This was something that no passenger could pay any amount of money to get, it’s crew-only and that’s all there is to it. Whether or not we would even get a dock tour was still undecided right until the last day of dry-dock. Management had said they would try to get us a tour but obviously as there are so many unknowns during dry-dock, it could not be guaranteed. The main thing naturally was that most of the work on the hull of the ship would have to be near complete so that we could be down there and not get in the way of dockyard workers and vehicles. Well, on the last day of dry-dock the call came at 2:30pm that if we went down to the guest relations desk at 3pm, we could have a dock tour.
We were required to wear hard hats and safety goggles for the tour and were escorted down the long staircase from the top of the dock to the bottom. The staircase is on the exterior of the dock and the drop is about 40 feet down. The tour was conducted by the first officer and we were given a thorough tour all the way around the bottom of the ship and were encouraged to bring our cameras to take photos. Since it was the last day, almost the entire hull had been cleaned and re-painted. We got a chance to get up close and personal, including walking right underneath the ship. This was definitely the highlight of being in dry-dock for me, and absolutely something you don’t see every day.
Click View Full Album below to view the photos from the dry-dock tour.
Wow! Lucky you! Some great shots there, Ryan! Thanks for the updates and I will certainly be following your blog from now on!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pictures and the updates. I find all the information you have given us fascinating. My wife and I will be on our very first cruise on March 28 on the Explorer. Keep her in ship shape for us.
ReplyDeleteWow thanks Ryan for posting pictures. We sailed on Explorer June 08 and are returning March 09 for the 13 night. In dry dock, do you know if the damaged prop was replaced? We're all curious about the new digs, carpets & stuff. Now we're following your blog - very cool !!!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I don't know anything at all about the propeller from a reliable source... and even if I did know something it would probably be best not to get into it. I have heard various stories amongst the crew though and I think generally what I've heard was that the prop was repaired as much as was needed in Bermuda during some kind of 7-day stopover a while ago. Since I wasn't on board at the time I can't say for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe new prop had previously been repaired.
ReplyDeleteRyan, some great shots. Thanks for sharing. The public would never get to see such great behind the scene activities.
We've been on the EX 8 times and on March 28 2010 we'll be on our 9th EX voyage. Can't wait to return.
Aaron we'll be on that March 28 cruise as well. Looks like it may be Ryan's last cruise if his replacement comes in. We can't wait to see the ice shows, didn't get tix last cruise on the EX and we intend to this time!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, we'll see you on board. I'll be the guy with the red hat on captains night.
ReplyDeleteRyan
ReplyDeleteIf you end up extending your contract, we'll be onboard on April 15th. The ice show is the highlight of our cruise!