Why Cruise Ships Go Into Dry Dock And Why It Matters To You
Cruise lines often talk about dry docks as if they're nothing more than routine maintenance. A ship heads off for a few weeks, then returns refreshed and ready to sail.
But for passengers, a dry dock can mean far more than a fresh coat of paint. It can dramatically change the onboard experience, from new restaurants and entertainment to redesigned cabins and entire decks.
Understanding what dry dock actually involves and checking when a ship was last refurbished can make a big difference when choosing your next cruise.
Put simply, a dry dock is when a cruise ship is taken out of the water for maintenance, upgrades, and regulatory inspections. This typically happens every five years, but ships may also go into dry dock more frequently for commercial reasons, such as rebranding or modernization.
During this time, the ship is positioned in a special dock that drains out water, exposing the hull. This allows for work that can't be done while the ship is afloat.
But in recent years, dry dock has increasingly become an opportunity for cruise lines to enhance the passenger experience and keep older ships competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Typical Dry Dock Works
At the most basic level, dry dock allows for essential safety and compliance tasks. This includes inspecting lifeboats, overhauling fire systems, servicing engines, and checking the hull for wear and tear.
These routine but vital checks help ensure the ship remains seaworthy and certified under maritime regulations.
Dry dock provides a chance to work on the parts of the ship that are normally underwater. getty
In recent years, many dry docks have also been used to improve a ship's environmental performance. Cruise lines are increasingly retrofitting older vessels with emissions scrubbers, shore power capability, and even LNG conversion systems, helping them meet stricter environmental standards in some ports. Interior Updates During Dry Dock
Then there are the interior updates. Depending on the ship, this might involve replacing worn carpets and soft furnishings, updating color schemes, or modernizing staterooms and suites.
In some cases, public spaces are entirely reconfigured. A dated lounge might become a trendy bar or specialty restaurant, or a buffet might be expanded and redesigned due to changing demand or the desire to align an older ship with newer vessels in the fleet.
A good example is P&O Cruises' Aurora , the smallest and oldest ship in the fleet, which entered dry dock in April 2025. Launched in 2000, Aurora still wins fans with her wraparound promenade, tiered aft decks, and adults-only ambiance. It's a classic ship in a world of floating resorts.
While its 2025 dry dock didn't change that core identity, it did give the ship a significant refresh: updated décor in restaurants and bars, new furniture on deck and spruced-up staterooms with new soft furnishings and mattresses. When Dry Dock Doesn't Go As Planned
Although dry dock usually improves a ship, there can be teething issues. Occasionally, return-to-service voyages experience delays, incomplete installations, or crews adjusting to new routines.
Because of the risk of cancellation, cruise lines often schedule a short sailing immediately following dry dock, to lessen the financial impact of a delay.
It's worth keeping this in mind if you're booking the very first sailing after a maintenance period.
That said, the benefits often outweigh the risks. A post-dry-dock sailing might include upgraded technology, better bedding, new menus, and a noticeably fresher atmosphere. What Travelers Should Look For
When booking a cruise, especially on a ship over ten years old, take a moment to check its dry dock history using websites such as Cruise Critic.
It can reveal a lot about what to expect on board. You may also want to compare sister ships in the same class. Some may have been modernized more recently than others.
If you're torn between two itineraries, a ship that's just come out of dry dock might offer the better overall experience.
A cruise ship's age doesn't tell the full story, but its dry dock history helps to provide some insight. In an industry where the onboard experience is everything, knowing which ships have been updated and when could help you choose the cruise that's right for you. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How To Plan A Memorable Transatlantic Cruise By David Nikel Forbes Avoid These 10 Rookie Mistakes On Your First Cruise By David Nikel Forbes How To Plan A Norwegian Fjords Cruise In 2025 By David Nikel
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