Wow! The amount of work and craftsmanship that goes into a 3 week dry dock is incredible. Thank you for documenting it and kudos to RCL for allowing you to record it.
When you were strolling below the ship after completed the painting works, you asked what was the name of of the machineries of 3-4 "FANS"? It was called TUNNEL THRUSTERS which will be used to assist the cruise ship to come alongside the pier or casting off safely. Thanks for sharing this DRY DOCKING video which I simply loved it. ALL The Best on board, CHRIS. Cheers.
Very interesting, Chris! I will be on Symphony Of The Seas in May and it was wonderful to see what the ship looks like, inside and out, in dry dock. Thanks for doing this video.
Thanks for showing us the dry dock! These huge cruise ships are not lifted out of the water with cranes, the go in a dock that is like a lock and the water is pumped out. The 'fans' at the front and bottom of the ship are called bow thrusters. Like propellers, the allow the ship to move parallel to/ away from the dock and I think they also allow the ship to turn quicker in tight spaces. the big bulb or pit at the front and bottom is a wave breaker. It allows the ship to sail smoother in big waves. The propellers are in the back and as you said thrust the ship forward or allow it to stop in reverse. Nice video, you may be the first that has done a dry dock experience on a cruise ship. I think the gray ship was indeed an aircraft carrier!
Thanks! Royal Caribbean should be proud of your work. You've really captured dry dock in a unique way. I think they should let you stay free for a few nights in one of those gigantic cabins for your efforts of showing us what dry dock was like!
Chris, that big round orange thing is called a "BULBUS BOW" it smooths out the water while cruising. The four fan like things are " BOW THUSTERS" If you could you should have gone to the stern to se the "AZIPODS" they with the bow thrusters engaghed moves the ship sideways while leaving or returning to a dock. bluegrass48
Gray ship with the Spanish flag and "bluff bows" looks like some variety of LST (Landing Ship-Tank). They fill it with tanks, trucks, and other land vehicles, navigate it up to a beach and ram it right onto the sand; then that big front door flops down, becomes a ramp, and everything drives out...if things go according to plan. If things *don't* go according to plan, you could be strafed by sniper or aircraft fire (my dad was on an LST in WWII and experienced this), and/or you could have the damnedest time trying to get back *off* the beach. As you can imagine, trying to gun the propellers in reverse would result in piling sand under the hull, thus stranding you even more firmly, so the procedure involves removing as much weight from the ship as possible, enlisting favorable tides, gentle persuasion, and fervent prayer.
Holy Cow!!!! You always hear about the bazillion dollar drydocks, but it's hard to appreciate unless you actually see the massive scale of it all. This is a VERY good video and explains alot.
The ship you asked about appears to be an Spanish Navy amphibious assault ship. The ramp on the back is for launching landing craft to take troops and equipment ashore. It as Also has a flight deck like a aircraft carrier for launching helicopters. Love the video keep up the good work.
Seville 51:00 has very interesting architecture because it was once part of a North African Islamic kingdom in southern Spain - the Moors. In fact several locations in Seville were used in Game of Thrones to depict Dorne, because of this unique architecture.
I'm so glad they let all the employees enjoy the zip lines, slides, mini golf etc. before dry dock. Thank you for the behind the scene looks and views of the different cabins
WHOA dude, you have outdone yourself and every other cruise vlogger on RU-vid! This video is fantastic and I definitely need to watch it again. Thanks so much, Chris!!
I sailed in the Royal Suite on Voyager of the Seas in 2009. It was amazing. We had a grand piano. We had a jacuzzi on the balcony. A lounge area that would seat about 40 people but best of all was the bathroom - amazing
Chris, I've noticed that in just the past few days, your subscriber count has increased by a few thousand, WOOT WOOT! I think word is spreading on how great your channel is...keep up the great work and videos like this one sure help spread the word!
I believe the large suite you are in is called the Royal Loft Suite. The side propellers are called thrusters. The large protrusion on the front of the ship is called a bulbous bow.
Chris, thanks also for giving us so many land-tour glimpses of Spain....much more in this documentary than just talking about a drydock maintenance for the cruise-ship. [smile]
Chris, good video pal. The bulbous bow helps the ship get through the sea easier as the waves hit the bulbous bow first, meaning the ship can save up to 15% fuel consumption as there is less resistance. The three propellers on the hull are the bow thrusters, you didn't look at the back of the ship you would have seen the azipods they rotate 360 to steer the ship in any direction, the bow thrusters are used for bringing the ship alongside when going into port and leaving port, they can steer the ship with the azipods, so the ship can rotate in its own circle, there are videos on RU-vid of one of the RCCL ships doing that on sea trials before being released to the company.
The largest suite you were in is the Royal Loft Suite. They are so hard to find them available. We were in the aquatheater suite on Oasis of the Seas, and it was around $14.5K for 7 nights. My brother, sister, and all of our families are planning on a cruise on Symphony Of The Seas, planning to get the 4 bedroom villa suite.
That tour was sick! Gives me a greater appreciation for the engineering and construction of these vessels. Many thanks for all you do. Keep up the good work!
Chris you are killing it with your dry dock vlogs! I loved you walking through the suites and wow they were amazing! Seeing you talking and explaining and the workers doing their jobs was fantastic! And under the ship WOW!! So amazing and the size and height of the ship was wild! The anchor was HUGE!!! I swear this was the best vlog ever! You killed it Chris!!! 🏆🏆🏆🏆
We stayed in that suite with the piano about 2 years ago for the company i work for it was 10,000$ a night, i remember signing the bill at the end. I couldn’t believe they spent that much money on a suite for us.
I didn’t expect to watch the whole video, but WOW!!! I really enjoyed it and found it super interesting! Thanks for sharing! ~Beth (West Palm Beach, FL) 😎
We just finished watching this amazing video. This is by far the best cruise tour I have ever seen. We are on Symphony on May 7th. We will stop by the casino to say hello.
I love long videos. I normally watch videos while I am in my craft room so longer videos are much better for my phone. :) Less glue, glitter, not as many times stopping my sewing machine to find a new video. As you can tell, I am fond of long videos. I loved getting an inside look of drydock. I've seen drydock while a ship is being built, but never for a routine maintenance. Thank you for filming this. Take care!
Really interesting vlog Chris. Nice that RCI let you have a play day. Reupholstering in the bionic bar. Good to see Iona in port (P&O). The bulbous bow reduces the wake and the four bow thrusters help turn the ship and manoeuvre away from the quay
One of your best works my friend! I love the detail and the back and forth between work and evening adventures! That was the Royal Suite with the Piano, I stayed in a few of these thanks to Pandemic Discounts, but the normal cost is $25K+ for a 7 day cruise.
Well done Chris! This video was by far the best and very informative I have seen on RU-vid. I was on Symphony in March doing the Trans-Atlantic crossing to Barcelona Spain so it was so interesting to see what is happening to her now. She will look fabulous when she is done.
Love this video❤I was smiling becoz I've seen my love patrner to take a pic as remembrance of Cadiz Spain drydock 2023..u know Chris I'm asking her and he did not know this video..and then after I told him he see it all video.. .I'm always so proud of him....thank you so much for this sharing amazing video and I can seeing always,,and download to my phone..thanks Chris Wong.. God bless 🙏🙏🙏
Excellent video Chris. Thanks for sharing this experience. What a different perspective of the ship's massive size when standing underneath!!! I appreciate all the time you put into this video and presenting it in full rather than pieces was the way to go.
I simply loved, loved, loved this long vlog!❤❤❤ Your honest opinion of the whole process and your genuine reaction of all the exciting discoveries and places.....priceless!!! Keep doing what you do! I thoroughly enjoyed this long vlog! Will definitely watch it again!😊
thank you so much Chris for the amazing video. It it was wonderful to see the hard-working crewmembers and a little of their off time while in dry dock. This is something we passengers always wonder about, but never get a chance to see. We sailed on the Symphony almost a year ago, and it is a great ship. Unfortunately you were not working in the casino then or you would've seen me playing every day and losing my shirt…. this was a great insight into what goes on during dry dock. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us passengers who wondered what went on and never had a chance to see such a good look at it. No problem with the length of the video because it was fascinating from start to finish. kudos to all the construction workers and the hard-working, regular crew members who make cruising so wonderful for us passengers.
That was amazing!!! never knew what really goes on in Dry dock but you really showed us the behind the scenes for sure!! awesome footage and great video. Thank you for taking us along on your adventures!!
Thank you for the memories. I lived outside in Madrid, Spain for two years. Watching you go to those restaurants reminds me of visiting restaurants. All about Spain. The food was marvelous. I would love to go back. Enjoy yourself as you are enjoying it for many people.
Love all your content, but you've outdone yourself with this episode Chris!! Very, very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing and for working so hard to put this video together for us to see 💞
Definately professional quality. Better than many travel shows that I've seen on television. Try to see if "Public Broadcasting" might be interested in your video. If so, your following will go off the charts!
It is so cool that Royal let you do this so we can get to see all of this! Super awesome video, love seeing the bits and pieces of what is going on with the ship but also with the crew during this drydock! That Costa ship, the Venezia is there to be turned into a Carnival ship. They are calling her the first of the "Carnival Italian style" ships. I will be cruising on the Venezia in October.
It was nice to meet you briefly in the security check in the other day! I recognized a familiar voice, bit could not place it until we got up to you. Thanks for the behind the scenes videos!
Wow that must take some co-ordination all that dry dock work! Really enjoyed seeing behind the scenes. It’s great that RC give you free reign to film it all. Well done Chris, one of your best. Xx
Chris this is Super Fascinating. You are really giving a inside track. This is why Royal Caribbean is one of my favorite Cruise lines. Symphony of the Seas is not that old. And to see little things like Varnishing Chairs, to major things. Is showing how you keep your Brand Quality. Chris thank you again for the inside look. You are a Great Brand Ambassador...
Will be on Symphony in November. Can't wait. First time on a cruise. Your blog made me do it LOL. I'm struggling with shore excursions though. We are doing Labadee, Nassau and Falmouth.
My favorite was the largest suite and the anchor shot. Those are views of the ship that the average cruiser would never get to experience. Thank you Chris. This was an amazing VLOG.
What a fabulous experience to be under the ship. I was on her this past January. WOW!!!! You’ve done w wonderful job giving us a behind, above , under and throughout tour of the Symphony. Thank you very much for documenting your experience and sharing it with us Chris.
Ah, I'll be on Symphony in a few weeks, so I'm really looking forward to seeing all the changes first-hand - I actually didn't realise that Symphony was due to go into dry dock!
Just finished watching the whole video. Great stuff! I'm generally a fan of seeing and appreciating the work that the public generally don't see or have an idea about. Such a huge operation to update and maintain a ship.
Chirs, this was the most incredible video you have ever done on RU-vid! Thank you for sharing this experience with all of us. I have friends who will be on your ship this coming week, they will say hello to you for me lol. Hopefully, you can take a picture with them so they can bring it back home here in the states. You are one of my favorite youtuber. I do hope to meet you one day. I am so happy you are enjoying this year so far. Looking forward to your upcoming vlogs.
I met a crew member from Sail GP recently in Sydney (they travel to ports around the world) & asked her which was her favourite port. Cádiz #1 without doubt ❤ Great video idea Chris.
