Star Princess Blaze at Sea

[2Cruise4Ever]

And, people wonder why there are no irons or open flames permitted on board.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this terrible tragedy (right on the heels of the Chilean bus accident no less!)

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11975460/

[CRUZIN TOM]

My thoughts are, what happened to the sprinker system that is in every cabin? I was on that ship 3 years ago. Super nice ship. Prayers to all.:)

[johnjrval424]

This story was very upsetting. I hope that everyone was accounted for and are safe. The chilean bus accident was also a very tragic story. Gives me pause to think about my upcoming trip and choosing my excursions very carefully.

 

Our prayers are with the families of both vessels.

[johnjrval424]

This story was very upsetting. I hope that everyone was accounted for and are safe. The chilean bus accident was also a very tragic story. Gives me pause to think about my upcoming trip and choosing my excursions very carefully.

 

Our prayers are with the families of both vessels.

[shoreguy]

My thoughs first are for the family of the one passenger that died and those injured.

 

My second though was about all those that are upset they can't bring candles or Irons.

 

Here is an email from a passenger - Now this is a nightmare cruise.

 

From A Passenger on board Star Princess

 

A major fire broke out at 3 am last night. Our balcony was completely

engulfed in flames, it was a wall of fire. Steve and I have lost

everything but the clothes on our back. 120 cabins are completely

destroyed. We sat in our muster stations for 7 hours with no air and no

food. It took them 4 hours to finish roll call. I don't think I've ever

been so terrified. We're in Jamaica and have no idea what is going to

happen. Thankfully all were accounted for though there were injuries and

some heart attacks.

[greenie]

Those poor passengers ... they are in my prayers. That photograph still has me in goosebumps.

 

When I am cruising, I think about the candles that you KNOW at least a few pax have gotten onboard. And I think about people smoking in their cabins, especially at night after they've had a few. And throwing their butts overboard and having even just ONE lit butt land in the wrong place (ie, NOT the ocean). It is so scary.

 

 

I have no problems with smoking (I even do on occasion)--but I wonder if it would be a good thing to ban smoking in the cabins?

[mbisson]

Such a shame for those on board. I'm sure we all send our prayers

[Cobra1365]

...

When I am cruising, I think about the candles that you KNOW at least a few pax have gotten onboard. And I think about people smoking in their cabins, especially at night after they've had a few. And throwing their butts overboard and having even just ONE lit butt land in the wrong place (ie, NOT the ocean). It is so scary.

 

 

I have no problems with smoking (I even do on occasion)--but I wonder if it would be a good thing to ban smoking in the cabins?

 

I too am sadden by any loss of life.

But, and I will probably strike a nerve for many, I think smoking is a bigger concern than candles.

Niether have any place on a cruise ship. I just find it amazing that people here complain about irons and candles in rooms and then light up and lay in bed!:eek:

I think the industry needs to follow the same suit as the airlines...no smoking on board.

The airline industry did not institute that for the impact to other passengers...they instituted it for safety reasons.

Fire in a restricted environment like that clearly has devastating results.

I think if you did a study, you'd find way more fires are started from careless smokers than from somebody ironing a shirt before dinner!

 

 

OK flame away!

[soprano]

Looks like it was started by someone smoking on their balcony...

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060323/...uise_ship_fire

 

Any idea on where to write to NCL to encourage them to ban smoking on board?

[johnjrval424]

I too am sadden by any loss of life.

But, and I will probably strike a nerve for many, I think smoking is a bigger concern than candles.

Niether have any place on a cruise ship. I just find it amazing that people here complain about irons and candles in rooms and then light up and lay in bed!:eek:

I think the industry needs to follow the same suit as the airlines...no smoking on board.

The airline industry did not institute that for the impact to other passengers...they instituted it for safety reasons.

Fire in a restricted environment like that clearly has devastating results.

I think if you did a study, you'd find way more fires are started from careless smokers than from somebody ironing a shirt before dinner!

 

 

OK flame away!

 

I'm not going to flame you. However, I will begin by saying that I am a smoker, and a very responsible one at that. I don't smoke in bed and I don't smoke around non-smokers. I only smoke if it is permissible and in a designated area.

 

That having been said, there are many arguments that can be made regarding smoking versus alcohol versus illegal substances. From an objective point of view, smoking is much like that "cup of coffee following dessert" or that "cigar after dinner" for a smoker. It is a form of relaxation and simply a habit. Quite frankly, it is an addiction and habit, much like the other examples given above. I'm not excusing it by any means.

 

My point is that you have many risks and safety issues in any travel situation. You have the risk of someone becoming so inebriated that they fall overboard (this has been discussed at great length). You have the risk of someone spilling drinks, breaking glasses, dropping plates of food, etc. While none of these will cause the ship great harm, it can create a safety issue.

 

Likewise, you have an extremely large kitchen on board serving foods that are seared, flambe'd, with open flames, etc. An accident can easily occur under these circumstances.

 

Conversely, you have the passengers who just get a real kick out of smuggling something on board that is strictly prohibited: i.e, candles, irons, etc. While it may seem like a game of "can I get away with this," it can come back to haunt you and that applies to any item you attempt to smuggle illegally onboard.

 

I think it is premature to make assumptions as to the source of the fire at this time. I think we should wait until a formal report comes out and specifies the exact cause.

[Angelcreek]

:( What a sad time, not only for those passengers and their families who are enduring an unimaginably difficult situation in Jamaica right now, but for those in Chile as well who've lost their lives and the pain their families are experiencing.

 

Will be interesting to find out the cause of the fire......I can't believe the amount of damage sustained to the ship. Could something as simple as a candle or an iron do that much damage before someone could respond to put the fire out? If so, I guess it is a sad reminder to those of us who think that some rules and regulations that ships have are "ridiculous" or that by breaking them it wouldn't affect anyone else so "what does it hurt"?

 

I understand the odds of this happening are probably one in a million, if not more, but it's obvious now that these rules are in place for a reason. I will definitely be crossing a few things off my packing list (yes, I am guilty for considering bringing candles, etc. on board this May). The last thing I would want to happen is to be responsible for hurting someone else on board and if it means going without my candles or an iron for a week it isn't any kind of sacrifice when you put it into perspective.

[bh2359]

I'm not going to flame you. However, I will begin by saying that I am a smoker, and a very responsible one at that. I don't smoke in bed and I don't smoke around non-smokers. I only smoke if it is permissible and in a designated area.

 

That having been said, there are many arguments that can be made regarding smoking versus alcohol versus illegal substances. From an objective point of view, smoking is much like that "cup of coffee following dessert" or that "cigar after dinner" for a smoker. It is a form of relaxation and simply a habit. Quite frankly, it is an addiction and habit, much like the other examples given above. I'm not excusing it by any means.

 

My point is that you have many risks and safety issues in any travel situation. You have the risk of someone becoming so inebriated that they fall overboard (this has been discussed at great length). You have the risk of someone spilling drinks, breaking glasses, dropping plates of food, etc. While none of these will cause the ship great harm, it can create a safety issue.

 

Likewise, you have an extremely large kitchen on board serving foods that are seared, flambe'd, with open flames, etc. An accident can easily occur under these circumstances.

 

Conversely, you have the passengers who just get a real kick out of smuggling something on board that is strictly prohibited: i.e, candles, irons, etc. While it may seem like a game of "can I get away with this," it can come back to haunt you and that applies to any item you attempt to smuggle illegally onboard.

 

I think it is premature to make assumptions as to the source of the fire at this time. I think we should wait until a formal report comes out and specifies the exact cause.

 

 

What a well thought out and concise post. Thank you!

[logcabin]

OK, I'm going to start something here as well. Preliminary eye-witness reports are that the fire started on a balcony. Quickly spread from balcony to balcony. Was mostly on the outside of the ship on the balconies (which is why the sprinklers didn't go off soon enough as the fire was mostly outside). Possible cause, at this point, a cigerette from either a smoker on the balcony or someone who "flicked" their cigerette off the balcony and it landed on a balcony below.

 

Now, I can't tell you how many times on cruises I have seen smokers "flick" their cigerettes overboard. No matter how many signs there are, announcements, etc. Every cruise I have been on I have seen this. In the past, I have said nothing to these people. Rest assured, after seeing these horrific pictures of this ship, I will be "jumping all over" anyone I see flick a cigerette overboard. I urge everyone to do the same. I have seen instances where smokers were walking and the wind knocked lit ashes off the cigerette onto the deck. No matter how careful a smoker is on a ship, the danger is still there and is too great in my mind.

 

As far as I'm concerned, smoking should be banned on cruise ships. A lit cigerette is no less dangerous then a lit candle. And, candles are banned from cruise ships. Perhaps, at the very least designate one lounge for smoking only. All other areas smoking is banned.

 

Lastly, after seeing the pictures of this ship, reading the accounts over at the Princess boards, etc. the crew of that ship is to be commended for doing such a fine job of getting that fire put out so quickly and that there weren't more fatalities or injuries. It had to be some fire if it was hot enough to melt the balconies off the side of that ship. This could have been much more tragic. That crew did an amzing job.

 

I for one vote for a smoking ban on cruise ships.

[cccole]

This is sooooooo sad. I couldn't agree with you more about not making accusations until the final reports are here. I personally do not smoke and do not like to be around cigarette smoke but leave it up to everyone to make their own choices. When it is a safety hazard, like an iron and candles, I think individuals should be responsible for their conduct. It's easy to pay for 50 broken glasses if you've been drinking too much, but another life cannot be replaced. I have 3 teenagers and I tell them that if their actions hurt an animal, child, or adult there's nothing we can do to make it better for the victim or the family. We should all be thoughtful of those around us, whether smoking, drinking, or driving too fast.

 

I really hope that this fire was an electrical problem and not the result of a passenger being irresponsible. I can't even imagine the sadness of the passengers on this ship and their families.

[intrepid_guy]

If this fire was caused by someone flicking a cigarette off their balcony then that smoker should be held accountable NOT every smoker out there. Many of us are aware of the rules and observe them. I have seen people flick butts overboard on every cruise too. I think when you see someone do that, you should be able to throw them over right behind it.

 

Yes, cigarettes are a fire hazard but they should not be banned from ships... that is a bit much.

 

~Intrepid

[logcabin]

OK, maybe banning smoking on cruise ships is a bit much. However, I do like Intrepid Guys suggestion of just throwing them overboard instead.

[johnjrval424]

Perhaps, at the very least designate one lounge for smoking only. All other areas smoking is banned.

 

I believe this policy is already in place. At least, that's what I read on the NCL site.

[shoreguy]

I really hope that this fire was an electrical problem and not the result of a passenger being irresponsible. I can't even imagine the sadness of the passengers on this ship and their families.

 

I hope not - I would rather think it was the result of some idiot then a fundamental problem with the ship. Not the time and place to talk about banning smoking on ships. By the way they tried that on one ship and it failed.

 

What we should do is ban idiots from ships. The problem they are hard to spot until they say or do something really stupid like flip butts.

 

 

They can ban smoking and a lot of us will find another place to spend our money.

 

What a bad week for the cruise community and a lot of families. One of my co-workers is on her way to Chile - Lost her mother and her father is in a hospital - one of the survivors.

[TrinaLC]

Banning smoking would only exacerbate the risk - people are addicted to smoking, and banning it will make them hide the activity, not stop it (they can't).

 

Hiding the activity means smoking without the benefit of an ashtray. Means cupping the cigarette in the hand, perhaps dangerously close to an upholstered surface or curtain. Means IMO a greater rather than a lesseer risk of fire.

 

I'm with the poster who said ban all stupid people. Also, I'm sure that alcohol plays a far greater part in death and loss of property than ciggies.

 

PS I don't smoke, and I hate smoke.

[newmexicoNita]

I too am sadden by any loss of life.

But, and I will probably strike a nerve for many, I think smoking is a bigger concern than candles.

Niether have any place on a cruise ship. I just find it amazing that people here complain about irons and candles in rooms and then light up and lay in bed!:eek:

I think the industry needs to follow the same suit as the airlines...no smoking on board.

The airline industry did not institute that for the impact to other passengers...they instituted it for safety reasons.

Fire in a restricted environment like that clearly has devastating results.

I think if you did a study, you'd find way more fires are started from careless smokers than from somebody ironing a shirt before dinner!

 

 

OK flame away!

Candles are a big hazard, you certainly must realize that. Obviously you are one of the crusaders that hate smoking, I respect your view, but iliminating smoking on a flight or restaurant isn't the same as banning smoking on ships which sail for 7 days and often longer. The time will come when smoking will be something only done by a handful of people and ships as well as everywhere else may become non smoking, but that isn't going to happen in the next 5, 10 or even 20 years. Remember or maybe you don't know this: Carnival tried a non smoking ship: it didn't work, Vegas tried a non smoking casino: it didn't work. We aren't ready for this quite yet. BTW, many of us who complain about irons and candles do not smoke in bed: I don't know anyone who smokes in bed. There are smokers and there are careless smokers; this is true with everything. There are those of us who love our cocktails and there are those who drive and drink. Are we going to try and go back to prohibition? NMnita

[newmexicoNita]

Looks like it was started by someone smoking on their balcony...

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060323/...uise_ship_fire

 

Any idea on where to write to NCL to encourage them to ban smoking on board?

There is absolutely nothing except a crew member saying he thought it was caused by a person smoking on a balcony. Let's wait before we start speculating. It may very well have been caused by a person smoking on a balcony, but no one has any facts yet. NMnita

[judyf]

My prayers go out to the families touch by these terrible events.

[9cruisessofar]

What a horrible thing to happen! I am a former smoker and I never smoked in bed or in my room whenever we cruised. I think it was because we always had inside rooms (no windows or balcony). Also my husband was a non-smoker long before I was so it wasn't fair to him. If the fire was started by a cigarette there really isn't anything that could be done in the future about it because as someone else said you are not going to be able to keep people from smoking.

[newmexicoNita]

What a horrible thing to happen! I am a former smoker and I never smoked in bed or in my room whenever we cruised. I think it was because we always had inside rooms (no windows or balcony). Also my husband was a non-smoker long before I was so it wasn't fair to him. If the fire was started by a cigarette there really isn't anything that could be done in the future about it because as someone else said you are not going to be able to keep people from smoking.

My hubby quit way before me as well: I do smoke sometimes still so can not claim to be a totally non smoker, but as for smoking in our cabin or on the balcony: well in the cabin, the last time was about 10 years ago and it bothered me, so would never think of doing it again. I never in 50 years of smoking had a cigarette in bed but on the Sun April 15th I will probably smoke on the balcony a few times. Again, I am not much of a smoker so I won't be sitting out there all day and night. NMnita

[electricron]

It could have been an unattended cigarette, it could have been an unattended grass, it could have been an electric spark from an overloaded power strip, it could have been ANYTHING.

 

Flames outside a structure is normal when an inside fire breaks the glass in the windows, as that's where the fire can get oxygen. For a passenger to report a fire outside his balcony, that's not unusual.

 

But that doesn't mean that's where the fire started, or what started the fire.

 

We can assume it was a very "hot" fire that couldn't be extinguished by the sprinklers. That makes be believe it was more than likely started from an electrical fire.

 

To feed a "hot" fire, there had to be a lot of flammable material in the rooms. The SS United States, over 50 years ago, used many flame retardant materials in it's construction. It's a shame modern cruise ships don't! I have to wear flame retardant clothing at work, and it's really not more expensive than flammable materials. It's time cruise lines use more flame retardant materials when outfitting their ships than they do today.

 

The sprinkler system should have kept a fire to just one room. Obviously it didn't! Most likely, there was too much flammable material than what the sprinkler system could handle.....

 

The death I've read was from a heart attack. It could have been a coincidence. That man could have had his heart attack within days, anyways..........