Is the Magic in trouble??

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Thanks for following up.

The change in the buffets/beverage station is a precaution that DCL institutes any time there are reports of illness. We've seen it several times.

Just for explanation....
Salmonella is a specific bacterial infection which can be quite dangerous. It CAN be transmitted thru food or other means.
Novo or norovirus is a specific virus which can be transmitted rapidly in closed environments primarily thru hand to mouth transmission--thus, the best prevention is handwashing! Again, this can be diagnosed only thru specific viral identification studies, but is the commonly suspected pathogen in many self limited gastrointestinal ailments.

Gastroenteritis is a generic term for any infection involving the digestive system.
Food poisoning is a term that applies to any illness transmitted thru ingested food.

The Magic and Wonder always get top marks during their inspections...as you might guess just from observing things around the ships. As DD says, UNLIMITED hand wipes everywhere. I haven't seen any inspection reports on the Dream, but see no reason why they wouldn't be consistent with Disney's other ratings.

They really really do treat it with the up most importance.

Ex Techie

 

[Wadekind]

OK, having just gotten back from the 12/3 sailing that was the start of this thread, let me add my observations. A bit over-dramatic in the e-mail that was sent and quoted early on.

The Magic lost power on Sunday afternoon for a duration of between 2-3 hours. The only thing we noticed was the lifts stopped working and the ship slowly dropped from moving at 16+ knots to 1-2 knots. The propulsion system obviously was not operational due to the power loss. We had power in the stateroom as far as lights and the shipboard TV. Don't know if the outlets were powered during this time.

We were on our verandah an noted a noticeable slow down and concurrent turn to the starboard. We had regular updates from the Bridge from the cruise director. Our immediate thought was that there was a medical evacuation in progress since it seemed identical to what we've experienced when that happens.

The power was restored fairly quickly, but restarting the propulsion system takes a while longer as the engineering staff had to run through start-up tests and procedures. That took 45-60 minutes it seemed. During the time of no propulsion the prevailing winds seemed to push the ship's heading more to the south from ESE. If you see the track during this time you'll see a small but noticeable jog to the south from the normal straight line track. So yes, were a bit adrift for two hours, but basically went nowhere.

We did experience fairly high winds and seas from Saturday's departure through late Sunday/early Monday. The ship was rocking but we've been on ones much worse. I think the duration was the problem. Yes, the first night's dinner was sparsely attended. We started in AP and by the time the server's show took place there were more servers in the dining room than people still eating.

All pools were closed by Sunday mid-morning and reopened sometime midday on Monday due to the swells and ship rocking and certain areas of the ship were roped off several times, mainly the area from the basketball courts forward. Winds were certainly an issue the first two days and the outside Deck 4 was pretty much uninhabitable unless you like being drenched with salt water spray.

Saying that 50% of the people were ill is a bit of an exaggeration. Yes, there were many of "green around the gills" and uncomfortable looking people, but not quite as dramatic as that.

Now, on Monday or Tuesday, we did hear of a stateroom confinement and all buffets were changed to the servers dishing up all food and manning the Deck 9 drink and soft ice cream stations.

One person was med-evac'ed from CC by a Coast Guard helicopter yesterday afternoon shortly before departure at 5:00.

I agree with some of the comments that the Magic needs it's dry dock time. There were some "rough around the edges" things that I noticed. Out verandah door was a bit loose on its track and wouldn't lock with the door handle in the lock position. The small circular lock at the top of the door had been replaced with a small (but sturdy) slide lock. It did its job, but...

Other than that it was a great cruise!

I posted in hope that someone else may have heard from a friend on the ship too and could provide more info. Her email was a quick note to me not meant as a technical report and you would have to know her to understand the implied tone, I posted it verbatim to avoid any embellishment of her first hand account. We haven't talked to her yet but I am sure she will report the same as you. Everyone's perception of an event and how they handle it is different and what is nothing for you maybe quite significant for someone else. Loss of power for even a few minutes and drifting for 2 hours would be a dramatic event for my almost 90 grandparents and wouldn't estimating the number of sick people be influenced by how many sick people you encountered rather than a head count of everyone on board?
Thank you for your input but to say her account was over dramatic and exaggerated is uncalled for.

 

[clten]

Thank you for your input but to say her account was over dramatic and exaggerated is uncalled for.

Sorry I don't know you or your friend so I wouldn't know personal nuances in her reporting but as someone who was on board, I have to agree with the PP. When I read your post the first words that came to mind was "over the top". Emphasizing that we were without propulsion "for HOURS" does over dramatize it. We were without full power for about 10 minutes. Propulsion was fully restored in an hour and a half. We were kept informed of what was going on. Was this out of the norm, absolutely. Were there people who were upset about it, yes. I don't think the PP was discounting those things - just giving a differing opinion than your friend. I also think the estimation of 50% affected by seasickness (both guests and crew) is an exaggeration. And I base that on the number of people attending events as well as guests and crew that I spoke to. Nowhere near 50% of the crew were seasick. The waters were rougher than normal but had been this way for several weeks.

This is a discussion board. I'm sorry if you were insulted that the pp's opinion differed from your friend's but they have every right to post their opinion and shouldn't be told it is "uncalled for".

 

[remorse]

Maybe it's something to do with the design of the davit's?

Ex Techie

As far as I understood it the overhang issue is actually due to requirements for liferaft launching arrangements rather than lifeboat launching. There is a (I think fairly) new requirement that says that the automatic launch of the liferafts (when they are released from the ship to float to the surface as it sinks) should be possible even with a 15 or 20 degree list (I forget which). This makes it impossible to put an overhang directly above the deck where all the life saving equipment is kept. Of course, I would have expected even the overhang of Deck 11 to give some trouble with this requirement depending on the depth at which the liferafts are released but must assume that someone has done their sums correctly and decided that this is alright.

Remorse

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I posted in hope that someone else may have heard from a friend on the ship too and could provide more info. Her email was a quick note to me not meant as a technical report and you would have to know her to understand the implied tone, I posted it verbatim to avoid any embellishment of her first hand account. We haven't talked to her yet but I am sure she will report the same as you. Everyone's perception of an event and how they handle it is different and what is nothing for you maybe quite significant for someone else. Loss of power for even a few minutes and drifting for 2 hours would be a dramatic event for my almost 90 grandparents and wouldn't estimating the number of sick people be influenced by how many sick people you encountered rather than a head count of everyone on board?
Thank you for your input but to say her account was over dramatic and exaggerated is uncalled for.

I agree the post was indeed very dramatic and exaggerated.if your going to post number .etc..... the poster should be using a bases for it and not just throwing figiures out to look dramatic. ......everyone is entitled to a opinion and so is every titled to review the post. and offer thier opinion of its value!

AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

As far as I understood it the overhang issue is actually due to requirements for liferaft launching arrangements rather than lifeboat launching. There is a (I think fairly) new requirement that says that the automatic launch of the liferafts (when they are released from the ship to float to the surface as it sinks) should be possible even with a 15 or 20 degree list (I forget which). This makes it impossible to put an overhang directly above the deck where all the life saving equipment is kept. Of course, I would have expected even the overhang of Deck 11 to give some trouble with this requirement depending on the depth at which the liferafts are released but must assume that someone has done their sums correctly and decided that this is alright.

Remorse

now that does make sense as to why the upper decks are set inboard.....but why is it some new cruise ships are still coming out with the cabins over the davits/lifboats?.I have seena few photos on shipspotters.com?

The only thing I can think of is that the plans for those ships were approved prior to the new rules coming into effect!

AKK

AKK

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

As far as I understood it the overhang issue is actually due to requirements for liferaft launching arrangements rather than lifeboat launching. There is a (I think fairly) new requirement that says that the automatic launch of the liferafts (when they are released from the ship to float to the surface as it sinks) should be possible even with a 15 or 20 degree list (I forget which). This makes it impossible to put an overhang directly above the deck where all the life saving equipment is kept. Of course, I would have expected even the overhang of Deck 11 to give some trouble with this requirement depending on the depth at which the liferafts are released but must assume that someone has done their sums correctly and decided that this is alright.

Remorse

now that does make sense as to why the upper decks are set inboard.....but why is it some new cruise ships are still coming out with the cabins over the davits/lifboats?.I have seena few photos on shipspotters.com?

The only thing I can think of is that the plans for those ships were approved prior to the new rules coming into effect!

AKK

AKK

Have the life raft designs changed? They used to have a tether rope that would break the shell casing open when deployed off the stands, and auto inflate the raft ready for occupation in a case of the davit not working or the ship sinking anyway?

Ex Techie

 

[truck1]

now that does make sense as to why the upper decks are set inboard.....but why is it some new cruise ships are still coming out with the cabins over the davits/lifboats?.I have seena few photos on shipspotters.com?

The only thing I can think of is that the plans for those ships were approved prior to the new rules coming into effect!

AKK

AKK

I was thinking the same thing. Even with a list, the ram arm davits on the Magic Class, will push the boats out far enough to launch. With an extension ram added,(or a 2 part arm) they can go out even farther. Im wondering if the rule for the oil rigs truly is being confused with the cruise industry, as far as the lifboats are concerned. Even saying ok, that the davits need to be clear for launch,in a x degree list, looking logically at this, if the boats are on deck 5, and the arms swing up a little bit on the arc, (where the deck 6 balconies would be) why cant 7 overhang? Youre not interfering at all. Theres something thats missing. I was just looking at a pic of the NCL Breakaway, and it looks like there is an overhang over her boats.At least in part in the artist rendering. And her balconies are even with her hull for the most part. Theres a few tucked back behind the boats, maybe a 75 even/overhang 25% behind.

 

[truck1]

I spoke with Captain Marco on the Magic about this. He said they were no longer allowed to have the lifeboats overhang (beyond the body of the ship), which is the rule for all NEW cruise ships now. He seemed to think the same of the new design as many of us, but said it's the new "law" and nothing could be done about it.


.

This was from the person who put a mouse to a pad and designed parts of the ship. The way he explained it was shallow water stability, stability while docked, and new Panamax design. He never once mentioned SOLAS or lifeboats.BTW the Magic class lifeboats dont overhang the ship. There tucked under the balconies, the outboard edges even with the edge of the ships hulls. So are the Dream and Fantasys'. The only difference is that the Dream class, have no balconies over the boats.
The new NCL Breakaway class, hang over the sides.

 

[Wadekind]

TONKA, EXTECHIE do you think maybe you could start your own thread? I see pages of off topic banter.

 

[Wadekind]

Sorry I don't know you or your friend so I wouldn't know personal nuances in her reporting but as someone who was on board, I have to agree with the PP. When I read your post the first words that came to mind was "over the top". Emphasizing that we were without propulsion "for HOURS" does over dramatize it. We were without full power for about 10 minutes. Propulsion was fully restored in an hour and a half. We were kept informed of what was going on. Was this out of the norm, absolutely. Were there people who were upset about it, yes. I don't think the PP was discounting those things - just giving a differing opinion than your friend. I also think the estimation of 50% affected by seasickness (both guests and crew) is an exaggeration. And I base that on the number of people attending events as well as guests and crew that I spoke to. Nowhere near 50% of the crew were seasick. The waters were rougher than normal but had been this way for several weeks.

This is a discussion board. I'm sorry if you were insulted that the pp's opinion differed from your friend's but they have every right to post their opinion and shouldn't be told it is "uncalled for".

Talked to my friend and she says you and PP are wrong and she don't know why you are trying to down play it (Disney plant maybe??) I don't know you so I am going to have to stick with her account.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Fair enough Wadekind, but you did partake once in of the off topic post though lol!

What is your friends account of what happened in detail?
Can she join the DIS just to give her account of the happenings and give her thought's.

As it stands you disagree with what a couple of people that were on that cruise are saying, based upon the messages you received, and that's your prerogative and your are freely right to do so!
But without the actual other person saying what they thought and responding to what the others have said, you are just a 3rd party repeating what they said to you and now defending their personal messages to you.

It would be cool to hear the other side of the experience first hand if possible

Ex Techie

The Disney plant thing is a bit too conspiracy theory IMO!

 

[lisalisa143]

We were on the sailing 12/3 and I agree with drclaws on the happenings.
The bridge kept us informed of the happening on the ship. It did make us late arriving into St. Marteen but all was good.
There was also a death on a DCL excursion in St. Thomas so my prayers are with the family.
The medic lift at CC was a heart issue so I heard.
The rough seas did subside and the rain at CC did not bother us, at least we were able to dock (better than a few past cruises that was not able to dock due to winds).
All in all it was a magical cruise for my family.

 

[jilljill]

Thanks for this thread being back on track and on topic.

 

[Big Mo]

I joined just to say that I was on this sailing and everything in drclaws' post is correct. In particular, some passengers and crew were seasick early on, but it certainly was much less than 50%. An infection was reported for at least one other passenger, resulting in the almost total elimination of self-service food and beverage options for most of the cruise causing unusual lines, and there was a med evac by a U.S. coast guard helicopter from CC.

Otherwise, the cruise was great, and we'll be back on the Magic in June.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Talked to my friend and she says you and PP are wrong and she don't know why you are trying to down play it (Disney plant maybe??) I don't know you so I am going to have to stick with her account.

Seems all most if not all the posts from others on that cruise are saying your friend is wrong!!! That her posts were way overly dramatic......looking for attention?

I don't know any of them, but when repeat posts say is was not nearly as bad at the op in saying......I think I'll support the majority and beleive the OP was over doing it big time!


Maybe shes a carnival plant?


AKK

 

[drclaws]

Talked to my friend and she says you and PP are wrong and she don't know why you are trying to down play it (Disney plant maybe??) I don't know you so I am going to have to stick with her account.

"Disney plant?" Seriously?? I doubt the manager of the Off Ship Excursions area would agree with you at this moment, but that's an entirely different story.

I don't know your friend, but I do know me, so I'm going to have to stick with my account....(drat, someone beat me to the Carnival plant suggestions!)

Seriously, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm not saying otherwise. However, those of us who disagree with with your friend's opinions are free to post our observations to the contrary as well.

We did hear from our Palo server that one of the October sailings was much worse as far as sea condition and they lost china and bottles from shelves and had a bunch of breakage to clean up.

 

[clten]

Talked to my friend and she says you and PP are wrong and she don't know why you are trying to down play it (Disney plant maybe??) I don't know you so I am going to have to stick with her account.

I can absolutely assure you that I am not a Disney plant (I have all the credit card payments for all my cruises to prove it). I have no reservations in pointing out when DCL does things wrong (feel free to see all my posts about the Dream inaugural cruise) but in this case I thought they handled it very well.

I never said your friend was wrong, just that my opinion and perception of the events differed with hers (and wasn't trying to convince you to believe me more than your friend, just wanted people who were reading this thread to get more balanced accounts of what happened). To out and out tell people who were there, and are reporting firsthand, that they were wrong when you are relaying information secondhand is ridiculous in my opinion. You obviously didn't want a discussion on this; just wanted to be the first to report on the situation. I know I met a lady on deck 4 while they were 20 minutes into restoring the propulsion and she was hysterical and really over the top in her analysis of the situation (she had us practically sinking). From the sounds of it, could very well be your friend.

 

[aan1701]

We did hear from our Palo server that one of the October sailings was much worse as far as sea condition and they lost china and bottles from shelves and had a bunch of breakage to clean up.

That was my last cruise. Oct 8 to the Eastern. I have been on 10 cruises with DCL and never has it been that bad. I personaly did not get sick, but that first night in Parrot Cay I did notice a bunch of people leaving with napkins over their mouths. A few crew members I talked to could not remember it as rough as it was. It happens. That's what happens when one chooses to take a vacation on the ocean. I am sure the OP point of view was it happened they way they saw it, but it is their point of view, just as those who have said it was not as bad as OP said. It is all up to each individuals point of view.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Unfortunately when people are of a nervous disposition, nervous of situations they can't control or remove themselves from, they can become slightly hysterical.
I totally understand being nervous after a ship has lost power, I was after we drifted into St Maartin and hit the dock. I disobeyed the protocol I had been told to follow and did what I thought was right.
(got dressed (stupidly in Disney Look attire rather than what was closest, and headed to Deck 4 with my walkie talkie).

Nerves can get the better of people, and make them over exaggerate a situation.

Sometime's this is needed to calm them down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0GW0Vnr9Yc



Ex Techie