Aurora - mechanical problem slowing her down, itinerary altered

[spritealpine]

Auckland is wonderful but I did not expect to see quite so much of it. Stuck in Auckland until repairs to the thrust bearing are sorted out (whenever). Many passengers have been bussed up to the Bay of Islands (3 hours plus each way at a cost of 100 pounds each since the ship will not call there). Whether the ship will sail at 8pm on Monday which is what is being suggested is anyones guess. If you see the passengers rowing the ship out of Auckland harbour you will know there are still problems.

The calls for the rest of the Pacific section remains questionable.

Regards

spritealpine

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Auckland is known as "The City of Sails"..

I am sure they could rig something up:D

An option perhaps??:rolleyes:

[jimgib]

Captain just announced worse than first thought!!!

Earliest possible departure is now tuesday night but he is not to hopeful of that. The 2 stops in polyenesia have been cancelled so now when we leave here its hawaii the San Fran. They have to make SF by cruise date as change over port however I think if we get a further 48 hour s delay then mega changes will be made ie head straight for panama dont know what they will do with SF ons and offs , lots people getting very uptight but nothing P & O can do, they put it together earlier today and thought all looked good but when checked with specialist equipment they found they would have to start again, I cant get any info as to if that means flying more stuff out , but its not looking good.

We have been told we will be compensated in the form of a cheque rather than credit but obviously until we know the extent we cant discuss figures.

 

Had a great day today, couldnt handle the long drive so took a ferry to waheke isle had a great meal and super wine. One thing for sure there is a lot worse places on this planet to be stranded! And the Kiwis are a great bunch of people, pity they are so good at Rugby!!!

 

Regards

 

JimGib

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Photo / Martin Sykes - NZ Herald

 

Thousands of cruise ship passengers stranded in Auckland - NZ Herald

 

Cruise ship passengers stranded in Auckland - Stuff

[Kiwi Kruzer]

So the news has broken.

I have been watching for any reports ever since this whole thing started.

I dont think the media realise just what is going on yet.

They could have had a pic of her at Queens Wharf

instead of a stored image at Princes Wharf.

Wait till they start talking to the passengers:eek:

[MINIMAD]

Welcome to Auckland:p for your extended stay. Hope they have given you lots of speading money ( help our economy no end !!!).

 

If I wasn't tied up with an overload of work at the moment( saving up for my own next cruise) I would have been willing to take a couple of couples out for the day sightseeing to places the tour buses don't take you to. We have some wonderful places to visit.

 

Keep smiling:). Just be glad you are not stuck in some horrible port like Pago Pago or Fiji. A few years ago we had a problem with our ship in both these ports for 4 days. The worst of it was in Pago Pago, everytime we went out on deck all we could smell was the horrible fish factory across the bay.:confused:

 

Anyway hope you get on your way soon and enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[Kiwi_cruiser]

More news:

 

http://www.3news.co.nz/Cruise-ship-delay-a-boon-for-Auckland-retailers/tabid/209/articleID/94538/cat/525/Default.aspx

 

http://tvnz.co.nz/travel-news/cruise-ship-passengers-stranded-in-auckland-2527397

[jimgib]

We have just been told wednesday evening is the earliest possible , and that is not certain. They have now given us free drinks to keep our spirits up!

Also put on some free tours for Tues and Wed. We are now in effect going to be a ferry to get to next change around which is san fran cisco on the 23rd, they will have to move some to do that, just one stop I expect, that will be Hawaii and thats not for our benefit but just for fuel and provisions.

Has anyone any idea when the latest possible departure from auckland would be to make SF by 23rd, I think we must be getting close, It will be a mega mess if they have to miss SF and fly peopl about.

Glad its not my problem as some of these grannies are getting nasty.

 

Regards

 

JimGib

[BrianI]

The photo shown by TVNZ is not Aurora. Thanks to all you NZ's for giving the links

Brian

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Video: http://tvnz.co.nz/travel-news/cruise-ship-passengers-stranded-in-auckland-2527397/video (I am not too sure if anyone outside NZ will be able to watch this, sorry if you can’t. :o)

[Adammara]

JimGib

 

According to a couple of websites, its around 6500 miles, think that might be pushing it!

 

Richard

[spritealpine]

Still here but generally most seem cheerfully resigned to the holdup. Latest estimate is departure on Wednesday night but missing out Moorea and Tahiti and going direct to Hawaii to try to get back on schedule. Head of Carnival UK on board gladhanding everone. Have not been asked to practice rowing so the signs may be good for a successful repair

[jimgib]

We are still ‘SUPPOSED’ to be sailing on Wednesday evening and have been told to be back on board by 8 pm. However the engine has not been fired up so I guess until it is fully tested anything may happen. We have been told of our compensation package which is a refund of £100 for each port missed ie if boarded at Sydney or before £500 if boarded in Auckland £300, plus a refund of fare for the 4 days unscheduled at Auckland. My first opinion is its a little unfair as not only have we missed these far flung ports but now we will in effect be on a fast ferry ride to San Francisco with only one stop in approx 2 weeks. Its probably enough to not be an insult but not sufficient to say P & O have treated us well and rush back to use them again!!!

The above comment is my personal view, I have yet to tell my wife or sound out the comments of others. I think many will be upset but some would be even with 100% refund and a free cruise.

Just glad I am not in P & O’s shoes or that of the staff that will have to cope with the grumbles.

 

Regards

 

JimGib

[jimgib]

I dont think we can do S F in time!!

we would have to do it in 11days as we would loose 1 stopping in Hawaii, lets assume we average 20 so 24 hours a day would give max of 480 ( can we do that with a new bearing???) x 11 days is 5280 as Richard says approx 6500, yet the captain says we can. I think he is trying to fool everyone. We gain a day crossing date line that still only makes 5760.

If we then convert to Nautical miles we get 5650 so guess thats why he thinks its on, but looks very tight to me.

Any Comments?

 

Regards

 

JimGib

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Lets hope you can do it Jim.

What tours are they offering in Auckland?

Our little village of Orewa was over run today with coaches disgorging people wearing pink stickers saying A1,A2 etc.

"The joint was jumping"

Everyone seemed in good spirits.

Trust all goes well and you do manage to get away on Wednesday,but that sure is a lot of sea days on your Pacific transit.

What a shame to miss Tahiti.

[KiwiAtSea]

I dont think we can do S F in time!!

we would have to do it in 11days as we would loose 1 stopping in Hawaii, lets assume we average 20 so 24 hours a day would give max of 480 ( can we do that with a new bearing???)

Any Comments?

 

Regards

JimGib

 

Jim, what's her top speed at full power? Does the new bearing need breaking in or can the Captain just open her right up?

 

I've done SanFran to Auckland twice on the Oriana - loved the sea time but not sure how I'd feel about that MUCH sea time with only 1 stop!

 

Al.

[daiB]

Jim, what's her top speed at full power? Does the new bearing need breaking in or can the Captain just open her right up?

 

I've done SanFran to Auckland twice on the Oriana - loved the sea time but not sure how I'd feel about that MUCH sea time with only 1 stop!

 

Al.

 

 

Sounds so perfect to me:D:D:D

 

I love sea days.

 

:)Happy Cruising:)

 

 

:cool:

 

Dai

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Another two articles on Aurora:

 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2248822/Aurora-passengers-cruise-Auckland-shops

 

Cruising on the slow boats to nowhere

[Neilius]

I dont think we can do S F in time!!

we would have to do it in 11days as we would loose 1 stopping in Hawaii, lets assume we average 20 so 24 hours a day would give max of 480 ( can we do that with a new bearing???) x 11 days is 5280 as Richard says approx 6500, yet the captain says we can. I think he is trying to fool everyone. We gain a day crossing date line that still only makes 5760.

If we then convert to Nautical miles we get 5650 so guess thats why he thinks its on, but looks very tight to me.

Any Comments?

 

Regards

 

JimGib

 

Auckland to Honolulu = about 3780 nm, = 7.8 days @ 20 knots, 6.56 days at 24 knots.

 

Honolulu to San Francisco = about 2100 nm, = 4.4 days @ 20 knots, 3.6 days at 24 knots.

 

They plan to leave at 0730z on 11 Mar, allowing 12 hours in Honolulu, that means the total journey will take between 10.7 and 12.7 days. That makes their ETA at San Francisco somewhere between 19.30z on 21 Mar 09 and 1930z on 23 Mar 09.

 

San Francisco is GMT -8, so in a worse case scenario they'd arrive at 11.30am local time on 23 March 09.

 

I think they'll do it easily.

 

Bear in mind with just one propeller she was doing 13.5 knots. If necessary, the second propeller need not work as hard as the first to maintain a speed in excess of 20 knots.

[jimgib]

we are still on to depart tonight, I think they will have to take it easy on the repair to start with.

On a better note, we had yet another great day today we went to Matakana? to taste wine and cheese had a wonderful meal at accension winery I can reccomend it to all, also had a nice tour of Morris and James pottery we bought a few pieces. Not sure what tours P & O are doing I could be one of them with A2 or even A1 on my badge.

It was a super day out, I honestly cant think of a better place to be stuck in, but having said that I hope we will leave tonight.

Regards

JimGib

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Matakana?

 

Right on Jim,

A delightful district, we brunch at Accension quite often. You would have come through Orewa on your way up there.

Morris and James ....very trendy,they produce some lovely pieces.

They will be a wonderful memory of

"being stuck in Auckland"

Trust all goes well and you do get away tonight, perhaps you can look back on your stay in NZ as a bonus in the years to come.

Bon Voyage from Auckland ,

and smooth seas for your Pacific Transit.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Coming up to 10pm on Wednesday night and going by the bridge cam...

they have not moved yet....:eek:

[Kiwi_cruiser]

It’s coming up to 10:50pm NZDT & she has still not moved....

[KiwiAtSea]

It’s coming up to 10:50pm NZDT & she has still not moved....

 

 

Maybe aiming for a midnight departure...?

[Southampton Cruiser]

Port of Auckland site lists her now at noon. Refit when she returns? She hasn't had one for four years (apart from a 4 day wet dock in Southampton in December 2007 where they can't do much) which is disgraceful.