Cruise Talk: Pods fail again!

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Carnival Cruise line released the following statement regarding Hurricane Beryl:

Carnival's Fleet Operations Center in Miami is actively monitoring forecasts for possible impacts to itineraries from Hurricane Beryl. Given Hurricane Beryl’s projected path, Carnival has adjusted the following itineraries: Carnival Horizon will add a visit to Nassau, The Bahamas on Friday, July 5....

Latest News...Oceania Cruises has marked an important milestone in the construction of its new 1,200-guest ship, Allura, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy, bordering the famed seaport of Genoa. A landmark moment as the ship moves towards completion, the vessel was floated from the dry-dock and moved to the fitting-out berth to begin outfitting the luxurious, designer-inspired interiors....

Latest News...Crystal, the leader in exceptional cruise experiences, announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. This agreement marks the commencement of the construction of two groundbreaking ships that will redefine high-end travel on the seas.The 690-passenger (based on double occupancy), 61,800-gross-ton ships ...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Pods fail again!

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Pods fail again!

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-06-2003 04:25 AM

February 5:

NCL's NORWEGIAN STAR was reported to be suffering problems its Azipod propulsion system resulting in a slowing of the ship. A spokeswoman said the malfunctioning transformer can be repaired while the ship is in motion during her Hawaiian itinerary, but the slower speed will mean that two consecutive calls in Fanning Island wil be missed.

By missing the Fanning Island calls, NORWEGIAN STAR's foreign-port call, she will not be fulfilling the requirements of U.S. cabotage laws. U.S. Customs department has been notified, NCL does not know yet whether the ship will be fined.

Source: NCL/Net

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

recab
First Class Passenger
Member # 1677

posted 02-06-2003 11:21 AM

Yes Malcolm,

And unfortunately I must admit, that this time it was not a Mermaid!

Roland

Posts: 730 | From: Aland, Finland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-06-2003 11:27 AM

As I’ve said before, I cannot imagine the QM2’s Pods surviving the rigors of the North Atlantic for very long!

I know I’m a pessimist, but I can imagine her back in the dockyard by February 2004?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 02-06-2003 12:50 PM

Very unclear and contradictory announcement!

If the problem is really a transformer, I don't see the relation with the pod itself!

A transformer could have had the exact same effect on any non-pod but electric powered cruise ship (and they are more numerous than pod ones).

Someone has to explain me how one can say the problem is the pod itself if the cause is really a transformer as they said...

Reminds me how nearly everybody said the problem which happened on MILLENNIUM's first cruise was the pods when it was a breaker box in fact, the kind of device you find on nearly any cruise ship, no matter its final propulsion system.

But perhaps we'll have some more accurate informations soon...

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99 | IP: Logged

PBryn
Just Boarded
Member # 3654

posted 02-08-2003 10:25 PM

I think many tend to lose sight of the fact that it seems that the Mermaid pods have had significant problems, where as the Azipods, though not perfect, have had a pretty good record. The QM2, of course, being a Chantiers' ship, will have Mermaids, but just something to note.

Posts: 5 | From: Webb Institute, NY | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

Cunardcoll
First Class Passenger
Member # 1226

posted 02-09-2003 07:19 AM

Think about it , there have been about 5 problems on ships with pods , but mostly it was not the pod itself , and how many ships have pods these days ?? I think about 25 ships or more , even if those problems were with the pods , I would say only 5 problems and 25 ships , I think the pods will do pretty good on the atlantic , and let's not forget , the QM2 will have 2 pods AND 2 solid props as far as I know

Posts: 947 | From: Belgium | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 02-09-2003 10:16 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Cunardcoll:
...I think the pods will do pretty good on the atlantic , and let's not forget , the QM2 will have 2 pods AND 2 solid props as far as I know

...Just a little correction, she'll have 4 pods, 2 fix ones and 2 rotating ones.
I personnally see pods as an improvement and with some advantages on traditional shafts/propellers sets...even on the Atlantic.

When wheels and propellers became more and more fitted on ships and when sails slowly disappeared in the mid 19th century, you had the same debate pro sails against pro propellers (armators not fitting their transatlantics with sails, even spare ones, were considered as mad and irresponsible).

Pods will be the common thing in few decades.

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99 | IP: Logged

CruiseFellow
Just Boarded
Member # 3658

posted 02-10-2003 02:50 PM

As said also in the original message by Malcolm, the problem is in the transformer supplying the energy to the propulsion motor. Therefore it is not correct to classify that as "pod problem". Could happen in any ship with diesel electric propulsion. And what is important to notice, the vessel continues operation despite the problem.

Posts: 5 | From: Europe | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-10-2003 03:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by CruiseFellow:
Malcolm, the problem is in the transformer supplying the energy to the propulsion motor. Therefore it is not correct to classify that as "pod problem".

I stand corrected!

I should have said: "Yet another modern propulsion system fails again"!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 02-10-2003 06:39 PM

Malcolm...you seem to think the old systems never went wrong. I can assure you shafts used to break regularly allowing propellers to drop off. Blades broke off too and so did rudders. Then boiler problems were common as was that bane of all engineers, condenseritis.
Most of these so-called pod problems are with one particular brand as the original ones were developed over several years and gradually increased in size and power. Evidently a better way of doing it.
....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...