Dry Dock

Our ship, the Odyssey, is currently in dry dock getting last-minute maintenance done. Dry dock is where the ship gets taken out of water and onto land for repairs, maintenance, or storage.

While we wait, the cruise company organized a tour of the ship for us. Lots of things were still under construction, but here is a peek at some of the areas.

The Odyssey
The library. I think this is going to be my favorite public space.
One of three dining areas

I’ve always been curious about the whole dry dock process, and how they get the ship out of the water onto land, and back. It turns out they fill this area (below) with water, which allows the ship to float in or out. It will take about 18 hours to fill it.

The ship in dry dock

My cabin was not available for viewing yet. This is one of the larger cabins with a balcony. Mine is smaller, with a window instead of a balcony.

A balcony cabin

Looking forward to boarding my home for the foreseeable future!

9 responses to “Dry Dock”
  1. Gordon Dow Avatar
    Gordon Dow

    Have they said what the problem? It’s now June 6 and it was due to sail on May 30.

    1. Yes, they’ve been keeping us updated of the problems. It is currently scheduled for June 15 launch.

  2. Debbie S Wallace Avatar
    Debbie S Wallace

    Good Luck..Hope this turns put better than the last fiasco!

  3. Veronica Holmes Avatar
    Veronica Holmes

    Congratulations, and I wish you a safe and wonderful adventure. How long have you signed up for: the full 3 1/2 years? I look forward to your postings. Wish I were going with you! Would love to join at some point.

    1. Hi Veronica, I am planning to do the whole 3.5 years, but I decided not to buy a cabin, just do it by segments. The LAS fiasco left me wary of shelling out so much money up front. There are a number of other LAS folks on this one, hope you can join us someday!

  4. Veronica Holmes Avatar
    Veronica Holmes

    Congratulations, and I wish you a safe and wonderful adventure. How long have you signed up for: the full 3 1/2 years? I look forward to your postings. Wish I were going with you! Would love to join at some point.

  5. Hazel Mckay Avatar
    Hazel Mckay

    Being in a dry dock is like a cannel lock. At high tide they open the lock gates and bring the ship into a concrete box. They close the water tight gates and then pump the water out or they can open up the sluice gates to allow the water to run out when the tide drops. The ship inside is supported by wooden blocks that are strategically positioned into place before the ship came into the lock. So when the water level drops it will settle into the support cradle and be level and stable. When it is time to leave it is normally done at high tide. So water is allowed to come in via the small sluice gates so at high tide the ship is floating and free from the support cradle. They open the dates and the ship is manoeuvred out of the dock and it will then be taken to its assigned dock/quay position. To be loaded with fuel and supplies for crew and passenger’s and everything else it is needing. Enjoy the maiden voyage of the Odyssey.

    1. Thanks Hazel!

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