jaxonboy

On 2/21/2019 at 2:47 AM, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

The S&R class vessels have all had reported AC problems, plumbing issues and leaks as far back as I can remember. I always felt when this ship platform was developed that Carnival Corp directed Fincantieri to save as much money as possible on their construction. While they spent lavishly on art, antiques, furnishings and finishes; the mechanical plants and overall build qualities of these ships seems to have been skimped on and never upgraded in the ensuing years.

 

I also feel that the build quality of most vessels coming out of a Fincantieri yard is lower than that of the Finnish, German and even French yards (Wartsila, Kvaener Masa, Meyer Werft, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, STX, etc).

 

To compare the Prinsendam to the build quality of any other HAL ship is unfair, regardless of age as she was not built for HAL originally, nor was she built at Fincantieri. She was built for Royal Viking Line at Wartsila shipyard in Turku Finland with a completely different marine engineering team and build design/philosophy. 

 

Unfortunately the only way to fix the AC and plumbing issues would to be to completely gut the ships and rebuild the mechanical plants for these items from the ground up, which is not going to happen due to cost. The only other option is the current band-aid approach and hoping to keep them working well enough, enough of the time to not drive too many customers away. Not a good solution but Carnival Corp is not going to give them the money needed for anything better.

We sailed Grand Med on Prinsendam, spring 2016. We changed from a forward oceanview to a midship oceanview due to uncomfortable temperature. We went through the experience of it is cool at the vent, yet hot at the pillow. Basic rule is, if ac doesn't work, demand a better cabin immediately. Late in the cruise they loaded a large cylinder that I learned was a chiller for the ac. I asked Captain Tim if it was replacement. He said no, it was additional capacity. The Elegant Explorer went into drydock after our cruise. I think HAL spent a fortune on maintenance and repair. What a seaworthy ship.

20 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

 

While the one instance of failure of shipboard personnel to perform an environmental task properly is serious, what is far more disturbing to me is the total lack of consideration or responsibility at the corporate level towards environmental issues.  Because the violations range across the whole spectrum of pollution (oil, gray water, ballast, plastic), this shows that there is no environmental culture in Carnival lines (sorry John).  As I've said on the thread in the Carnival forum, I have worked for two companies that were placed on probation by the DOJ for pollution violations (NCL and a tanker company), and both have turned their culture around to being held as models of environmental guardianship, and the tanker company's environmental compliance plan instituted as a part of the plea deal and probation is now held up by the DOJ as the model that all subsequent violators must follow.  This continued disregard for the environment across the Carnival lines is totally despicable.

Agree

Sadly, I have had business before the federal judges and would say that they do not threaten. They are not to be ignored.

What should this judge do to enforce her rulings? Foreign flagged vessels are hard to put in jail.

We did the deluxe tour in 2014. The Jets were the same as any others, although the coke was yellow. We flew directly from Lima to Cusco and stayed at the JW Marriott. I reserved an oxygenated room. We also drank plenty of the coca tea. Never had any altitude symptoms. We saw a great many things in Cusco, a cathedral, a museum, and a nice vantage point.

Because a landslide had damaged the track, we took a bus to the train in a small town.

The Hiram Bingham train reminded me of the Orient Express. Lots of polished brass, woodwork, and attentive service. I think there was breakfast, then lunch as we rolled along the Orumbucco river to Agua Caliente.

We then walked to the shuttle buses that take you up the switchbacks to the Lodge. A rock the size of a two car garage came down the night before and wiped out a switchback. They built a rough stone stairs so we could get off the bus, go up the stairs, and get back on another bus to the top. A passenger had a wrist in a brace and hurt her leg prior to the bus ride and the men put her in a litter and carried her up the stairs. Crazy.

At the lodge, she requested a doctor and the whole group was standing around while the HAL rep tried to sort this out.

Part of the benefit of the Gold package was a visit after the morning visitors had gone, but prior to the afternoon hordes. So my wife and I went into Machu Picchu on a self guided tour and saw what was on my list until about 90 minutes later when it started to rain. We beat a retreat to the Lodge where there was tea or coffee and something like a biscuit.

Then back to the train for a wonderful dinner. By the time we got to the bus to Cusco, it was late, so we snoozed the whole way in the dark.

A wonderful once in a lifetime experience, three days, two nights, and the ship was still there when we got back.

I think it was January.

They may "say" that they take it seriously, but it would appear that they don't. When you have six of HAL's ships receiving citations, and the Eurodam receiving two - one for air and one for water discharge, it's difficult to believe that this is simply a one-off oops.

The hamburgers and hot dogs at the dive in on Lido are good.

You can order from the dinner menu and have it delivered to your cabin during dinner hours.

The Pinnacle Grille for lunch has a fantastic menu. Make reservations right away as it fills up.

There are happy hours listed in the daily program.

Try breakfast in the MDR. Everything is cooked to your order. Relaxed and nice way to start your day. You can ask for a table for two so you can plan your day, or let them seat you with others for chat.

Boarding pass, passport, credit card. I have never needed a drivers license.

I am not seeing the 2019 VOV on the HAL site. Am I missing it? What is the date? Thank you.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Forums mobile app

Received an email from our agent advising that the cruise on the Rotterdam is cancelled. There is a 35 day Voyage of the Vikings on the Zuiderdam as a replacement. HAL offers $75 dollar credit.

I have been on the Rotterdam and like it, a nice size. The Zuiderdam is a size larger. Any thoughts on the Zuiderdam? We can cancel and get our money back.

I wonder what caused this, just curious.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Forums mobile app

Thanks for the insight.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Forums mobile app

Planning a cruise on the Nieu Statendam. Any advice on the best deck and area for this class ship? Just a regular Vista cabin, not a suite. We spend most of our days on Amsterdam, but looking at trying this new class.

Thanks in advance.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Forums mobile app

Very few places accept dollars in Phuket. Visa is widely accepted. We did find a shop that took dollars. Bought some t shirts for the grandkids. Later, the shopgirl caught up to us and said she was in trouble because we were a dollar low. We gave her the dollar which made her happy. At KFC they have a spicy flavor that is 5 alarm hot. It is great, makes your lips burn.

Food isn't better anymore? Or is this a touchy subject?

 

SFOPeter

The food is great, whether Lido, MDR, or Pinnacle.

Lunch at the Terrace grille. Fantastic Guacamole, Cannonball burger, fries with dive in sauce! Life is good!

Re: the packing cubes, is the general consensus that you can pack more into a bag using them? To me the concept seemed like they would be good to stay organized, but might actually take up more space in the bag. Is there some kind of a compression factor at play using the cubes? I’m willing to be converted to the idea of using them ;)

The advantage is you can get to exactly what you want without rifleing through. The capacity is no different. They are not the vacuum clothes compressors.

If the luggage is just a way to get clothing to the ship and no overlands, then why bother.

It is stormy here in Port Everglades. 67 degrees.

bon voyage, kathi! What a wonderful trip this will be. But i thought the 2018 was sailing around the 22nd of january, or am i thinking of the 2019 wc?

2019

The dining area on the starboard side forward of the foyer is called the Annex. It is quieter, easier to enjoy good conversation.

We did an overland to Agra, Jaipur, New Delhi. A Gentleman we traveled with came down with India Gut. He was on IV fluids, lost lots of weight, confined to his cabin for 30 days. My wife and I did not get sick. We didn't take anything.

I don't want to appear too ignorant (but I am about this subject), but if I use this on my phone, am I basically turning on my phone and thereby having my phone in a position where I might receive calls and/or messages/e-mails? I don't want to do that while on my cruise. Thanks.

There will be no problem if you put your phone in airplane mode, then turn on wifi. There should not be a cellular at sea at the top, just a wifi symbol.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Forums mobile app

Does anyone have any experience with using HAL's post cruise transfer service? Is it just a shuttle/bus? My husband will need to get to the airport after the cruise and I'm wondering if its worth the $19 cost. I'm trying to make it as smooth and hassle free as possible for him. After reading the other thread about problems with taxi cabs over charging, I'm wondering if it's a better option.

Yes, we have used the service. It is ok. It was a big bus, the driver was cordial. We also use a taxi most of the time.

I highly doubt that anyone ever chose a taxi because they couldn't afford the HAL transfer. That's peanuts compared to the cost of the cruise.[/color][/size][/font]

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Forums mobile app

My quote was per cabin not per person. Which ship are they using? Not that I am going;p

Rotterdam

Just a point of clarification. The VOV starts at $18,000 per cabin or near $500 per day per cabin. That is for an inside cabin.

2018 Voyage of the Vikings is $7500 for an inside. You can book it now.

I appreciate this thread. It clearly has brought light to the subject of Climate Change and Cruise Ships. Because of this, I have cancelled my two future cruises and have elected to no longer vacation via Cruise Ships.

 

Not.

Why is Carnival building LNG powered cruise ships?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Forums mobile app

And how much energy is required to do that? And where does that energy come from.

 

TANSTAAFL

You can ask Mr Google.

My impression is that the recent breakthroughs involve catalysts that are effective at low temperatures.

With the advent of solar and wind power there is benefit in using the clean electricity to produce a more portable clean fuel such as methanol. Then power fuel cells with the methanol.

Watch this develop. There is a huge amount of methanol being produced now. This is a different way.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Forums mobile app

My question is, if the ships don't burn residual fuel oil, what do you do with it? The majority of refineries in the world are 2nd generation refineries that can only extract about 70% of each barrel of crude oil into distilled product (gas, jet, kerosene, lube oils). The remainder is residual fuel oil. Third generation refineries can extract about 95% of that barrel of crude, leaving only solid coke as the byproduct, which is used in steel production. So, what do all the 2nd generation refineries do with residual fuel oil if the ships can no longer use it? They will have to ship it to 3rd generation refineries with attendant shipping cost, and the need to burn more fuel to transport the fuel to the new refinery, which will drive up the cost of refined products. Well, lets upgrade the refineries; all well and good but it takes a couple of years to do this, and no refinery wants to be out of production (not making any money) for two years, and especially when they are operating at maximum capacity already. How about new refineries? Again, a good idea, but no one wants an oil refinery in their backyard, which is why there have been no new refineries built in the US in years.

 

And while fuel cells look great, where do you get the hydrogen from to fuel it? The most common ways are to split hydrocarbon fuel (LNG, coal, diesel) or biomass (also hydrocarbon based) which results in release of CO2 during the production of the hydrogen, so while it may reduce CO2 emissions, particularly at the end user (like a car), the production is not zero green house gas production.

Most land based combustion of residual oil has been outlawed. Large buildings in New York were heating with it, steam locomotives used it, no more. So I guess the new ships have to pick up some slack.

You know far better than I the dangers and challenges using a corrosive and sometimes explosive fuel. Crankcase explosions have disabled cruise ships. An offset is the price of course, cheap for the reasons you point out. Especially when the cost does not include the cost of putting the pollutants in the air.

But what to do with it? The ships using residual oil are not going to stop tommorow, barring regulation. Can the tier II refiners convert to a tier III process over time?

The EPA imposed a reduction in the sulphur content of on highway diesel fuel. I wonder what the refiners did with the sulphur, is it blended into the Marine fuels?

There is a process to convert atmospheric CO2 into methanol which can power fuel cells. Talk about bang for the buck. This may save our hash.

I think cruise ships do contribute to global warming. How much? Somewhere it was opined that the airline and cruise industries contributed 3%, or more than Germany and the UK combined.

Hope you haul some gasoline to Florida, they sure will need it as they get back on their feet.