Assisting Carnival Splendor

101109-N-3570S-216 SAN DIEGO (Nov. 9, 2010) Sailors from Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30 load meat, bread and plastic dinnerware into C-2A Greyhound logistics aircraft at Naval Base Coronado. VRC-30 is transferring the supplies to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which will deliver them to the Carnival Splendor, a cruise ship stranded about 250 miles off California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Petty Officer Jeremy M. Starr/Released)

Click for Additional Pictures courtesy of U.S. Navy

USS Ronald Reagan
Provides Assistance
to Carnival Splendor

At the request of U.S. Coast Guard District 11 in San Diego, 3rd Fleet has diverted USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Nov. 9 from its current training maneuvers to a position south near the Carnival cruise ship C/V Splendor to facilitate the delivery of needed supplies.

According to U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs,"An expected total of 35 pallets of supplies will be transferred Nov. 9 from Naval Air Station North Island aboard Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 carrier on-board delivery aircraft beginning at 0700 PST to Ronald Reagan. Once aboard Ronald Reagan, the supplies will be delivered with a helicopter to C/V Splendor".

Carnival Splendor courtesy U.S. Navy

UPDATE NOVEMBER 9 (8:15 PM Eastern)

Carnival Cruise Line indicates that the first tug boat has reached the Splendor and towing operations have begun.

TOWING TO SAN DIEGO

Carnival has decided to take the vessel to San Diego where it is expected to arrive late Thursday.  Hotel and flight arrangements are being made for the ship's guests. If the ship is unable to maintain sufficient speed under tow, the original plan, to dock in Ensenada, could be reinstated.


The ship’s engineers were able to restore toilet service to most cabins and all public bathrooms, as well as cold running water.  Currently several key hotel systems, including air conditioning, hot food service and telephones, are not available.  The ship’s crew continues to actively work to restore other services. 

Guests are able to move about the ship and food and beverage service, along with some shipboard programming, including children’s activities and entertainment, are being provided. 


NEXT CRUISE CANCELLED


Carnival has also made the decision to cancel the November 14 seven-day cruise from Long Beach.  Guests scheduled to sail on this voyage will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and air transportation costs, along with a 25 percent discount on a future cruise. 


Carnival Cruise Line Update on Carnival Splendor



Related Blog:  Carnival Splendor Without Power After Engine Fire

Stay tuned for more updates as information becomes available

Carnival Splendor Without Power After Engine Fire

Carnival Splendor  (Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line)

Carnival Splendor 

Dead in Water 

Off West Coast of Mexico

Following Engine Fire

Carnival Splendor was on the first leg of a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise that departed  November  7th from Long Beach, California when a fire was detected in an aft engine.  The fire was  extinguished and fortunately there were no injuries to guests or crew.

The ordeal started at approximately 6 AM Monday with guests initially being notified at 6:30 AM to move from their cabins to the ship’s upper open deck areas.  According to a statement issued by Carnival, "At this time, guests have access to their cabins and are able to move about the ship. Bottled water and cold food items are being provided."

Monday was a scheduled day at sea.  The ship’s normal itinerary includes stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  The ship, which measures 113,000 gross registered tons and first entered service in July 2008, is carrying 3,299 guests and 1167 crew.

UNABLE TO RESTORE POWER

The ship has been operating on auxiliary generators following the fire and engineers have been unable to restore additional power to the vessel.  Consequently, without the additional power, several key hotel systems, including air conditioning, hot food service, flushing toilets and telephones are not available.  The ship’s crew is actively working to restore partial services.


As a result, the current voyage is being terminated.  Tugboats are currently en route to the ship which is located off the coast of Mexico, approximately 150 miles south of San Diego.  The tugs will tow the vessel to Ensenada, Mexico in an effort to get the guests home as quickly as possible.   The vessel’s command is in contact with the U.S. Coast Guard which has deployed aircraft and cutters to the cruise ship’s location.

CARNIVAL COMPENSATES PASSENGERS

Guests on the current voyage will be receiving a full refund along with reimbursement for transportation costs.  Additionally, they will receive a complimentary future cruise equal to the amount paid for this voyage.

“We know this has been an extremely trying situation for our guests and we sincerely thank them for their patience.  Conditions on board the ship are very challenging and we sincerely apologize for the discomfort and inconvenience our guests are currently enduring.  The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority and we are working to get our guests home as quickly as possible,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Contact information for family members: 1-888-290-5095 or 305-406-5534 


Source:  Carnival Splendor Update

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The emergency response to the stricken ship includes two seagoing tugboats, contracted out of the port of Ensenada, Mexico, U.S. Coast Guard aircraft and ships, as well as U.S. and Mexican Navy vessels.  According to Cmdr. Greg Hicks, about 70,000 pounds of supplies, including bread, utensils, cups, milk, canned food and other items will be flown to the nearby USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier where they will be transferred to the cruise ship by helicopters.

The plan is for the tugboats along with a Coast Guard cutter, to escort the ship to the port of Ensenada where passengers will be unloaded.    This process is expected to begin mid-day Tuesday and take until 8 PM Wednesday night.  

The passengers will be transported by bus approximately 50 miles to San Diego where they will begin their journey home.   After unloading the passengers, the ship will then begin it's journey back to Long Beach, California, a process which is expected to take several days.   The plan was developed so that passengers didn't have to stay onboard any longer than necessary.


FINAL THOUGHTS 

Carnival Cruise Line, and all the cruise lines, take safety very seriously.   The crews are trained to handle emergency situations and passengers must participate in mandatory safety drills.   From our vantage point, it appears that the training paid off this week as this emergency situation unfolded.   The fact that there were no injuries to guests or crew is a testament to a safety plan carried out well.


The cruise industry as a whole has an excellent safety record.   Situations like this fire are rare, but when they occur, are trying for all involved.   It appears to us that Carnival Cruise Line responded well both to the actual emergency and to the aftermath and is doing everything they can to assist the guests.   


It is too early to tell the impact on future Carnival Splendor voyages.  We will bring you updates as we learn more.

 

Allure of the Seas in Bermuda Triangle

Rita's Cantina on Allure of the Seas

ALLURE CONTINUES COURSE FOR FLORIDA

Day 11 and the Allure of the Seas is continuing its Atlantic crossing right on schedule.   The weather continues to cooperate with the ship crossing the path of the once powerful Tomas now much weaker and 200 miles away from the ship.  The ship has entered the Bermuda Triangle as it sails past Bermuda.

Captain Zini introduces one of the new dining venues, Rita's Cantina, in this video report from the bridge.   The cantina brings the flare and flavors of Mexico to passengers on the Allure of the Seas.

Video:  A Mexican Fiesta: Festive Fare at Rita's Cantina on Allure

A new dining sensation is adding some spice to the Boardwalk on Allure of the Seas. Enjoy the taste of fabulous Mexican fare and festivities with a visit to the exotic and enticing Rita's Cantina.

Powering the Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas Main Engine Room
Photo courtesy STX Europe

As one might imagine the 225,000 gross ton Allure of the Seas requires some powerful engines to produce the power for the ship.  In fact, the total power output of the ship's engines is 97,000 kW, giving a cruise speed of 22 knots.

On this Day 9 of the Allure's transatlantic crossing,  Captain Zini is still watching Hurricane Tomas, which is expected to cross paths to the south of the ship.   Tomas is quite the powerhouse of its own producing category one hurricane-force winds.

In this video, we'll have a behind the scenes look at the engine room of the Allure of the Seas.  Few people ever get to see the engine room on a large vessel, such as the Allure, so enjoy your virtual visit and learn about what powers the latest wonder in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Video: Moving a Wonder: The Engines of Allure Bring Smooth Sailing

Moving a modern wonder like Allure of the Seas through the ocean takes a lot of power. See how the complex combination of six engines provides 135,000 horsepower and a smooth ride for guests onboard.

Allure of the Seas Keeps Eye on Tomas

Hurricane Tomas Is Between Allure and Fort Lauderdale

Allure of the Seas

Watches Tomas

You might recall that Oasis of the Seas met with high winds and waves during its crossing of the North Atlantic a year ago. (Oasis of the Seas vs North Atlantic)  The Oasis handled herself very well during that storm, but Captain Zini isn't going to take any changes in tangling directly with Hurricane Tomas.

NHC issuing advisories on Hurricane TOMAS

(Update Saturday, November 6th)

Hurricane Tomas weakened briefly on Saturday, but once again regained strength to a Category One Hurricane.  Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-winds extend even further to about 200 miles on the west side of the hurricane.

Captain Zini and officers are constantly monitoring the storm and other weather conditions to keep the Allure and crew safe, just as they would with passengers onboard.  In this Day 8 video, he'll discuss the current weather conditions and how they are planning to avoid Tomas.

Samba Grill Opens

He'll then introduce us to Samba Grill, the Brazilian Steakhouse introduced on the Allure of the Seas.   I can't wait to taste and experience this new dining venue.   Allure is the second new vessel to introduce a Brazilian Steakhouse.   In another post, I'll write about the first one at sea, Moderno, which is on Norwegian Epic.  

Video: Savoring Samba: Brazilian Flavors Come to Allure

Enjoy South American dining at its best at Allure's new Samba Grill! Mouthwatering meats and a host of exotic flavors are all available for guests to savor.

Allure of the Seas Entertainment Preparations

Amber Theater (Photo courtesy STX Europe)

Allure of the Seas

Entertainment Preparations

It's Day 7 onboard Allure of the Seas which is crossing the North Atlantic on its journey to home port of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.    Today the weather has taken a turn for the worst as the ship gets closer to Hurricane Tomas.  Captain Zini and officers constantly monitor weather conditions to keep the ship, crew, and passengers safe at all times.

Weather plays an interesting role in onboard activities.  The ship's speed and movement impacts the various entertainers who could be either preparing for or performing a show.   In this video, Captain Zini talks about how the the staff work together to assure the safety of the performers and we get an inside look at preparations for Allure's shows.

Video: Setting Up for Showtime: Technical Preparations for Allure's Entertainment

Allure of the Seas will feature world-class entertainment on stage, ice and water but what goes into making sure these shows go live without a hitch? Watch as the crew gets everything from lights to sprinklers ready for showtime.

Allure of the Seas Entertainment

Dreamworks Characters on Allure of the Seas
Courtesy Royal Caribbean Cruise Line & Dreamworks

Captain's Log Day 4 talks about some of the differences between the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas.   One of the main differences is the entertainment onboard.   Dreamworks has entered into a partnership with Royal Caribbean International.

The DreamWorks Experience 

As of December 1, 2010, Allure of the Seas^SM is the first to welcome the DreamWorks Experience onboard their already stunning collection of experiences for the whole family. Allure of the Seas will be the exclusive ship in the fleet with the How to Train Your Dragon^TM Ice Show and Madagascar^TM Aqua Show. 

Video: The DreamWorks Experience: Innovative Entertainment Debuts on Allure

The colorful and imaginative world of DreamWorks will come to life every day on Allure of the Seas. Guests will experience 3-D movies, meet Shrek, Po and Alex, and enjoy events for all ages while cruising with Royal Caribbean.