Why don't large cruise ships use nuclear power instead of diesel fuel?

Question

The cruise liner, Queen Elizabeth II, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns.

Answer 1

I wouldn't feel that safe riding on something that has the power to take out a city. Chernobyl anyone? Just ask Captain of the Elizabeth to use Biodeisel.

Answer 2

There actually was a nuclear powered civilian ship called the SS Savanna. It was powered by a pressurized water cooled nuclear power plant similar to the Navy shipboard nuclear plants of the sixties. The ship never really accomplished much because of civilian contractor and operator labor problems and it was eventually scrapped.

All major Navy vessels such as Aircraft carriers are Nuclear powered since long term costs are much lower and operational availability far higher than a fuel oil plant can ever achieve. The first nuclear carrier "USS Enterprise" is still in service and is about 48 years old now.

Nuclear powered ships can be very effective if built correctly and to the proper standards, the are very ling lived and have a low cost of operations. They are very safe if operated according to standards.

Answer 3

It would cause pirates to  target them & we don’t want them falling into the wrong hands

Answer 4

the cost for this type of application is really expensive...more than could be justified for a cruise ship, because, they are a money making (hopefully) business...the only ones who can afford this type of investment is the military, they are not constrained by good business...good question,

Answer 5

I'm glad they dont. Nuclear waste is VERY though to get rid of safely w/o hurting the environment. If they used bio-diesel instead that would be alot better.

Answer 6

nuclear power is dangerous for ppl to be around not only that its explosive

Answer 7

It could be because people don't feel safe around a nuclear power source, and maybe a crash would pollute the water too much to risk it.