Nov
20
With all the coverage in the news recently about the big oil tanker of the coast of Somalia that is being held for ransom I figured I’d tell you a little about one of the modern methods cruise ships are using to protect their passengers.
Many cruise ships are using a sonic cannon like device called a LRAD, Long Range Acoustic Device, to repel boarders. In fact I figured I warned the captain of a tour boat about getting to close to the Queen Mary 2 before he was BLASTED with sound by a LRAD device. I didn’t have my video camera or audio recorder with me so you can’t hear it, but I got some photos….
While on a two week autumn cruise on the Queen Mary II we stoped at the Canadian city of Saint John, New Brunswick. We took a jet boat tour of the rapids that the Bay Of Fundy are famous for and on the way back to the dock our captain decided to check out the expansive Queen Mary II. As we approached I warned the captain that we were about to be blased by a sonic cannon from the ship. He asked what is that? A second later we were targeted and felt a pulsing burst of sound energy, followed by a recorded voice telling us that we had violated the security zone and to leave the area immediately. Followed again by a gut wrenching blast of sonic energy.
It was interesting sensation. Not only was it loud in ears, but you could feel the pulses of sound in your body. Not unlike the feeling you can get being at a loud rock concert where you can feel the sound with your body.
Here is the sign warming us to STAY AWAY.
Here you can see the security office putting on his headphones getting ready to blast us.
We bet blasted, wish I had sound… Sorry…
View of the LRAD unit from the ship. Security Guard is wearing a bullet proof vest. He actually had the vest on backwards, protecting his back.
Photo of the back of the LRAD unit showing sound pattern and controls. This unit is made by American Technology Corporation.
At the next port a different officer was working the unit. I should note that the LRAD has now been permanently attached to the railing and isn’t tied down with rope as we see in these photos.
This unit was manned by a member of the crew whenever the ship was docked or moving at a reduced rate of speed. Cruise ship companies will not discuss their secrurity proceedures, but I understand these units are installed on many ships. Especially those that are working in dangerous waters.
Sep
24
Pride Of America Cruises Hawaii
Filed Under Cruises, USA - Hawaii | Comments Off
I’ve been writing about the problems that Norwegian Cruise Lines has had operating ships in the Hawaiian Islands since the first ship arrived in the islands in July 2004. You would think that cruising and Hawaii would be a match made in paradise, but it hasn’t been.
Over the years NCL has had four different ships working the islands, today only one remains, the Pride Of America. The other ships have been relocated and renamed the Pride Of Aloha is now the Norwegian Sky and is sailing three- and four-night Bahamas cruises out of Miami.
I’ve cruised on several of the ships, but I’ve written mostly about my interviews of exiting passengers. I lived for four years not far from Honolulu Harbor and started to despise my weekend trips to greet the arriving passengers. It wasn’t easy. Especially later in the morning as I would start to meet cruisers waiting to board the ship just after have interviewed angry exiting passengers.
During my recent trip to Honolulu I decided to stop by the harbor again and see what passengers had to say. The Pride Of America no longer arrives at the beautiful Aloha Tower complex but at Pier 2.
You can read my comments about the Pride Of America cruise ship. Photo Copyright Bruce Murray.
Jul
17
Spirit Cruise Ship - National Park Service Photo
On July 7th Cruise West’s ship SPIRIT hit a sandbar and went aground in Alaska’s Glacier Bay on the 3rd day of a 4 day cruise out of Juneau. The accident resulted in no injuries or environmental damage. Initially Cruise West cancelled the next four sailings of the ship, but they have now announced that the rest of the season has been cancelled.
The cruise line has decided to combine the grounding related repairs with the ships regularly scheduled maintenance and refurbishments in Seattle.
Cruise West is giving full refunds to all cancelled passengers in addition to a $500 cruise credit to those who book a future cruise.
Was unable to find any details on the Cruise West website.
Promotional Video From Cruise West:
Jul
16
European River Cruising Expands
Filed Under Cruises, Europe - France | Comments Off
Seems a growing number of cruisers are moving from the high seas and discovering the rivers of Europe.
Avalon Waterways, located online at www.AvalonWaterways.com, is one of the leading modern river and small-ship cruising companies.
In April Avalon launched the Avalon Scenery offering contemporary design and advanced state-of-the-art technology. With amenities not unlike a boutique hotel the Scenery will be sailing the French waterways. In an age where anything that floats needs to be bigger than the last, the newest ship in the Avalon fleet is also it’s smallest. At just 138 passengers she offers a more intimate cruising experience.
Photo provided by Avalon Waterways. Avalon Scenery on the Rhone River.
I have not boarded the Scenery, but reports I’ve read indicate that even though this ship may sound small it offers spacious staterooms and comfortable public spaces. The majority of the staterooms offer floor to ceiling glass doors onto french balconies.
This is just one of the what Avalon hopes will be a fleet of 10 ships they will be operating by 2010. Avalon ships are contemporary alternatives to other more traditionally styles river cruisers. Avalon also brings 80 years of experience creating itineraries and land vacations. They also offer cruises in China, Egypt and the Galápagos.
For more details visit the Avalon Waterways website. Note: Avalon is just one of several companies offering European river barge cruises. If your not interested in pulling out your passport and heading to France, check out www.RiverBarge.comand their 196 passenger R/B River Explorer, they offer 4 to 10 day excursions to six regions of the country on America’s inland waterways including the Lower and Upper Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, Illinois and Kanawha rivers.
Jul
10
Everyone wants to return home from vacation looking related and rejuvenated. Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL, has come up with a new way to meet their passenger’s goals. NCL will be offering Botox treatments on three of it’s ships this summer and expect to offer the treatment on all 12 of it’s cruise ships by the end of the year. The injections will be administered by plastic surgeons.
Botox injections are currently the number one non-surgical cosmetic treat used to hide wrinkles and other signs of aging skin. And NCL hopes the treatments will be money maker. Industry wide, cruisers spent over $4.4billion in spa and other onboard services.
Since most all cruise lines are foreign flagged, and not covered under US Laws. I find it hard to imagine that anyone would consider having medical treatments at sea.
I would suggest anyone getting such injections, at sea or otherwise, investigate the current reviews underway at the Food and Drug Administration evaluating the safety of Botox.
For details visit the NCL cruise site, click here.
May
15
Princess Cruises Adds New West Coast Sailings
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The 2009-2010 Princess sailings will now add both shorter and longer sailings. The Spring and Fall will see short one to four night sailings running between Seattle and Vancouver, Los Angeles and Vancouver, and San Francisco and Vancouver.
Longer sailings include week long Coastal Wine Region cruises and a seven day West Coast and British Columbia trips. These trips will include special tours, guest speakers, and other programs.
These trips ar available for booking starting today. With $99 per person Escape overnight fares. Captain’s Circle club members can see $10-50 discounts.
Princess will also be offering a variety of new options for their transits of the Panama Canal. Contact your travel agent for details.
May
12
The www.Carnival.com website has had an extensive redesign, adding new features, better navigation, and improved layout. Site now includes virtual tours, new videos, images and improved server response. The site now has improved descriptions and photos of it’s 22 “Fun Ships”.
The Gifts and Services section now allows site visitors to send gift items to ship guests staterooms prior to their Carnival cruise.
