AL3XCruise

I'm curious what type of photography this is being targeted at?  Other than the ability to enlarge to truly enormous sizes, I'm having trouble thinking of non-technical applications that would benefit versus a really good quality 20 or 30mp sensor and the appropriate lens.  But then again I'm no expert!

On 5/12/2019 at 4:33 PM, chengkp75 said:

The big difference with CODLAG over conventional diesel-electric cruise ship propulsion is that there is a gas turbine directly geared to the propeller shaft.

What is the benefit to this arrangement?  My understanding was most modern large vessels, with the exception of those freighters running very large slow turning diesels, were generally using integrated electric propulsion.  Even the new Columbia class submarine is apparently using a turbo-electric drive.  Were suitable electric motors not available or relatively new when Coral entered service?

6 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

which is located on the Sun Deck at the base of the funnel.

I read an interview with Stephen Payne where he mentioned that one of the benefits of the integrated electric propulsion was that the QM2's gas turbines could be mounted on the upper decks; a shaft-driven arrangement would have required them to be placed lower in the ship where intake and exhaust issues would have been more complicated.  I'd be curious how Coral (or comparable ships) ran a shaft like that.

As always, thanks to both of you for your input!

Keep in mind there is a lot of difference between the sensor in an entry level go-pro and the top of the line model.  Likewise you have tons of point and shoots to choose from with all different price points and capabilities. 

I think most people would argue there is room for both (personally I used a GoPro clone, my phone, and a full frame DSLR on my last cruise).  Of course, how much you want to invest (and carry with you, for that matter) is a personal decision.  If you decide to explore a point and shoot (or even a bridge camera or entry level DSLR, for that matter) there are lots of knowledgeable folks on here who can look at your goals and help you maximize bang for your buck.

2 hours ago, AmazedByCruising said:

 

IANAL, but Congress could add "except for sea going cruise ships" to the PVSA. There still would be pros and cons, but IMHO it would be perfectly clear for a judge that a duck boat or water taxi was not meant to be one of the exceptions.

You're ignoring the broader implications of relaxing cabotage legislation. As I said above, transportation industries worldwide are impacted by similar laws.  In the US, at least, firms generally see any move to change a regulation as a possible prelude to changing related regulations.  Thus a chance to the PVSA would likely be opposed by industry groups representing airlines, rail systems, etc., not to mention unions representing their employees.

1 hour ago, AmazedByCruising said:

One offers a vacation with sleeping, food and cocktails, booked a year in advance. The other is an attraction where people might suddenly decide to spend their money on the Ferris Wheel instead. How is that not a completely different industry? Would you reckon restaurants, saunas and theatres also to be similar to cruising?

As @chengkp75 pointed out, what matters is how the international community regulates the industry.  Cruise ships are treated worldwide as part of the transportation industry, and the US laws and regulation follow this globally accepted practice.

As far as an exclusion for cruise ships, how do you define cruise ship vs. ferry vs. tour boat?  The PVSA actually has definition sort of built in: ships doing a round trip from a single port are obviously not engaged in transportation of passengers from one domestic US port to another, and thus are not impacted by it.  If a ship is travelling from one US port to another, it is conceivable that at least some of the passengers chose that itinerary because they want to go to that second port.  They are being transported and thus the PVSA applies.

1 hour ago, AmazedByCruising said:

I thought it obviously was. The map of what is distant and what is not must be hilarious.

I'll agree it is a bit odd, but the concept was to prevent someone from running a foreign ship from NYC to Miami by stopping briefly in the Bahamas.

In practice it doesn't have a big impact on cruise ships, because the vast majority depart from and return to the same port.  In instances where a line wants to offer a one way trip, they can do so as long as either the origination or termination point is not located in the US.  If that still isn't possible, the distant foreign port comes into play.  There are not a whole lot of profitable routes that aren't possible within the existing guidelines (the most notable exception being Hawaii inter-island, hence NCL's US flagged ship).

5 hours ago, Harvest02 said:

Anyone that has recently been on Breakaway, how was it? Hubby and I just booked our first cruise for April on this ship. Hope we won't regret our decision!! 

I saw that Business Insider and Fodors recently brought this up again for some reason, even though the inspection is several months old.  Check out this thread about it which includes some comments from a member that has served as a senior officer on a cruise ship:

Obviously, it wasn't good, but the detailed findings were a little less concerning than the media was making it out to be.  Most of the issues could be fixed almost immediately, and the ship still far exceeds the satiation levels many restaurants even at its worse.  In addition, the ship will undergo more inspections before your cruise, so you'll know it passed an inspection before you board. 

In short: don't worry and enjoy your cruise.

It may seem odd when the PVSA is applied to cruising as, with the notable exception of NCL's Pride of America, US flagged cruise ships are smaller vessels that don't really compete with mainstream cruise lines, but the broader picture shows a lot of political issues that go beyond the cruise industry.

To expand on @BlueRiband's point, most countries have laws on the books restricting the ability of a non domestic company to transport passengers or goods within that country (commonly called cabotage).  These are seen in rail, air, truck, marine, and other methods of transportation.  Cabotage laws may also be impacted by international agreements, and in some instances modifications of a domestic law can require renegotiation of an international treaty.

A change to the PVSA aimed specifically at ocean-going cruise lines might not have a major impact, but you can rest assured every special interest group in favor of similar restrictions will fight anything that resembles a relaxation in cabotage laws.  Lobbying groups tend to fear that once one change is made, additional changes become more likely.  Many argue that such laws are important to protect US jobs, give US regulators more control over domestic transportation safety, and preserve critical infrastructure.  Obviously the merits can be debated, but for now these arguments continue to garner a lot of political support. 

It seems like the cruise lines are happy racking up profits under existing regulations rather than investing time and money in a battle. 

The cruise ships seem to ignore this one.  Never seen one use that exit.

Experimenting with a new 105mm Macro lens.

6 hours ago, renysmom said:

They are skipping St. Thomas simply because the docking situation there requires more thrust power which can't be achieved with the 3rd azipods down.

 Highly unlikely.  The amount of power needed for docking is far less than needed for normal propulsion; the ship has plenty of power for docking, it is just a few knots slower than usual.

I'd vote for the aft section of the waterfront on deck 8 or the aft cabin (depending on its precise view) and then moving to deck 19 or 20 once past the SoL to go under the bridge.  The lower decks have fewer windbreaks (the clearer view makes it easier to get pictures, especially with a DSLR) and are much less crowded.  If you want to be near the sail-away festivities the upper decks are great, but IMHO they don't provide much benefit except when going under the bridge.  I would stay away from Spice; most intrusive windbreaks on the ship!  In inclement weather the buffet actually has a decent view.

Keep in mind that looking aft you will eventually see everything.  I'd avoid sticking to a starboard balcony; good view of the SoL but not much else.

6 hours ago, RW_MI said:

I haven't researched the azipods enough yet, so at this point, I'm somewhat concerned about starting out with a known mechanical issue, given that there could be more. What happens if a second azipod has issues and we hit a significant storm?  Maybe research will answer that in a positive way.

I wouldn't worry.  The power required to move a ship increases exponentially with speed, so the requirement for a given amount of power is normally dictated by what speed is required.  With one pod out of service, the ship has plenty of propulsion for pretty much any situation, and the speed difference (though enough to throw a kink into the schedule) isn't as much as you'd expect.  Keep in mind most cruise ships only have two propulsion units to start with. 

Power requirements for docking are generally much less.

While loosing a second pod is unlikely, if it were to happen the most likely impact would be a much more significant decrease in speed.  Some of the experts on here can probably describe the ship-handling challenges associated with the scenario, but I'm pretty confident it isn't something to loose sleep over (other than your cruise may come to an early but safe conclusion).

12 hours ago, springfire said:

It would take one week to fix this problem, Royal has had this issue before and they know what they have to do to fix it.  I would be happy to let them cancel my cruise to get this situation corrected.  I do understand why Royal will not do it, they will not give up the revenue, wall street will not allow for it

Assuming the repair can only be done in drydock (which is an assumption on our part, but a reasonable one), the ship would need to reposition to Europe.  So a one week repair becomes a three week event, and that is assuming a drydock is available.  As you said, it would be expensive.  I also don't think 20,000 people would agree with you about cancelling their entire vacation because of one port of call, but that is yet another assumption!  

I will agree that, from a customer service standpoint, some kind of compensation would be warranted.  This is especially true for people who booked after RCI was aware they would need to amend the itinerary but before they published it.  Issues, including mechanical issues, are part of cruising.  But selling a cruise that you know cannot be completed as scheduled seems disingenuous to me.  It may be a simple case of poor internal communication or indecision, but RCI should try to make it right.

I was on Empress before her time with Pullmantur, so I'm not sure how relevant my experience is, but I really enjoyed the experience.  It was the best service I'd ever had on an RCI ship.

57 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

That’s what insurance is for

1 hour ago, voyager70 said:

I would think insurance will cover at least some of the loss.

I believe the stated loss already takes applicable insurance into account. 

From RCCLs earnings press release:

On April 1, 2019, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas was undergoing maintenance at the Grand Bahama Shipyard when an accident involving the drydock caused two construction cranes to collapse on the stern of the ship.  The damage to the ship was extensive and the ship had to go to a dock in Europe for repairs.  As a result, the ship was taken out of service for almost a month and is expected to return back to service for its normally scheduled May 5, 2019 sailing.  The company estimates the direct financial impact of this unusual event, net of insurance, will be a reduction of approximately $0.25 per share to the company's full year Adjusted EPS, mostly driven by lost revenue.

13 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

What I recall Mr. Carlin was saying was that the airline was telling him to "get on the airplane", when he wanted to "get in the airplane".

I believe he was also concerned about pre-boarding, as he didn't understand how you get on before you get on.

7 hours ago, richg35 said:

I'm assuming this is just some stranger you met, not someone you are good friends with. People make up all kinds of things to sound more important than they are.

That was my thought as well, especially since I'd assume the individual in question has some practice at bluffing 🙂.

If true, I understand the business motivations behind it, but do agree NCL should be straightforward about the how passes are doled out.

6 hours ago, klfrodo said:

This whole thread was worthy of 1 or Max 2 responses.

However, someone always has to be more correct than others.

 

To OP, thanks for the attempt.

Perhaps, but thanks to the OP we learned an important lesson.  Whether humorous or serious, if your going to be pedantic, at least make sure you are correct! 🙂

7 hours ago, Aquahound said:

"Get off" works too.  Although, that can also have different meanings. 

I believe that is being discussed over on the RCI board.

7 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

While both teams are correct, disembarkation is really a silly circumlocution:  embarkation means getting on board, while the prefix “dis” essentially means reversing or undoing.

I feel like the teacher part of your username is showing....  reminds me of the late George Carlin's discussion about pre-boarding.

Thanks for the information guys.  It sounds like there are some narrow channels that require the ship to operate at speeds around 7 knots, putting it in a position where rudders are starting to become ineffective but the thrusters are still marginal.  Throw in some wind or current and it gets very tricky.

I have no idea how common those kind of constraints are.  Has Royal not previously been subject to arrivals and departures with speed restricted narrow channels, or is there something else that makes Alaska more challenging?  As mentioned, she seems to have operated safely (and without public comment) elsewhere despite her limitations.

BTW, in case anyone missed it, this is the report link.  It also has info about Anthem at the end, which seems to be regarded more favorably.  I'm attaching the section devoted to technical specs for rudder/thrusters/propellers.

I found it interesting that Carnival Corp did not want to provide operational data on Royal unless an NDA was in place.  Is that a common practice in the industry?  I've heard of aircraft and locomotive manufactures not wanting to provide data because they want to make it more difficult for third parties to sell simulators for their products, but in those cases production runs are in the hundreds or thousands.  A handful of ships operated by a single parent company doesn't seem like a lucrative opportunity in that regard.

Based on the summary of the report, it sounds like they used a simple rudder design that provides minimal steering at low speeds, and differential power also has a limited impact.  That means the ship relies heavily on its thrusters.  Obviously I can't compare stern thrusters to an azipod ship, but the bow thrusters on Royal seem to have ratings 10% to 40% lower than those on other 140gt to 170gt ships.  I don't know if this is due to a design consideration on azipod ships or an effort to reduce costs.

One other question, probably for @chengkp75 or @Heidi13: what speed do the thrusters become effective at?  The report seemed to imply that thrusters could be used to augment rudder authority at 7 or 8 knots, which seemed pretty speedy to me.

9 hours ago, Treacher1 said:

 I prefer a deck where you can see both - instead of switching from left to right side of ship to see both

You won't get a great view of both from one location except from the stern after the ship has passed the SoL.  Anywhere else, you'll need to move if you want a clear, unobstructed view.  The biggest plus to deck 20 versus those immediately below is the ease with which you can move from one side or another.  Keep in mind your view fore and aft is limited up there, and the wind breaks can limit photography.

Spice H20 is OK, but I find the wind breaks there very obtrusive.  If I was going to the stern (which is my preference) I'd either use the Garden Cafe or go down to deck 8.  The aft section of the waterfront makes it easy to walk from one side to the other and provides a great view of everything as you pull away.  You may want to go back up to the upper decks before the bridge, though.  In my opinion the higher decks don't make a huge difference when viewing Manhattan or the SoL, but they do matter when going under the bridge!  Of course, if you want to partake in the pool-side sail away activities, the higher decks are better as well.

A few shots from the Escape:

One more.  Never thought I'd use a 400mm lens for insect photography.  AF didn't work on such a small target (though it may be user error).  My manual focusing leaves something to be desired; but at least it was close.  

7 hours ago, kenevenpar said:

Turkey Vulture?

Yup!  This one isn't as sharp, but you get a better view of that gorgeous head ;).

Experimenting with the zoom lens!  Didn't want to get too close to that snapping turtle!

Playing with a 400mm lens!

Bermuda is great and Escape is a beautiful ship.

5 hours ago, nr_clark said:

*Is the Vibe Beach Club worth it, OR is Spice H2O good Enough? Is VIBE really worth the $$$ to go Black-Friday-Doorbusters for after boarding?

I've never done vibe, largely because the race to get passes doesn't appeal to me.  The upper forward decks tend to be quieter and less crowded than the pool areas, BUT my cruise on Escape was when schools were in session.  I'm not sure how much of a difference this will make for you.

If you just want a comfortable, quiet place to sit by the water, check out the Waterfront on Deck 8.  Lots of places to sit, a couple of outdoor bars and restaurants, and generally much less crowded than the upper decks.

The Spa is also a great relaxation option, but it is more $$$ and not outdoors.  

5 hours ago, nr_clark said:

*Is it worth the $$$ for room service? Or bring buffet food to stateroom?

Depending where your cabin is, it could be quite a trek to the buffet.  There are three main dining rooms, plus O'Sheehans, so you can also check what is open if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the buffet.  For breakfast, consider Margaritaville.  It is free in the mornings and has a pared down selection from the main buffet, but is MUCH less crowded.

5 hours ago, nr_clark said:

*Good Shows to see? BAD Shows to avoid?

Choir of Man is the big one to see on the Escape, and now that it is in the main theater I believe it is free.  One thing I didn't know about before the cruise was that they have several free shows in the dinner theater; the on-board entertainers do shows in there that included a meal.  Worth checking out if the performer on genre is of interest to you!  

Howl at the Moon is a dueling piano show every other night, playing requests.  It alternates with the comedy show, which varies depending on who is onboard that week.  There will also be live music in several venues throughout the week; I'm sure by your cruise it will be different than what I saw, so I can't make any specific suggestions.

5 hours ago, nr_clark said:

*Huge discounts on spa treatments/passes during sea/port days?

I can't speak on treatments, but on our cruise weekly Spa passes sold out the first day and there were no additional daily passes offered.  From what I've read, that is pretty common.  If you want to try the Thermal Spa, a weekly pass is your most reliable option.

5 hours ago, nr_clark said:

*Good deals anywhere within walking distance at Bermuda?

Dockyard is nice, but you won't want to stay there the whole time.  The Fort and Shopping Area are close by.  There is also a beach area--it is nice enough if you need to stay close, but not up to the standards of Bermuda staples like Horseshoe Beach.

Two suggestions for the budget minded visitor:

1) Look into public transport.  Bermuda has a wonderful network of ferries and buses, and all day, all island passes are pretty affordable.  Price List

2) NCL offers a complimentary ferry to St. Georges, or at least they did last year.  I assume they will be running this year.  I've heard the lines can get pretty long for this though.

5 hours ago, nr_clark said:

maybe some seagulls (and fingers crossed for dolphins/whales, but I don't count on it)

Normally not too many seabirds on sea days, though on my last cruise I saw frigate birds daily.  Escape is the only cruise ship I've seen dolphins from; who knows, maybe its lucky!  If you do like wildlife, you may want to consider the Bermuda Zoo.  It is small and easy to see yet extremely nicely done.

Hope that helps!

29 minutes ago, h-sar said:

1 hour ago, SantaFeFan said:

No different than a week at a resort hotel. If one of the days it rains so hard you can't go out and enjoy exploring the area, does the hotel give you compensation? Nope. Same applies to cruise ships when the weather doesn't cooperate. 

 

Love this very easy to understand analogy! 

Except that when the weather's bad, the resort doesn't end up in Nassau ;).