mariah9999

[quote name='chengkp75']Well, given my 40 years as a marine engineer, all of them aboard diesel powered ships, I have to say that with the information presented on this thread, I can safely say "[B]there is nothing unsafe about the Empress[/B]" from the standpoint of this engine problem.

I have no idea how many cruises you've been on (I suppress signatures, 'cause I really don't care), but as I've stated in a previous post on this thread:

"Many people don't know that the diesels on the cruise ships are overhauled while still in service, and an overhaul lasts 2-3 weeks, so the odds are pretty good that most everyone here on CC has cruised on a ship with one engine down for maintenance the entire cruise, and never knew it. Ships are generally designed with more generating power in the diesels than is needed to power the lights and provide enough speed to meet the itinerary, and still have one engine down."

This has applied to RCI as well as [B]any[/B] other cruise line. Engines require maintenance in order to remain operating flawlessly, so engines are taken out of service all the time. This engine is out of service.

There has been no fire, no explosion, and no catastrophic failure of the engine. How do I know this? Because neither the classification society, which is the cruise line's insurance underwriter and gives the ship its certificate of safety, without which it doesn't sail, nor the local maritime authorities in the Bahamas has detained the ship. As the OP states, they don't notice any difference in speed, and that could be because of two reasons: one, they don't need full speed for the current itinerary, or two, they have already fixed the problem and the engine is back running.

Now, could the itinerary be affected for your cruise, sure, but that can happen at any time. However, while a change in itinerary is disappointing, it is a customer service problem, which I try not to address here on CC, it is not a safety problem.[/QUOTE]

Having 40 years experience doesn't excuse snarkiness. I was just expressing my concerns...

So glad to hear you are doing well and that there are some nice extras for you while you are onboard! Take care!

You clearly have a long list of cruises from what I can see in your signature....so what caused you to feel 'less safe' on them, if you have always felt safest on Royal.

 

The engine situation on Empress has no impact on its' safety just its' speed and ability to reach a destination on time.

 

 

I feel safest on Royal, especially when considering my other family members who don't have much experience cruising and someone traveling with me had a personal experience in the past in which they will not cruise on another specific line. If I was traveling alone, I'd go on any line as my history shows. You are correct, I've been on many cruises and from my personal experiences on each line I considered the ways in which issues have been handled/dealt with in the past, both in my own experience and cruising issues that have come out publicly as well in the last few years, so this time I chose Royal. And in this specific case, it depends exactly what the issue is and how serious it is, and I am not judging this current situation without more details. Anyone scheduled to cruise in the next few cruises would be concerned and want more information.

There is absolutely nothing unsafe about Empress' current "engine problem". It is simply a matter of speed.

 

I understand we don't have all the details, but to say it's not unsafe is a little premature.

Chose this ship and supposed to go out on July 9. Funny enough, I chose Royal Caribbean because I have always felt safest on their fleet and wanted to be extra cautious because I'm taking my 6 yr old nephew on his first cruise. I even picked GC & KW, because they are some of the safest ports. Feeling a bit foolish when this ship is having engine problems and ports could be changed. Hope everyone onboard is safe and still able to have fun and I hope they let us know about future cruises as soon as possible since I could possibly have to figure out something else for our vacation.

I don't think there is a bad helicopter tour in Kauai, they wouldn't be in business long. There is also an airplane tour that is cheaper and does the same flight. One advantage of the airplane is everyone gets a window seat. You may not get that in the helicopter.

 

If pictures are really important, look for a helicopter that takes the doors off. It sounds a little scary but it only takes a few minutes to get used to it, and you can't beat the pictures. Otherwise you will be fighting glare off the windows.

 

Burt

 

I know this is an old thread but photos are incredibly important to me (basically the only souvenir I hope for during a cruise) and I am concerned about glare, etc. I'll be cruising in late Feb and would love to know which companies cater to photographers and take the doors off... Can you recommend anyone? Thanks in advance.

Hi,

 

I have Carnival Freedom pins in my hot little hands to trade for Carnival Fascination pins...Any takers? :) Please email at jjohnson1919@gmail.com. Thanks!

Hello,

 

I am looking for 3 Fascination pins. I've tried emailing Carnival and no luck! :confused: I only need the Fascination pins to complete my past sailings. I will gladly pay for the pins. Please email me at: jjohnson1919@gmail.com if you have any Fascination pins to sell. I am going on the Carnival Freedom next week and can try to get you a pin from the Freedom if you have a Fascination pin to trade...:D

 

Thanks,

Jen

Hi,

I've been both in the very front and very back of the ship. I prefer the back only because I was rockin' and rollin' so much on my birthday cruise 2 years ago in the front of the ship - I have never been that close to being sick!