So there's a fire on a cruise ship and it happens to be a Costa vessel? No big deal.
We already know that there are no crew or passenger casualties (and that's something to be grateful for) but this kind of thing happens more regularly than you might imagine. Only now, post-Concordia is it international news.
A while back, Jo and I were taking a stoll down 4 deck when we noticed smoke billowing from a crew area door. No matter, we were trained and immediately notified the bridge.
It turns out the baker had burned the buns (no really) and part of the galley was on fire. We kindly helped by unleashing and passing the fire hose to the guys that needed it; all the while reassuring passengers who were somewhat shocked by the smoke.
The whole situation was over in a few minutes and the experience gave us something to chat (and blog) about. The baker made another tray of buns and everybody was happy. It didn't make the front pages.
My point is, cruising is a safe and fun way to travel. You visit new places and see sights you could never imagine (who honestly would choose to spend a whole holiday in Dakar, Senegal?)
Please don't let a couple of incidents put you off; the cruise industry has a great track record and provides entertainment to hundreds of thousands every year.
For more fire-fighting, gangway-jumping, port-visiting cruise excitement, follow me on Twitter (@AlexAboard) or add Alex Gaines on Facebook.
Happy sailing!
Monday, 27 February 2012
Friday, 17 February 2012
Cruise Review: The Amazon..
With another cruise completed I thought I would post a little review of what we've been up to on the old Prince Albert (please stop laughing; I know the name sounds bad.) If you have any questions, feel free to comment below.
Itinerary
Phew, eight sea days in a fifteen day cruise; talk about hard work! I reckon we ran out of entertainment ideas two days into our homeward journey and some of the activities were really scraping the barrel. It will be a long time before we invite the stores manager to do a talk about shipboard stock control; who knew there was so much involved in the ordering of shiitake mushrooms? And more to the point; who cared? Dolphin racing was as popular as usual though I think I strained my vocal chords with some over excited commentary during the final furlong; well, there was a bottle of Cava at stake.
Still, when we finally got there, the Amazon was amazing and we had an er..interesting evening out in Manaus. Never again will I complain about British taxi drivers; at least their cabs have doors!
I was slightly nervous when the crocs we were supposed to be 'spotting' were hauled into the boat but then again, they were just babies; only capable of severing a finger and not an arm.
Scarborough was nice too and about thirty degrees warmer than its UK counterpart. After spending the day on a glorious beach, I'm guessing the towns are not actually twinned.
Cabaret
Our two guest acts couldn't have been more different this cruise; we had a ropey ventriloquist (clearly a kids' entertainer who was massively out of his depth) and a brilliant singer, performing standards and swing classics.
Despite the singer's powerful vibrato, I reckon his lips moved less than the vent's; hiding behind a giant purple dragon puppet did nothing to help his dying act. After muffling through Mary Had A Little Lamb, he made the tragic mistake of asking if there were any requests. 'Bugger off!' came the reply; which of course he didn't repeat (he couldn't do 'B's.)
The resident team did their usual good work despite a hiccup during their 'Night At The Musicals' show. During their rousing, flag-waving Les Miserables finale, it became evident that one man on the balcony was booing vociferously; the question was why? It really wasn't that bad.
After chatting to his shaken wife (he was hiding shamefacedly in his cabin) it emerged that he'd believed it to be a pro-IRA performance (don't ask) and was showing his displeasure. We were all glad he didn't make it out on Country & Western night.
So that was the Amazon; another location ticked off the bucket list. We're heading for a proper Carribbean run next (I hate spelling that word) so hopefully, I'll see you soon. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter (@AlexAboard) or even add me as as friend on Facebook.
Anchors away!
(I still haven't settled on a catchphrase, suggestions would be welcome below!)
Itinerary
Phew, eight sea days in a fifteen day cruise; talk about hard work! I reckon we ran out of entertainment ideas two days into our homeward journey and some of the activities were really scraping the barrel. It will be a long time before we invite the stores manager to do a talk about shipboard stock control; who knew there was so much involved in the ordering of shiitake mushrooms? And more to the point; who cared? Dolphin racing was as popular as usual though I think I strained my vocal chords with some over excited commentary during the final furlong; well, there was a bottle of Cava at stake.
Still, when we finally got there, the Amazon was amazing and we had an er..interesting evening out in Manaus. Never again will I complain about British taxi drivers; at least their cabs have doors!
I was slightly nervous when the crocs we were supposed to be 'spotting' were hauled into the boat but then again, they were just babies; only capable of severing a finger and not an arm.
Scarborough was nice too and about thirty degrees warmer than its UK counterpart. After spending the day on a glorious beach, I'm guessing the towns are not actually twinned.
Cabaret
Our two guest acts couldn't have been more different this cruise; we had a ropey ventriloquist (clearly a kids' entertainer who was massively out of his depth) and a brilliant singer, performing standards and swing classics.
Despite the singer's powerful vibrato, I reckon his lips moved less than the vent's; hiding behind a giant purple dragon puppet did nothing to help his dying act. After muffling through Mary Had A Little Lamb, he made the tragic mistake of asking if there were any requests. 'Bugger off!' came the reply; which of course he didn't repeat (he couldn't do 'B's.)
The resident team did their usual good work despite a hiccup during their 'Night At The Musicals' show. During their rousing, flag-waving Les Miserables finale, it became evident that one man on the balcony was booing vociferously; the question was why? It really wasn't that bad.
After chatting to his shaken wife (he was hiding shamefacedly in his cabin) it emerged that he'd believed it to be a pro-IRA performance (don't ask) and was showing his displeasure. We were all glad he didn't make it out on Country & Western night.
So that was the Amazon; another location ticked off the bucket list. We're heading for a proper Carribbean run next (I hate spelling that word) so hopefully, I'll see you soon. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter (@AlexAboard) or even add me as as friend on Facebook.
Anchors away!
(I still haven't settled on a catchphrase, suggestions would be welcome below!)
Thursday, 2 February 2012
SPOTTED PRESS RELEASE
Just hijacking Alex's blog to provide you with the latest Spotted press release. Enjoy!
A novel way to sell a book:
Local author takes to Twitter to get fans onboard
Every successful writer needs a following and debut novelist James McCann thinks he may have found a unique way to build his.
With his novel ‘Spotted’ nearing completion, he is launching the tale on the internet, where readers can receive his character’s back-story exclusively online.
By following @AlexAboard on Twitter (or friending Alex Gaines on Facebook) fans will receive updates from Alex, a cruise ship entertainer touring the world on a small British liner. The Tweets will drop subtle hints of where Alex’s future lies and will continue right up until publication of the book. The opening chapter will continue seamlessly from the final message.
The aim of the endeavour is to secure a publisher for the book and gather an audience for when it is released. Those following Alex will be treated to a succession of funny Tweets about his life at sea and receive the latest news on the novel’s progress.
James McCann is available for interview and would relish the opportunity to spread the word further. Please email info@spottednovel.com or call 07988 890317 for more information. Alternatively, visit http://www.spottednovel.com/
Please find the blurb for Spotted below, if you want to know more then please get in touch.
DRUGS! PHONE HACKING! BAVARIAN SLICES!
Upcoming novel Spotted features all of the above and some other things...
Set in the enticing world of celebrity and popular culture, Spotted tells the tale of Alex Gaines; a cruise ship entertainer whose life suddenly hits the rocks. Ironically, it is only then that his career starts to set sail.
As his profile rises, Alex struggles to adjust to his new found fame and come to terms with his (totally legal) addiction to prescription drugs. His is a journey to top that of any X Factor contestant; culminating with a moment more explosive than Simon Cowell could ever manufacture.
Local author takes to Twitter to get fans onboard
Every successful writer needs a following and debut novelist James McCann thinks he may have found a unique way to build his.
With his novel ‘Spotted’ nearing completion, he is launching the tale on the internet, where readers can receive his character’s back-story exclusively online.
By following @AlexAboard on Twitter (or friending Alex Gaines on Facebook) fans will receive updates from Alex, a cruise ship entertainer touring the world on a small British liner. The Tweets will drop subtle hints of where Alex’s future lies and will continue right up until publication of the book. The opening chapter will continue seamlessly from the final message.
The aim of the endeavour is to secure a publisher for the book and gather an audience for when it is released. Those following Alex will be treated to a succession of funny Tweets about his life at sea and receive the latest news on the novel’s progress.
James McCann is available for interview and would relish the opportunity to spread the word further. Please email info@spottednovel.com or call 07988 890317 for more information. Alternatively, visit http://www.spottednovel.com/
Please find the blurb for Spotted below, if you want to know more then please get in touch.
DRUGS! PHONE HACKING! BAVARIAN SLICES!
Upcoming novel Spotted features all of the above and some other things...
Set in the enticing world of celebrity and popular culture, Spotted tells the tale of Alex Gaines; a cruise ship entertainer whose life suddenly hits the rocks. Ironically, it is only then that his career starts to set sail.
As his profile rises, Alex struggles to adjust to his new found fame and come to terms with his (totally legal) addiction to prescription drugs. His is a journey to top that of any X Factor contestant; culminating with a moment more explosive than Simon Cowell could ever manufacture.
Launched exclusively online, don’t miss the opportunity to follow Alex’s story and find out if he is ever truly Spotted.
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