Hello there, I'm a maritime expert with a keen interest in the logistics of large vessels such as cruise ships. When it comes to the financial aspect of fueling such a massive machine, it's a complex process that involves a variety of factors including the type of fuel, the size of the ship's fuel tanks, and the current market prices.

Firstly, cruise ships are typically powered by heavy fuel oil, which is a residual byproduct of petroleum refining. This type of fuel is denser and cheaper than diesel or gasoline but also more polluting. The cost of fueling a cruise ship can vary greatly depending on the type of fuel used. The reference to diesel in the provided information seems to be a misstep, as diesel is not commonly used to power cruise ships.

The size of a cruise ship's fuel tanks is another critical factor. Modern cruise ships can carry tens of thousands of gallons of fuel. For example, a large cruise ship might have fuel tanks capable of holding up to 3 million gallons or more. This is necessary to sustain the ship's operations over long distances and extended periods without refueling.

Now, considering the average price of diesel mentioned, which is $2.89 per gallon, if we were to use this as a basis for calculation, filling a tank with a capacity of 3 million gallons would indeed cost over $3 million. However, this is a hypothetical scenario, as cruise ships do not use diesel for their main propulsion.

The additional cost for regular unleaded gasoline, as mentioned, seems to be an outlier and not applicable to cruise ships. Unleaded gasoline is not suitable for the heavy-duty engines that power these vessels.

In reality, the cost to fill up a cruise ship would be significantly higher due to the use of heavy fuel oil and the actual market prices at the time of refueling. Additionally, the cost would also include various taxes, fees, and potential surcharges that can affect the total price.

To give a more accurate estimate, one would need to know the specific fuel consumption rate of the cruise ship, the current market price for heavy fuel oil, and any additional costs associated with fueling. This information can fluctuate based on a variety of economic and geopolitical factors that influence the global fuel market.

In conclusion, while it's challenging to provide an exact figure without specific details, it's clear that filling up a cruise ship is an expensive endeavor. The cost is influenced by the type of fuel used, the size of the ship's fuel tanks, and the prevailing market conditions.

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If you pay $2.89 per gallon (the average diesel price in the nation as of today), it would cost $3,170,391 to fill the tank just one time. Imagine the pain if the ship guzzled regular unleaded -- we estimate that would tack on another $545,274!May 10, 2006read more >>