View Full Version : Worse excuse ever.
cameraman
02-11-13, 02:19 PM
Hope she isn't on the Carnival Triumph which is sitting dead in the water off of the Yucatan Peninsula after an engine room fire. :shakehead
3,143 passengers and 1,086 crew on board the ship and they just barely got some of the plumbing working again:eek:
Tugboats are en route to the Carnival Triumph to tow it to Progreso, Mexico so that passengers can get off, but the process will take three days.
The cruise industry should develop alternative energy sources for emergencies that can harness the energy stored in its passengers.
Free drinks for as long as you can pedal. :p
http://s8.postimage.org/pmx72mlad/Multi_person_bike_and_beer.jpg
That or really long oars. :gomer:
datachicane
02-11-13, 03:36 PM
The cruise industry should develop alternative energy sources for emergencies that can harness the energy stored in its passengers.
Free drinks for as long as you can pedal. :p
http://s8.postimage.org/pmx72mlad/Multi_person_bike_and_beer.jpg
That or really long oars. :gomer:
Grand Industries tried that on their ship 'The Magic Christian'.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMxE4eU6Ayk/ThccylNRlFI/AAAAAAAAVXU/SDSENf9xz2o/s1600/mchristian2.jpg
cameraman
02-11-13, 04:49 PM
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMxE4eU6Ayk/ThccylNRlFI/AAAAAAAAVXU/SDSENf9xz2o/s1600/mchristian2.jpg
Yeah that is Ringo Starr and Raquel Welch:laugh:
TravelGal
02-11-13, 06:58 PM
Another cruise ship dead in the water off Mexico. I'm glad this was after our trip since one of our friends on the cruise was very nervous about being on a ship. Seems funny to me. Normally I'm not happy being a passenger on anything but the ship didn't bother me.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/11/travel/cruise-ship-fire/index.html
--Carnival said, and technical teams are "gradually restoring auxiliary power to operate some basic hotel functions." SOME?
This is grim. "refreshments" are being supplied. SOME toilets and elevators are working. I agree with JoeBob's inference that there is a particular structural difficulty with this class of ship on Carnival and its sister line, Costa.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/11/travel/cruise-ship-fire/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
Toby Barlow's wife Ann told him there was "sewage running down the walls and floors" with passengers being asked to defecate in bags and urinate in showers due to a lack of functioning toilets. Food lines ran 3½ hours long and some, like herself, slept outside to keep cool.
:saywhat:
cfR7qxtgCgY
:gomer:
-Kevin
TravelGal
02-12-13, 02:09 PM
When I get an argument about whether you really NEEEEEEED a passport, I cite things like this:
The tugs were to tow the vessel to Progreso, the closest port at the time. By the time the tugs arrived the ship had drifted farther away from Progresso so it will now be towed to Mobile. The ship should arrive in the Gulf city some time Thursday. Another reason was the fact that some 900 passengers did not have passports and clearance would be easier in Mobile....
Andrew Longman
02-12-13, 04:24 PM
And why I always travel with mine. It doesn't happen often but I sometimes find I need to suddenly travel out of the country when I am on the road. Don't want to fly home just to pick up a passport.
This summer I was in Florida with my passport when. I found I had to go to Germany, but my passport was about to expire. So another caution is to renew it long before you might need it (especially when it is easier to get a renewed passport if you send the old one in with the application).
Nothing I have ever read or heard about cruise ships in my entire life has convinced me that there is a reason to board one. Good grief, what a nightmare. :saywhat:
stroker
02-13-13, 12:11 AM
Nothing I have ever read or heard about cruise ships in my entire life has convinced me that there is a reason to board one. Good grief, what a nightmare. :saywhat:
+1
TravelGal
02-13-13, 02:04 AM
I guess I have to jump in because I hate to see an entire industry so maligned. I prefer land explorations so I've been quite selective about the cruises I've taken and I've enjoyed them all. From a goofy weekend cruise to Ensenada (my house was being tented for termites) to Orion Expedition Cruises from Broome to Darwin and up to the Tiwi Islands in Australia. The idea is to pick the experience you want, seek it out, and enjoy not having to pack and unpack while you're doing it. If you like plopping your bod on the sand and not moving, cruising is definitely not for you.
If you've ever gone to a race weekend, you can't use the excuse that there are too many people. If you've got the right cruise, the people will be bearable (and probably interested in the same things you are), you won't have to interact with them if you don't want to, and you'll never see them again anyway. :)
The wife and I are still enjoying the smaller sailing yachts of WindStar. 148 or 312 passengers. The company changed hands a year and a half ago but there were no noticeable changes on our Panama Canal cruise last year. All three yachts have been renovated in the last year. We will find out how good a job they did in a couple weeks when we sail out of St. Maarten.
TravelGal
02-13-13, 01:39 PM
The wife and I are still enjoying the smaller sailing yachts of WindStar. 148 or 312 passengers. The company changed hands a year and a half ago but there were no noticeable changes on our Panama Canal cruise last year. All three yachts have been renovated in the last year. We will find out how good a job they did in a couple weeks when we sail out of St. Maarten.
Very cool. Let me know. I've found that once people book on them, they return again and again. Also, drum roll, (as you know KLang), they are going back to Tahiti--my first love. Swoon.
OK, I suppose I should say I would not board one of those gigantic cruise ships. I have taken small, specialized cruises, like a cruise up the Rhein River, for instance. That can be fantastic.
I just can't imagine being on one where you lose control of your own well-being. Plus I am claustrophobic, don't like crowds, and nervous on the water. So maybe its not for me anyway. :gomer:
I want to go on a cruise, so I can complain about it.
:(
Know any good babysitters/cat wranglers? :)
Can this get any worse?
http://houston.cbslocal.com/2013/02/14/carnival-ship-dead-in-the-water-after-tow-line-snaps/
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — The crippled Carnival cruise slowly making its way back to dry land suffered another setback Thursday when a tow line snapped, setting the ship adrift once again as crews worked to repair it.
-Kevin
I wonder if the engine problem is truly unable to be repaired at sea, of if the repair is just beyond the capability of the engineering crew. I know a lot of cargo ships are run by button pushers who don't understand how the ship works. Hopefully, passenger ships have a higher standard.
devilmaster
02-14-13, 08:59 PM
There are two things sailors are always afraid of... 1)Fire and 2) water in the ship.
As sailors, we are always taught that if a fire breaks out, you put water everywhere to contain the blaze. The bulkheads on a ship are metal. So not only do you fight the fire in the space where the fire is at, you also continually hose down every wall that may come in contact with the fire.
This ship had an engine room fire, which the sprinkler system set off and contained the blaze. Depending on how much water was used to fight the fire, every electrical panel in that engine room is toast.
One can assume by the loss of propulsion and secondary systems that it was a main engine room fire. Once you've doused it (and quite honestly, if its a fire, you flood the space) that space could be pumped out, but odds are no equipment in that engine room will be useful ever again.
Interestingly, ships built after July 2010 are required to meet "Return to Port" requirements. The regulations prevent almost all of the problems encountered on Triumph, but SOLAS only requires newbuilds to meet the standards. Older ships do not have to be retrofitted.
If you're a nerd and want to read what new ships must be able to do (including provide 1 bathroom for every 50 people in designated "safe areas" check it out: http://www.veristar.com/content/static/veristarinfo/images/4911.1.Jean-Jacques%20Juenet_Paper.pdf
RaceGrrl
02-15-13, 01:14 PM
I'm with TravelGal on this. I'd take another cruise next week if I could. I'd much rather be on a ship on the ocean, even with no power, than make a "water landing" in an airliner.
Ship: smelly, hot and uncomfortable
Airliner: dead
We had a great experience on the Blues Cruise. It was a larger ship, but I liked the bit of anonymity provided by 3000 people. I didn't feel obligated to talk to people in the crowd. I don't like people enough to want to be on a small ship. I might have to interact with them. :laugh:
TravelGal
02-15-13, 01:38 PM
It was a larger ship, but I liked the bit of anonymity provided by 3000 people. I didn't feel obligated to talk to people in the crowd. I don't like people enough to want to be on a small ship. I might have to interact with them. :laugh:
:thumbup: :laugh: I always warn folks about that.
Interestingly, ships built after July 2010 are required to meet "Return to Port" requirements. The regulations prevent almost all of the problems encountered on Triumph, but SOLAS only requires newbuilds to meet the standards. Older ships do not have to be retrofitted.
Tarnation, son. Why, every fishin' boat in creation has a 'git home' motor. :gomer:
This just gets better and better.
http://houston.cbslocal.com/2013/02/15/carnival-bus-breaks-down-carrying-passengers-who-were-aboard-cruise-ship/
MOBILE, Ala. (CBS Houston/AP) — Passengers who were aboard the disabled Carnival cruise ship couldn’t even catch a break on land.
CBS News reports that one of the buses carrying passengers from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans broke down.
:shakehead :saywhat:
-Kevin
I'm with TravelGal on this. I'd take another cruise next week if I could. I'd much rather be on a ship on the ocean, even with no power, than make a "water landing" in an airliner.
Ship: smelly, hot and uncomfortable
Airliner: dead
We had a great experience on the Blues Cruise. It was a larger ship, but I liked the bit of anonymity provided by 3000 people. I didn't feel obligated to talk to people in the crowd. I don't like people enough to want to be on a small ship. I might have to interact with them. :laugh:
Same here. One of the best things I've ever heard was, "there are no bad cruises, but some are better than others."
In a world full of real suffering, these folks were not. The press likes showing the still picture of people spelling out "HELP" on deck, but does this look like people suffering, or people killing time and having fun hamming it up for the cameras? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxsqbSo1GQg&t=2m07s
I've sailed on two cruises...Carnival Sensation and The Disney Dream. Both were good, but I didn't care for the casinos on the Sensation. The Dream was very, very good except for the last day of the cruise when I had to take our youngest to the infirmary and I missed going to Castaway Cay. The dining was exceptional, especially the Animator's Palate, which featured an interactive Crush on screens near each table. Like Turtle Talk with Crush in WDW and DL, he interacts with the guests @ the table an mentions things the guests wearing and asking questions specific to the guests @ the table. I just wish we had another night to try the adult restaurants Remy and Palo. DCL isn't just for kids, and it doesn't have casinos. The detail is just amazing, and Aquaduck water slide that extends over the side of the upper is awesome. My mom and step-dad have sailed a lot, and they really like Holland America.
-Kevin
This just gets better and better.
http://houston.cbslocal.com/2013/02/15/carnival-bus-breaks-down-carrying-passengers-who-were-aboard-cruise-ship/
:shakehead :saywhat:
-Kevin
Actually it gets worse...
Bus Transporting Carnival Cruise Passengers Crashes Into Sewage Treatment Plant (http://www.theonion.com/articles/bus-transporting-carnival-cruise-passengers-crashe,31322/)
TravelGal
02-16-13, 06:41 AM
Actually it gets worse...
Bus Transporting Carnival Cruise Passengers Crashes Into Sewage Treatment Plant (http://www.theonion.com/articles/bus-transporting-carnival-cruise-passengers-crashe,31322/)
:eek: Those people are going to need full nasal and sinus cleansing after they get home or they will smell that "stuff" for weeks. Ick.
Nothing I have ever read or heard about cruise ships in my entire life has convinced me that there is a reason to board one. Good grief, what a nightmare. :saywhat:
The worse I've ever heard is about Carnival going back to the Kathy Lee Gifford endorsement days, and that was always through news reports of some onboard catastrophe. I like Norwegian Cruise Line.
Actually it gets worse...
Bus Transporting Carnival Cruise Passengers Crashes Into Sewage Treatment Plant (http://www.theonion.com/articles/bus-transporting-carnival-cruise-passengers-crashe,31322/)
The Onion? lol
Goddammit, it's "worst"!
WORST!
:flame:
:p
(not SteveH)
:eek: Those people are going to need full nasal and sinus cleansing after they get home or they will smell that "stuff" for weeks. Ick.
You probably should click the link. :D
TravelGal
02-16-13, 07:40 PM
You probably should click the link. :D
?? I thought I did.
Goddammit, it's "worst"!
WORST!
:flame:
:p
(not SteveH)
Why?
cameraman
02-16-13, 10:31 PM
Ah you have to love the occasional grammar tirade.
The worse I've ever heard is about Carnival...
It needs to be "The worst I've ever heard is about Carnival..."
It is one of those things that drives the sensitive over the edge:laugh:
Ah you have to love the occasional grammar tirade.
It needs to be "The worst I've ever heard is about Carnival..."
It is one of those things that drives the sensitive over the edge:laugh:
(also, see the title)
And no, I don't make a habit of correcting grammar. It was just for fun.
Not the worse thing in the world.
:laugh:
Ah you have to love the occasional grammar tirade.
It needs to be "The worst I've ever heard is about Carnival..."
It is one of those things that drives the sensitive over the edge:laugh:
(also, see the title)
And no, I don't make a habit of correcting grammar. It was just for fun.
Not the worse thing in the world.
:laugh:
Sorry. But I don't believe my grammar will ever improve. I still don't know when to use effect versus affect. Don't bother explaining because it won't do any good.
cameraman
02-17-13, 12:48 AM
Sorry. But I don't believe my grammar will ever improve. I still don't know when to use effect versus affect. Don't bother explaining because it won't do any good.
Well Google has "effect" in its database 5,270,000,000 times and affect is there 380,000,000 times. That's pretty close to a 14:1 ratio so if you always use effect you should be correct 93% of the time. That's an A in most grading systems:D
chop456
02-17-13, 04:04 PM
Effect is a noun.
Dayum...should we have a sentence diagramming thread added? :gomer:
-Kevin
Sentince diagramin' fer NASCAR fans.
Just kidding, Trish. Sort of. :rofl:
Sentince diagramin' fer NASCAR fans.
Imma fixin to, he's a fixin to, she's a fixin to....
Like that?
(again, the rage was just for fun)
TravelGal
02-18-13, 12:41 PM
Effect is a noun.
Can also be a verb, which is what confuses Trish. We are working hard to effect a change, however.
TravelGal
02-18-13, 12:43 PM
Back on topic, it seems that the feds are not amused by Carnival. You'll all see those stories. Jay Rockefeller, Matsui, etc. all want hearings about why the US Coast Guard pays to rescue these ships when the cruise lines don't pay US taxes. Also....
After all the passengers were off the ship it was towed to a repair facility where a mechanical investigation by the Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Bahamas Maritime Authority will take place. Experts say the investigation could last for months. The focus of the investigation will focus on the engine fire that knocked out power and plumbing, leaving the Mexico-bound ship bobbing like a cork. Carnival has cancelled the next 14 cruises. Because of so much adverse publicity the ship could come out of drydock with a new name.
Well that was quick.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/18/travel/cruise-ship-fire/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Washington (CNN) -- The fire that crippled the Carnival cruise ship Triumph started with a leak in a fuel-oil return line running from one of the ship's engines, the U.S. Coast Guard said Monday.
Leaking oil hit a hot surface, starting the fire, said Teresa Hatfield, the lead investigator for the Coast Guard. Hatfield said there was no indication the leak in a flexible hose section was intentional.
"Fire suppression was immediately activated by the crew, first by waterfog and then by (carbon dioxide). They did a very good job," Hatfield said.
"We are looking at the cause of the fire and why the ship was disabled for so long, and we are also looking at the crew response to the fire as well."
Needs more Elmo explanation. I assume this isn't Halon, but like it? Halon isn't good for human consumption.
-Kevin
chop456
02-19-13, 02:23 AM
Can also be a verb, which is what confuses Trish. We are working hard to effect a change, however.
Had I said "a majority of the time", it would have had a better affect. ;)
cameraman
03-09-13, 01:09 PM
And now it is Royal Caribbean's turn. The Vision of the Seas has returned to port in Florida with a hundred or so Norovirus cases aboard:yuck:
TravelGal
03-09-13, 01:28 PM
And now it is Royal Caribbean's turn. The Vision of the Seas has returned to port in Florida with a hundred or so Norovirus cases aboard:yuck:
Hey, it's less than 5% of the passengers. :tony:
Seriously, this happens more than is reported in the media. I'm not a clean freak by any means but even when I'm on those megaships for agent inspections, I never, ever, touch the handrails on the stairs and I try to let someone else press the elevator buttons.
Andrew Longman
03-09-13, 02:19 PM
...I never, ever, touch the handrails on the stairs and I try to let someone else press the elevator buttons.Except that you apparently have justification for do that, ordinarily that would put someone somewhere between Howard Hughes and Michael Jackson territories.
I imagine it's standard these days but Holland America had hand cleaner stations everywhere - particularly at the stairs and elevator lobbies. They also served everything from the buffet the first day or two and most things through the entire trip.
Do you suppose many people admit when they are going on board that they've had symptoms that are supposed to require that they be cleared by the ship's doctor?
Hey, it's less than 5% of the passengers. :tony:
Seriously, this happens more than is reported in the media. I'm not a clean freak by any means but even when I'm on those megaships for agent inspections, I never, ever, touch the handrails on the stairs and I try to let someone else press the elevator buttons.
And now my 'rents are going on another cruise next month. This time only 21 days. :saywhat: I don't get the attraction. DCL on the Dream was awesome, but 4 nights would be enough for me. And the DCL ships have hand sanitizers everywhere possible.
-Kevin
TravelGal
03-09-13, 06:57 PM
Except that you apparently have justification for do that, ordinarily that would put someone somewhere between Howard Hughes and Michael Jackson territories.
I imagine it's standard these days but Holland America had hand cleaner stations everywhere - particularly at the stairs and elevator lobbies. They also served everything from the buffet the first day or two and most things through the entire trip.
Do you suppose many people admit when they are going on board that they've had symptoms that are supposed to require that they be cleared by the ship's doctor?
Andrew, I'm only a private in the Tin Foil Hat brigade. Howard Hughes and Michael Jackson were officers. Still, as NRC pointed out, the idea is to keep your mitts off whatever every other person on the ship is touching. Most other large ship cruise lines do more than have hand sanitizers available. They station crew members at the entrance to restaurants to be sure you use the sanitizer. One of my clients was even grabbed by the wrist when she refused. :eek:
Andrew, I'm only a private in the Tin Foil Hat brigade. Howard Hughes and Michael Jackson were officers. Still, as NRC pointed out, the idea is to keep your mitts off whatever every other person on the ship is touching. Most other large ship cruise lines do more than have hand sanitizers available. They station crew members at the entrance to restaurants to be sure you use the sanitizer. One of my clients was even grabbed by the wrist when she refused. :eek:
Yes, required on DCL.
Used to work with a VP that was phobic to touching ANYTHING.
-Kevin
Andrew Longman
03-09-13, 10:26 PM
... Most other large ship cruise lines do more than have hand sanitizers available. They station crew members at the entrance to restaurants to be sure you use the sanitizer. One of my clients was even grabbed by the wrist when she refused. :eek:I am in a hotel about four nights a week and in a different company office/facility almost every week. And I am on at least two planes a week , each of which planes probably average 4-5 segments a day.
It is not uncommon to see signs in washrooms encouraging hand washing and sanitizers here and there I even see sanitizers available at the back of our church that some use after passing of all that peace.
But no one grabs a hand if you forget or refuse. And I wonder if all this antibacterial stuff actually weakens our immune systems.
I am much more interested that people who are actually spewing bugs wash their hands and otherwise have the courtesy of isolating themselves. Sadly it is usually too much to ask people to do the next right thing their lives. Given that your phobia are probably justified on a confined space like a ship that puts so many people together for prolonged times and perhaps less ventilation that a typical building.
cameraman
03-09-13, 10:31 PM
It takes a full minute of wet contact with hand sanitizers, as in dripping wet contact, to kill Norovirus. The only thing that works is real hand washing, washing as though you were prepping for surgery. Lots of suds with very warm water & diligent scrubbing for a minimum of 20 seconds.
Try it sometime. Scrub your hands while watching the clock and see how you are nowhere near 20 seconds.
Andrew Longman
03-10-13, 12:06 AM
Yep. It is also a good idea to count how long your healthcare professional washes his/her hands prior to an exam.
Many healthcare systems have gotten very conscious/good at these little things that are part of a comprehensive/systematic infection control but ironically many of the most famous and well respected hospitals are the ones most likely to kill you with an infection.
Yep. It is also a good idea to count how long your healthcare professional washes his/her hands prior to an exam.
Rubber glove? ;) About to do that soon. :saywhat: Still pissed I can't get a Shingles shot @ 46.
-Kevin
TravelGal
03-10-13, 03:01 AM
It takes a full minute of wet contact with hand sanitizers, as in dripping wet contact, to kill Norovirus. The only thing that works is real hand washing, washing as though you were prepping for surgery. Lots of suds with very warm water & diligent scrubbing for a minimum of 20 seconds.
Try it sometime. Scrub your hands while watching the clock and see how you are nowhere near 20 seconds.
Agreed. And, just for the record, I don't think those hand sanitizers are worth the powder to blow them ...... up. I was surprised to read (above) that any amount of them did any noticeable good. I prefer to keep away from the spewing bugs if I can. Call it a phobia if you wish but I haven't been sick in several years and I'd like to keep it that way. Probably jinxed it right there though.
Andrew Longman
03-10-13, 01:10 PM
If you haven't been sick in years then you are doing something right.
Then again neither have I and my approach is more like throwing my immune system in the deep end and make it swim until it is strong like ox. ;)
Just had Sydney norovirus recently. NOT fun. As all family members went through it one by one, I had time to learn about the differences between it, the flu, food poisoning, and other fun stuff like that. And you are correct, with norovirus hand sanitizer does nothing but give you a false sense of security. Another fun fact: you remain contagious for up to two weeks after your symptoms are gone.
So, TravelGal, don't feel bad. My paranoia now has led me to wear gloves almost all the time in public. Once it gets warm I don't know what I will do.
keep it summer casual.
http://s1.postimage.org/5qkfu2bn3/dupont08pg57_Tychem_Suit_Features.jpg
Another reason I'll never sail Carnival.
At least this time, the ship was in port! http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/14/travel/cruise-ship-trouble/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
It will be interesting to see if they move passengers off the ship ASAP, or let them spend a few days on board before flying home. In the past, I've seen ships with propulsion problems transform themselves into floating hotels so that guests at least get somewhat of a vacation...
TravelGal
03-14-13, 02:51 PM
USA Today reporting that they are flying passengers home. For what that's worth.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/03/14/carnival-cruise-ship-power-loss/1986875/
stroker
03-14-13, 03:19 PM
that industry needs to pull it's collective head out, right quick.
that industry needs to pull it's collective head out, right quick.
Stroke, Carnival runs older ships for the most part (TG can correct me). They are simply floating casinos from my experience. Next time I go on a floating vacation it will be DCL or Holland. Carnival never again.
-Kevin
stroker
03-14-13, 07:53 PM
Stroke, Carnival runs older ships for the most part (TG can correct me). They are simply floating casinos from my experience. Next time I go on a floating vacation it will be DCL or Holland. Carnival never again.
-Kevin
There are people like me who could never generally afford a cruise but who might have considered one if I ever came into some cash. After all these fiascos I'll pay the gas money and drive somewhere.
TravelGal
03-15-13, 12:09 PM
Stroke, Carnival runs older ships for the most part (TG can correct me). They are simply floating casinos from my experience. Next time I go on a floating vacation it will be DCL or Holland. Carnival never again.
-Kevin
Oy, made me look.
First of all, there's another one down today. Yesterday the "Dream," today the "Legend." Can we say, "deferred maintenance"?
History: Carnival is famous in the industry for keeping those cash cows afloat. They put their rust buckets in the "new" areas. For several years the Jubilee sailed from Galveston, if I recall correctly. Texas generally gets the dregs, west coast of Florida the next up from the bottom on the food chain. The idea is to get people started on a cheap cruise and move them up. What's wrong with that is that if you have a horrible time, you'll never, ever consider another cruise. What Carnival counts on is that most people don't know the difference. (One of the things an agent does is separate those that will from those that won't.) In the last couple of years, the ships in TX and west coast FL have improved because the cruise market is building, proving that the Carnival strategy is, overall, correct. (They pawn off the older ships to their affiliates in other countries.)
Currently: Carnival Cruise Lines itself (not the entire corporation that owns Princess, Holland America, Seabourn, etc.) has 22 ships currently sailing. I have to admit that looking through their statistics was an interesting exercise for me.
Here are the dates they were built, (last refurbished), name
1990 (08) Fantasy
1991 (09) Ecstasy
1993 (09) Sensation
1994 (10) Fascination
1995 (07) Imagination
1996 (07) Inspiration
1998 (08) Paradise
1998 (09) Elation
1999 (08) Triumph
2000 (07) Victory
2002 (08) Legend
2002 (09) Pride also the Conquest
2003 (10) Glory
2004 (08) Valor
2004 (09) Miracle
2005 (08) Liberty
2007 (09) Freedom
2008 (**) Splendor
2009 (**) Dream
2011 (**) Magic
2012 (**) Breeze
2013? Sunshine
These two were removed from service in 2013: 1996 (08) Destiny and 2001 (09) Spirit.
A quick glance proves Dando correct. They are busy building mega-ships but keep their oldie moldies going. They invested heavily in refurbishment in 2008 and 2009, just as the bottom dropped out of the economy and travel, and haven't done much since. That means most of these ships are in at least year 4 without anything significant having been done to them. It's not to say they don't paint or replace broken or worn or torn items. It's just not a real refresh. This conforms to their policy of not refurbishing for 6 or 7 years. This is way too long for me, especially when you consider the type of clientele on those ships.
Carnival positions itself as the line for first time cruisers. They see their main competition as Las Vegas. In other words, cheap glitz. As we can see by Las Vegas, there is HUGE market for that. It's just not for most of the folks here at Off Camber.
Here endeth the lesson.
especially when you consider the type of clientele on those ships.
:D
Two corrections, Gal:
They're doing a major overhaul of Carnival Destiny, something like 49 days in Dry Dock. When they're done, it will be renamed Carnival Sunshine. So that's not really a retirement/new ship.
Carnival Spirit is still around, it's sailing from Australia year round, but for some reason they decided not to list it on their US websites. But it still sails under that name: http://www.carnivalaustralia.com/media-releases/2012/october/sydney-says-g%E2%80%99day-to-carnival-spirit-%E2%80%93-the-newest-and-largest-ship-to-call-australia-home.aspx
Oy, made me look.
First of all, there's another one down today. Yesterday the "Dream," today the "Legend." Can we say, "deferred maintenance"?
History: Carnival is famous in the industry for keeping those cash cows afloat. They put their rust buckets in the "new" areas. For several years the Jubilee sailed from Galveston, if I recall correctly. Texas generally gets the dregs, west coast of Florida the next up from the bottom on the food chain. The idea is to get people started on a cheap cruise and move them up. What's wrong with that is that if you have a horrible time, you'll never, ever consider another cruise. What Carnival counts on is that most people don't know the difference. (One of the things an agent does is separate those that will from those that won't.) In the last couple of years, the ships in TX and west coast FL have improved because the cruise market is building, proving that the Carnival strategy is, overall, correct. (They pawn off the older ships to their affiliates in other countries.)
Currently: Carnival Cruise Lines itself (not the entire corporation that owns Princess, Holland America, Seabourn, etc.) has 22 ships currently sailing. I have to admit that looking through their statistics was an interesting exercise for me.
Here are the dates they were built, (last refurbished), name
1990 (08) Fantasy
1991 (09) Ecstasy
1993 (09) Sensation
1994 (10) Fascination
1995 (07) Imagination
1996 (07) Inspiration
1998 (08) Paradise
1998 (09) Elation
1999 (08) Triumph
2000 (07) Victory
2002 (08) Legend
2002 (09) Pride also the Conquest
2003 (10) Glory
2004 (08) Valor
2004 (09) Miracle
2005 (08) Liberty
2007 (09) Freedom
2008 (**) Splendor
2009 (**) Dream
2011 (**) Magic
2012 (**) Breeze
2013? Sunshine
These two were removed from service in 2013: 1996 (08) Destiny and 2001 (09) Spirit.
A quick glance proves Dando correct. They are busy building mega-ships but keep their oldie moldies going. They invested heavily in refurbishment in 2008 and 2009, just as the bottom dropped out of the economy and travel, and haven't done much since. That means most of these ships are in at least year 4 without anything significant having been done to them. It's not to say they don't paint or replace broken or worn or torn items. It's just not a real refresh. This conforms to their policy of not refurbishing for 6 or 7 years. This is way too long for me, especially when you consider the type of clientele on those ships.
Carnival positions itself as the line for first time cruisers. They see their main competition as Las Vegas. In other words, cheap glitz. As we can see by Las Vegas, there is HUGE market for that. It's just not for most of the folks here at Off Camber.
Here endeth the lesson.
As I suspected. We cruised on the Sensation out of Ft. Lauderdale on our honeymoon in '94. When we were in NOLA in June ~2000 she was sailing out of NOLA. I was amazed @ seeing the size of the ships affected recently. Floating booze cruises/casinos, IMO. Fun when yer young(er), but I prefer more peaceful ships this days (having cruised twice). When we cruised on the Sensation, I think I hit the casino once. The bar more frequently (I just pulled the drinky glass we have from the honeymoon cruise out of the cabinet in the kitchen the other night). I think we stole it. ;)
-Kevin
International waters m'atey. There be no law. Argh.
International waters m'atey. There be no law. Argh.
It's not the waters, but badging the ships under diff'rent countries. :saywhat: :shakehead
-Kevin
TravelGal
03-16-13, 12:51 AM
Two corrections, Gal:
They're doing a major overhaul of Carnival Destiny, something like 49 days in Dry Dock. When they're done, it will be renamed Carnival Sunshine. So that's not really a retirement/new ship.
Carnival Spirit is still around, it's sailing from Australia year round, but for some reason they decided not to list it on their US websites. But it still sails under that name: http://www.carnivalaustralia.com/media-releases/2012/october/sydney-says-g%E2%80%99day-to-carnival-spirit-%E2%80%93-the-newest-and-largest-ship-to-call-australia-home.aspx
Good catches, JoeBob. It didn't makes sense that those ships were out of service for good. I had read that about the Destiny but forgot. I had already spent more time on the project than I should have so I didn't look further. As for the Spirit, I didn't know that either. It fits with the pattern of sending the older ships (at least this one is not ancient) to the foreign subsidiaries though.
Do you happen to have the link to the website that lists all the ships and their previous names? I meant to look at it but forgot and now I can't even find it!
Sorry, TG...didn't mean to send you down a rabbit hole. I've been down a few too many recently myself out of shear boredom. :saywhat: Just an educated guess on my part due to my experience and comments from the cruise fanatic 'rents. ;)
We were spoiled on the DCL Dream in 12/11, which will be my next cruise (either Dream or Fantasy). Hopefully by then I'll be able to take the DDs by then. I really want them to see KSC since they sail out of Canaveral. I wish we could have fit that in for the 12/11 trip, but I was busy planning the WDW leg of that vacation for a gaggle of the Mrs.'s friends who have since turned into turncoats. :irked:
In the meantime, I'll be joining some putz fire guy from Philly @ WDW Thxgiving week. :gomer: Not sure if it will be DCL or another visit to DLR after that, so you might get another chance to be bothered by me in SoCal. :D
-Kevin
TravelGal
03-16-13, 01:21 PM
Sorry, TG...didn't mean to send you down a rabbit hole. I've been down a few too many recently myself out of shear boredom. :saywhat: Just an educated guess on my part due to my experience and comments from the cruise fanatic 'rents. ;)
We were spoiled on the DCL Dream in 12/11, which will be my next cruise (either Dream or Fantasy). Hopefully by then I'll be able to take the DDs by then. I really want them to see KSC since they sail out of Canaveral. I wish we could have fit that in for the 12/11 trip, but I was busy planning the WDW leg of that vacation for a gaggle of the Mrs.'s friends who have since turned into turncoats. :irked:
In the meantime, I'll be joining some putz fire guy from Philly @ WDW Thxgiving week. :gomer: Not sure if it will be DCL or another visit to DLR after that, so you might get another chance to be bothered by me in SoCal. :D
-Kevin
:laugh: Don't worry, I found it all rather interesting, which is the reason I stay in travel. To my detriment, I find it ALL interesting because I look up and an hour has gone by. Then, if I'm lucky, JoeBob chimes in and I learn even more. Besides, I copied this list and sent it to several TA groups I'm active in. Now I'm a rock star. LOL!
I do hope you'll be back here, (even without the reprobate from Philly) but as your "all honest, all the time" travel agent, I have to tell you the weather will probably be better in Orlando during the winter.
:laugh: Don't worry, I found it all rather interesting, which is the reason I stay in travel. To my detriment, I find it ALL interesting because I look up and an hour has gone by. Then, if I'm lucky, JoeBob chimes in and I learn even more. Besides, I copied this list and sent it to several TA groups I'm active in. Now I'm a rock star. LOL!
I do hope you'll be back here, (even without the reprobate from Philly) but as your "all honest, all the time" travel agent, I have to tell you the weather will probably be better in Orlando during the winter.
Oh, I'll be back. So much more I want to do in SoCal. And yes, the weather is much more appealing in November/December...despite PNH joking about the new 'land' they created during the Candlelight Processional @ Epcot back 12/08. Antartica. :D And we froze our butts off that night (lows in the 30s). :saywhat:
-Kevin
Good catches, JoeBob. It didn't makes sense that those ships were out of service for good. I had read that about the Destiny but forgot. I had already spent more time on the project than I should have so I didn't look further. As for the Spirit, I didn't know that either. It fits with the pattern of sending the older ships (at least this one is not ancient) to the foreign subsidiaries though.
Do you happen to have the link to the website that lists all the ships and their previous names? I meant to look at it but forgot and now I can't even find it!
Wikipedia is pretty good at keeping current on cruise ship fleets. Here's all of Carnival's current and former ships: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_Cruise_Lines
TravelGal
03-16-13, 07:48 PM
Wikipedia is pretty good at keeping current on cruise ship fleets. Here's all of Carnival's current and former ships: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_Cruise_Lines
OMG, the Jubilee still lives. OMG. :D
TravelGal
03-19-13, 01:28 PM
Ya think?
Carnival Announces Immediate Multi-Million Dollar Spending To Remedy Electrical Power Problems On Older Ships
Carnival's management has realized it must take steps to stop the power-outages or failures that have upset so many passengers these past two weeks They have announced they are now taking emergency measures to equip their ships with back-up power sources. Carnival will spend tens of millions of dollars in immediately upgrading the electrical connections from one set of generators to another on its ships needing such improvements. The newest ships built within the last few years have redundancy in their electrical generators, according to recent reports. Older ships may or may not have such back-up facilities. Older ships in the Carnival fleet will be equipped with substitute sources, or access to substitute sources via more powerful and protected power cables, as a result of the immediate expenditures that Carnival executives have promised. Initial steps will take place starting next week.
I wonder what the duty cycle is for a cruise ship? How much time is spent in port for repairs vs how many hours they are out at sea making money?
I wonder what the duty cycle is for a cruise ship? How much time is spent in port for repairs vs how many hours they are out at sea making money?
Cruise ships spend about 8 hours in port on a typical day. They carry the staff and equipment to do work while in port. And they're continually doing maintenance and upkeep. I've seen divers working underneath ships in many ports.
You'd be amazed at how much work they can, and will do while a ship is in use. I've seen crews replacing the carpet in passenger cabins while a cruise is happening (and the cabin is occupied!) It doesn't take long! They remove everything from the floor, peel up the carpeting, drop down some glue, put the new carpet in, and move on to the next cabin. Less than an hour per cabin
TravelGal
03-20-13, 01:22 PM
They're doing a major overhaul of Carnival Destiny, something like 49 days in Dry Dock. When they're done, it will be renamed Carnival Sunshine. So that's not really a retirement/new ship.
I see today that the debut of the Sunshine has been delayed while they work on those power redundancy projects.
On the topic of power, it is interesting to me to see the number of ships supplementing their on board power with solar power. Check out the panels on top of Oasis of the Seas: http://blog.cruisenow.com/wp-content/uploads/RCI_Oasis_Aerial098.jpg
Celebrity Cruises (owned by Royal Caribbean) has been embedding solar cells in the solarium glass for a number of years as well. It looks like this:
http://vintage.johnnyjet.com/image/PicForNewsletteeCelebritySolstace200863.jpg http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/celebrity-solstice-cruise-liner-pool-deck-chairs-solar-panels.jpg
Napoleon
03-20-13, 03:32 PM
On the topic of power, it is interesting to me to see the number of ships supplementing their on board power with solar power.
That makes all kinds of sense. They must be generating electricity with a PTO on the main propulsion that goes to a generator or a dedicated generator. Every gallon of fuel they can save is less space they need to devote to carry fuel and less fuel they need to burn to haul the fuel around (some of the same considerations the military sites in wanting to become more green).
PS - just to be clear, it makes more sense because the calculation for the cruise line is not a straight "I can generate X+10 Kw for every $100 worth of fuel plus amortized equipment vs X Kw for every $100 spend on solar cells". There are other considerations that help make it more attractive to use the cells then, say, you would have on your house.
Most modern ships have electric propulsion (and steering) coming from azipods. Here's the Queen Mary 2's pods:
http://malcolmoliver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/qm2pods4.jpg
Those things have an electric motor inside, and can rotate 360 degrees, making ship quite maneuverable. The electric power source depends on the ship. Some use diesel engines. Others use gas turbines, or a mix of diesels and gas turbines. (basically modified jet engines)
Solar technology hasn't advanced enough to do much more than pay a fraction of the light "bill." But as one ship's engineering officer put it when I asked about them - ocean going ships live in a very harsh environment. By using them now, we are learning a LOT about how to use them and make them last.
As solar cells improve, they'll be able to power more and more using them. If they can get them completely transparent, they could conceivably embed them in every window on the ship. In the meantime, they're putting them on any horizontal surface that doesn't see foot traffic.
Given the price of fuel, anything they can do to consume less is well worth the investment.
Napoleon
03-21-13, 11:05 AM
^^^^
It never occurred to me that they could be powering those things like a diesel locomotive, using the engine to generate electricity that then powers an electric motor(s).
Yep. It's pretty cool to see how they can move too. The pods + GPS + Bow thrusters means they can literally turn on a dime.
Anteater
03-21-13, 10:29 PM
OMG, the Jubilee still lives. OMG. :D
Mr. Anteater and I spent our honeymoon on the Jubilee back when it cruised the Mexican Riviera. I'm glad we had a chance to do that cruise when it was still safe to do so. We'd never been on a cruise before (or since, for that matter), so we had nothing to compare it to, and thought the ship was delightful. Of course, it was only 6 years old at the time!
Anyway, I had to look at the wikipedia linky, then I found more info on the ship. Not only does the Jubilee live--she is China's "first luxury cruise liner"!
http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-01/30/content_16185779.htm
The Henna was built in 1986 for Carnival Cruise Lines, a British-American-owned cruise line, and was originally called the Jubilee. The vessel was bought by the Chinese company in July from Pacific Sun P&O Cruises Australia for hundreds of millions of US dollars and refurbished at Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore...To attract Chinese clients, HNA has made a series of adjustments to the Henna, such as including electric kettles in rooms, fitting out a mahjong room, and serving Chinese dishes.
TravelGal
03-22-13, 12:24 AM
I'd been reading about ships being decked out (you should pardon the pun) for the Chinese market. Had no idea one was the Jubilee. It looks good. No balconies, of course. They didn't become fashionable until later. I had been reading how small those cabins are. Got me to looking around.
I compared it to the Queen Mary (original), now permanently docked in Long Beach. Henna 233 meters, 765 feet long with 739 cabins. QM 1000 feet long with QM 308 cabins. These are scheduled to be short cruises so I imagine most of the common areas/decks/pools have been refurbed into cabins (or gambling areas) and that the cabins are quite small.
BTW, cruises are still very safe. If you're really concerned, take the American Queen up the Ohio River. You're never more than 50 yards from shore. :D
cameraman
03-22-13, 11:10 AM
You're never more than 50 yards from shore. :D
50 yards of the Ohio River would be more than enough to do you in.
TravelGal
03-27-13, 01:00 PM
First ^^^ :rofl::rofl: I thought someone might mention that. LOL!
I know we're on a roll here but back on the ORIGINAL topic (more or less), today's Travel Pulse reports that MSC cruises will homeport one of their ships in Miami starting this fall. (They already have one there part of the year.) This is the first time a ship will be homeported (is that a word???) in the US and is due to the exponential growth of their business here. “The popularity of our introduction of MSC Divina to this market among agents and consumers alike has been nothing short of tremendous,” said Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO MSC Cruises USA."
I've toured one of their ships and they are impressive. Probably the cleanest ship I've ever been on. There, I found something good to say. Whew.
I was once on a ship where the head chef was in the buffet area inspecting the hot dog rollers with a flashlight. You know the filthy burned on fat covered thing you see at a gas station? It looked brand new, out of the box. But the chef was unhappy. With his flashlight, he was able to spot a bit of burned on food underneath one of the rollers.
I would love to see restaurants get the inspection of food service areas that cruise ships go through. (And have their results published on the Internet like ships do.)
Want to read them? Here you go! http://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionSearch.aspx
cameraman
03-27-13, 04:20 PM
Salt Lake County Health Department posts every restaurant citation for all the world to see.
http://www.utahsright.com/h_inspections.php
stroker
03-27-13, 08:32 PM
Same here in Columbia, MO.
50 yards of the Ohio River would be more than enough to do you in.
Dude, I take offense to that comment. Everything south of I-70 is perfectly good. Just beware of them folk with crooked teeth. </Deliverance> :gomer:
-Kevin
Carnival Triumph breaks loose from dock at Ala. shipyard (http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/carnival-triumph-breaks-loose-dock-ala-shipyard-1C9201251)
The Carnival Triumph -- the cruise ship that lost propulsion in the Gulf of Mexico in February, eventually leaving thousands of passengers stranded aboard with backed up toilets and limited food -- broke loose from its moorings at a shipyard in Mobile, Ala.
"Due to strong winds in Mobile, Ala., Carnival Triumph, which was docked at a Mobile shipyard, broke away from its moorings," Carnival said in a statement. "The ship drifted and is currently resting against a cargo vessel. Tug boats and the U.S. Coast Guard are on site."
Sorry, but :rofl::rofl:
Carnival Triumph breaks loose from dock at Ala. shipyard (http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/carnival-triumph-breaks-loose-dock-ala-shipyard-1C9201251)
Sorry, but :rofl::rofl:
Jeebus. Might I suggest a submarine and torpedo? :eek:
Good thing it didn't involve Di$ney. Oh snap, did I just mention a four-letter word? :gomer: :D
-Kevin
TravelGal
04-03-13, 05:43 PM
HAHA. It's been such a busy day, I couldn't check in until now. I should have known you news hounds would be all over this already. :D
Updated: Apr 03, 2013 1:53 PM PDT
By WKRG Staff
News 5 has learned that the Carnival Triumph has broken loose from the port and has drifted across the river. Tow boats are on the scene working to move the ship back to BAE Ship Systems where it was undergoing repairs. The ship has sustained some damage. There is a hole on the right side of the stern.
Triumph has been in Mobile for almost 2 months. It was towed to Mobile on Valentine's Day after an engine-room fire knocked out power.
The cruise was returning to Galveston, Texas at the end of a four-day cruise to Cozumel when the fire happened. It has been undergoing repairs at BAE Ship Systems since then.
Carnival Inspiration 4-day cruise to the Bahamas for $149 ($38/night). :eek:
http://www.wptv.com/dpp/money/consumer/carnival-cruises-for-38-per-night
I might actually be tempted while the girls are in OCNJ. I need a vacation bad.
-Kevin
Don Quixote
04-12-13, 12:00 PM
Carnival Inspiration 4-day cruise to the Bahamas for $149 ($38/night). :eek:
http://www.wptv.com/dpp/money/consumer/carnival-cruises-for-38-per-night
I might actually be tempted while the girls are in OCNJ. I need a vacation bad.
-Kevin
I am sure you can find bad food and communicable diseases somewhere else for even cheaper than that. Maybe a hospital cafeteria.
Andrew Longman
04-12-13, 03:46 PM
I am sure you can find bad food and communicable diseases somewhere else for even cheaper than that. Maybe a hospital cafeteria.
Or maybe Kevin should consider the "other" Jersey Shore... The one that borders Pennsylvania. Lots of good canoeing/kayaking and bed & breakfasts in my parts. :gomer:
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