Cruise Ship Pools - Wayne Ivusich

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of those sparkling cruise ship pools? If you're like most pool professionals, you probably cringe at the thought of public pools and spas—especially those floating petri dishes we call cruise ships. But sometimes, even the most skeptical industry veterans can be pleasantly surprised. Wayne Ivusich from the Talking Pools Podcast recently returned from a two-week Caribbean cruise with some eye-opening revelations about cruise ship pool maintenance that might change how you think about maritime water treatment.

A Pool Pro's Reluctant Cruise Experience

Wayne's recent adventure aboard Carnival's Legend took him through an impressive itinerary: Jamaica, Costa Rica, through the Panama Canal, and Grand Turks. But as a seasoned pool professional, he approached the ship's aquatic facilities with his usual skepticism.

I'm not a big fan of getting in pools and spas, public pools and spas, period. Okay. It takes a lot for me to really, really do that. I don't like to do it. I'm you know, the situation is I know too much and that's why you know, I just don't.

— Wayne Ivusich, Talking Pools Podcast

Despite his reservations, Wayne found himself spending considerable time poolside (though not in the pool) during the eight sea days of their cruise. The Carnival Legend featured two main pools—an adult pool and a family pool—along with water slides that unfortunately weren't operational during their voyage.

The Shower Situation: A Missed Opportunity

One aspect that immediately caught Wayne's attention was the thoughtful placement of showers around the pool areas. Both pools featured rinse stations on either side, with a space in between—exactly what any pool professional would want to see for proper hygiene protocols.

However, the reality was disappointing. Throughout the entire eight days at sea, Wayne observed something that frustrated him as a water safety advocate:

Of those eight days at sea that we spent outside by the pool, not in the pool, by the pool, not a single person used the shower either to rinse off before going in or after coming out. Same for the spot. At least this was at the family pool.

— Wayne Ivusich, Talking Pools Podcast

This observation raises an important question about cruise line policies. While the infrastructure exists for proper pre- and post-swim hygiene, there's clearly a disconnect between availability and usage. Wayne wondered why cruise lines don't simply require passengers to shower—a policy that could significantly improve water quality and reduce chemical demands.

Inside the Pump Room: Professional Operations

Wayne's daily walks on the ship's Deck 10 jogging track led to an unexpected discovery. The pump room, located in the forward section above the pools, had its door open one day, providing a rare glimpse into the ship's water treatment operations.

What he found was surprisingly impressive:

• A spotless, well-maintained facility
• Two 250-liter vats of sodium hypochlorite
• Hourly water testing protocols
• Professional staff conducting proper chemical analysis

The testing regimen was particularly noteworthy. Carnival tests their pool water every hour using ITS test kits, and Wayne overheard an alkalinity reading of 85 ppm—well within the ideal range of 80-120 ppm that industry professionals recommend.

Chemical Systems: Cost vs. Performance

Wayne's conversation with the maintenance staff revealed fascinating insights into Carnival's chemical management decisions. The cruise line uses sodium hypochlorite across most of their fleet, despite its drawbacks including high pH and lack of stabilization.

The guy said the main reason that they use sodium hypochlorite instead of anything else is the cost.

— Wayne Ivusich, Talking Pools Podcast

However, Carnival is experimenting with newer technology on their mega-ship, the Carnival Mardi Gras. This vessel, which accommodates around 6,000 passengers and features seven pools, uses saltwater chlorine generators instead of liquid chlorine. The staff member explained that Carnival is evaluating whether the long-term cost savings justify the higher upfront investment.

The conversation also touched on bromine systems, which Carnival had tried on the Carnival Pride. However, the cost and storage challenges of bromine for extended cruise durations proved prohibitive for the cruise line's operations.

Professional Standards: CPO Certification at Sea

One of the most impressive aspects of cruise ship pool operations is the professional certification requirements. Wayne revealed that both Royal Caribbean and Carnival require their recreational water staff to be CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certified—a standard that many land-based facilities don't even maintain.

This commitment to education is exemplified by industry veteran Connie Sue Centrally, who spent years teaching CPO classes aboard Royal Caribbean ships worldwide. The maritime environment creates unique scheduling challenges, requiring instructors to teach in short segments at various times to accommodate crew schedules.

Royal Caribbean and carnival, I'm not sure about the other ones are required to have their water staff, the recreational water staff be CPO certified, which I think is absolutely fantastic.

— Wayne Ivusich, Talking Pools Podcast

Visual Assessment: What the Eyes Can Tell

Despite his professional skepticism, Wayne had to acknowledge that the pools appeared well-maintained. The family pool, which he estimated at around 20,000 gallons, was crystal clear with no visible signs of algae, corrosion, or other obvious problems. The spa, accommodating about five people comfortably, also appeared clean and properly maintained.

Importantly, there were no chlorine odors—often a sign of proper chemical balance rather than over-chlorination. Given the unstabilized sodium hypochlorite system and intense tropical sun exposure, this suggests the maintenance team was doing their job effectively, likely requiring frequent chemical additions throughout the day.

Lessons for Land-Based Operators

Wayne's cruise experience offers several valuable takeaways for pool professionals:

• Hourly Testing Works: Carnival's hourly testing schedule demonstrates that frequent monitoring can maintain water quality even in high-bather-load environments.
• Professional Training Matters: The CPO certification requirement for cruise ship staff shows the value of proper education in water treatment.
• Chemical Choice is About Total Cost: While sodium hypochlorite has drawbacks, its cost-effectiveness for large-scale operations can outweigh technical limitations.
• Infrastructure vs. Behavior: Having proper facilities (like rinse stations) doesn't guarantee proper usage without enforcement or education.
• Visual Assessment Has Value: While not definitive, clear water and lack of chlorine odors are positive indicators of proper maintenance.

The Bigger Picture

Wayne's cruise ship observations reveal a fascinating contrast between perception and reality in commercial pool operations. While cruise ship pools might seem like the ultimate public pool nightmare, the reality is often more professional than many land-based facilities.

The combination of regulatory requirements, professional training standards, and economic necessity has created systems that, while not perfect, demonstrate effective water management principles. The frequent testing, professional maintenance, and commitment to staff education are practices that many commercial pool operators could learn from.

Of course, the high bather loads and lack of pre-swim hygiene practices create ongoing challenges. But the professional approach to chemical management and water testing shows that even in challenging environments, proper protocols can maintain acceptable water quality.

For pool professionals considering their own operations, the cruise ship model offers both inspiration and caution. The dedication to hourly testing and staff certification represents best practices worth emulating. However, the reliance on chemical solutions rather than behavioral changes (like mandatory pre-swim showers) highlights the importance of comprehensive water quality management strategies.

Wayne's reluctant cruise ship pool education reminds us that sometimes our industry assumptions need updating. While cruise ship pools may never be every pool professional's first choice for a swim, the operations behind them deserve more respect than they typically receive. The next time you're aboard a cruise ship, take a moment to appreciate the professional water management happening behind the scenes—even if you, like Wayne, choose to admire it from the safety of a poolside lounge chair.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Cruise Experience Overview
• 05:30 Pool Layout and Shower Observations
• 12:15 Discovering the Pump Room
• 18:45 Chemical Systems and Cost Considerations
• 25:20 CPO Certification Requirements
• 32:10 Water Quality Assessment