NEW YORK -- Problems with the Mermaid podded propulsion system
aboard Celebrity Cruises' 1,900-passenger Millennium have the
vessel operating at around 50% of its normal propulsion power, said
a Celebrity spokeswoman.
Mechanical problems in one of the two pods have reduced the
ship's cruising speed from 24 to 20.5 knots and "have the potential
to affect arrival times in certain ports of call," said the
spokeswoman, who added that Celebrity technicians are "currently
assessing possible remedies."
Millennium is on an eastern Caribbean itinerary departing
roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Introduced last year, the vessel already has undergone an
unscheduled three-week drydocking to repair a hull design flaw that
led to vibrations under certain sea conditions.
Millennium is the first major cruise ship to use the Mermaid
pods. The systems are slated for installation on several new
vessels, including Festival Cruises' European Vision and Cunard
Line's Queen Mary 2.
The Mermaid systems are different from the Azipod systems that
led to last year's drydocking of Carnival Cruise Lines' Elation and
Paradise.