Cruise Talk: Magic Number

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...Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the official christening of the all-new Norwegian Aqua in Miami and unveiled its plans to reimagine Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's idyllic private island in the Bahamas, with new experiences debuting in the fourth quarter of 2025, including an expansive pool area with a dedicated bar and kids splash zone and so much MORE. With a history of delivering guests ...

Latest News...MSC Cruises officially named its highly-anticipated new flagship, MSC World America, in a dazzling ceremony on April 9 at the line's new state-of-the-art MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the largest cruise terminal in the world. MSC World America's Godmother, Drew Barrymore officially named the ship at the glamorous event with the maritime tradition of cutting a ribbon and triggering the breaking of a champagne...

Latest News...Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, celebrated the maiden arrival of Seabourn Encore to the continental United States on April 9, 2025, marking a major milestone as the ship docked for the first time in Long Beach, Calif. The visit offers a rare opportunity for guests and local travel advisor partners to see the award-winning ship up close..

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » Magic Number

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Magic Number

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-08-1999 09:04 AM

Why do so many of todays Cruise ships have a top speed of 20 knots. It's like a magic number! I know that high speed is not required today, but why 20?

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

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 06-08-1999 12:41 PM

20 knots is the most efficient speed, anything higher would take more power which the modern cruise ships just don't have. These modern cruise ships also have what is called a maximum hull speed, which is just that - these modern hulls are designed for a 20 knot speed. If these ships had more power and could produce more thrust, they would have a tough time exceeding their maximum hull speed, because they were not designed for it. They would end up bulling through the water rather than going much faster. Also, the designers figure into the construction the ship's proposed itinerary. For example, 20 knots is all that is required for the specific itineraries that the ship is designed for. Royal Caribbean build the Legend of the Seas to be able to go a bit faster than the average cruise ship because RCI may want to put her on various itineraries that would require or benefit from higher speeds. These ships that are built today are #1 designed to be as efficient as possible.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99

mikew
First Class Passenger
Member # 707

posted 07-02-1999 01:59 AM

I agree with Barryboat, but fuel is also a major consideration - each knot above 20 costs a lot more in fuel than the first 20! For example, Queen Mary used to burn 1000 tonnes of fuel in 24 hours of steaming at 28.5 knots, but a modern ship like Oriana for instance can run 24 hours at 23 knots and use 150 tonnes. Not a strictly fair comparison given the different hull deadweights and machinery plants, but a good example. And as we all know shipowners aren't ones to spend money without good reason....

Posts: 14 | From: Auckland, New Zealand | Registered: Jul 99

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-08-1999 01:56 PM

Thanks for the info guys! However, I notice that some of the new builds (P&O and Celebrity) will have a cruising speed of upto 25 Knots.

Malcolm

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

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...