![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Cruise - Random Thoughts
Apr. 24th, 2009 09:21 amTo keep things light for Friday, rather than post my canned thoughts of Cozumel, I decided to put up a few random thoughts about the cruise. Before I do that, my other blog, POD People, is having a Super Free Book Friday. We're giving away not one, not two, but three free books to a lucky winner. Wander on over today and enter.
Random Cruise Thoughts and Questions
- In-cabin TV: Thanks to the wonders of satellites, cruise ships now have TV service at sea, including network programming. Question - why would a ship based in Tampa, Florida use Denver, Colorado TV stations as the network affiliates? I could see using Miami (corporate HQ) as the affiliates, but Denver?
- Pilot Service: There is no true "port" of Cozumel - it's an open road stead. That means cruise ships, cargo vessels and the local ferries all dock at piers sticking out from the beach, and literally yards from the pier you are in deep and open water. So why do ships, including the local Trans Caribe ferry, need a pilot to back them out to sea?
- Maneuverability: I was struck by how maneuverable the cruise ships are. I watched the Celebrity Century slide into a pier against a 25-knot wind completely unassisted. Of course, three bow thrusters and two screws will do that for you. Although, considering we didn't take on so much as a leaf of lettuce from Cozumel, I suppose the cruise ships need to be very independent.
- Cost: Cruises are both cheap and expensive. All your food and basic beverages (water, iced tea, coffee) is included. But extras, from pop to more adult beverages, are not, and booze is not cheap at sea.
Random Cruise Thoughts and Questions
- In-cabin TV: Thanks to the wonders of satellites, cruise ships now have TV service at sea, including network programming. Question - why would a ship based in Tampa, Florida use Denver, Colorado TV stations as the network affiliates? I could see using Miami (corporate HQ) as the affiliates, but Denver?
- Pilot Service: There is no true "port" of Cozumel - it's an open road stead. That means cruise ships, cargo vessels and the local ferries all dock at piers sticking out from the beach, and literally yards from the pier you are in deep and open water. So why do ships, including the local Trans Caribe ferry, need a pilot to back them out to sea?
- Maneuverability: I was struck by how maneuverable the cruise ships are. I watched the Celebrity Century slide into a pier against a 25-knot wind completely unassisted. Of course, three bow thrusters and two screws will do that for you. Although, considering we didn't take on so much as a leaf of lettuce from Cozumel, I suppose the cruise ships need to be very independent.
- Cost: Cruises are both cheap and expensive. All your food and basic beverages (water, iced tea, coffee) is included. But extras, from pop to more adult beverages, are not, and booze is not cheap at sea.
