How Many Gallons of Fuel Does a Cruise Ship Burn Per Hour?

By Robert Palmer

A cruise ship is an ocean-going vessel that provides passengers with a luxurious floating hotel experience. Cruise ships are among the largest vessels on the water, and they require a massive amount of fuel to power them.

Just how much fuel does a cruise ship burn per hour? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including size, engine type, and speed.

The average cruise ship burns between 5 and 20 gallons of fuel per hour. This number can vary greatly depending upon what type of engine the ship is using and how fast it is traveling.

Ships that are powered by diesel engines typically use more fuel than those powered by gas turbines, for instance. Additionally, larger ships tend to burn more fuel than smaller ones.

Cruise ships also have a range of speeds they can travel at, from full-steam ahead to barely crawling along. When a cruise ship is moving at its maximum speed (typically around twenty-one knots), it can consume up to fifty gallons of fuel per hour. When cruising at its lowest speed (around six knots), however, it may only use as little as two gallons per hour.

In Conclusion:

The amount of fuel that a cruise ship burns per hour largely depends on its size, engine type, and speed. On average, cruise ships burn between five and twenty gallons of fuel per hour when cruising at their standard speeds. When pushed to their maximum speeds however, these vessels can consume up to fifty gallons an hour.