone til another time. I'll be disappointed for sure!

 

[AquaDame]

Theres been other cruises canceled, due to weather, and Noro, but as far as I know, the Magic is the only ship to cancel a cruise due to drydock. Both ships had their Maidens slip because the yard didn't finish them on time, and The Magic canceled 1 cruise due to the hurricanes in 04, more so they could get her back on her regularly scheduled itins, and I want to say she was the ship that had noro and canceled 1 of her trips. Not counting her extended stay at CC, which cut one of her cruises short by a day. The Wonder at the very least changed itins during the same time period in 04 during the hurricanes. From what I remember, the Magic had to go to Galveston for fuel and supplies, and came back out of her cycle, because the port had been closed, and the Wonder ended up delayed for the same reason. The Magic went to Ftl if I recall correctly, and the passengers bussed back and forth.

When they delayed the maiden, do you know what happened with the cruisers that were booked on that voyage? We are plotting quite awhile in advance, but we kind of want to do an inaugural when the next ones are launched. I'd hate to just have it cancelled though and hope they have a history of accommodation if they are late..!

 

[truck1]

When they delayed the maiden, do you know what happened with the cruisers that were booked on that voyage? We are plotting quite awhile in advance, but we kind of want to do an inaugural when the next ones are launched. I'd hate to just have it cancelled though and hope they have a history of accommodation if they are late..!

MMouse can explain it better, but if you are referring to the Magic and Wonders delay, in the Magics case the first time, they gave you the option to move to the new date. The 2nd time was, if you still want to go, well tell you the date. In the Wonders case, they waited for her to get wet before they planned the date. They had an initial month in mind, but pushed it back when the delay became evident. On both cases, the delay was due to a ship 1 or 2 in line in front of the Magic that slowed everything down. Not entirely sure on the details, but I think it was a Carnival ship that either got some major modifications, or somehow slipped in the timeline, and work crews were pulled from following ships to make up the shortfall on the Carnival ship, and it had a ripple affect.

In the Fantasys case, they moved the Maiden forward by 1 week, becasue the ship was ready a week earlier, and gave those already booked the option to move to the new itin. Under most normal considitions, if I remember correctly, deposits for Maidens are non refundable I think. I'm not sure what happens if the line has to move the date and you are no longer able to make the cruise. I would think that the deposit would be refundable or transferred to the new cruise if you so choose, since its not your fault that the cruise moved.
Theres a difference between Maidens and Inuagurals. An Inuagural is the very first sailing of a ship, or itin such as the Magic sailing regularly scheduled trips from Ft Lauderdale to the Southern Carib, on 10 day trips, or her first sailing with passengers. The Maiden, is the very first paid cruise that is not training. When all 4 of the ships came in, they did several training or preview cruises, and the next cruise after that was dedicated Maiden.

My wife and I are planning on doing both new Maidens, and several of those that were on the Fantasys with us, are planning on going also, as a semi reunion cruise. My son, who would be 22 when the first new ship debuts said he wanted to start saving now. I told him and his sister, wed work something out to make sure that they went with us.

 

[AquaDame]

MMouse can explain it better, but if you are referring to the Magic and Wonders delay, in the Magics case the first time, they gave you the option to move to the new date. The 2nd time was, if you still want to go, well tell you the date. In the Wonders case, they waited for her to get wet before they planned the date. They had an initial month in mind, but pushed it back when the delay became evident. On both cases, the delay was due to a ship 1 or 2 in line in front of the Magic that slowed everything down. Not entirely sure on the details, but I think it was a Carnival ship that either got some major modifications, or somehow slipped in the timeline, and work crews were pulled from following ships to make up the shortfall on the Carnival ship, and it had a ripple affect.

In the Fantasys case, they moved the Maiden forward by 1 week, becasue the ship was ready a week earlier, and gave those already booked the option to move to the new itin. Under most normal considitions, if I remember correctly, deposits for Maidens are non refundable I think. I'm not sure what happens if the line has to move the date and you are no longer able to make the cruise. I would think that the deposit would be refundable or transferred to the new cruise if you so choose, since its not your fault that the cruise moved.
Theres a difference between Maidens and Inuagurals. An Inuagural is the very first sailing of a ship, or itin such as the Magic sailing regularly scheduled trips from Ft Lauderdale to the Southern Carib, on 10 day trips, or her first sailing with passengers. The Maiden, is the very first paid cruise that is not training. When all 4 of the ships came in, they did several training or preview cruises, and the next cruise after that was dedicated Maiden.

My wife and I are planning on doing both new Maidens, and several of those that were on the Fantasys with us, are planning on going also, as a semi reunion cruise. My son, who would be 22 when the first new ship debuts said he wanted to start saving now. I told him and his sister, wed work something out to make sure that they went with us.

Thank you for all the info! I do mean a Maiden voyage this time. I've marked our spreadsheet to make sure we have at least 14 vacation days each that year to use as info comes out. My husband has to accrue it in advance, I get it all on Jan 1st. Thankfully I think we would both have wiggle room at our jobs to change it last minute as long as we have the hours owed to us. I think the only issue in that case would be the change in airfare! While I know circumstances will be different this time if it happens it does help to at least have an idea of what they've done in the past. Now we'll just have to wait and see!

Your kids are very lucky to have you as parents!

 

[Flossbolna]

On both cases, the delay was due to a ship 1 or 2 in line in front of the Magic that slowed everything down. Not entirely sure on the details, but I think it was a Carnival ship that either got some major modifications, or somehow slipped in the timeline, and work crews were pulled from following ships to make up the shortfall on the Carnival ship, and it had a ripple affect.

I guess I now understand why Captain Fabian on our Panama Canal cruise during a talk he gave about the building of Dream and Fantasy kept talking about how impressed he was that Meyer Werft had such a precise schedule and always stayed true to the schedule. He talked about how they had a schedule as to when each single block was going to be installed, down to the minute. And you could be sure that on that minute the new block was being installed.

I think on another thread about the Captains someone recently found out that before becoming a Captain, Captain Fabian was actually the WDI shipbuilding liaison (the official title was different, but that seemed to be the function) and I am wondering if he will get to take over that role again. He told me that more or less lived in Germany for a large part of the time while they built the two ships and how much he loved it there (I am German, so he might only have been nice and tried to say something complimentary about my country ).

 

[truck1]

Thank you for all the info! I do mean a Maiden voyage this time. I've marked our spreadsheet to make sure we have at least 14 vacation days each that year to use as info comes out. My husband has to accrue it in advance, I get it all on Jan 1st. Thankfully I think we would both have wiggle room at our jobs to change it last minute as long as we have the hours owed to us. I think the only issue in that case would be the change in airfare! While I know circumstances will be different this time if it happens it does help to at least have an idea of what they've done in the past. Now we'll just have to wait and see!

Your kids are very lucky to have you as parents!

Your welcome.

I guess I now understand why Captain Fabian on our Panama Canal cruise during a talk he gave about the building of Dream and Fantasy kept talking about how impressed he was that Meyer Werft had such a precise schedule and always stayed true to the schedule. He talked about how they had a schedule as to when each single block was going to be installed, down to the minute. And you could be sure that on that minute the new block was being installed.

I think on another thread about the Captains someone recently found out that before becoming a Captain, Captain Fabian was actually the WDI shipbuilding liaison (the official title was different, but that seemed to be the function) and I am wondering if he will get to take over that role again. He told me that more or less lived in Germany for a large part of the time while they built the two ships and how much he loved it there (I am German, so he might only have been nice and tried to say something complimentary about my country ).

With Meyer Werft, I think that the ship will come in on time. They were pushing hard to get things set up on a set timeline to be more predictable. If anything it might be a little early. Fabian was initially part of the design team before going to sea. Capt Henry was also in that general division before going to sea.

 

[Flossbolna]

With Meyer Werft, I think that the ship will come in on time. They were pushing hard to get things set up on a set timeline to be more predictable. If anything it might be a little early. Fabian was initially part of the design team before going to sea. Capt Henry was also in that general division before going to sea.

The only problem that they sometimes have is the Ems conveyance. Depending on water levels this sometimes has to be delayed. But I guess they build that into their schedule and try to get the ships out to open sea as early as possible...

Interesting about Captain Henry! If I ever meet him, I will talk to him about it. So far I only had Tom, Thord and Fabian.

I missed out on a trip to Papenburg the last time and therefore am determined to make it there this time while they are building the new ships!

 

[truck1]

The only problem that they sometimes have is the Ems conveyance. Depending on water levels this sometimes has to be delayed. But I guess they build that into their schedule and try to get the ships out to open sea as early as possible...

Interesting about Captain Henry! If I ever meet him, I will talk to him about it. So far I only had Tom, Thord and Fabian.

I missed out on a trip to Papenburg the last time and therefore am determined to make it there this time while they are building the new ships!

This is true, and they do account for that, and I think that's where the ships early delivery comes in, but from what I understand, MW actually dams the river to bring the levels up to the yard level and artificially raise the river. I saw something years ago, during the building of the Dream class, that they were coming under fire for doing that from the locals.

As far as Capt Henry, I think it was on the original DCL pages. They had bios on 2 or 3 crew members. It as him, Commodore Tom and I think Brent. I don't think there there any more, but if I remember correctly he was hired initially for shore side projects and engineering.

 

[truck1]

This is about the Quantum but the same theory applies to any ship built at MW.

http://www.wired.com/2014/09/conveyance-quantum-of-the-seas/

 

[Flossbolna]

This is about the Quantum but the same theory applies to any ship built at MW.

http://www.wired.com/2014/09/conveyance-quantum-of-the-seas/

Yes, this is a good article to explain what happens. It is actually nearly always in the news here when they deliver a new ship.

Meyer Werft is a very important employer in an area of Germany that does not have a lot of industry and other employment opportunities. And it is not only Meyer Werft, but also all their suppliers and subcontractors. They are also the only shipyard in Germany that seems to be thriving (and while Germany was never a huge seafaring nation, there was plenty of shipbuilding activity) with building ships. I know that there are some that are concentrating on dry dock work (expecially Bloom & Voss in Hamburg). So, they do have a very good position when it comes to making the Ems conveyances possible. However, yes, there are very loud protests about the environmental aspects of daming the river. But so far, the economical aspects of having the shipyard where it is in a region that needs the employment have won out. But it also puts a limit as to which kind of ships they can build at the shipyard. I think with the Quantum class they have now reached the limit.

That might be one reason why they went ahead with buying the shipyard in Turku. Bigger ships can ebe built there - of course again with the limit in height due to the Oresund Bridge. Not sure if ships of the size of the Allure/Oasis would fit through the Kiel Canal to avoid the Oresund Bridge...