Has anybody cruised right before the ship was dry-docked?

[Carleeb12]

We have booked a cruise on the Breeze for the beginning of next April. It is schedule to dry dock the middle of that same month. Does this mean it will be in poor condition and run-down? Also, will the waiters and stewards be burnt out by the time we board?

[mamawsnest]

We cruised on the Valor in April the week before dry dock. No problems! Most of the staff stay onboard during dry dock serving the workers that come onboard. Some even help out with repairs, etc. so not much changes.

[VASOXFANN]

We cruised (and had our wedding on) Pride before her dry dock in 2014. There were a couple inconspicuous areas (ie chapel) closed, but nothing major, and it didn't disrupt our wedding or the cruise.

[cocoaloco]

I was onboard the week before and nothing was wrong. All areas were open and nothing looked poorly maintained.

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

Somehow I've ended up on several ships right before they end up in dry dock. I have never thought it was run down. I was on the Destiny the second last cruise before she was completely redone to the Sunshine. It was great because they started renovating the cabins before dry dock so we were in a brand new cabin on that ship.

[Surfwench]

I was on the Legend the cruise before her last dry dock and upgrade. Everything was fine, as always. There were a few places taped off on out of the way decks that had piles of construction stuff, but other than that, I noticed nothing else amiss. The first few cruises after a signficant dry dock/upgrade however I believe can be more problematic. Especially if all construction was not completed on schedule and they are still working on some venues.

[LMaxwell]

It's a crapshoot. Sometimes the work they start is not bothersome, other times if they are making major changes venues could be closed, workers having materials all over, etc. Some have reported they never noticed anything, others have reported it was like vacationing on a construction site. Like I said, it is a crapshoot.

[thewynn]

We were also on the Valor before her dry dock, 2 months before, and did not find it run down. The staff were generally great (our room steward was not up to par) but I didn't find anything that would have made me think that it was a bad choice to cruise before dry dock- except the fact I didn't get to get the new things added in dry dock :D

[loubetti]

There is no "right" answer to this, except that the ship should not look dirty or poorly maintained, just expect some normal wear and tear. Also, much depends on the purpose of the dry dock. Will there be extensive renovations and enhancements made? Or is it just routine, required maintenance and repairs?

 

If the former, it is quite possible that materials and supplies will be brought on board and stored, often quite visible to you. In addition work might also begin while the ship is still in service requiring contractors on board, and perhaps some venues undergoing work. This is not uncommon if the ship is due for a major makeover.

 

Thus, every pre-drydock can be different. Never presume that one person's pre-drydock experience on board will be the same as yours. It all depends on the scope of work being done.

[Micahs Grandad]

It's a crapshoot. Sometimes the work they start is not bothersome, other times if they are making major changes venues could be closed, workers having materials all over, etc. Some have reported they never noticed anything, others have reported it was like vacationing on a construction site. Like I said, it is a crapshoot.

 

For a lot of crew this might be last cruise before vacation and they might be thinking more about vacation then their job.

 

All things being equal would skip this week.

[LMaxwell]

All things being equal would skip this week.

 

These are my general rules

 

No ships 1 -2 weeks before dry dock.

No ships up to 1 month out of dry dock.

No new ships until in service 6 months.

[MtnDweller]

We cruised on Fantasy's last cruise out of Charleston. You wouldn't have known she was headed for dry dock. Staff was great, no closed off areas and CC even had a "Thank You, Charleston" party the last night of the cruise with free drinks for all. We had a great time!!!

[bar1068]

We cruised on Fantasy's last cruise out of Charleston. You wouldn't have known she was headed for dry dock. Staff was great, no closed off areas and CC even had a "Thank You, Charleston" party the last night of the cruise with free drinks for all. We had a great time!!!

 

We cruised the Sunshine in May on it's final cruise, for now out of Port Canaveral then into dry dock before she was moved to Charleston. The ONLY thing we noticed that she was headed for dry dock, were the supplies waiting to be loaded as we debarked after the cruise. Outside of a few conversations with the crew during the cruise, no signs at all that she was heading to dry dock at cruises end.

[Micahs Grandad]

These are my general rules

 

No ships 1 -2 weeks before dry dock.

No ships up to 1 month out of dry dock.

No new ships until in service 6 months.

 

agree with you on points 1 and 3 but for 2 would make it about 2 weeks.

[tofinochris]

I can't speak to dry dock but I have been on a cruise where all the entertainment and nearly all the crew were done after that cruise. It was hilariously bad as the entertainment folks hung out in passenger areas all the time when shows were not on taking up tons of space and just being cliquey with each other, like coming to the dance club and just taking the whole floor to themselves. And events during the day were constantly being randomly cancelled -- never been on a ship with fewer events.

 

To be fair this was an Alaska cruise and the club would have been pretty dead anyway, but it just came across as really unprofessional and August actually our first Carnival cruise since that experience about eight years ago because it just soured us on the line for a bit. Beautiful scenery though. But I've never spent more time in the casino on a ship because there was bugger all else to do at night or when we weren't in port! :D

[DevCruise]

Personally, I think it depends on two things...

 

 

1. The purpose of the dry dock. Is it a required inspection? Major changes happening? Periodic refurb?
   
2. How much you let little things bother you.
   

[Micahs Grandad]

Personally, I think it depends on two things...

 

 

1. The purpose of the dry dock. Is it a required inspection? Major changes happening? Periodic refurb?
   
2. How much you let little things bother you.
   

 

People have reported that just before a major drydock they have seen major areas of the ship closed off and work already started making lots of noise.

 

Also on first voyage after work still going on.

 

Not little things at all.

[JaniceB]

What is the purpose of the drydock? Is this just a general refresh or new things being added?

[Port of Tampa]

Our last cruise aboard the Sunshine was just prior to dry dock and was or third time on the ship so we had prior cruises to compare with...there were things throughout the ship such as broke slot machines, video poker machines, lights in the table games, leaking ceilings and the running response was they will get fixed in dry dock. Also the wait staff was lighter then the previous cruises and from what I was told when some crew members time was up a few weeks before dry dock they do not replace them until post dry dock. We still had a great time but there were definite downsides and I for that reason will not cruise ships jut prior to dry dock again.

 

Cheers and happy cruising!

[Corby114]

There are normally different types of drydocks done on cruise ships. Some will involve cleaning and painting the ships hull and doing maintenance and repairs on engines, propellers, electrical systems,etc. Some drydocks are for interior replacements involving changing carpeting, furniture,etc. The last drydock involves changing passenger venues such as replacing an ageing dining room or refurbishing a theater or bar. Anything and everything is done during a drydock. Most major drydocks involve at least a two week minimum time period and are normally scheduled at least a year or two in advance.

[Micahs Grandad]

There are normally different types of drydocks done on cruise ships. Some will involve cleaning and painting the ships hull and doing maintenance and repairs on engines, propellers, electrical systems,etc. Some drydocks are for interior replacements involving changing carpeting, furniture,etc. The last drydock involves changing passenger venues such as replacing an ageing dining room or refurbishing a theater or bar. Anything and everything is done during a drydock. Most major drydocks involve at least a two week minimum time period and are normally scheduled at least a year or two in advance.

 

Since we dont know the full extent of the drydock and the chances it will be done in time seems to me why take a chance unless you get a substantial discount on the cruise fare

[brooklynfc]

Our last cruise aboard the Sunshine was just prior to dry dock and was or third time on the ship so we had prior cruises to compare with...there were things throughout the ship such as broke slot machines, video poker machines, lights in the table games, leaking ceilings and the running response was they will get fixed in dry dock. Also the wait staff was lighter then the previous cruises and from what I was told when some crew members time was up a few weeks before dry dock they do not replace them until post dry dock. We still had a great time but there were definite downsides and I for that reason will not cruise ships jut prior to dry dock again.

 

Cheers and happy cruising!

 

Same here. Same cruise. And thank you for proving me not insane by saying the crew was on the light side. It was noticeable. Did I still have fun, yes. Did it effect some pieces of my cruise, yes. But as you can see I'm still coming back for more.

[arpie05]

I can't speak to dry dock but I have been on a cruise where all the entertainment and nearly all the crew were done after that cruise. It was hilariously bad as the entertainment folks hung out in passenger areas all the time when shows were not on taking up tons of space and just being cliquey with each other, like coming to the dance club and just taking the whole floor to themselves. And events during the day were constantly being randomly cancelled -- never been on a ship with fewer events.

 

To be fair this was an Alaska cruise and the club would have been pretty dead anyway, but it just came across as really unprofessional and August actually our first Carnival cruise since that experience about eight years ago because it just soured us on the line for a bit. Beautiful scenery though. But I've never spent more time in the casino on a ship because there was bugger all else to do at night or when we weren't in port! :D

I agree that it is terrible onboard the last sailing of a CD and first sailing of a new crew. The CD is too busy thinking about their vacation to do his job and anew crew is clueless about how the new ship runs.

[OCruisers]

Yes, we were on Carnival Fantasy the cruise before she dry docked.

Nothing different in service. Most crew members (not entertainment staff) were staying on for duties to help out with things in their area.

Then, WOW, the morning we were to getting off the ship there was no need for a wake up call. :D The BANGING began immediately.

Bottom Line: We would be fine with taking a cruise prior to dry dock. :)

[pbsteve]

Domt forget that when it goes into dry dock, you can keep the matress