| Technology on ships

FOR most of us there is only one
major concern when getting on a
cruise and that is ensuring we receive
great value!
However there are many areas
behind the scenes that do have an
impact on the final price paid by the
cruiser.
One particular area which many will
scoff at is the type of paint used on
the surface of the ship’s hull. It is a
fact that the latest paint technology
is assisting cruise lines in making
substantial fuel savings therefore
reducing overall operating costs.
Most of us have a motor vehicle and
the price of fuel in recent times has
had an impact on our every-day lives
that’s for sure – just imagine if you
were filling up the tanks of a cruise
ship each week instead of the family
sedan!
When a cruise ship is coated with
high quality paint the smoothness of
the hull reduces friction with the
water, therefore allowing the ship to
travel further using less fuel. The
result of this is not only reduced
operating costs but also fewer
emissions.
This can save a cruise line hundreds
of thousands of dollars in fuel over
the space of a year and naturally this
saving is reflected in the final price
paid by the consumer for their cruise
holiday.
A great example of savings made
are confirmed by Cunard when QM2
was re-painted during a dry-dock in
Hamburg in 2008. Her highly efficient
paint job shaved $30,000 per day off
the fuel bill – not bad!