On many of our cruises, we inevitably wind up talking about ship size with people who work in the industry. One such discussion with a ship's captain led to the revelation (for us) that there's a bridge in Germany where captains have to wait for low tide to make sure their ship can clear the bridge deck…and they have to "step on it" to get under the bridge in time.
Now there's one close to home.
It's in Vancouver, where the majestic Lions Gate Bridge — built 75 years ago and designated as a National Historic Site seven years ago — is not high enough for the vertical growth in the cruise ship business.
A Vancouver Sun exclusive by reporters Brian Morton and Fiona Anderson revealed that the Celebrity Solstice will be going to Seattle — and not Vancouver — next spring because even at low tide there would only be about 10 feet of clearance. At high tide, there would be a collision.
Greg Wirtz, President of North West and Canada Cruise Association, told The Sun:
"There’s no question this could limit Vancouver’s ability to grow. Consistently, the industry is building bigger ships [and] this is a problem that’s been recently created as ships get bigger.”
Neither Wirtz nor Celebrity is saying the Solstice would have gone to Vancouver but for the bridge, but it's worth noting that this cruise line will have five ships of that size come October, with the arrival of the Reflection.
The bridge deck could be raised, at considerable cost, but it's hardly worth doing unless there is a commitment on the part of the big ships to sail to Alaska from Vancouver. And if the Alaska demand grows that much, there's a simpler solution for the cruise lines, one that Celebrity has already chosen.
Seattle.
Carnival Glory
5 nights
August 25, 2012
New York (return): Saint John, Halifax
Inside: $449
Cost per day: $90
www.carnival.com