Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Freedom delay: Searching for overboard monkey!!

DGP1111

By DGP1111,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

Recommended Posts

DGP1111

DGP1111

Posted
Posted

Yep, you read that right. I doubt I'll ever type that sentence again in my lifetime.

We left Grand Cayman on schedule, and almost immediately after getting some real engine power going, the captain did what he called "a maneuver". Sharp turn to the right to go back. Seems a passenger reported seeing something go overboard that looked like a person. Todd later came on and explained what was going on, since many were up on the Lido looking overboard. The story is that someone had a large stuffed monkey and it fell overboard, but since it wasn't found, everyone had to be accounted for. So before we can officially set sail on our way to Jamaica, everyone is required to go to the lobby and "doink" their S&S card.

Would probably go more quickly if the past guest party wasn't in progress, and the casino hadn't just opened (some seem reluctant to leave their table or machine). First seating of dinner is now underway, and Todd continues to ask that people head to the lobby. We had a large French group on this sailing, and I am surprised that no one has yet to make the request in their language.

Oh, well. . . . at least this cruise is offering something that I've not had before. Monkey search - Cool!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DGP1111

DGP1111

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ah, yes, the owner(s) of the monkey is known, and there will certainly be more posted about the later. :rolleyes:

Anyway. . . less than 10 minutes ago the last two passengers came to the lobby to check in. There was a combination of cheering as well as some choice words said. Wow, I'd hate to be them for the remainder of the cruise. :eek:

We'll be a bit late for arriving in Jamaica, and Todd said he'll keep us updated about just how long that might be. He said the captain and the engineers would do everything possible to get us there close to schedule.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tha sista

tha sista

Posted
Posted
Ah, yes, the owner(s) of the monkey is known, and there will certainly be more posted about the later. :rolleyes:

 

Anyway. . . less than 10 minutes ago the last two passengers came to the lobby to check in. There was a combination of cheering as well as some choice words said. Wow, I'd hate to be them for the remainder of the cruise. :eek:

 

We'll be a bit late for arriving in Jamaica, and Todd said he'll keep us updated about just how long that might be. He said the captain and the engineers would do everything possible to get us there close to schedule.

 

I certainly hope there are NO repurcusions on the owner of the monkey! Let people have a little fun! I think its hilarious! Sure wish I was a hound this week!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kiffrig

kiffrig

Posted
Posted

I, too, am on the FREEDOM....here is a run-down that I sent my family earlier tonight so they wouldn't worry about us. I will also try to attach a picture of the "loop" we started to do to conduct the search:

 

 

Here is what happened:

As I was typing an email to my family at home earlier this evening, I noticed something go flying by my window outside my room. For a split second, it actually DID look like a person, but then I realized it was a large inflatable MONKEY with a person’s t-shirt on it. It gave me a mini-heart-attack, at first, but as I realized what it was, I went on with my email and didn’t think anything of it. A few mins later, our ship made a HARD turn to the right. So much so, that things fell off the counter in our room and according to my hubby who was at the pool with my 5yr old, the water was literally pouring out of the pools and onto the LIDO deck and people were freaking out because we were tilted so hard to the side. We were clearly turning around and heading back towards Grand Cayman, which is where we had just left a short time earlier. I assumed maybe we had forgotten someone or that there was a medical emergency but didn’t even think about the “flying monkey” for a split second! It wasn’t until a few mins later when the cruise director came over the emergency system and mentioned that they had had reports of “a possible person overboard” that it dawned on me that it was most likely the monkey I had seen earlier. I told Tom (hubby) what I saw and we decided I needed to call the Pursor’s desk to report it. I called them immediately and thankfully, they said they had received other calls reporting the same thing, but we still had to conduct a full search effort to be sure it was not a person….totally makes sense. So, we started looping in a Figure-8 pattern and enlisted the help of a nearby cruise ship to assist. They also used a helicopter. They had all of us go to the lobby and “ding” in with our sail and sign cards to prove that we were all here, on board, and that took a few hours for the whole cruise ship to do. They also conducted a full crew search, as well. Thankfully, we were in the middle of getting ready for dinner when this all started to happen so we finished getting ready, went to the lobby, ding’d in with our cards, and headed to our dining room to eat dinner. During dinner, they made several announcements asking people to go to the lobby and check in if they hadn’t already and then they finally resorted to calling specific names to get the last 85 people to show up. They finally reported that everyone was on board and we were under way again, heading towards Jamaica. It took about 3+ hours to conduct a full search to confirm that everyone (passengers and crew) were on board and okay. They never said whether it was confirmed to be the monkey or not, or if they ever even found the monkey, but at least everyone on the ship was safe and sound.

I have no idea if you will hear anything of this on the news or see any headlines about it on the internet, but I wanted you all to be aware that WE ARE FINE and there is nothing to worry about. We are making up time tonight by going much faster (21 knots!) than usual and we will be in Jamaica in the morning.

P1040032.jpg.121c34961a773c0f9f042f6df4a2d96e.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kiffrig

kiffrig

Posted
Posted
DGP1111, look under thread ALMOST LIVE FROM THE FREEDOM NOV 30 2008

Than look at the pictures of Grand Cayman there is a picture of a blow up

monkey on someones balcony, how funny is that?

 

I actually saw the monkey on their balcony in Key West, as well, so that's how I was able to realize what it was so quickly when it went flying by my window earlier tonight! :p

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kaboochi

Kaboochi

Posted
Posted

As I posted earlier, thank goodness it was not a human being going overboard. With that said, I think that is one of the funniest stories - I can just imagine sitting on my balcony and seeing that thing fly by. Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore.

 

On a more adult level: My hat is off to the captain and crew for such a quick reaction to the situation. Whom ever threw it overboard was way out of line as it caused a panic and extra expense to the ship and any other boat involved in the search, not to mention island personnel involved. It was totally inappropriate.

 

I wish I could have seen it first hand because, even though it was wrong to do, I would have split a gut seeing a full size inflatable monkey wearing a tee shirt go flying by my cabin. Kaboochi

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tha sista

tha sista

Posted
Posted
As I posted earlier, thank goodness it was not a human being going overboard. With that said, I think that is one of the funniest stories - I can just imagine sitting on my balcony and seeing that thing fly by. Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore.

 

On a more adult level: My hat is off to the captain and crew for such a quick reaction to the situation. Whom ever threw it overboard was way out of line as it caused a panic and extra expense to the ship and any other boat involved in the search, not to mention island personnel involved. It was totally inappropriate.

 

I wish I could have seen it first hand because, even though it was wrong to do, I would have split a gut seeing a full size inflatable monkey wearing a tee shirt go flying by my cabin. Kaboochi

 

Perhaps it wasn't thrown off and was sitting on the balcony chair when caught by a draft of wind. A simple mistake. when everyone becomes perfect and only when should the judgements begin...:rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
wrp96

wrp96

Posted
Posted
Whom ever threw it overboard was way out of line as it caused a panic and extra expense to the ship and any other boat involved in the search, not to mention island personnel involved. It was totally inappropriate.

 

 

I'm guessing the people that put it out on the balcony didn't have it tied down and when the ship started moving, it flew off the balcony without any help from anyone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DGP1111

DGP1111

Posted
  • Author
Posted

1) I agree that the whole thing happened as an honest mistake. No one meant any harm. It was just some fun that took the wrong exit.

2) The fact some passengers didn't respond to the request (and later, demand) to go to the lobby to 'check-in' was not a mistake. That was ignorance. Those people in cabin 1450 will certainly not be getting a Christmas card from me this year. :mad:

3) Yep, we are currently haulin' butt to get to Jamaica on time. Every time I check the screen it's about 21 knots.

4) I'm gonna have fun in Jamaica, and finally get that @$%& coffee that the office wants me to bring back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bassclari

bassclari

Posted
Posted

Yemaya and I are on this cruise also. We have had an...interesting...vacation. The cruise has been wonderful! We have just had incredible runs of luck...bad luck...but our spirits are still great and are having a great time. More when we get home!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gaylensgigi

gaylensgigi

Posted
Posted
here we go...please pass me a beer and a box of popcorn! I am settling in...

 

Gotcha beer right here. Im glad Im not the only one who thinks its funny. And who is to say the monkey was thrown overboard.Stuff happens people, no one was hurt and they are probably mourning the demise of that monkey as we speak

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kaboochi

Kaboochi

Posted
Posted
Oh my gosh it was Julius! He has been on some cruises with me in the past. Actually he has been cruising for the past 5 years . It is a sad sad day!

 

He has made the threads before: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=621033&highlight=

 

RIP Julius.

OK, this is no longer funny. I now have seen a picture of the monkey enjoying his balcony and I know his name. I think Julius has been on more cruises than I have experienced. Hopefully when he went overboard he landed on the back of a dolphin and he is off to visit islands I can only dream of seeing.

 

To his cabin mates, I am sorry he blew away as I know he was a symbol of happy times. Happy Island Hopping, Kaboochi

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...