Stupid question

[Angel59920]

When you go to the bathroom where does it go? How do they get rid of it? I know stupid question.

[penny3333]

They have their own recycling facilities on board in most of the ships today. Some of the older ships had holding tanks that were emptied in port, but I doubt there are many of them in service. If they are, I would bet that they've been retrofitted to the on board recycling systems. The ships are truly floating cities. They generate their own electricity, water, recycle cans, bottles, compact garbage. It's totally amazing, catch one of the Discovery Channel or Travel Channel cruise episodes or building a cruise ship episode, they're awesome.

[Jim C.]

Angel59920- No such thing as a stupid question. If you don't know the answer and you WANT to know the answer, then don't be afraid to ask.

And Penny just so someone doesn't read your response and think that they "recycle" the waste for drinking water or something ...eeeewww The treated waste water from showers/ sinks and kitchen is converted into "grey water" and reused for washing decks and that type of thing. The sewage is treated until it is clean enough to be released and the solids may be burned... But I agree on catching the cruise documentaries on DSC or Travel Channel.

[Angel59920]

Thanks so much just wanted to make sure they were putting it into the water.

[penny3333]

Thanks Jim, you're so right. Angel59920, years and years ago, they got in big trouble for polluting the waters. Not only the cruise ships but the freighters as well.

[Berick1234]

Holding tanks:-)and recycling....The shipping lines are user friendly now and recyle everything..No more dumping into the oceans.....So drink the water and don't
worry:-)....Happy Cruising....

Bob E

[Southern Fried Cruiser]

Angel59920

If I remember correctly, on the Eagle (Voyager) Class (and presumably now with the Freedom Class), the "grey" water as mentioned by Jim C is treated almost to the point of potability (drinkability). The "black water" (from the toilets) is maintained aboard the vessels until they reach a port wherein it can be off loaded. Betcha' your local septic tank service would love to have that contract! Only water that is virtually potable is ever supposed to be discharged from an Eagle class ship and not even a toothpick is thrown overboard.

Consequently if you read about cruiseships "polluting" the oceans, you can be sure none of the ships at which they're casting disparaging remarks are Eagle class or Freedom class vessels. I would be really surprised to learn were most newbuilds since '01 not to have if not the identical, at least similar technology.

In short, the technology found in today's Cruise ships, things that most people never even think about, would blow your mind. For instance, when over three thousand passengers on one of the largest cruise ships want to take a shower, they want fresh, hot water. They don't care HOW they get it. They just want it. Have you ever given a thought as to where it comes from? And no, they don't carry it all in fresh water tanks. They create most of it from seawater. On a Voyager glass ship that's hundreds of thousands of litres every 24 hours.

SFC