Thus spake Chrissy Cruiser :
>On Mon, 18 Jul 2005 16:23:11 -0400, E.k.R. wrote:
>
>> "Chrissy Cruiser" wrote in message
>> news:tslvu6h11971.1ezl2t1jbbv66.dlg@40tude.net...
>>
>>> Is that a guess or an educated guess?
>>
>> Neither. It's been explained by shipyard and cruise industry execs in
>> several articles relating to current shipbuilding practices and ship size.
>> You just have to read the right articles, and they can't be found in the
>> fluff publications directed at the consumer.
>>
>> Ernie
>
>Hadn't caught that, thanks. Hm, wonder what drives this, structural steel,
>engine sizes, *hydro*dynamics LOL?
I don't think it's hydro dynamics. And they could always go to gas
turbines if they get too big for diesel. Structural steel might be an
issue, with a certain country deciding to step up from 3rd world
status in a big way.
I think, more than any other factor, it will be driven by port
capacity. For the same reason that I see Airbus' A380 being a flop.
The infrastructure just isn't there. A 200K grt ship implies
somewhere in the neighborhood of what, 5000-5500 people? What airport
can realisticly be expected to handle an additional 2500 people on one
day? Miami can't fit many more flights into its airport, especially
since most of the demand would be on weekends only. And airlines are
cutting flights, not adding them.
When the Pinnacle hits Cozumel along with a supersized RCCL ship hit
port, I want to be on a dive boat. I'll hit town after 7.
People capacity is going to be the driving factor. The small ports in
the Med have driven that market to close to its max. Which won't stop
the lines from deciding that "we can slip one more in".
--
dillon
Linux, it's not just an OS, it's a way
of life.
And a damn fine one, at that. |