Nuclear powered cruise ships being explored

[smokeybandit]

Nuclear obviously powers many war ships with great success. Though I'd still wonder how some people would think about sailing on a cruise ship powered the same way.

 

https://www.cruisehive.com/ship-builder-explores-nuclear-power-for-cruise-ships/108313

[tjcruisers]

I wouldn't have an issue cruising on one

[Cakemeister]

The gas tank on an Oasis-class ship is about 5000 cubic meters. An Olympic-size swimming pool is about 2500 cubic meters. If the reactor takes up about the same space as the engines would, this might open up some possibilities for more bars and restaurants. Hooray!

The LNG tanks on Icon weigh 300 tons each and are 90 feet long. Just think of what you could do with the extra space!

Icon of the Seas Construction Update: LNG Fuel Tank Installation | Royal Caribbean Press Center

 

The problem I see is the difference in lifespan between the reactor and the rest of the ship. The USS Nimitz is fifty years old.

Plus:

 

 

Edited August 9, 2023 by Cakemeister
added info about the LNG tanks.

[BB1]

It seems to me that the logistics would dictate fissionable material being used all over. Sounds like a possibly bad idea unless you believe none of it would get in the hands of terrorists.  That could be overly and dangerously optimistic. 

[teddy]

I’d have no concerns cruising on a nuke.  
 

[JasonOasis]

According to the article in addition to exploring nuclear power they are also looking at hydrogen power fuel cells as well. 

I think it will be interesting to watch and see where this goes and actually comes out of all this.   Right now the industry is moving towards LNG and shore power while in port which seem more like a short term solution to cutting emissions but what comes after LNG?  I'm guessing we may have a clearer picture by mid to late 20230s. 

 

I have no issues cruising on a nuclear power ship, according to the article a small nuclear reactor would have an output of 30MW compared to typical engines today where 4 engines combined have an output of just 10MW.  The technology is being used today on other types of vessels but one thing not discusses is how would they dispose of the reactor once the ship reaches the end of it life. 

[rjweber3]

32 minutes ago, JasonOasis said:

they are also looking at hydrogen power fuel cells as well. 

I wonder where the H2 comes from. I would guess from electrolysis of H2O. That is a pretty energy intensive process. So, what is the savings in total CO2 production unless using nuclear power to make the electricity for the electrolysis plant?

[ChessE4]

Not sure about how nuclear-powered cruise ships would be regulated, e.g., inspected and certified.  Not sure cruise lines want to go there -- bad enough to keep up with health issues, CDC, and so forth.  But some day it could come to pass...

[JohnK6404]

... plus I would assume there would have to be some significantly heightened level of security with nuclear material onboard... I'd be very surprised if it ever happens. 

[JimnKathy]

Several nuclear scientist folks I've followed for years all state that the type of uranium used in modern reactors isn't the fissionable material needed to make weapons...the terrorist angle doesn't seem to be an issue.

[twangster]

I'm open to it but I can see the same groups that protest and picket cruise ports now licking their chops to protest nuclear cruise ships coming into port.

[steverk]

Actually the nuclear cruise ship Savannah was built in 1959, so this isn't unheard of

[smokeybandit]

Can't wait for those ship names though.

 

Fallout of the Seas

Radiation of the Seas

 

[cruisellama]

Thousands of sailors an marines have sailed on US nuclear powered vessels.  Carriers have as many on board as an Oasis class ship.

[twangster]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Can't wait for those ship names though.

 

Fallout of the Seas

Radiation of the Seas

 

Bionic bar replaced with the Chernobyl Bar.

Perfect Day renamed Three Mile Island. 

[twangster]

Thinking about this, wanna bet CA would still require the ship plug into shore power so they could sell less clean CA grid power to the ship?

[Geezer Of The Seas]

On 8/9/2023 at 10:22 AM, JasonOasis said:

  Right now the industry is moving towards LNG and shore power while in port which seem more like a short term solution to cutting emissions but what comes after LNG? 

 

 The technology is being used today on other types of vessels but one thing not discusses is how would they dispose of the reactor once the ship reaches the end of it life. 

A. Back to oars and sails?

B. Gotta be cheaper than the 'from now on' surcharge Duke Energy Florida is charging customers for decommissioning the Crystal River Nuclear Plant that THEIR predecessor company rendered inoperative and too expensive to repair.

[Fox Forlenza]

I think it would be a brilliant idea. Nuclear power has changed drastically over the decades and is safe, efficient, and creates incredibly little waste. Definitely the way we should be looking towards on land as well.

[Nathan adams]

The fuel is not available.  Still have the problem of disposing of spent fuel. Many countries will not allow you to port. 

Why aren't shipping companies using it as a very cost effective means?

I don't think it's going to happen. 

[Hoppy2BHere]

Hey, a plus… you can tan in your interior lower deck cabin…

[Ditchdoc]

A great source for hot water and more coffee stations at 5am.

[Happy Cruisers]

I asked on a behind the scenes tour on Allure years ago why there haven't been nuclear powered cruise ships when the (first) world's militaries have been using nuclear power for maritime operations for years, and the engineer or whoever we were speaking to looked at my like I had just asked him to drink molten copper through a curly straw.  I was taken aback by his unprofessional reaction as I didn't then and don't now consider it to be that crazy of a question. 

One possible issue I see is that it could become yet another reason to deny cruise ship's access to key ports.  If the folks in, say, Bar Harbor, for example among other places, didn't like the idea of a big diesel ship emitting large amounts of particulates and passengers into their area, I can't imagine they'd be comforted by the news that there's now a nuclear reactor involved, too. (and I'm not suggesting that Mainers are or aren't fans of nuclear energy - just using the recent political issues with cruise ship calls there as an example).  Copy and paste Norway, Canada, Alaska, etc.  One would think that some of the environmental-types might be enthusiastic about nuclear ships in those areas given their beliefs around climate change, but nuclear energy has had a PR problem that goes back more than a few years, unfortunately. 

Net-net, I'm more comfortable with a nuclear reactor on my ship than I am riding around on top of a big LNG tank - by a country mile.  All of this is riskier than good ole sludgy bunker fuel ever was, but that's none of my business.  

[Floski]

RCL has announced a name change - Utopia of the Seas will be re-branded Nuketopia of the Seas.

First glimpse of the new Captain:

[Fuzzywuzzy]

On 8/9/2023 at 6:36 PM, steverk said:

Actually the nuclear cruise ship Savannah was built in 1959, so this isn't unheard of

She has been moored in Baltimore since 2008.

[steverk]

1 hour ago, Fuzzywuzzy said:

She has been moored in Baltimore since 2008.

I did not know that. Thanks!

If I'm ever in Baltimore, I'll have to check her out.  Do they have tours?

[Fuzzywuzzy]

20 hours ago, steverk said:

I did not know that. Thanks!

If I'm ever in Baltimore, I'll have to check her out.  Do they have tours?

The ship is not open to the public. Strangely enough the nuclear reactor was only removed last fall. 

[tonyfsu21]

Not gonna happen. There’s higher probability of the aliens levitating the Oasis and taking it on tours through the universe. I may or may not be in the business that glows so I have some insight.