Posts Tagged ‘Cruise Ship’
Bellevue Chiropractor Recounts His “Vacation” On The Carnival Splendor
December 25, 2010
No electricity, toilets that did not work, and cold sandwiches’. Sounds more like a bad camping trip than a luxury cruise at sea to the Mexican Riviera. This was the fate that awaited Dr. Michael Weir, and his wife Angela as they boarded the Carnival Splendor last week. “We had been planning this trip for 9 months and were very excited to go on vacation with friends”, said Michael Weir, owner of Back in Action Chiropractic in Bellevue WA.
Sunday afternoon, Dr. Weir, his wife Angela and four other friends boarded the cruise ship not knowing what lay ahead for them as they went out to sea. “Sunday evening was great”, says Dr. Weir. “Great food, and wonderful entertainment. Exactly what you would expect from a cruise.” Six o’clock the next morning they were awoke from a loud rumble and a shaking of the ship. “At first I thought it was just heavy waves, but as soon as the captain came over the loud speaker telling us there was a mechanical problem I knew something big was happening.” The rumble ended up being the main engine of the ship catching fire and then catching all the electrical wiring on fire as well. The engine and electrical fires sent billows of smoke throughout the entire boat. “We had to leave our rooms almost immediately because of the amount of smoke that was flowing through the halls and cabins.”
Dr. Weir explained, “My main concern through the whole ordeal was the sanitation on the boat. Because of my public health courses in school I knew that a major concern in a disaster is the lack of public restrooms. When all of the toilets on the ship would not flush, I knew there could be a problem.” Eighteen hours after the power went down, the ship was able to regain function of the toilets, and just in time. “I truly felt that we were 3 to 4 hours from a sanitary disaster, if they could not get the toilets to flush.”As if that were not enough the toilets were not the only sanitary concern though. “The smell of garbage and rotting food was almost too much to bear. By Thursday they were even putting bags of garbage in the elevators to try and help disperse the smell.”
After months of preparation and closing his Bellevue chiropractic office, Back in Action Chiropractic, Dr. Weir maintains a positive outlook on the whole situation. “It was a big disappointment to close my office and not be available for my patients, only to have a week stranded at sea, but we made it home safe, and we get another cruise out of the deal.” Michael went on to say, “I was very impressed with how well the passengers on the boat responded to a bad situation. There could have been pandemonium, but every one stayed very positive. There were even nights that you would not have known that we were stranded at sea, people singing karaoke, dancing, and laughing.”
Dr. Weir and his family were extremely happy to be home, but maintain that they have no reservations about going on another cruise in the future. “We do not think poorly of Carnival at all. Quite the opposite, they went far out of their way to keep us safe and comfortable in a situation that no one could have expected.”
Michael Weir, D.C. is a Bellevue Chiropractor at Back in Action Chiropractic Center, in Bellevue, WA. He and his wife Angela reside on the Eastside.
What To Leave Out When Packing For A Holiday Cruise
December 22, 2010
Packing for a vacation may be stressful. However, taking a little time to plan in advance can help in making things go smoothly. There are several natural differences between taking cruise ship travel sand other types of travel. You need to consider this travel differences when you pack for a cruise.
There are things that you can take on an ordinary trip but you cannot take when you’ll go for cruise trip. One of these things that you shouldn’t take are your valuables and other expensive jewelries. Since there are many activities on the cruise ship that will make it difficult for you to trace your valuables hence it is better that you won’t take them with you. If you choose to take your valuables with you on the trip, you must make certain that you know how to keep properly.
Products of technology like gadgets, cell phones and cameras are probably things we can never live without and that is why we want to take them when we ride the cruise ship. Although it isn’t a bad idea, it would still be best to not take them especially if the cruise is not business or work related.
When you go for a cruise, the technique is to travel light. Many people commit the mistake of bringing a lot of things when travelling by plane because they have more room to place their stuff and they are also permitted to bring more. However, it is necessary to consider the fact that staterooms have small areas and you might also be sharing them with other people. The more people, the greater the chances of leaving belongings open and making them accessible for others. You also need to know where or whom to report incidents of stealing or lost items.
Cruise takes you to places where you can see a lot of sceneries and it would be very great if you take your high-end camera with you. However, before doing so, imagine first the possible scenarios in the ship such as it can get lost or damaged. When you take your camera with you, see to it that you are capable of taking care of it. To avoid misplacing your camera, you can tie a strap on it that allows you to carry it on your neck wherever you go.
The kind of money you bring with you on a cruise should also be considered. You can seek advice from travel agents regarding this. More people do not bring travel checks anymore and experts also disagree in taking credit cards and debit cards. One thing you can consider if you bring credit card is that you can disagree with the charges if the card is stolen, while you’re responsible for the charges with your debit card.
Luxury ship experience is not the same as other trips. You need to be smart in capturing the memories of the entire cruise. Before you go on a cruise, see to it that you have arranged everything up to minute details so as to avoid spoiling the trip.
Found this written piece practical? You may well want to read extra article content from this writer pertaining to the travel luggage and also carry on bags.
How Long Until Your Next Cruise Ship Vacation
May 1, 2010
When you think about preparing for your cruise vacation the most important things are not necessarily the perfect swimsuit and sandals. There are a few key steps you can take before your cruise vacation that will ensure you have a stress-free trip. First ensure you have a valid passport. Next pre-book your shore excursions and ship appointments online. Finally assess your available credit and get plenty of cash to make sure you aren’t caught short at sea. These small steps add up to peace of mind so you can really relax during your cruise vacation.
If your cruise vacation takes you outside the borders of the US you should renew or get a passport as soon as possible. The new rules require a valid passport to reenter the country from Mexico Canada and the Caribbean. If you’ve traveled a lot you want to make sure you have blank pages in your passport and check the expiration date. A perfect cruise vacation can be ruined if you find your passport expired during your trip.
Those who don’t yet have a passport should pay the extra money for faster processing in order to get it as soon as possible before your trip. Make a few copies of your passport before the trip. They will come in handy if yours is lost or stolen. It’s a great idea to put one in your suitcase and give one to your emergency contact back in the states.
As soon as you get your documents for your cruise vacation read through them carefully. You will find information about shore leave amenities on board ship and other things that make your trip the best it can be. Most cruise lines allow you to make these kinds of reservations online. While you could wait until you board your cruise ship to do this you’ll find yourself in a long line instead of lounging by the pool. You can step on board and begin enjoying yourself knowing that your spa appointment is not booked during dinner or a port.
A cruise vacation is a great way to celebrate a milestone such as a honeymoon birthday or anniversary. Check with your cruise line to see what kinds of special packages are available. You should check as soon as possible so that they have plenty of time to make arrangements. Those who wait until they are at sea to request twelve dozen orange roses will likely be disappointed.
One of the most important things you can take care of before your special cruise vacation is to assess the amount of credit you have access to. Whether you must pay down your balance move money around or simply open another card you need to know as soon as possible. Upon check in expect that your cruise line will place a hold on your credit card to cover incidentals during your stay. You can expect a hold ranging anywhere from $50-200 per day.
A quick call will confirm your cruise line’s policy. If your trip itinerary includes a stay at a hotel or car rental there will be multiple holds on your cards during your vacation. It may take several days until all these holds are adjusted to reflect your actual expenses. This could mean that your card is declined in the interim an embarrassment you want to avoid during your trip.
You’ll want to make sure you bring some cash on your cruise vacation as well. Your credit card will get a good workout but there are times when you’ll need cash. Traveler’s checks are not taken as often as they used to because of the high rate of fraud. Most ships have ATMs but you can count on a high fee and they have been known to run empty. You’ll be very glad you have some hard cash to make purchases from street vendors and smaller merchants on shore. Also cash tips are a great way to recognize all the great service from your cruise ship staff. Packing some cash is an easy way to avoid inconvenience on your dream vacation.
Even a chaotic person can get organized for a cruise vacation. Just a little bit of preparation can ensure that you arrive at your ship prepared to delight in every minute of your cruise vacation. Make sure your passport is current reserve your shore excursions and spa appointments ahead of time and assess your credit and cash needs. These are small steps that will help make sure you are able to relax and truly enjoy your cruise vacation. Make sure you pack your sandals and swimsuit!
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