Re: Taking OFF To Iceland
Wow OGF, didn't realise you were using the ship's internte, that will cost an absolute fortune. Best to use WifI ashore in a cafe or use your own Smart Phone as a WiFi hotspot. I used to buy a package of ship's internet a few tears ago at £35 a pop but now they've changed the package and it's just a huge rip off. So I now just use my own mobile internet whenever we hit land.
Oriana as you probably know has had engine problems ever since she arrived in the fleet. That's what give her the charateristic judder and vibration in the rear restaurant. Even after a huge drydock refit they were unable to cure the problem. So a further engine problem is no surprise.
You should get compensation for missing Dublin on account of it being a technical failure rather than weather. If they haven't already offered it, go ask at reception. It'll be about £50 or so. You might want to also enquire as to how she can dock in Cork but not in Dublin if it's engine trouble.
I'm quite sceptical with these things because the cruise line save masses of money by not calling at a port. Tens of thousands of pounds saved in berthing fees.
I also learned from an officer on the "gold lunch" that ports are not guaranteed generally on cruises anymore, only on the cruises where you fly out to permanently stationed ships. This somewhat staggered me.
He told me that it depends which ships are in a port on any given day and what time they arrived. I asked him how they can possibly issue a cruise brochure offering cruises up to a year ahead with all their itineraries and he said none of it is guaranteed but most of the time they are able to make the ports and secure a space.
So I am quite sceptical these days when they drum up an excuse for missing a port.
That said, I'm just looking at the various crew and port websites at their scheduled arrivals lists.
This site:
http://crew-center.com/dublin-irelan...-schedule-2019
Lists Oriana and Crown Princess in Dublin Port on the 16th.
However the actual Dublin Port site doesn't list Oriana. It does however list the cruise ship Corinthian from GCCL for the 16th.
https://www.dublinport.ie/informatio...-100-arrivals/
Interestingly I found an article in the Irish Times here stating that they have taken the decision to reduce the number of cruise ships landing at Dublin to 160 this year and 140 next year. They say:
"it is taking the step to ensure it can handle increased volumes of freight, particularly as more ships will come direct from the continent after the UK leaves the EU."
"Between 2021 and 2023 it will limit the number to around 80 after which it will start expanding capacity again. "
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/irel...rism-1.3842348
This looks to be a very deliberate anti BrExit decision to cause disruption and loss of tourism income in order to effectively punish BrExiteers and ensure that people hurt and thus come running back to the EU at the earliest opportunity. This ties in with the article I posted in a BrExit related thread yesterday which suggests there is an establishment conspiracy well underway to get the UK back in the EU by 2023.
The Dublin Port site shows a lot of freight ships due to arrive tomorrow. I wonder therefore whether Oriana has actually been refused. Just doesn't really stack up for me that engine trouble could see you not able to dock at Dublin but able to dock in Cork. How does the engine know ?!
Maybe there's some tricky manouevering to be done at Dublin which the engine can't handle?
Interestingly the Cork Port Authority website lists Oriana as arriving in Cork on the 16th tomorrow at 07:30 and departing on the 18th at 05:00 so that would suggest you have an overnight in Cork.
https://www.portofcork.ie/index.cfm/...seschedule2010
Anyway, you look to have had a great time in the land of ice and fire, scenery looks stunning there. Have you kept yourself a little chunk of volcanic rock or similar to bring home with you?
Enjoy your last few days. Back to Blightly soon when you can give us the full scoop.