Something very “green” on Norwegian Epic— that we’ve only seen in European hotels and on MSC ships—is a very cool power saving feature.When you enter your stateroom, you must insert your key card in a slot by the door that activates the stateroom lights. You have to remove your key when you leave in order to get back in and the lights won’t stay on when it’s out of the slot. Thus, it’s impossible to leave the lights on and waste electricity.
Plus, it’s a very neat way to keep track of your key card. We really like it and expect to see on other cruise ships in the future.
Photo courtesy of Alan Wilson, Cruise News Daily
This system is already in operation on board P&O's newest ship, Azura, which was launched earlier this year. Although on the first afternoon aboard I met a number of passengers who said the lights weren't working in their cabins - because they did not realise they had to insert their cards. It was possible to circumvent the sustem by inserting the "Do Not Disturb/Please Make Up My Room" card into the electricity switch slot and leaving it there
ReplyDeleteA couple other things I noticed but isnt really new in the cruise world is the AC power reduces when the balcony door is open and the use of solution that deflects sunshine on the glass. Thanks for sharing. Were you on the cruise out of Miami?
ReplyDeleteI think many cruise lines are trying to become more energy efficient due to the pressures of the government and hopefully the new modern cruise ships will have great new features like Celebrity have solar paneling on Solstice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, GreyBeard. I didn't know P&O has installed them on Azura as well. We are accustomed to seeing the devices in European hotels, but if it hadn't been for our steward pointing out the device on MSC Orchestra, we'd have been confused about the lights not working.
ReplyDeleteHi Doug, thanks for pointing those other energy saving solutions.
ReplyDeleteNo, I wasn't on the Miami preview, but will be sailing very soon.
You're so right, Cruises Fan. Saving power is saving money and, hopefully, translates into keeping fares low.
ReplyDeleteI expect to see it more in the future as well but also the present. Nieuw Amsterdam had that technology as well.
ReplyDeleteSorry! I should have pointed out that Nieuw Amsterdam also has this feature.
ReplyDeleteThis is common on riverboats; one of the cons is that if one persons key card is in the slot, and they leave the cabin early in the morning, the other has to find their key card and put it on the slot to have light in the bathroom, etc. You adjust but it can be a pain.
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