The day that a cruise ship is docked in its homeport is commonly referred to by many crew members onboard cruise ships as "turn-around day". This refers to the day that the old passengers get off and brand new passengers get on. The way a turnaround day works will vary by port, ship, and cruise line, but for the most part there are some common patterns for turnaround days.
Crew Members Get On And Off
On turnaround days some crew members will be getting off because is the end of their contract of work and other crew members will be getting on to start a new job/contract.
However, some crew members will be getting off and will be getting back on. These crew members will typically have a short amount of personal time allotted before they have to get back onboard. Typically, crew members do not get to get off the ship each time it is docked in a port. Most cruise lines have some type of rotation schedule in place to allow crew members to have some time off on turnaround days. It is then up to the crew member whether to use their allotted time or stay onboard instead. The way this works is different for each cruise line and homeport, but there will almost always be crew members getting on or off.
Crew Members Get On And Off
On turnaround days some crew members will be getting off because is the end of their contract of work and other crew members will be getting on to start a new job/contract.
However, some crew members will be getting off and will be getting back on. These crew members will typically have a short amount of personal time allotted before they have to get back onboard. Typically, crew members do not get to get off the ship each time it is docked in a port. Most cruise lines have some type of rotation schedule in place to allow crew members to have some time off on turnaround days. It is then up to the crew member whether to use their allotted time or stay onboard instead. The way this works is different for each cruise line and homeport, but there will almost always be crew members getting on or off.
Loading and Unloading of Luggage
When a ship arrives at the homeport to end the current cruise voyage the luggage has to be unloaded from the ship and taken into the cruise terminal to be picked up by disembarking guests. The disembarking guests luggage is typically stored and sometimes sorted onboard the ship before getting unloaded. Suitcases are often packed in crates and moved by machines to help get them on and off the ship. When a crate of luggage is taken off the ship it will most likely be brought into the terminal building and placed in an area that the owner can pick it up.
For embarking guests their checked in luggage should be screened and checked in the cruise terminal for prohibited items. Each cruise line has its own way of sorting luggage, but many cruise lines will sort luggage into crates by deck or color coding. The crates of luggage are placed on the pier and one by one loaded onto the ship using machines. The way luggage distribution works onboard will vary by cruise line.
Between Cruises: How much, if any, time is there?
Most turnaround days consist of very little time without passengers onboard the ship. Staterooms stewards will be working to get staterooms ready and crew members will be around the ship cleaning various public areas. The chef's and buffet staff will most likely be preparing the meals for the next guests. Although, the time in between cruises is very short, the crew members of the ship must have the ship looking clean and fresh to make a good first impression with the next guests.
When a ship arrives at the homeport to end the current cruise voyage the luggage has to be unloaded from the ship and taken into the cruise terminal to be picked up by disembarking guests. The disembarking guests luggage is typically stored and sometimes sorted onboard the ship before getting unloaded. Suitcases are often packed in crates and moved by machines to help get them on and off the ship. When a crate of luggage is taken off the ship it will most likely be brought into the terminal building and placed in an area that the owner can pick it up.
For embarking guests their checked in luggage should be screened and checked in the cruise terminal for prohibited items. Each cruise line has its own way of sorting luggage, but many cruise lines will sort luggage into crates by deck or color coding. The crates of luggage are placed on the pier and one by one loaded onto the ship using machines. The way luggage distribution works onboard will vary by cruise line.
Between Cruises: How much, if any, time is there?
Most turnaround days consist of very little time without passengers onboard the ship. Staterooms stewards will be working to get staterooms ready and crew members will be around the ship cleaning various public areas. The chef's and buffet staff will most likely be preparing the meals for the next guests. Although, the time in between cruises is very short, the crew members of the ship must have the ship looking clean and fresh to make a good first impression with the next guests.
Fuel Restocking and the Loading of Supplies
On turnaround days cruise ships are typically refueled and receive supplies such as food and beverages. Cruise ships can only hold a certain amount of provisions so they must be restocked nearly every time the ship comes into port. The amount of provisions that a ship can hold is usually related to the size of the ship.
You may also see a fuel truck pumping fuel into your ship. The ship must be refueled every so often also because the ship cannot hold more than a certain amount of fuel.
On turnaround days cruise ships are typically refueled and receive supplies such as food and beverages. Cruise ships can only hold a certain amount of provisions so they must be restocked nearly every time the ship comes into port. The amount of provisions that a ship can hold is usually related to the size of the ship.
You may also see a fuel truck pumping fuel into your ship. The ship must be refueled every so often also because the ship cannot hold more than a certain amount of fuel.
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