Scarlet Lady, the first vessel of the young Virgin Voyages cruise line, has rescued a small group of refugees from a makeshift raft north of Cuba, according to reports from passengers on board.
The cruise ship spotted the vessel in distress, took its occupants onboard, and has reported the incident to the proper authorities.
Scarlet Lady Rescue
The ship, which was enjoying a day at sea, spotted the small, unsteady craft north of Cuba. The refugees appeared to be aboard a makeshift raft built from water barrels and inner tubes, with a blue plastic tarp or similar plastic sheet for a sail.
Eight individuals were aboard the raft, and while their condition was not known, the raft was obviously not seaworthy for the Straits of Florida, the occasionally rough waters between Cuba and the Florida Keys.
You can watch a video fo the rescue below and listen to the announcement from the ship’s captain:
The refugees were brought aboard the cruise ship with what belongings they could carry, though photos and video show that some materials remained aboard the raft. The small craft was left adrift after it was abandoned.
The incident occurred just before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
After the rescue, tracking data showed Scarlet Lady turning north toward Key West, where it is likely the refugees will be turned over to the United States Coast Guard, the authorities overseeing such rescues.
Photo Credit: Alex Kalogeropoulos
A Coast Guard cutter is most likely dispatched to transfer the refugees, though the cruise ship will adjust its course slightly to meet the authorities more efficiently.
The 110,000-gross-ton cruise ship is currently sailing a 5-night Riviera Maya itinerary, having left Miami on Sunday, September 11. Monday was a day at sea, and the ship visited Cozumel, Mexico on Tuesday. Today was another day at sea.
After releasing the refugees to the proper authorities, Scarlet Lady will resume her voyage, with a planned visit to Bimini in The Bahamas on Thursday before returning back to Miami on Friday, September 16.
Because cruise ships normally use slower, more fuel efficient speeds during sea days, it is unlikely there will be any delay in Scarlet Lady‘s remaining itinerary for this cruise. The ship will simply adjust speed to compensate for the diversion in order to arrive in Bimini as scheduled at 8 a.m.
Scarlet Lady can host as many as 2,770 guests, with 1,160 crew members to provide superior service aboard the luxury vessel. The ship is currently offering 4-5 night itineraries roundtrip from Miami, exploring a variety of Caribbean ports of call.
In October 2021, the vessel came to the rescue of eight migrants 75 miles southwest of Key West, Florida. The ship’s crew helped the migrants onboard after they had been stranded at sea for six days.
Photo Credit: Eric Gilbert Creative / Shutterstock
The young cruise line only has two vessels currently sailing – Scarlet Lady launched in October 2021 after multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and industry-wide cruise travel shutdown.
Despite the lengthy delays, however, the ship has received wide acclaim for its luxury experiences and adults-only atmosphere, which sets it apart in the cruise industry.
Scarlet Lady was joined by her sister ship, Valiant Lady, in February 2022, and a third vessel for the fleet, to be named Resilient Lady, is scheduled to debut in May 2023, later than initially planned due to supply chain shortages that have impacted her construction timeline.
The fourth ship in the fleet, Brilliant Lady, is also scheduled to debut later in 2023. There has been no announcement about whether this vessel will also be delayed as her sister ships have been.
Without a power source and propellers, cruise ships would drift aimlessly at sea. These mega-ships require engines, fuel, and massive propellers just to move through the water and keep all activities on board the ship running. We describe not only the cruise ship propeller size, but also how it integrates with the rest of the engine.
Older cruise ships use diesel engines for propulsion. The power generated from the engine goes through a transmission and into the propeller shafts.
The transmission determines propeller revolution like the transmission in an engine transfers RPM to a manageable speed to power the rear wheels in a car.
Meanwhile, modern cruise ships use diesel-electric engines or gas turbines to propel the ship through water. The ship’s systems are also used to guide and move the ship through the ocean.
The larger the ship, the higher the demand for electrical power. There are cruise ships that rely on two different sources of power. One is dedicated to electrical power, while the other is for propulsion.
Propellers can be up to 20 feet in height. Often referred to as ABB Azipods XO, modern cruise ships tend to have three of them to properly maneuver the ship and propel it forward in water. They are efficient on fuel compared to a traditional system.
As mentioned, they allow for improved maneuverability, allow the ship to maximize speed, reduce bad emissions, and optimize the overall performance of the cruise ship.
An ABB Azipod system has a large impact on the operating efficiency of a cruise ship. It effectively reduces bad emissions and energy consumption by 20%. This propulsion system resides in the ship’s aft outside of the hull. They can rotate by 360° using a rudder, which provides thrust in any direction. This is not possible with a conventional system.
This type of propeller contains three main components:
Frequency Controller – This is designed to change the supplied power’s frequency, so the rotating motor speed is more easily controlled.
Supply Transformer – The power, which is produced by a generator, is 6,600 KV. This is stepped down to the required voltage used by a supply transformer. Then, it is transferred to the motor located in the pod.
Propulsion Motor – Designed to drive or produce thrust, its rotation is generated using an electric motor.
How Do Propellers Work?
Propellers are required to push a cruise ship through water. Commonly referred to as “screws,” they slice through the water. They also provide a reverse and forward motion. Cruise ship propellers do not need to turn quickly since they rely on brute power or torque instead of high speeds or RPM. This is what causes a ship to move slowly, as these vessels rarely reach 30 knots.
Large Propeller
Cruise ships that are newer and more cutting edge may use azimuth thrusters. These are pods housing propellers, which rotate 360° and provide optimal maneuverability. They were designed to replace rudders and are touted as more beneficial compared to screw-type propeller systems. Benefits include improved fuel efficiency and shorter stopping distance.
These types of propellers allow cruise ships to turn quickly in water when necessary to avoid collisions, which is why more vessels are being equipped with this technology.
How Do Azipods Work Compared to Traditional Propulsion Systems?
The term “Azipod” combines the words “azimuthing” and “pod.” The phrase “Azipod” is a registered trademark of ABB Oy. They work by having the propeller located on the front of its pod. This allows the cruise ship to be pulled through the water rather than being pushed as in a traditional shaft and propeller system.
With a traditional system, its propeller is rotating in water that has been disturbed by the moving of the propeller shaft, brackets, and framing. With the pod system where the propeller is found in the front of its pod, it is turning in water that has been undisturbed. This allows the pod to be 5%-6% more efficient due to improved water flow.
Cruise Ship Azipod
Traditional systems are noisier when maneuvering due to the cavitations of its propellers. This doesn’t occur with pods since they are tractor pods. Tractor pods comparatively pull a ship through surrounding water. Clean, smooth water moves into the blades, thereby decreasing noise.
Pod systems free up additional space in the hull. Traditional systems meant the motors and propeller shafts had to be placed in the hull. Modern cruise ships not containing pods require stern thrusters to maneuver the cruise ship while undocking and docking.
On the other hand, pod systems use the equivalent of a drive motor and propeller shaft, which are found in the pod as opposed to the hull. There is also no need to use stern thrusters.
Many cruise ships contain two pods. Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas contain three pods. Several may be designed using a combination of azimuthing pods and pods which don’t rotate (fixipods) for forward/backward motion.
What Is Propeller Cavitation?
This is the formation and dissolving of vapor bubbles (vapor filled voids) found in liquid mediums. Since the propeller rotates through water at an angle, a suction and pressure side exist on each of the propeller blades. The faster a blade slices through water, the lower the pressure becomes with the suction side.
At a certain speed, the pressure found on the suction side will become so decreased that water running over it will evaporate. When this occurs, voids or vapor bubbles form. It occurs at a normal air pressure (1013.24 hPa) with the water evaporating at 100°C. At higher pressures, evaporation temperature also increases. The opposite happens at lower pressures.
Photo Credit: El Greco 1973 / Shutterstock
When local pressure goes down below vapor pressure, the water will evaporate. Then, a cavitation bubble forms, becomes bigger, and is transported by flowing to an area with higher pressure. The bubble then ceases to grow any further. When local pressure exceeds vapor pressure, the vapor will condense, beginning from the bubble’s wall.
Eventually, the surface breaks down, beginning with the weakest location, thereby causing the bubble to implode. While it is imploding, water fills the space where the void is, causing a pressure surge. This creates pressure waves along with high-pressure peaks.
Should the vapor bubbles be close to or directly on a solid wall surface like the blade of a propeller, the implosion generates a liquid microjet exerting high stress on the surface. This sudden energy release creates pressure loads found on the surface, generating crate-shaped erosion of material in a propeller blade.
The bubble layer pack on a surface of a blade will also make them thicker, thereby increasing resistance moving through water. This impacts the propeller’s performance. Cavitation also generates vibrations and popping noises. This, in turn, affects guests and ships.
What Causes Cavitation?
The primary cause of cavitation is an unevenness in the blade’s leading edge, too much sharpness of the edge, increased curvature of the propeller blade, or poor finishing of the surface of the blade.
Effects of Cavitation on a Cruise Ship’s Propellers
The effects on the propellers are:
Noise
Vibration
Eroding of the blades
Decreased performance
Noise
As cavities collapse, they generate noise and high-frequency vibrations. This can be unpleasant to crew and passengers if they are located at the aft of a cruise ship.
Vibration
Vibration is generated from the unsteady characteristics of cavitation. It is the periodic deflections of the propeller in a horizontal, vertical, or torsional manner.
Vibrations are further reduced by using Schneekluth or Mewis ducts. These are fitted on the hull of the ship, or before the propeller. This provides a uniform wake flow into the propeller thus reducing vibrations.
Erosion
This can be a serious effect. Cavitation bubbles once formed are unable to persist if they move into an area where net pressure goes back to a value which exceeds the water’s vapor pressure. It can happen toward the blade’s trailing edge or as it moves from top to bottom of its circle, thereby gaining hydrostatic pressure.
Cruise Ship Propeller
The way they collapse creates a new phenomenon. Bubbles will then contract to minute sizes prior to disappearing. This causes the entire energy to collapse, causing a change of state to be concentrated into a tiny location.
At the beginning, the damage looks like it has been hit with a tiny hammer, leaving small, circular indentations. If the damage is prolonged, the result is serious pitting in the metal. This looks like a definite crater on the blade’s surface. Continual pitting can erode the entire thickness of the propeller blade, creating a hole.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the impact can be considerable. Cavitation begins at the tips of the blades and gradually consumes the remainder of the blade as propeller loading increases. As cavitation extends to .75 of the radius, there is significant loss in the thrust plus a reduction in torque. There will be a significant increase in revolutions with a given power.
Thrust breakdown will begin quicker than a change in the torque. This can result in a loss of efficiency.
How Is Cavitation Prevented?
The hull of a cruise ship influences the flow going around the propellers since they fully work in a cruise ship’s wake. To avoid this, the follow measures are undertaken:
Reducing revolutions per minute. Since the thrust varies, reducing revolutions decreases cavitation. However, the downside is a loss of speed.
Generate a maximum immersion.
Reduce the blade’s thickness. This is done by utilizing stronger materials, which are resistant to cavitation.
Avoid suction peaks close to the leading edge. This is done by utilizing a suitable amount of camber and a good shape for the entrance.
Design the stern so that it achieves a uniform wakefield.
Avoid high sections on the blade’s backside. This is achieved by using section shapes providing a uniform pressure distribution.
Pitch can be varied over the blade’s length. This diminishes loading in important areas.
Decrease angles of incidence and blade angles by creating a slightly bigger diameter.
Make the total blade area larger. This is done by increasing the propeller’s diameter with a reduction of revolutions or your blade area ratio with a constant diameter.
Which Cruise Ships Have the Largest Propellers?
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class
These cruise ships tend to be the largest in the world. Their propellers are designed to have a diameter of six meters. The ship’s propulsion contains three 26,800-horsepower Azipods, which is an electric azimuth thruster.
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
How Fast do Propellers Spin?
Since a cruise ship’s engines turn their crankshaft at extremely high rates of speed – hundreds or thousands of revolutions per minute – the engine connects to the ship’s propellers using gears. The propellers themselves are created to turn slower, which tends to be around 250 revolutions per minute or less.
Carnival Cruise Line Fantasy Class
This cruise line’s service speed is 22.3 knots. It was the first to use a unique electric azimuth Azipod system for propulsion. This means that the ship is pulled as opposed to pushed by its propeller. The Carnival Elation contains two 14 MW Azipod units.
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz
Conclusion
When it comes to a cruise ship propeller size, they can be as large as 20 feet high. This is no surprise when you consider the size of the engines and everything that is necessary to move a ship. Thanks to the introduction of Azipods, cruise ships are better able to navigate around any obstacles they may encounter in the water.
Not only are they better equipped to move around potential hazards, but this improvement in technology also allows them to better move into ports, work more efficiently, and save on fuel costs. With constant pressures to become more environmentally friendly, this may be a good thing for cruise lines.
While they aren’t great for the environment, they aren’t emitting as much pollution as fuel is being conserved. It also makes this natural resource stretch for a longer duration. Ideally, LNG-powered cruise ships can be used to prevent harmful emissions. This is the best method to protect the environment.
However, with the drawbacks of using this fuel type, changing the propulsion technology may be the next-best thing.
Carnival Horizon rendered aid to a small boat adrift north of Cuba, providing supplies to the occupants and permitting the craft to continue on its way, as was the occupants’ choice.
The encounter occurred on Monday, September 12, 2022, with five refugees impacted by the cruise ship’s actions.
Refugee Encounter Near Cuba
Tracking data shows that Carnival Horizon was slowly cruising east along the north coast of Cuba when the small craft was sighted.
Reports from passengers aboard the cruise ship noted that there were five individuals in the boat, which appeared to be drifting. Carnival Horizon rendered aid, providing food and water to the refugees before they continued on their way.
Drifting Boat off Cuba
The cruise ship could have brought the individuals aboard, and they would have been transferred to the proper authorities, likely the United States Coast Guard. The individuals instead opted to remain with their craft and continue on their planned journey.
The cruise ship’s captain reported to guests that the rescue was a success, as aid was appropriately offered and the small boat was deemed safe for the refugees to continue.
The encounter happened at approximately 8 a.m. on September 12, while Carnival Horizon was enjoying a day at sea on its current 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary. After a brief delay to render aid, the cruise ship continued on its route.
There has been no change to Carnival Horizon‘s schedule, and the ship is spending Wednesday, September 13, at Ocho Rios, Jamaica as planned. The vessel departed Miami on Sunday, September 11, and will visit Grand Cayman and Cozumel later this week before returning to Miami on Saturday, September 17.
Carnival Horizon is a Vista-class vessel, weighing in at 133,500 gross tons and with the capacity to host 3,960 guests at double occupancy, and up to 4,977 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Rescues on the Rise
Carnival cruise ships have been involved in a number of refugee rescues near Cuba in recent weeks.
Carnival Paradise rescued six Cuban migrants from a makeshift raft in late August, just three weeks after the same vessel rescued 20 refugees from an overloaded craft on July 31.
Carnival Sunrise performed a similar rescue on July 29, while the cruise line’s flagship, Mardi Gras, has performed three such rescues this year – two in June and one in January – assisting a total of more than 30 refugees.
Other cruise ships have also been involved in similar refugee encounters in 2022, including Celebrity Apex and Norwegian Breakaway.
Photo Courtesy: Vici Sheffield
By law and maritime tradition, cruise ships are bound to help anyone in distress at sea, no matter what the circumstances of those to be assisted. The Safety Of Life At Sea agreements (SOLAS) and the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea states:
“Every State shall require the master of a ship flying its flag, in so far as he can do so without serious damage to the ship, the crew, or the passengers… render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost [and] to proceed with all possible speed to the rescue of persons in distress, if informed of the need of assistance, in so far as such action may reasonably be expected of him.”
During these encounters, the cruise ship’s captain and officers will determine whether a small, drifting craft is in distress, and will offer aid. That aid may be providing food, water, or other supplies, or may include refueling a small vessel.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise LIne
If a drifting craft is not deemed seaworthy or water conditions are too rough or otherwise unsafe, the refugees may be taken aboard the cruise ship. At that time, they would be offered food, water, shelter, and medical care as necessary.
With each encounter, the proper authorities are notified. If the refugees have been brought aboard the cruise ship, they will be turned over to authorities at the first available opportunity, which may mean a rendezvous with a Coast Guard vessel, or authorities will meet the refugees when the ship docks.
With political and economic turmoil on the rise in many areas, it is sadly not surprising that refugee encounters are becoming more common in recent months.
Whether you are curious about a cruise ship’s engine or simply want to avoid the cabins surrounding this noisy area, an engine room can be an interesting place.
We outline what is contained in the cruise ship engine room, what it does, and how much noise and vibration is generated in this area.
Where Is the Engine Room Located on a Cruise Ship?
On newer cruise ships, engine rooms are found on the aft of the ship and on the lower decks. They are not fully at the back but closer to mid-ship.
Regardless of the ship’s size and type of engine, engines are extremely loud. Engineers compensate for this fact by incorporating sound reduction features and technology to keep the room well insulated, so it is less noisy for guests.
Insulation, in this case, provides a dual purpose. It reduces noise and keeps the heat generated by a fully operating engine from coming out on adjacent decks. On a cruise ship, this is very important, where comfort is one of the cruise line’s top priorities.
How Noisy Is the Engine?
The decibel range for the engine of a standard cruise ship exceeds 173 decibels. This is extremely loud and within a range that can damage hearing in seconds. Thanks to proper insulation and sound-reducing features, it won’t sound that loud.
If you are in the engine room while the engine is running, it will still be very loud regardless of what noise-reducing technology is used. To put it in perspective, those who enter the room are required to wear hearing protection. Otherwise, they can experience hearing damage.
However, guests don’t have to be concerned if their cabins are in this area. The noise level will not damage your hearing because the surrounding cabins are well insulated. However, you may still be able to hear the noise and experience vibrations through the walls and floors.
As mentioned, the engine does make vibrations while it operates. They can be felt in the surrounding areas, including cabins that are adjacent to them. It may cause coat hangers to rattle or other items in the cabin to shift, which may disturb your rest.
How Big Is the Engine?
Modern cruise ships have more than one engine. The largest ships, like the Oasis class from Royal Caribbean, contain six engines. Other ships – like the Carnival Splendor of Carnival Cruise Line – may only be just four, depending on the size of the ship, its age, and the cruise line.
Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
The engine room itself is expansive and covers several decks. Space is needed not only for the massive engines, but for fuel tanks, generators, the engine workshop, and the control room.
How Does Heat Escape from the Engine Room?
The heat from the engines is removed by a series of heat exchangers. This is found on the exhaust path proceeding the turbocharger on the way to the scrubber. Exhaust gas reaches a temperature of 663°F yet is continuously cooled using heat extraction until it reaches 86°F when it comes out of the funnel.
The engines are fuel- and heat-efficient. The recovered heat is used for numerous services, including desalination of saltwater to fresh water and fuel heating (if heavy fuel oil is used). Fresh water can be produced by reverse osmosis to supplement an evaporator.
Where Is Fuel Stored?
Fuel is usually stored in double-bottom tanks. They are distributed across the length of the cruise ship with ballast tanks. The only fuel tanks located in an engine room are service and settling tanks.
Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin / Shutterstock
What Are the Cabins in this Location Like?
Most people shy away from this area due to the noise. However, there are other reasons why these cabins are less desirable besides the fact that they are noisy.
Cabins near the engine room may be:
Smaller than average cabins
Not contain windows
Receive engine noise
Be prone to vibrations, most notably while docking
These rooms tend to be cramped and small. They are also not priority rooms within the ship’s design. Booking this room may mean you will experience vibrations and noise from the engine. You may hear the crew as they go back and forth to the engine room throughout the day and night.
These cabins are in the lower deck and in the middle of the ship. They tend to be windowless and dark. Rooms located in the center of a ship generally don’t contain the luxury of windows, so it may make people feel claustrophobic.
Are There Any Advantages?
Some people argue that most people don’t spend much time in a cabin – they are too busy exploring the cruise ship. There is plenty to do onboard, and if you enjoy the social scene, you may not spend much time inside the cabin other than to sleep.
The main reason people select an inside cabin on a lower deck is that they are less expensive. Most people book a cruise to have an experience – not to sleep. Additionally, what most people don’t know is that if you book a cabin near the engine room, you may have the option to upgrade.
An option to upgrade doesn’t necessarily mean that more money will be required. It does mean that if a better cabin is available or is vacant, as in the case of last-minute cancellations, you may be upgraded for free. However, this is not guaranteed.
The engine room truly is the heart of the ship. It is where crankshafts, pistons, and hammers rotate to make the ship move forward. The chief engineer and crew work 24/7 to ensure the entire ship operates smoothly. It permits luxuries onboard like electricity, plumbing, and air conditioning to function.
Aside from housing generators and engines, pumps and heat exchangers are located here to cool the engine and stabilize motors and fins, in addition to the bow thruster system. Since equipment depends on electricity, modern ships contain backup generators on the outside of the main engine room in the event of a fire.
Generators power all the vital functions to run a ship, like emergency lights, communications, and navigation systems. If the generator fails, then there are also backup batteries that can be used for short periods of time.
All this machinery is overseen by the Engine Control Room, which contains lights, screens, alarms, and switches where every piece of equipment can be monitored to ensure the cruise ship runs smoothly.
For the first time since restarting cruise operations in July 2021, Carnival Cruise Line is bringing back its whimsical “Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast” event featuring The Cat in The Hat and Friends. The once-per-cruise offering will again be available fleetwide from October 1, 2022.
Seuss at Sea Breakfast Returning
Carnival hinted at the return of this popular event several days ago along with other onboard offering changes, but its return has now been confirmed and guests will be able to book this themed breakfast for all cruises departing on Saturday, October 1 or later.
The restart of the colorful and whimsical breakfast event follows shortly after Carnival Cruise Line has resumed other popular dining options that were either closed due to pandemic conditions or staffing shortages that have plagued the cruise industry since the restart.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Earlier this month, the behind-the-scenes galley tour returned as part of the Chef’s Table dining experience, which had itself been on temporary hiatus from mid-May through late June. Similarly, the afternoon tea event – a popular socializing interlude for many guests – returned to all Carnival ships as of September 6, 2022.
Other dining options that have also recently returned aboard Carnival ships include the full reopening of Cucina del Capitano in early August and the introduction of new onboard drink choices, including hard seltzers and exclusive new lagers.
About the Breakfast
The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast features much more than just oddly-colored eggs and popular pork products. Also on the menu are brightly colored fruits, gravity-defying fluffy pancakes, funky French toast, “Moose Juice” (orange juice) and “Goose Juice” (apple juice).
Traditional breakfast offerings are also part of the whimsical menu, such as fruit parfaits, omelets, cereal, steak and eggs, coffee, and more – finished with sweet but light desserts appropriate to start the day.
As with other dining venues onboard, guests can order more than one entrée or side if they wish, for no extra cost.
The breakfast is described in quirky rhyme on Carnival’s website: “The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and friends — It’s a mouthful when it’s said, but delicious to enjoy, whether you’re a mom or a dad, or a girl or a boy!”
Guests of all ages are welcome at the event, which is suitable for every family member. The cost is $7 per person, no matter what age.
Along with a fun and memorable menu, guests at the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast will also be able to make fun memories by meeting popular Dr. Seuss characters, including The Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and more.
Character appearances may vary by ship, but all guests will have ample photo opportunities if desired.
The entire dining space is also colorfully decorated in bold shades popular with Dr. Seuss illustrations, and photo spots are set up for plenty of fun pics where guests are welcome to use their own cameras to capture each moment.
Dr. Seuss-themed ice carvings, special attire for dining staff, quirky music, and other special surprises make this a fun event for everyone.
How to Join In
The Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast is part of Carnival Cruise Line’s Seuss at Sea partnership, which began in 2013. and has been expanded over the years to include storytimes, character appearances, parades, games, and more.
The delicious dining is only offered once per cruise, typically on the last sea day, and sells out quickly not only because of its fun vibe, but because of its incredibly affordable price.
Depending on the ship’s size and dining space availability, two seatings may be offered to accommodate more guests, but it is best to make reservations as soon as possible so as not to miss out.
In a one-of-a-kind error, a passenger aboard Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas was accidentally charged almost $100,000 for a meal at the ship’s specialty eatery, Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. While the charge was quickly reversed, financial holds and poor communication created a sour taste about the incident.
$100,000 Dinner Charge
After enjoying dinner at Jamie’s Italian – crispy calamari and garlic bread appetizers, followed by penne pomodoro, arugula and parmesan salad, and finished with decadent lemon meringue cheesecake and hot chocolate with vanilla ice cream – Alex and his wife, Alicia, were shocked to discover a charge for $98,638.93 added to their shipboard account.
The couple had already purchased the ship’s “Unlimited Dining Package” which includes multiple entrees and multiple specialty restaurants every night of a sailing, and can be a savings of up to 40% off depending on the venues.
Symphony of the Seas Bill
Jamie’s Italian is a favorite restaurant of the couple’s, who are both big Italian food fans, and this wasn’t even the first time they’d dined at the restaurant on this cruise.
“That Lemon Meringue Cheesecake is probably my favorite restaurant dessert of any restaurant on land or boat,”Alex said to Cruise Hive.
After their meal, the couple – thrilled with the excellent service and delicious dining – authorized an additional gratuity to their account, but never expected the charge to be listed as nearly $100,000.
The incident happened on September 5, while the couple was enjoying a 7-night roundtrip Eastern Caribbean sailing aboard the Oasis-class Symphony of the Seas.
The ship had departed from Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, September 3, and spent both Sunday and Monday at sea before the startling charge appeared.
Jamie’s Italian on Symphony of the Seas (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)
How Can Such an Error Occur?
The charge was an inadvertent error – an ID number was typed into the gratuity box rather than the appropriate dollar amount.
Royal Caribbean did reverse the charge, but the difficulty continued for the guests as the authorization on their American Express card remained, effectively tying up the card and prohibiting its use for the rest of their cruise.
“I have been pretty frustrated because although Royal Caribbean reversed the charge, the authorization on my card remains,”said Alex in exclusive communication with Cruise Hive.
“This has been pretty stressful to deal with while on vacation. We had our card decline while off the boat on an island, presumably because this authorization was locking up the available credit on the card.”
The couple does emphasize, however, this was not the fault of their server, who was hard-working, kind, and attentive during the meal. This is a tech problem and a communication failure, not the fault of the ship’s crew.
Symphony of the Seas Pending Transaction
While onboard, Alex tried to work with Guest Services to have the authorization removed, but was told because the authorization would eventually drop off the account – because the charge had been removed – there was nothing more to be done.
Unfortunately, it can take 5-7 days after the cruise is finished before such an authorization is removed from a credit card, and in the meantime, the affected funds remain locked up and in limbo.
“This was a huge stressor on our vacation which we did not cause,”Alex said.“This wasn’t an accidental $20 or $100 authorization, this is the amount of a small house in some parts of the U.S.”
Alex was not informed as to whether or not anyone from the cruise line reached out to American Express to resolve the situation during the cruise, and there was no communication about any additional steps Royal Caribbean may have taken to have the authorization removed.
After the cruise ended on September 10, Alex spent hours on the phone with Royal Caribbean’s customer service, to no avail, and with no further resolution.
Avoiding Confusing Errors in the Future
The one small good point of this incident is that Alex and Alicia are grateful they had used a credit card rather than a debit card to fund their shipboard purchases.
Had they used a debit card, “real” funds would have been tied up in this error, which could impact other non-cruise charges, such as regular bill payments or other transactions through that account.
Because this occurred through a credit card, the authorization will eventually be dropped, even though it has been stressful and challenging to deal with while on vacation.
Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
Alex’s frustration comes because there would be an easy way to avoid these types of errors altogether. “I cannot see in any scenario where someone would be dropping $100,000 at Jamie’s Italian, or for that matter, who is leaving a $100,000 tip anywhere on the boat?”he said.
“This would have been an easy technology fix. There should be some verification for numbers over a certain amount of dollars that throws a flag if it seems disproportionate based on the amount of the overall check.”
While this situation is certainly unique because of its scale, all cruise passengers can learn a lesson from the incident. Using a credit card rather than a debit card is a sensible precaution, especially if the card in question is one reserved just for travel and is not associated with any other pre-authorized bills.
Cruisers should also keep a close eye on their shipboard accounts, checking charges throughout each sailing to be sure they are accurate.
Most cruise ships have ATM-like kiosks for checking onboard accounts, or passengers can access their accounts through their stateroom televisions, cruise line apps, or by visiting Guest Services.
A cruise ship passenger has sadly been killed by a bull shark while snorkeling in The Bahamas. The passenger, a guest from Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas, was participating in an independent excursion when the incident occurred, and succumbed to upper body injuries.
Harmony of the Seas was visiting Nassau on New Providence Island from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. The 58-year-old woman and her traveling party booked an independent snorkeling excursion through the Seas the Day tour company – not booked through the cruise line – that took them to Green Cay.
Photo Credit: YULIYAPHOTO / Shutterstock
“The family was reportedly snorkeling in waters and that area is known for visitors to snorkel,”Royal Bahamas police chief Chrislyn Skippings said in a news conference.“It is further reported that family members observed a bull shark attacking the female.”
Tour employees and family members rescued the woman and quickly returned to New Providence Island for emergency medical care, but the woman was pronounced dead.
The victim was a resident of Pennsylvania. To preserve the family’s privacy, her name has not been released.
“Royal Caribbean International is providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones at this time,”a spokesperson from the cruise line stated.
The area of the attack has now been closed to visitors indefinitely, and authorities have not said when or if the area may reopen. Shark attacks have been noted in the same area previously, including a fatal incident in 2019 when a 21-year-old woman from California was killed. That incident did not involve cruise ship guests.
Shore Tour Safety
It must be noted that any wildlife interactions can be unpredictable, and such an incident could occur whether on an independent tour or when booked through the cruise line. Shark attacks, however, are exceedingly rare considering the popularity of snorkeling excursions and other watersports.
Tour operators typically scout suitable snorkeling locations before arriving with guests, to ensure safe water conditions, but bull sharks can swim as quickly as 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour), and could easily enter a snorkeling area at any time.
When snorkeling, it is best to not overestimate one’s swimming abilities, and to always remain with a group and close to the boat if possible, in case of any emergency situation.
About Bull Sharks
The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is found worldwide, most often in shallow, warm, coastal waters. Measuring an average of up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) long and weighing as much as 290 pounds (131 kilograms), the shark is known for its aggressive nature. They are a highly territorial species with little tolerance for being disturbed.
This makes bull sharks more likely to bite humans, and because of this, they are considered one of the most dangerous shark species.
Bull Shark in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: Michael Bogner / Shutterstock)
While exact numbers of bull shark attacks are unknown due to the lack of positive shark identification in many cases, bull sharks have been responsible for several fatalities off the Atlantic coast of Florida, as well as in Virginia, Hawaii, and Texas.
Bull sharks are also tolerant of fresh water and are frequently sighted in larger freshwater rivers, but interactions with humans are rare in freshwater areas.
No Cruise Ship Delay
There have been no delays reported to Harmony of the Seas‘ schedule, and the ship has continued on its 7-night Western Caribbean sailing.
The Oasis-class vessel departed Port Canaveral on Sunday, September 4, and visited the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, on Monday before visiting Nassau on Tuesday.
Wednesday is a day at sea, followed by port visits to Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti on Thursday and Friday, respectively. After another day at sea, the ship will return to Port Canaveral on Sunday, September 11.
Harmony of the Seas can host as many as 5,479 guests at double occupancy, and up to 6,687 passengers when fully booked.
Cruise Hive’s deepest condolences are with the victim’s family members and loved ones at this difficult time.
Resorts World Cruises has proven to be a popular vacation option for those looking for a short vacation break from Singapore. So popular that more than one hundred guests were left stranded at the Marina Bay cruise port this week due to the ship being overbooked.
Due to depart Singapore on Sunday evening, guests arrived in the port expecting to spend a few days onboard the Genting Dream visiting two ports in Malaysia, only to be told they would not be sailing.
Guests Left Behind As Cruise Ship Overbooked
New cruise operator Resorts World Cruises only operates one cruise ship, the Genting Dream, but is clearly suffering from some start-up issues. This became clear on Sunday as guests arrived at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre on September 4.
Representatives of the ship informed guests that due to the vessel being overbooked, they would not be able to board their cruise, despite having confirmed tickets.
Photo Credit: Pro Aerial Master / Shutterstock
One guest posted on the Resorts World Cruises Facebook page, stating that a system error in the booking system was to blame:
“My family recently booked a Sunday cruise for 4th September 2022. To our greatest disappointment, when we were at the cruise gates getting ready to check in and get on board, we were denied entry, with staff stating that we did not book and did not have a cabin. In the end, we were told that it was due to a system error and the cruise was overbooked.”
“It was supposed to be a fun and enjoyable holiday getaway for the family but turned out to be the biggest disappointment.”
A spokesperson for the cruise line told the Singapore newspaper The Straits Times that the voyage was indeed overbooked. According to several other reports, more than one hundred guests were affected by the issues, leaving them stranded in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Guests In Malaysia Also Affected
Resorts World Cruises operates dual homeports in Singapore and Malaysia, with guests in Malaysia also affected on Monday. In a notice to passengers, Resorts World Cruises informed guests embarking on the Genting Dream in Port Klang that the cruise line would also cancel their reservations and they would be denied boarding.
Photo Courtesy: Resorts World Cruises
The cruise line said they would compensate guests who have been denied boarding in the last few days. The cruise line stated all affected guests would receive a full refund. They will also receive a complimentary cruise on the Genting Dream for sailings before April 28, 2023, subject to cabin availability.
Resorts World Cruises started operations from Singapore on June 15. The company operates Genting Dream, a cruise ship formerly operated by the now-defunct cruise company Genting Hong Kong.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the management behind Resorts World Cruises is the same as those behind Genting Hong Kong. Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, a Malaysian Chinese billionaire businessman, owns and operates Resorts World, a casino and resorts conglomerate, and is the former CEO of Genting Hong Kong.
With a guest capacity of 3,352 guests, the 150,695 gross tons Genting Dream is one of few cruise ships operating in Asia currently. The cruise ship was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, and completed in 2016.
In a continuing return to pre-pandemic normalcy, Carnival Cruise Line has brought back another guest favorite activity that was temporarily discontinued. As of September 6, 2022, the afternoon tea event will be available fleet-wide on every cruise.
More Events and Venues Available
The return of afternoon tea time is the latest in a growing list of onboard events that are able to begin again as health and safety protocols are adjusted and crew staffing shortages are resolved.
Many such events, including the Captain’s Cocktail Party, Seuss at Sea Breakfast, Chef’s Table dining, VIFP past passenger parties, and more were initially discontinued to facilitate social distancing and enhanced cleaning protocols, and were unable to be returned quickly due to staff shortages as cruising restarted.
Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive
Slowly, Carnival Cruise Line has brought back many of these popular events.
The VIP parties for platinum and diamond-level passengers, for example, began to be held again as of June 24, 2022, on cruises of 5 nights and longer. The events are no longer held on shorter sailings, an adjustment that was made several years ago, long before the cruise industry shutdown.
The elite Chef’s Table dining experience restarted fleetwide from June 30, more children’s programs resumed onboard in late July, and the Cucina del Capitano specialty Italian restaurant, found onboard nine vessels in the Carnival fleet, reopened from August 6, 2022.
As more events return, eager guests can enjoy more of their onboard favorites with every Carnival cruise.
What Is Afternoon Tea?
The afternoon tea event onboard Carnival ships is a special gathering to socialize and enjoy unique tea blends and flavors. Several tea options are available, and tasty finger sandwiches, pastries and other light refreshments are also served, including the ever-popular scones and clotted cream.
The options available at the tea party are typically exclusive and not available elsewhere on the ship or at any other time except afternoon tea.
Cup of Tea on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: AnaJimena Aguilar Machado / Shutterstock)
As of September 6, 2022, this engaging event will now be available once again onboard all Carnival cruise ships, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, announced on his Facebook page.
The exact time, location, and offerings at each afternoon tea will vary for different vessels. The event is free to all passengers and is suitable for all ages.
Guests can also enjoy a more limited selection of teas available 24 hours a day from the beverage stations on each ship’s Lido deck, with more exclusive and unique teas available from onboard coffee shops for a nominal fee.
Still to Return
While the resumption of afternoon tea is a welcome sign that more and more events are returning to cruise ships, several highlights are still missing from daily schedules.
Still to return is the quirky Suess at Sea specialty breakfast popular with families, as well as past guest benefits like priority boarding for diamond and platinum-level guests.
The decadent Chocolate Extravaganza dessert buffet has not yet resumed either, nor has the exclusive Behind the Fun onboard tour. All of these options are still planned to be offered in the near future.
Not every pre-pandemic option will be returning, however. Carnival Cruise Line has announced some minor but permanent cutbacks to dining options, such as no longer having a 24-hour pizzeria and slightly trimming hours for some other dining events and venues.
Similarly, the popular but sometimes questionable Hairy Chest Contest will not be returning to Carnival Cruise Line’s pool deck festivities, but is being replaced by more family-friendly options and poolside games.
