Abstract
This chapter sets out an example 100,000 gross ton cruise ship and its main dimensions such as length, beam, draft, speed, and space ratio, and compares them to other cruise ships. The weight, including lightweight, deadweight and displacement of a cruise ship is described. Crew numbers and distribution as well as layout of typical crew cabins is also discussed. This chapter outlines also how a cruise ship is contracted and designed, and who builds them and at what cost. Principles of the cruise ship income structure and life cycle are included as well.
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Notes
- 1.
Originally “SS France” was launched in 1960 and converted to cruise ship “SS Norway” by NCL in 1979.
- 2.
The ship used in the series was mostly the “Pacific Princess” of Princess Cruises, built in 1971.
- 3.
The actual waterline length is abbreviated “Lwl”.
- 4.
Normally the starting point is the aft perpendicular, but in the US the frames start from fore perpendicular, numbers increasing towards aft. In the US the ships are also drawn bow to the left, when elsewhere the bow is to the right.
- 5.
Frame spacing is typically not uniform along the length of the ship: the spacing next to MVZ bulkheads is normally longer, to allow space for fire insulation and structures. Also, for example, in the bow the frame spacing can be shorter due to strength considerations.
- 6.
Enclosed spaces also include the covered areas on the pool deck and some other partially open deck areas, but cabin balconies, for example, are not included into the gross tonnage.
- 7.
NT of the 100,000 GT example ship is 70,000. In general, larger the passenger ship, proportionally larger percentage of GT the NT is. NT can even be bigger than the GT.
- 8.
GRT was replaced by GT in “The International Convention on Tonnage Measurements of Ships” in 1969, and it entered into force for all new ships in 1982. Older ships had to follow the new convention 12 years later. Still, GRT is erroneously used often when GT is discussed.
- 9.
For the 100,000 GT example ship, the total volume is 322,406 m3. When the displacement volume is 47,480 m3, 14.7% of the total volume in underwater.
- 10.
Both crew/passenger double occupancy, and passenger double occupancy/crew are used as ratio describing amount of crew. Here the former is used, and thus higher the figure, better the service level.
- 11.
Ship prices fluctuate based on market situation, price of steel and other materials, etc.
- 12.
Series means that more than one ship is ordered to the same specification. These ships are then called sister ships. There are usually only small differences between sister ships, such as relatively small design changes in a few public spaces.
- 13.
Specifically, Resolution MSC.24(60) “Fire safety measures for existing passenger ships”, adopted in 1992.
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Aarnio, M. (2023). What is a Cruise Ship?. In: Cruise Ship Handbook. Springer Series on Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Shipbuilding and Ship**, vol 14. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11629-2_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11629-2_1
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