John Honeywell, Author at Captain Greybeard

Royal tipping switches to automatic

Royal Caribbean is joining the list of cruise lines which automatically charge tips to passenger accounts. The recommended daily amount is also being increased. With effect from March 1, $12 (£7.75) per passenger per day will be charged, to be shared out between restaurant waiters, cabin attendants, and those described as "other housekeeping services personnel." That's an increase of 35 cents on the current daily recommendation. For passengers travelling in suites, the charge will be $14.25 (£9.20) - up from $13.90. Currently, passengers who choose flexible My Time dining are required to pre-pay the gratuities before boarding. The option is [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 18 February 2013|Cruise News|1 Comment

The Heat is on for Carnival Triumph

UPDATE: A preliminary investigation has concluded the fire was the result of a leak from a flexible hose connecting engine number six to the fuel tank. US Coast Guard Commander Theresa Hatfield says the full report may take six months to prepare. It took a while, but Carnival Triumph made it safely back to port and its 3,141 passengers finally disembarked. Most rushed off to freshen up with a much-needed hot shower; a few couldn't wait to sit down with lawyers to draw up claims for compensation. While the ship was quickly moved to a dockyard in Mobile, Alabama for [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 18 February 2013|Cruise News|4 Comments

P&O partners with cancer charity

Macmillan Cancer Support will be the beneficiary of fund-raising events throughout the P&O Cruises fleet this year. Officers, crew and passengers will all be given opportunities to help raise money for the charity. Some will take part in fitness challenges involving running and rowing the equivalent number of nautical miles covered by the ships. There will be gala balls including an auction for "money-can't-buy" items such as dinner with celebrity chefs Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar, and wine tasting tuition from TV's Olly Smith. Unique keepsakes such as signed navigational charts and polished engine spares will also be on [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 16 February 2013|Cruise News|0 Comments

Majesty’s next cruise goes ahead

Thomson Majesty has been cleared to sail on its next cruise. Authorities in the Canary Islands completed safety checks just in time for the ship to reach port in Tenerife and take on 1,500 passengers tomorrow (Friday). The ship had been held at Santa Cruz de La Palma since Sunday, when a lifeboat plunged into the sea during a routine safety drill. Five members of crew were killed, and three others injured. The accident was caused when a cable snapped as the boat was being raised back onto the ship. During the week, all the remaining boats have been subjected [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 14 February 2013|Cruise News|0 Comments

Third tug joins Triumph rescue

A third tug has been sent to assist in the rescue operation for Carnival Triumph, the cruise ship which has been without power since an engine room fire on Sunday. The tug is en route from Port Fourchon, Louisiana. It is expected to arrive at the ship later this evening to assist the vessel's return to Mobile, Alabama, which it should reach tomorrow (Thursday). The U.S. Coast Guard remains on the scene. More than 200 Carnival staff will be on hand to meet the 3,143 passengers when they reach land; 1,500 hotel rooms have been reserved in Mobile and New [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 13 February 2013|Cruise News|0 Comments

Behind the scenes on the Queens

Cunard was not the first cruise line to introduce behind-the-scenes tours to allow passengers a glimpse of life behind the doors marked "Crew Only." Princess were possibly the first to seize upon the idea as a money-making opportunity, and it was soon followed up by others. I joined an enthusiastic group on Allure of the Seas just over a year ago to be taken on an exhausting trail from the coldest food stores to the hottest crew bar. Although various cruise news websites and bloggers have picked up on Cunard's offering in the past few days, I found it difficult [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 13 February 2013|Cruise Entertainment|1 Comment

Cruise cancelled after lifeboat deaths

Passengers on the Thomson Majesty, on which five crew members were killed during a lifeboat drill on Sunday, are being flown home. The ship's current cruise has been cancelled as investigations into the incident continue, and no date has been given for when the vessel will be able to leave port in La Palma in the Canaries. A Thomson spokesman said this morning: "We are continuing to work closely with the ship owners and managers, Louis Cruises, and relevant authorities to determine exactly what happened. As investigations continue, and in the absence of a guaranteed departure time, we have made [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 12 February 2013|Cruise News|0 Comments

Aurora’s cruise around the world sails on despite prop shaft problems

One month into its annual world cruise, P&O's Aurora has developed a propeller shaft fault which has slowed its progress across the Pacific Ocean and will require engineers to carry out essential repairs. Passengers due to fly out this weekend to join the next leg of the voyage in Auckland, New Zealand, had been warned the ship would be departing a day late and that a half-day call at Napier and a full-day visit to Wellington were to be cancelled so the ship could reach Sydney, Australia on schedule next Friday (February 22). However, P&O now say the fault can [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 12 February 2013|Cruise News|2 Comments

P-p-p-pick up a penguin cruise

Television viewers captivated by the penguins in last night's opening programme of the hidden camera series Spy In The Huddle might already be thinking of planning their own visit to Antarctica. Hurtigruten are certainly hoping so. Quick to cash in, they are plugging next year's voyages on expedition ship MS Fram, with three landings at penguin colonies during 10-day cruises departing 4th and 13th January, 2014. Better start saving now. Fares start at £4,089. International flights and hotels in Buenos Aires, plus domestic flights to join the ship in Ushuaia will add another £1,700 or so. If that's beyond your [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 12 February 2013|Cruise Destinations|0 Comments

Two tugs heading to the rescue of stricken cruise ship in Gulf of Mexico

UPDATE: One tug is now alongside Carnival Triumph and the second is expected to arrive shortly. While stranded without power since Sunday, the ship has drifted 90 miles north through the Gulf of Mexico. Carnival have now decided that it will be towed to Mobile, Alabama, instead of Progreso, Mexico. It is expected to arrive on Thursday - one week after leaving Galveston on what was scheduled as a four-day cruise. Carnival president and CEO Gerry Cahill says: "We have maintained constant contact with the ship's officers. All of our guests are safe, and we're doing everything we can to [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:38+00:00 11 February 2013|Cruise News|0 Comments