How Are Cruise Ships Powered?

Modern cruise ships are floating electrical power plants. While people would like to believe that the huge diesel engines have shafts that extend through the hull and drive the screws, it is not true. The cruise ships of today are technological wonders that employ a variety of methods to drive the ship through the water and maintain its interior systems at the same time.

Diesel engines run powerful generators.

Except for the power plants in the engine room, everything on a cruise ship runs on electricity that is generated on board the vessel. The electricity produced by the engines runs into a power grid much the same is the power that is sent to a small city. Transformers are used to adjust the level of the current to match what is needed at various areas on the ship. Most passenger cabins in North America receive 120 volt service to match the current level that passengers are used to having in their homes.

The main propellers on the ship are driven by large powerful electric motors.

These submerged motors not only are capable of pushing the ship forward, but they also are designed to pivot in the water. In this way, the motors can be used to turn the ship or be reversed to stop it. Having the screws driven by electric motors reduces the vibration and noise that is apparent within the ship. While no one is going to fooled into believing that the ship runs with no sound, it is far quieter than older vessels that depend on the large diesel engines to push the ship.

Cruise ships also have thrusters that are powered by electricity.

To assist the ship when docking, there are thrusters on each side of the ship near the front and rear. These thrusters are capable of driving large volumes of water from the hull of the vessel. By using the thrusters, a cruise ship can move almost straight sideways in the water. This is a major asset when trying to navigate these giant ships in very tight quarters in small harbors and at crowded piers.

With the population of a cruise ship ranging up to 5,000 passengers and crews, huge amounts of power are needed to meet their needs.

The electricity is used to produce fresh water from ocean water to supply the passengers with water for drinking, bathing, and playing. All of the cabins must receive enough electricity to run the lights, hair dryers, computers, and all of the other appliances brought on board by the passengers and crew. On top of this, there must be power for the casino, photographers, fitness area, and every other public space on the ship. The kitchen and dining rooms also need huge amounts of power to produce the enormous quantities of food that the cruise ship prepares many times per day.