OM in the News: How to Make a Ship Bigger–Cut it in Half First

What’s a cruise company to do when it needs a bigger ship? Apparently, just saw it in half and add an extra 49 feet. Silversea Cruises began the lengthening process of its Silver Spirit ship this month as part of a $100 million renovation, USA Today reports (March 20, 2018).

The transformation is currently underway at Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy. This type of lengthening has never before been employed for the extension of a luxury cruise ship. An extension is much cheaper than ordering a brand new ship, which can cost upwards of $1 billion.

The project will create more space in public areas and will enhance Silver Spirit’s facilities, including adding increased space to the dining area, making room for additional outdoor seating, expanding the pool deck, a new spa, two new public spaces and a new aerobics area.

The massive expansion will require 500 workers who will spend approximately 450,000 hours in the job. The project will be complete in May, 2018. (Construction of the new section began 10 months ago). When finished, the Silver Spirit will measure 691 feet in length and have an increased capacity of 12%. About 846 tons of steel, 360,892 feet of cabling and 26,247 feet of piping will be put to use in the lengthening.

Classroom discussion questions:

1. Compare the Silver Spirit to Royal Caribbean’s brand new Symphony of the Seas.
2. Is this project more or less complex than building a ship from scratch? Why?