Here are four photos (with captions) designed to give a little behind-the-scenes look at “the day at sea” and the ship itself. By the way, it’s fun for me to read people’s comments. Some say I make it look horrible and others worry that I’m “pro-cruising.” I’m actually neither pro- nor anti-cruising, any more than I’m pro- or anti-eating Thai food. Cruising is just an option that works really well for a lot of people, and I’m learning about it. With this series of entries, I’m just doing my best to keep an open mind, not be “elitist” as an independent traveler, share what I learn, and have some fun.
By the way, I started this month of cruising weighing in at 212 pounds. On my last cruise blog — in a couple weeks or so — I’ll be reporting on my embarkation weight. We’ll be having a contest to see if anyone can guess how much I’ve gained…or lost.
Because there are so few ports where cruises can start or finish, there are almost always days at sea. At least that seems logical as ships have to travel in long hops to make the various itineraries work from Barcelona, Rome, Venice, or Istanbul. While it's hard for me to relax on the ship when we're in port, I love a day at sea. But even relaxing on the ship is not always easy; there are always people to meet, people to avoid, things to eat, and more than enough entertainment scheduled. In fact, an important skill for cruising is to pace yourself and not try to do everything. But when I'm at sea, the sunset is one event high on my list... It seems the most romantic sunset spots are on the Mediterranean. This shot is from the Greek island of Santorini. Where was your favorite sunset?
Cruise lines know which passengers are the frequent cruisers, the big shoppers, and the big gamblers. These get a special status that includes "face time with the stripes." There's something about the culture and clientele on a cruise ship that gets a thrill out of socializing with the officers. While there are literally half as many crew members as there are passengers, the officers — people with stripes on their jackets — are a special elite. And it seems a big part of their work is to hobnob with the VIP passengers. Here, the captain is hosting a special wine and dance get-together in a room that was far more elegant than the snacks. Does it seem I'm pro-cruising? Selling out? What do you think?
I took every chance possible to get behind the scenes. The ship is an amazing machine — a nearly billion-dollar investment, it seems impressively computerized and automated. I listened to the crew explain how the heat of the engines distills 100 cubic meters of salt water into fresh water every hour, and how the newfangled Azipods (with 18-foot-wide propellers turning a hundred times a minute) propel the ship without a standard shaft. Feeling 100,000 horsepower engines pound my earplugs further into my head as we stepped through sliding, watertight metal doors, I climbed the steep ladders that led into the vast engine rooms with a real respect for the working of this floating city.
In the engine room, as on the bridge, computer screens show views of all four directions from the ship at once. The captain can see everywhere at all times. The main propellers can pivot 360 degrees, and there are three tunnels bored across the hull in the bow with a propeller in each — giving the pilot an ability to thrust the bow right or left. And, when necessary, the ship can be "at anchor" without dropping the hook but by locking in its GPS coordinates. When activated, this system can keep the ship stationary — moving less than 10 meters in any direction.
Comments
11 Replies to “The Day at Sea”
Rick,
I am loving your blogs about cruising. My husband and I are definitely “pro cruising” and will soon set out from Barcelona on a transatlantic. What fun!
My hubby is so jealous that you got to see the Engine Room (which we understand is a rare treat in the post-911 world). I guess they know WHO you are :) Bridge tours are not unusual, but an engine room tour…..wow…… hubby would jump at that opportunity. He’s an engineer at heart and loves to see how it all works. (Maybe he could tag along as your assistant on your next cruise…LOL.)
We really want to encourage you to also try cruising on a small ship (think Silversea or Regent Seven Seas), as you will have a whole different look at cruising. It is sooooo very different on a 200+ passenger ship than a 4,000 passenger ship. Sort of the difference between a 50+ person bus tour and a small ETBT guided tour.
We’ve done both, and we definitely prefer small. Also not the nickel/dime factor on the small ships.
Safe travels!!
Rick – As one who often disagrees with your more political posts, I applaud your open-mindedness in checking out cruise vacations for yourself! I think you’re presenting a very balanced view. I suspect that you are of the same opinion as I about cruising (again, really neither pro- or anti-); it’s fun once or twice, but not my preferred mode of travel. I’ve been on two cruises (Caribbean and Mexico), and they were both very enjoyable, but there’s still a bit too much regimentation with time in port, meals, activities, etc. that feels more to me like a work schedule than a vacation.
Before they were unable to travel even on a cruise ship due to advancing age, my senior citizen parents were able to take 5 or 6 cruises, and loved it. Without the cruise option, they simply would not have been able to experience Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, etc., especially at the relatively reasonable pricing that cruises offer. It’s wonderful this option exists!
I’m also totally with you on experiencing the “mechanicals” of the ship – the little boy in me just loves the big machinery of it all. Living in Southern California I’m very close to the Queen Mary, and touristy as it is, every once in a while I love to check out that big ship, see the boilers, propeller, bridge, etc. Fires the imagination!
And my favorite sunset? Well, I’m biased but blessed to live in Surf City, Huntington Beach, California, so the sun going behind Catalina Island seen from the pier with the palms and the breeze is just unbeatable for me!
Sellout? No way – I think you’re doing your job, and doing it with your characteristic excellence: experiencing travel in its many forms for yourself and offering informed advice and opinions.
Cruising in Europe is not for me as I want to spend as much time on the ground as possible but if it works for some people, that’s fine. I understand why you’re bringing out your new cruise book and why you want to try out a cruise or two. Just seems disconcerting to see you on a cruise ship, especially the Las Vegas-y ship you were on. It’s not the way we are used to seeing you travel. Hope you’re enjoying yourself.
I second Jon’s post.
Rick — I am so impressed by your non-judgemental attitude towards cruising! You’re embodying the wise advice someone once gave me, “If something isn’t to your liking, change your liking.”
I also think it’s great that, in light of publishing your cruise ports guidebook, you got out and took a couple of cruises on your own. I appreciate that you continue to be so hands-on with your business.
By the way, I’m taking a Mediterranean cruise in May (Rome to Lisbon) on Seabourn. Hope to run into you!
Steve,
I would like to think that I gave you this idea to do something for Cruising. It was too hard to fit your land itinerary into the short time of a cruise. I’m glad you did the book.
Happy travels,
Joe from Philly
There’s a place for every type of travel. I am a lover of independent travel, but found that it’s a nice change of pace to cruise. Granted, one is only in a port a day (two tops), but you get a taste and then can decide if you’d like to revisit for longer another time. I do feel that when you’re healthy and able, independent or even tours, give you the chance to experience deeper connections to a place. With cruising, you need to be close to water… I did a Baltic cruise and was aghast that people were willing to spend their one day in port on a 3-hour each way train to Berlin for a mere few hours before they had to blast back to the ship. That’s not my idea of enjoying a city, but for some it may be their only opportunity. Thanks, Rick, for showing other modes of travels. The book of Mediterranean ports will be a big hit.
Sly Stone said it best: “different strokes for different folks..”
Rick, I do not feel you are selling out. You are providing solid information for your readers to choose from when it comes to traveling options. Further, you appear to be doing your homework so the information you are providing is as factual and useful as your other travel info. Loved speaking with via phone last Christmas for your radio segment: traveling abroad during the holidays. Dale, Michigan
Love your blog Rick. I’m happy to see that you are trying cruising. It does not seem to me that you are neither pro or con cruising, but just relating your experiences as yor see them. Being an avid cruiser, we enjoy cruisung all over, & without it we never wolud have experienced Europe (with the help from your guide books). When it comes to Europe in particular, cruisng affords a way to taste different countries, with an eye to returnig to the cutures that most interest you.
It’s great to see cruising through the eyes of an experienced traveler viweing places from a new perspective. Bravo!!!
Rick,
I am loving your blogs about cruising. My husband and I are definitely “pro cruising” and will soon set out from Barcelona on a transatlantic. What fun!
My hubby is so jealous that you got to see the Engine Room (which we understand is a rare treat in the post-911 world). I guess they know WHO you are :) Bridge tours are not unusual, but an engine room tour…..wow…… hubby would jump at that opportunity. He’s an engineer at heart and loves to see how it all works. (Maybe he could tag along as your assistant on your next cruise…LOL.)
We really want to encourage you to also try cruising on a small ship (think Silversea or Regent Seven Seas), as you will have a whole different look at cruising. It is sooooo very different on a 200+ passenger ship than a 4,000 passenger ship. Sort of the difference between a 50+ person bus tour and a small ETBT guided tour.
We’ve done both, and we definitely prefer small. Also not the nickel/dime factor on the small ships.
Safe travels!!
Rick – As one who often disagrees with your more political posts, I applaud your open-mindedness in checking out cruise vacations for yourself! I think you’re presenting a very balanced view. I suspect that you are of the same opinion as I about cruising (again, really neither pro- or anti-); it’s fun once or twice, but not my preferred mode of travel. I’ve been on two cruises (Caribbean and Mexico), and they were both very enjoyable, but there’s still a bit too much regimentation with time in port, meals, activities, etc. that feels more to me like a work schedule than a vacation.
Before they were unable to travel even on a cruise ship due to advancing age, my senior citizen parents were able to take 5 or 6 cruises, and loved it. Without the cruise option, they simply would not have been able to experience Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, etc., especially at the relatively reasonable pricing that cruises offer. It’s wonderful this option exists!
I’m also totally with you on experiencing the “mechanicals” of the ship – the little boy in me just loves the big machinery of it all. Living in Southern California I’m very close to the Queen Mary, and touristy as it is, every once in a while I love to check out that big ship, see the boilers, propeller, bridge, etc. Fires the imagination!
And my favorite sunset? Well, I’m biased but blessed to live in Surf City, Huntington Beach, California, so the sun going behind Catalina Island seen from the pier with the palms and the breeze is just unbeatable for me!
Sellout? No way – I think you’re doing your job, and doing it with your characteristic excellence: experiencing travel in its many forms for yourself and offering informed advice and opinions.
Cruising in Europe is not for me as I want to spend as much time on the ground as possible but if it works for some people, that’s fine. I understand why you’re bringing out your new cruise book and why you want to try out a cruise or two. Just seems disconcerting to see you on a cruise ship, especially the Las Vegas-y ship you were on. It’s not the way we are used to seeing you travel. Hope you’re enjoying yourself.
I second Jon’s post.
Rick — I am so impressed by your non-judgemental attitude towards cruising! You’re embodying the wise advice someone once gave me, “If something isn’t to your liking, change your liking.”
I also think it’s great that, in light of publishing your cruise ports guidebook, you got out and took a couple of cruises on your own. I appreciate that you continue to be so hands-on with your business.
By the way, I’m taking a Mediterranean cruise in May (Rome to Lisbon) on Seabourn. Hope to run into you!
Steve,
I would like to think that I gave you this idea to do something for Cruising. It was too hard to fit your land itinerary into the short time of a cruise. I’m glad you did the book.
Happy travels,
Joe from Philly
There’s a place for every type of travel. I am a lover of independent travel, but found that it’s a nice change of pace to cruise. Granted, one is only in a port a day (two tops), but you get a taste and then can decide if you’d like to revisit for longer another time. I do feel that when you’re healthy and able, independent or even tours, give you the chance to experience deeper connections to a place. With cruising, you need to be close to water… I did a Baltic cruise and was aghast that people were willing to spend their one day in port on a 3-hour each way train to Berlin for a mere few hours before they had to blast back to the ship. That’s not my idea of enjoying a city, but for some it may be their only opportunity. Thanks, Rick, for showing other modes of travels. The book of Mediterranean ports will be a big hit.
Sly Stone said it best: “different strokes for different folks..”
Rick, I do not feel you are selling out. You are providing solid information for your readers to choose from when it comes to traveling options. Further, you appear to be doing your homework so the information you are providing is as factual and useful as your other travel info. Loved speaking with via phone last Christmas for your radio segment: traveling abroad during the holidays. Dale, Michigan
Love your blog Rick. I’m happy to see that you are trying cruising. It does not seem to me that you are neither pro or con cruising, but just relating your experiences as yor see them. Being an avid cruiser, we enjoy cruisung all over, & without it we never wolud have experienced Europe (with the help from your guide books). When it comes to Europe in particular, cruisng affords a way to taste different countries, with an eye to returnig to the cutures that most interest you.
It’s great to see cruising through the eyes of an experienced traveler viweing places from a new perspective. Bravo!!!