sensationhereicome Posted July 28, 2004 #1 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Hi all, Question from soon-to-be first-time cruiser: My father, sister and I will be boarding the Sensation Aug. 12 (can't wait!). Dad, an auto mechanic and boating enthusiast, has expressed interest in seeing the ship's engine room and/or bridge. Is this possible? I've heard people talk about galley tours, but what about tours describing/showing how the ship moves, stops and steers? Can you actually go to see the ship's engine and control mechanisms? P.S. This is such a "guy" thing! I have absolutely no interest in such a tour, but it would make my 64-year-old father's vacation to be able to do this! :) Betsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tef43 Posted July 28, 2004 #2 Share Posted July 28, 2004 No more bridge tours, for obvious reasons, in a post-9/11 world. I do not recall *ever* seeing an engine room tour offered. Safety and security reasons would seem to preclude it as an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolcruise02 Posted July 28, 2004 #3 Share Posted July 28, 2004 On one of our cruises I sent an advance "thank you for a wonderful cruise" card to the captain and explained very nicely how much my husband would love a bridge tour and the next day we received an invitation. It's worth a try! I'm not sure if all cruise lines or captains do this. Good Luck :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathyjack Posted July 28, 2004 #4 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Before 9/11, tours of the bridges were always offered. Actually, much to my surprise, I enjoyed it a lot. I'd be very surprised if you'll be able to get onto the bridge now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Time2gocruzn Posted July 28, 2004 #5 Share Posted July 28, 2004 I heard the same thing, no bridge tours. BUT I heard they DO offer galley tours, which are very impressive, and give you a whole new appreciation for what they have to go thru to feed all the passengers. My father and Husband would love to see things like the bridge, and more mechanical, behind the scenes aspects of the ship, but are not counting on it.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tef43 Posted July 28, 2004 #6 Share Posted July 28, 2004 The galley tour is typically offered lin the afternoon of the second formal dinner, also being the day of the Gala Midninght Buffet, so you get to see the staff working on all of the presentations for that evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolcruise02 Posted July 29, 2004 #7 Share Posted July 29, 2004 Our bridge tour was AFTER 9/11, so it is possible. It wouldn't hurt to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rburns44 Posted July 29, 2004 #8 Share Posted July 29, 2004 Coolcruiser, My son (electrical eng) would love a bridge tour on our upcoming cruise. Don't know if it would help but he has Gov-security clearance. How did you send a note to the Captain? Becky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sls Posted July 29, 2004 #9 Share Posted July 29, 2004 I've heard of people who were engineers finding the Chief Engineer of the ship and starting a discussion on the engines getting invited for a tour. Might try that. sls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeckCadet Posted July 29, 2004 #10 Share Posted July 29, 2004 It happens...not too often but it happens. If you ever see the chief engineer or staff chief engineer, start talking about something really technical until their jaw drops, then your chances just went up 1000 percent....I should know. I had the chief engineer on Paradise speechless. Between you and me I have seen quite a lot of crew only areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rburns44 Posted July 30, 2004 #11 Share Posted July 30, 2004 Any other ideas on contacting Captain? Becky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolcruise02 Posted July 30, 2004 #12 Share Posted July 30, 2004 I took my card w/request to the main desk the first evening of our cruise and asked how to get it to the captain. They said he had a mailbox and would see that he got it, and they did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sensationhereicome Posted July 30, 2004 Author #13 Share Posted July 30, 2004 Love the note-to-captain idea. Smart thinking -- I'm sure it made an impression on the captain to have someone acknowledge him and the staff right from the beginning of the cruise. I'll probably try it myself. P.S. Eleven days to go!! Betsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rburns44 Posted July 30, 2004 #14 Share Posted July 30, 2004 Thanks Coolcruise02! I will try that. Just hope no one else tries it! Becky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolcruise02 Posted July 31, 2004 #15 Share Posted July 31, 2004 Actually, there were about 15 people on our bridge tour. I don't know if they requested it or if it was part of some deal. I thing the one couple was married on the ship. When we got our invitation it asked that we not tell anyone and gave us a place to meet an officer. I give credit to someone on this Board who posted last year about doing this. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrounds Posted July 31, 2004 #16 Share Posted July 31, 2004 Any other ideas on contacting Captain? Becky Becky, In one of the public bathrooms take out your lipstick and write: IF I DON'T GET TO SEE THE CAPTAIN WITHIN 24 HOURS WE ALL GO DOWN ! That ought to get his attention ! ! :D :D :D :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonCruiser Posted February 15, 2005 #17 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Saw someone asking this questions, so hoping they see this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alleghator Posted February 15, 2005 #18 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Sounds like the best way to do this is onboard ship. I'll have to keep it in mind and give it a shot. Any thoughts on anyone at Carnival to contact in advance of the cruise? I'm a plan (WAY) ahead kind of a gal. --Heidi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JrMafia90 Posted February 15, 2005 #19 Share Posted February 15, 2005 It would be nice to have a bridge tour. I might try the "letter to the cpatain" approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichelleP Posted February 15, 2005 #20 Share Posted February 15, 2005 We got a post-9/11 bridge tour on Celebrity, but it was because the captain's wife was a friend-of-a-friend. There were about ten people on the tour... so they had to get an invitation somehow. I would try the note-to-the-Captain route. Address it to him by name and give it to the purser's desk. You might also try writing a note to the social hostess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtalum Posted February 15, 2005 #21 Share Posted February 15, 2005 The post 9/11 "security" obsession really irritates me sometimes. If you want to be perfectly safe, you better not leave your house. Don't ruin life for the rest o fus though! It's irritating that because of some people's paranoia we can no longer take bridge tours regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyImagination Posted February 15, 2005 #22 Share Posted February 15, 2005 The post 9/11 "security" obsession really irritates me sometimes. If you want to be perfectly safe, you better not leave your house. Don't ruin life for the rest o fus though! It's irritating that because of some people's paranoia we can no longer take bridge tours regularly. Seems a small price to pay, IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtalum Posted February 15, 2005 #23 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Seems a small price to pay, IMHO For what, a false sense of security? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rburns44 Posted February 15, 2005 #24 Share Posted February 15, 2005 We were on the Inspiration over Christmas and had a bridge tour. I wrote a note to the Captain explaining that my DS (he's an EE) would love a tour. They called and we were able to go. He loved it! Becky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WazAnOkie Posted February 16, 2005 #25 Share Posted February 16, 2005 In one of the public bathrooms take out your lipstick and write: IF I DON'T GET TO SEE THE CAPTAIN WITHIN 24 HOURS WE ALL GO DOWN ! That ought to get his attention ! ! :D :D :D :D glrounds, hopefully that was meant as a joke, but something like that was done before and caused one heck of a problem in April 2003 on the Legend of the Seas..... Created one huge scene involving everyone onboard. Making threats, even jokingly, are not considered jokes and are not funny. I am a prankster and practical joker, but there are lines that sometimes should not be crossed. Now, having said that, lets get back to having fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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