John Honeywell, Author at Captain Greybeard

Time to find out what IS the Allure of the biggest cruise ship in the world

Seven days in the Caribbean on the biggest cruise ship in the world. Diary of a week on board Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas SUNDAY: Throwing open the curtains in my bedroom at the Sheraton Beach Hotel, Fort Lauderdale (above) I can see palm trees bending in the breeze and a collection of kite-surfers riding the waves. A windy morning then, but considerably warmer than the Britain I left behind a few hours earlier. A comfortable flight courtesy of Virgin Atlantic, a half-hour hiatus in the queue for Homeland Security at Miami Airport, and a $110 taxi ride along [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:54+00:00 12 February 2012|Cruise Gossip|0 Comments

New threats to Adonia’s adventure

It is billed as a South American Adventure, and the 87-night cruise which is opening Adonia's 2012 season is certainly living up to its name. It got under way only after an unscheduled visit to dry dock in Falmouth for "essential maintenance" and I reported earlier this week on the diplomatic tension which threatens to disrupt calls to Buenos Aires and other ports in Argentina. Now I learn that tomorrow's visit to Salvador in the north-eastern Brazilian province of Bahia has been cancelled because of fears for the safety of passengers. Police and firefighters in the city have been on [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:54+00:00 11 February 2012|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News|0 Comments

Cruise lines change muster drill

Almost four weeks since Costa Concordia ran onto the rocks, the cruise industry has announced that safety drills for all passengers must now be carried out before a ship leaves port at the start of a voyage. No drill had taken place on Concordia since leaving Civitavecchia a few hours earlier, because Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations allow it to be held any time within the first 24 hours of a cruise. The new policy now goes beyond SOLAS requirements. It also allows that on the rare occasions when passengers arrive after the muster has been completed, they [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:54+00:00 9 February 2012|Cruise News|2 Comments

Bug cuts cruise short

Cases of the winter vomiting bug have been reported at 34 hospitals in Britain in the past two weeks and outbreaks are sweeping schools and other institutions in north America. No surprise, then, that there have also been incidences of norovirus on cruise ships, where it can spread quickly, if unchecked, among a closed community. Two ships arriving in Fort Lauderdale at the weekend reported outbreaks, as did one based in New Orleans. After a further outbreak, one of the ships is cutting short its current week-long voyage in order to return to port two days early for a thorough [...]

By John Honeywell| 2012-02-08T15:35:51+00:00 8 February 2012|Cruise News|0 Comments

Meet Bernie the Cunard bear

Commodore Bernard Warner may have left the Cunard fleet, but he has not been forgotten. The collectors' item teddy bear on sale on the line's ships this year has been named in his honour, following a Facebook poll among passengers. I would love to know what Bernard, who retired last April after 42 years at sea, has to say about his namesake. I'm guessing he would think it is "marvellous." Passengers on Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth this year will be able to buy Bernie the Bear for $24.99.

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:54+00:00 8 February 2012|Cruise Entertainment|3 Comments

As Argentina complains to UN, will cruises be next victim of conflict?

With the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War approaching, increased diplomatic tension between Argentina and Great Britain could threaten cruise ship visits to Buenos Aires and other ports in the country. Vessels operated by P&O and Fred Olsen are due in Argentine waters within the next few weeks. Angered by the arrival of helicopter pilot Prince William in Port Stanley, and by the deployment to the South Atlantic of HMS Dauntless, one of the Royal Navy's newest and most advanced Type 45 destroyers, Argentina's president has signalled her intention to make a formal complaint to the United Nations. The Foreign [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:54+00:00 7 February 2012|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News|0 Comments

Golden welcome for Diamond Queen

As Her Majesty the Queen prepared to mark the Diamond Jubilee of her accession to the throne, the cruise ship which bears her name made a maiden call at the port of San Francisco at the weekend. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth sailed gracefully under the Golden Gate Bridge before dawn, to one of the highlights of her 107-night world cruise. Captain Christopher Wells welcomed local dignitaries on board for the traditional exchange of plaques, and patrons of the San Francisco Symphony were entertained in the ship's Verandah restaurant. The ship is now en route to Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:54+00:00 7 February 2012|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News|0 Comments

Into Africa: Cruise ship Braemar opens up new territory next winter

Some interesting new ports of call become available next winter when cruise ship Braemar will be based in the Canary Islands for the first time and Senegal, The Gambia and Cape Verde Islands are added to its itineraries. The Fred Olsen Cruise Lines ship has spent the past few winters in the Caribbean, but will be withdrawn after this season because of the high cost of flights to the region. The Canaries have long been a popular winter destination for cruises from the UK - usually involving the risk of a rough crossing of the Bay of Biscay. Braemar will [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:54+00:00 6 February 2012|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News|2 Comments

Riots and kidnapping force change of plan for Thomson’s Red Sea cruise

Cruise ship Thomson Celebration will change the itinerary of its Red Sea Magic cruise following further unrest in Egypt and the kidnap of two American tourists. Growing anger over the deaths of 74 fans at a football match in Port Said this week has led to more demonstrations in Cairo. On Friday a government building was set on fire and a demonstrator and a soldier were killed as police fired tear-gas at stone-throwing rioters. More than 1,000 were injured. In an unrelated incident, two women in their 60s and their Egyptian guide were seized by Bedouin gunman as they returned [...]

By John Honeywell| 2012-02-04T00:36:27+00:00 4 February 2012|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News|0 Comments

Man overboard from Allure

A British passenger is missing in the sea off the coast of Mexico after going overboard from the biggest cruise ship in the world. Crew on Allure of the Seas were alerted by a fellow-passenger who saw the 30-year-old man go over the rail of his Deck 11 cabin balcony as the ship was approaching the port of Cozumel this morning. Coastguard and navy vessels are still conducting a search. Allure left Fort Lauderdale on Sunday for a seven-day western Caribbean cruise with more than 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew. Cozumel is the last of three ports of call. This [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:55+00:00 3 February 2012|Cruise News|0 Comments