Carnival Splendor Update - November 12

 A Sea Hawk helicopter delivers pallets of supplies

to the Carnival Splendor in the Pacific.

Photo courtesy of the US Navy;

taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Tidd

The crippled Carnival Splendor, out of commission due to a fire in the ship's aft engine room, was successfully brought alongside the pier in San Diego at approximately 8:30am PST yesterday morning.  The arrival signaled the end to a cruise that was, for all intents and purposes, over before it started.

Yes, passengers endured more days without power and full services than with. But oddly for a situation like this, it seems the vast majority of passengers simply rolled with the punches, thanks largely to Carnival's quick response to the situation, and the skill and dedication of the crew aboard Carnival Splendor.

Sadly, it doesn't take long for the so-called "professional media" to find a passenger willing to give them a "Titanic" soundbyte, as in "It Was Like The Titanic!"  Famously, that ship also apparently suffered an engine fire off the coast of Baja California.  Other popular phrases include the words nightmare cruise and never again.

Carnival Splendor adrift in the Pacific.

Photo courtesy of the US Navy;

taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dylan McCord 

One mainstream news article expressed, with a certain amount of incredulity, that the pools weren't in operation.  It's hard to imagine the pools being filled when the vacuum toilet system was inoperable, for obvious reasons.  Not to mention the fact that water typically doesn't travel vertically up twelve decks without some sort of assistance. 

But even the mainstream media has been forced to concede that Carnival handled the situation incredibly well.  Passengers were seen smiling and waving from the decks of the ship as it pulled into San Diego harbor, and by all accounts despite the tremendous inconveniences endured by the passengers, it seems the highly-trained crew of the Carnival Splendor did an excellent job under the circumstance.  Passengers were kept entertained as best as possible, and noted blogger and Senior Cruise Director John Heald regaled passengers with timely updates from the bridge - even when there was really nothing to report.

An aviation boatswain's mate signals to a Sea Hawk helicopter,

which along with the USS Ronald Regan brought 4,500 pounds

of supplies to the Carnival Splendor.

Photo courtesy of the US Navy;

taken by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Kevin Gray

 

Carnival's superb handling of the event aboard the Carnival Splendor stands in stark contrast to how Celebrity Cruises responded to the rudder malfunction last month that canceled a cruise aboard Celebrity Century.  While Carnival passengers were immediately compensated for their inconvenience by way of refunds, a free future cruise, and coverage for airline change fees and additional transportation costs, Celebrity unceremoniously dumped its passengers in Nice, France - one of the most expensive locations in Europe, with no compensation provided for airfare.

It wasn't until weeks later that Celebrity Cruises increased their compensation package, largely after being hammered by mainstream and industry press.

Sailors from the USS Ronald Regan and Carnival Splendor crew

unload pallets of food on the ship's upper decks.

Photo courtesy of the US Navy;

taken by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Kevin Gray

While mainstream news coverage of the fire aboard Carnival Splendor leans towards the overly-dramatic, most passengers interviewed concede they will indeed use their future cruise credit, with some stating the odds of an event like this happening are so completely astronomical that they have no qualms about cruising again.

Carnival Splendor docked in San Diego, California on Friday, Nov 12.

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Truelook Webcam. 

At the very worst, most passengers will remember the trip as "the year we took the cruise and ended up not gaining any weight."

Unique Itinerary: The Isles of Greece

The MV Agean Odyssey off Mount Vesuvius.

Photo courtesy of Voyages to Antiquity

By winter, most people are beginning to look at planning their summer getaways, and for many, that means a cruise to the endlessly fascinating Mediterranean.  With warm weather, cobblestone streets, white-washed buildings topped with sky-blue domes, the Mediterranean can satisfy sun-seekers and history buffs alike.  It's no wonder the region remains one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world.

One new player in the region is Voyages to Antiquity.  Founded just one year ago, the line puts special emphasis on  the historical significance of their ports of call and features included shore excursions, special events of historical note, and experienced on-board guest lecturers.  Many voyages also include pre-and-post cruise stays as part of the cruise fare.

Transporting guests back in time is the 378-guest, 461-foot MV Agean Odyssey.  Formerly operating as Agean I for now-defunct Golden Sun Cruises, the ship was purchased in 2009 and heavily renovated in Piraeus, Greece before setting sail for her new owners this past May.  Her small size allows her access to ports that would otherwise be off-limits to larger ships, while her refurbishment has resulted in a ship that boasts the comforts many North American passengers have come to expect.

The line's Isles of Greece itinerary, departing July 1 or August 11, 2011, seems to best embody the line's adventurous spirit:

Day 1 - Depart North America
Day 2 - Athens, Greece
Day 3 - Athens, Greece
Day 4 - Athens, Greece - embark MV Agean Odyssey.  Sail at 10pm
Day 5 - Nauplia, Greece - 7am to 11pm.
Day 6 - Chania, Greece - 7am to 8:30am / Heraklion, Crete - 1pm to 7:30pm
Day 7 - Delos, Greece - 8am to 1pm / Mykonos, Greece - 2pm to Midnight
Day 8 - Samos, Greece - 8am to 12pm / Kusadasi, Turkey - 2pm to Overnight
Day 9 - Kusadasi, Turkey - until Midnight.
Day 10 - Canakkale, Turkey - 12:00am to 6pm
Day 11 to 14 - Istanbul, Turkey - Disembarkation and post-cruise tours.

Pricing for this two-week journey through history starts at $3,295 per person and includes two-nights pre-cruise in Athens and three nights post-cruise in Istanbul.

For more information, be sure to visit the Voyages to Antiquity website.

Carnival Splendor Update - November 10

Carnival has stated in a post on John Heald's blog that the stricken Carnival Splendor is now under tow to San Diego, California and not Ensenada, Mexico as earlier reported.  Hotel and transportation arrangements are being made for all guests currently onboard.

The line did state if the tugs are unable to keep the vessel moving sufficiently fast, the previous plan of towing the ship to Ensenada may be re-installed.

Currently, Carnival Splendor is expected to arrive alongside San Diego late Thursday afternoon.

The November 14, 2010 cruise has now been canceled.  Guests will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and transportation costs, as well as a 25 percent discount on a future Carnival cruise.

Radiance, Splendour of the Seas to be Upgraded

 Splendor of the Seas.

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

While prospective passengers are whipped into a frenzy over Royal Caribbean's forthcoming Allure of the Seas, the line quietly announced some major changes were on the way to two popular favorites: Radiance of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas.

Built in 2001, Radiance of the Seas remains one of the line's most popular ships and is thought of by many to strike the perfect balance between size and amenities.  That list of amenities will grow next year, when she enters drydock in May, before the start of her Alaska 2011 season. 

During this time, four new specialty restaurants will be added: the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse,  the Mexican-themed Rita's Cantina, Italian-themed Giovanni's Table, and the casual, deli-style Park Café. 

A new Diamond Lounge for Crown and Anchor Members, upgraded children's facilities, WiFi throughout the ship, and new flat-panel, interactive televisions in every stateroom round out the changes coming to Radiance of the Seas.

The real winner here, though, may be Splendour of the Seas.  Launched in 1996, she is the second-oldest member of the Vision-class of ships, and the fourth oldest in the fleet.  But Royal Caribbean is not ready to count her out.

In 2011, Splendour of the Seas will receive two new specialty restaurants and the casual Park Café, in addition to new children's facilities, a new Diamond and Concierge lounge, flat panel televisions in ever stateroom, and WiFi installed throughout the ship.

While the drydock will see all public rooms and staterooms refreshed and revitalized, the big story here is the one that was described in the least detail in the line's press release: Splendour of the Seas is to receive "new balcony staterooms."  Details on where these would be located, and what category they fall into, weren't immediately available.

For more information on either ship, be sure to visit Royal Caribbean's website.

Carnival Splendor Without Power after Engine Fire

Carnival Splendor, seen in Vancouver in 2009.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

Update: 2:08pm: The US Navy is now assisting with the recovery operation, having transported supplies to the stricken ship.  Tugs are also in place and have begun towing the ship to Ensenada, but the journey will take a full day - Carnival Splendor is not due to be alongside the Mexican port until tomorrow evening.  After passengers have disembarked, the ship will be towed back to Long Beach, California - an operation that is expected to take days.

While we like to focus on the positives of cruising, the fact of the matter is that occasionally, incidents do happen.  Today, the unlucky recipient seems to be the Carnival Splendor.

CNN is reporting the ship suffered an aft engine room fire yesterday morning around 6 AM PST.  The blaze was successfully extinguished, and passengers and crew were never in any danger.

Once the fire was out, however, engineers were unable to restore the ships propulsion system, which also generates electrical power throughout the ship.  Backup generators are providing emergency lighting and other essential electrical functions, but as of this morning air conditioning, hot food service, and telephone systems are still inoperable.  Power - thankfully - was brought online to allow the ship's vacuum toilet system to operate.

The voyage, which set sail for the Mexican Riviera on Sunday, is now understandably cancelled.  The ship has been adrift in the Pacific since yesterday morning, and it will be early afternoon before tugs will arrive on the scene to tow the two-year old vessel into the nearby port of Ensenada, Mexico where passengers will be disembarked and a full technical assessment undertaken.

Carnival Senior Cruise Director and noted blogger John Heald is aboard the Splendor, and while he is unable to post anything due to the electrical problems onboard, Carnival has been keeping readers updated with the latest from the ship. 

Initially, guests were asked to vacate their cabins in favor of the open, upper deck spaces aboard ship, but have since been able to return to their cabins and the full compliment of public rooms.  Bottled water and cold food items have also been provided.

Passengers will be receiving a full refund of their cruise fare in addition to a complimentary future cruise equal to the value of the fare paid.  Transportation costs associated with returning from Ensenada will also be covered by the line.  The line also said it recognized the extreme inconvenience to guests, and thanked them for their patience and understanding during this time.

While it is known that the fire has been contained and everyone aboard her is safe, it is unknown at this time what effect this will have on Carnival Splendor's future itineraries. A decision on this probably won't be made until the ship is safely alongside in Ensenada.

More updates will be posted as they become available.

FDTC: In Hamilton Ontario

From The Deck Chair - is currently in Hamilton Ontario at a Film Festival. We have used up our 9 free minutes of Internet so we will be returning on Monday with exciting new articles!

A New Terminal for San Diego

San Diego's B Street cruise terminal, 

seen here in 2006.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

The beautiful city of San Diego is poised to open a new, $28-million dollar cruise terminal on its waterfront next month in a move it hopes will attract more ships to the southern California port.

While San Diego is an immensely convenient city for cruise passengers - the international airport is a mere five minutes away, and the amount of attractions in or near the city is mind-boggling - the cruise terminal situation left something to be desired.

If you were lucky, you got to embark via the B Street Pier, a 130,000 square-foot converted cotton warehouse that hadn't seen a major refurbishment since its conversion in 1985. 

If you were unlucky, and more than one ship was in port, embarkation was conducted in "the tents" adjacent to the B-Street pier.  Large, white temporary tents served as check-in areas for embarking passengers and could be stiflingly hot on a warm day, or miserably damp on a cold one. 

With the opening next month of the new Broadway Pier, the tents will be gone forever, replaced with a modern, 52,000-square foot structure featuring blue-tinted windows and a unique saw-tooth roof design that will be capable of accommodating one cruise ship, bringing the Port of San Diego's total capacity to three vessels.

While the San Diego cruise market has taken a hit owing to increased drug and gang violence in Mexican ports and general over-capacity on the Mexican Rivera runs that will see calls to the city bottom out in 2011, Port officials are confident that while the industry may be down, the new infrastructure set to open next month will help entice future calls away from the San Pedro area of Los Angeles and back to San Diego.

For more information, visit the Port of San Diego website.