cruiseblogjohnpond.com – Cruise, Travel & Lifestyle

Costa Toll May Never be Known.

Ralph Grizzle in Sydney.

To my many BLOG FOLLOWERS, in order to simplify my BLOG ADDRESS.  My NEW BLOG address is

johnpondworld.com

It’s easier to remember and if you are one of my many followers, I sincerely hope you will access my new site and

CLICK ON TO FOLLOW BLOG BY EMAIL

in the right hand column, to continue reading my daily blogs.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

John Pond

johnpondworld.com

johnpondworld.com

johnpondworld.com

Silversea Rewards Solo Travellers. Solo cruisers can now experience the luxury of Silversea without paying a hefty single supplement.  Their single rates on select sailings are among the most generous at sea at only 5% – 25% over the double occupancy fare.  An exclusive champagne reception allows passengers to mingle with fellow travellers and there are even gentlemen hosts escort some departures.  OK, that looks after single ladies, what about the single men?

Lets face it, there are usually more single ladies onboard most sailings, so guys, one will never be short of a dance partner. My wonderful wife Sandra has always said, if anything happens to her, I should get a job as a dancing hosts onboard a luxury liner.

I believe 2012 will see some great single supplement offers across the board, due to recent events.  So start thinking about where you want to take your next cruise.

In this writers opinion, 5 star ships offer incredible value.  Many include tips, beverages and onboard credits. Many offer no cost shore excursions.  Add to this superior dining options, usually at no additional cost and you have really great value packages.  John Pond.

When ultra-luxury Silver Shadow berths at the Overseas Passenger Terminal Circular Quay on Friday morning she will be gearing up for a major lunchtime fashion launch onboard of the Kiargo Swimwear Collection.

The launch is aimed at fashion media (not cruise media) and the ship’s guests onboard. The 2012 Kiargo Swimwear catalogue was shot aboard Silversea’s flagship Silver Spirit.

The swimwear collection is designed by Australian Jessica Holmes for “real women” who enjoy cruising and travelling. The swimsuits will reflect a strong nautical influence, with everything from itsy bitsy bikinis, to the Kiargo Retro look.

Silversea sails for Auckland on this Friday evening with an almost totally full ship and returns on 12 February, as part of a 19 day Auckland to Fremantle cruise to end her annual summer South Pacific sojourn.

Silver Shadow will be positioned again in Australian waters from December this year to February next year.

JP: Now I am not sure what “real women” means, perhaps there will be no men in the parade? Or does it mean “larger women”, not quite sure? Anyhow the model and swimsuit look very good.  John Pond.

Silversea Cruises is recognised as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and the new Silver Spirit.

The Captain of the Costa Concordia allegedly told an investigating judge that he was assisting passengers but they were “pouring on to the decks” and “taking lifeboats by assault”.

“I didn’t even have a life jacket because I had given it to one of the passengers,” he is said to have explained to investigators.

“I was trying to get people to get into the boats in an orderly fashion.

“Suddenly, since the ship was at a 60 to 70 degree angle, I tripped and I ended up in one of the boats. That’s how I found myself there.

“Suspended there, I was unable to lower the boat into the sea, because the space was blocked by other boats in the water.”

This statement is due to go down in history, along with “the cheque is in the mail”   John Pond.

Costa Disaster Avoidable by John Pond, Reports concerning Costa Concordia, owned by Carnival Corporation USA, lying on its side about 250 metres from the Italian island of Giglio, keep pouring in.  The gaping 70 -100 metre hole in its hull, still with a torn off rock in the middle of the gash, beggars belief. Reports of six dead and two dozen missing, where will it end?  Although one must not jump to quick conclusions, the Captain is under arrest and the First Officer is being questioned by Police.

It appears human error is the culprit with some reports indicating that the Captain was “showing off” to friends on shore.

With several officers on the bridge and the latest state of the art equipment, how could this happen? Some reports indicate the Captain was “showing off”.

Some of the frightening aspects of this disaster are that it appears no lifeboat drills were carried out before leaving port.  Apparently no, or little, direction from crew relating to evacuation proceedings was given.  To me, one of the most glaring errors in shipboard design, was that electronic keycards did not work in the doors leading to individual cabins when the power went off.  Passengers were locked out of and locked in cabins.

The only positive is that there will surely be a complete rethink on ships’ safety procedures.  Fortunately the ship was less than 300 metres away from the shore, otherwise, I believe, the death toll would have been much higher.

One troubling report suggests that there was no distress call made from the ship.  It has also been reported that the $600 million ship will be a complete write off, although it has been reported that the shipping company are investigating ways to refloat.

Lifeboat and evacuation drills must be carried out before ships leave port in all cases.  Currently the death toll stands at 11 with up to 24 still missing. 

Today’s ships are filled with the latest state of the art electronic gear to detect obstacles, yet two passenger ships have hit obstacles (reefs/rocks) this month,  with the latest ship, Costa Concordia, suffering several dead, due mainly to panic.  The Captain of the Costa Concordia has been arrested.  It is not clear whether he was at the helm at the time of the accident.  Many of the passengers have not been as yet accounted for.

HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?

I sail often and safety has never been a concern to me, up to now.  I have observed on some ships that some of their crew have a cavalier attitude to safety drill.  Many ships do not carry out lifeboat drill until ships are well at sea.  This must change.  In all cases this drill must be performed before leaving port.  Panic is the cause of many fatalities.  The demeanor of the crew is paramount.

Now, after these two recent events,  people may treat drills seriously, crew and passengers alike.  Cruising is possibly the safest mode of transport, but there is always room for improvement.  On longer cruises, I feel there should be at least two safety drills for passengers to reinforce what to do in case of emergencies.

Have all the new ships which have been launched recently, meant a drop in crew and officer quality?  I hope not.

The Langham, Melbourne Offers Hotel Smart Technology for Tech-Savvy Travellers.  This elegant hotel – has unveiled a collection of smart in-room technology, befitting the demands of today’s digitally-savvy traveller. These include:   iPads - Complimentary and available on loan from  Concierge.  Available all rooms; internet access fee applies; subject to availability

Media Hub -Notebooks and laptops can be easily connected to the Media Hub – an aesthetically-slick solution for guests wanting to view documents, photos and movies on The Langham, Melbourne’s wide-screen LCD TVs. Through the Media Hub, guests can also play music on their iPods or mobile phones through Bluetooth connectivity, filling their guest room (bathroom included) with their own personal music collection.  Available in the hotel’s Grand Classic, Grand River, Club Terrace and Club Spa Suite

Internet over TV -Redefining guests’ internet experiences while travelling, The Langham, Melbourne takes internet access and places it on their in-room wide-screen LCD TVs. Here, guests can stay in touch via Facebook and twitter, browse their favourite internet sites and more.  Available in all rooms as a paid service.

 Club Spa Suite - fitted with a 46″ LCD TV, Blu-Ray player and sound system.  Available in Club Spa Suites.  WiFi and Wired Internet can be accessed via guests anywhere in the hotel at just one charge, and the elegant rooms also contain a digital IPTV System that grants access to a range of channels (including Pay TV & HD movie channels). The Langham, Melbourne’s iHome Dual Alarm Clock Radio is the finishing touch, combining a modern alarm clock with an iPod dock.  www.melbourne.langhamhotels.com.au      J.P. I believe internet should be free to all guests as it is in many overseas hotels. If Macdonalds can do it ?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises named as Condé Nast Traveler’s  2012 Gold List Superstar and Platinum Circle Member

Award-winning boutique river cruise brand, Uniworld, have been included in the internationally renowned premium travel publication,Condé Nast Traveler’s, prestigious 2012 Gold List winners for the world’s finest hotels, resorts, and cruise lines.  Uniworld Boutique River Cruises said it was thrilled that it was once again included in the “World’s Top 12 Cruise Lines” category. 

Published in America alongside the prestigious brands of Vogue, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, Condé Nast Traveler is synonymous with luxury travel and is recognised as one of the leading publications in its field, thus making this accolade a true standout achievement for Uniworld.

This year, as a way to mark 25 years of Condé Nast Traveler, the magazine celebrated the “superstars” of the Gold List in their Platinum Circle honour, which includes Uniworld, who has made the Gold List every year for the past five year’s running. Earlier this year, Uniworld was also rated as the world’s number one “Best River Cruise Line” in Condé Nast Traveler’sprestigious 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Commenting on yet another accolade for the brand, Uniworld’s General Manager Australia, John Molinaro (pictured)  said: “We are extremely honoured that Uniworld has again been recognisedin Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List.”

The significance of being included as a Platinum Circle member reaffirms Uniworld’s commitment to consistently delivering the best river cruise experience possible to our guests. We are also very proud to be included in a roll-call of well-respected cruise lines such as Crystal, Silversea and Seabourn,” added Molinaro.

Having cruised on Uniworld in Europe, I wholeheartedly agree with the award, J.P. 

A sure way to upset fellow passengers on a cruise is to tell them how much you paid for your cruise ticket.  Last minute offers are occasionally available for around $100 a day.  Your fellow passengers may have paid more than double that.

I know how hard it is to keep your bargain a secret… BUT TRY.