Stopping in open water

[dkc1973]

My brother says a friend of his went on a cruise where they stopped in the ocean and let folks swim, play on inflatable toys and jet ski.

 

Anyone know if this is true for any line? I can't find a google answer on this.

[Scrapnana]

Some small ships, usually not from major cruise lines, do this. For example, in Australia there is Coral Princess Cruises. http://coralprincess.com.au/home-au/

[LHT28]

Could be Windstar, Seadream or maybe Star Clippers do this

Seabourn ??

[cb at sea]

A large cruiseship can't do that......smaller boats close to the water may have the capabilities to allow folks into the water. On cruiseships, they do everything in their power to keep folks OUT of the ocean!!!!

[Shorex]

My brother says a friend of his went on a cruise where they stopped in the ocean and let folks swim, play on inflatable toys and jet ski.

 

Anyone know if this is true for any line? I can't find a google answer on this.

 

Windstar has ships (yachts) with water sports platforms and water sporting equipment. They now have six yachts including three recently acquired from Seabourn. The passenger capacity is from 148 to a max of 310.

 

And yes, when the seas are calm and it fits the schedule, they open the platform for guests to play.

[jmf123]

Windstar's Windsurf has a sports platform and offers water toys and equipment. Also check out SeaDream or Bora Bora Cruises. The Paul Gauguin has a marine sports platform as well.

[fishywood]

Googling "cruise ships with watersports platforms" found Windstar, Seabourn and Paul Gauguin (the smaller ships of each line). Luxury ships at luxury prices.

Edited February 8, 2015 by fishywood

[dkc1973]

That's about what I was imagining on this. Thanks folks!!

[jocap]

We saw this on the luxury ship Le Soleal, on the "Mighty Cruise Ships" programme on TV (on Quest in the UK)

[Treven]

... On cruiseships, they do everything in their power to keep folks OUT of the ocean!!!!

... and for the most part do a pretty good job of that too!

Edited February 8, 2015 by Treven

[Flatbush Flyer]

Think about a yacht charter. Crewed 60' cat for 8 costs about the same per person as a balcony cabin on a premium line. Contact a charter broker like Ed Hamilton (google him).

[Capt_BJ]

I've done a couple of WINDSTAR's and they only opened the platform was when anchored at a tending port . . .

 

While opening it on a flat a** calm day in open water would not be impossible ... for the most part a cruise has an itinerary with little slack time. So unless the particular cruise has a sea day where they make holes in the ocean (sail in circles to kill time) they can't really stop and do this without increasing speed, and fuel consumption, on the back side.

 

On my Commands, we did do open ocean swim calls ... and there are many concerns. Some ship systems must be shut off to control INTAKE ports and DISCHARGES that happen all the time. And you (as Master/Captain) need to be concerned about safety from the perspectives of "marine life". In other words, we had a shark watch AND a boat in the water for safety.

[Talisker92]

When I was on the Paul Gauguin, they have a watersport platform, and i kayaked from the ship. It was anchored in a harbor.

I cannot think of a reason any ship would do that in the open ocean.

[swedish weave]

A few years ago, we saw a small cruise ship in Puntarenas Costa Rica that had jet skis and other water sports equipment. We were told it sailed around the local islands and was very popular. I don't know if they still do that.