Cruise-n-Views Newsletter

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Issue #017                                    January 20, 2004

FOR OUR NEW SUBSCRIBERS

Welcome to another issue of Cruise-n-Views Newsletter. If you are new to our newsletter, welcome. We are glad to have you as a subscriber and hope you enjoy the information this weekly newsletter provides you to stay up-to-date on all the exciting happenings in the cruise industry. We also hope you take part in this newsletter, by submitting questions you want answered, providing feedback to help us improve the newsletter to make it even more enjoyable, and even participating in occasional surveys and then reading the results of our readers once posted. The more participation from the readers, the better the newsletter will be. 

Editor: Daniel A. Hoffman, MCC  

This newsletter contains current news and information on the "Cruise" industry. It will also contain the "Views" of the editor on different issues within the industry. The editor owns and operates a cruise oriented travel agency located in Pennsylvania. This newsletter's main purpose IS NOT AND WILL NOT BE for the purpose of selling cruises. It will at times contain ads from different sources. All ads will be cruise or travel related. It will list cruise specials from time to time in the ad section, but as stated, this is not the primary purpose of this newsletter.

Most of you know that I was "away" for 45 days recently, including 30 days aboard the Norwegian Crown cruising around South America. During that time, I, as well as Capt. Lou and our wives, continued to write, edit and deliver the Cruise-n-Views weekly newsletter as well as maintain the subscriber base. How was that possible? Simple......Well, let's say a fantastic computer program/service made it simple! What was it, ***GoToMyPC*** If you have ever been on the road, anywhere, anytime and wished you could get something off your home or office computer, this is the answer. You can literally be sitting directly in front of your computer, home or office, from any other internet connected computer anywhere in the world. Even rounding Cape Horn almost 7,000 miles away! Full secure access to anything on your computer. Email, files, programs, anything! Simple, Quick, Easy! You have to take a look at GoToMyPC.

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From Article #2 Below

In This Issue

#1 Cape Horn

#2 The Channels

PLUS
-Breaking News-
Pride of America Sinks
-"Off The Track Fact"-
-Q & A-

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#1 CAPE HORN

 

"Who has not heard of it? Cape Horn, Cape Horn--a horn indeed, that has tossed many a good ship."

"Impracticable Cape! You may approach it from this direction or that--in any way you please…and still Cape Horn is Cape Horn."

From: "White Jacket" by Herman Melville

Early morning, 24 November, 2003

Without much sleep last night and acting like a little kid waiting to open presents, Captain Lou is approaching the infamous Cape from the East. It is a long anticipated event for this sailor. However, the realization of the "Dream" is somewhat different than imagined. Instead of beating along into the fickle rapidly changing winds and conditions on my 37’ sailboat, we are aboard the NORWEGIAN CROWN---and we have already visited over a dozen ports stretching from Ft. Lauderdale to Jamaica, to Costa Rica, to Panama, to Peru, to Chile, and to Argentina in a little more than 23 days.

My GPS--Global Positioning System has recorded all, to the delight of a group of passengers seemingly always in tow. At 6:30 am, we are in position 55° 53’ S; 066° 30’ W, approximately 30 nautical miles East of the 1400’ Cape Horn. Capt. Lou logs the observance of several islands/large rocks in the sunshine off to starboard. Although the seas are smooth, they are building. In less than 25 minutes, the islands are lost in the fog, it’s raining and the winds are well on their way to 30 knots or 35 mph. During the next 2 hours, Capt. Lou writes in his log the following weather events: COLD, sunshine, snow, sleet or small pellets that remain on deck for a time, an eerie darkness, wind gusts to 50 knots and waves to 15’. And Cape Horn is at one time, clearly visible in the sunshine, and several minutes later invisible---shrouded in the fog. The NORWEGIAN CROWN makes her turn to starboard as she passes Latitude 56° 02’ S, and Longitude 067° 18’ W, just South and West of Cabo de Hornos. (see photos-note the sunshine in one-snow in other).

 


(Please note-This photo shows Capt. Lou and wife Judy standing on the deck with the sun directly on the Cape centered behind them.) (Please note- This photo shows Judy braving the cold, snow, and rough seas. Did I say COLD! Capt. Lou was in his cabin looking for more long underwear!! that is what happens when you live in Sunny Southern Florida too long!)
It should also be noted that these two photos were taken less than 15 minutes apart. Compare the weather, wind, seas, just about everything! That is what makes Cape Horn...."The Cape!"

The rounding of THE HORN is complete. Another "Dream" on Capt. Lou’s list is crossed off! As we head east toward the Falkland Islands, we can only imagine what life for the four Cape Horn Lighthouse keepers--who reside there year round must be like. Each year they will be treated to over 200 gales--winds exceeding 34 knots.

The preceding article was written and contributed by:
Capt. Lou Hoffman

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

#2 THE CHANNELS

The channels that lead to the Cape as we travel south through the "roaring 40’s" to the more "blustery 50’s" as the Latitudes here are called by sailors past, offer some protection from the numerous gales. Being here in the Southern Latitudes in early Spring, is not for those who must see and experience warm sunshine daily. It is however an area of unequaled beauty and rapidly changing appearances.

From the time of leaving Puerto Montt (see Port-of-Call #9 archives, Dec 16, 2003) our cruise takes us into numerous channels. The channels not only offer tremendous sightseeing and wildlife observation, they also protect us from the rough seas that exist just offshore beyond our view. The many channels are home to thousands of islands, and wildlife species, ie: sea lions, albatross, whales…. The fjords are deep--some 1800’ deep. Some of the islands are tree covered, some are rock only, and still others are snow capped. As Capt. Lou and crew head south, the temperatures begin to plummet and the winds seem to pick up.

The Chilean Fjords offer unparalleled vistas of the snow capped peaks of the Andes as we travel towards the Patagonia areas of South America. Our trip as you might remember from Newsletter #012, visits the Port of Chacabuco. As we cruise south from here, we see at least five large glaciers, several from a stopped and very close range. All this can be enjoyed from the comfort and warmth of your cabin since many of the sights are within a quarter to a half mile. However, the problem with this approach is that since the vistas are 360°, you will miss at least half of the opportunities. Of course one way to overcome that is to take the next CROWN cruise that reverses the itinerary--just don’t forget to get a "room with a view" on the other side.

The Chilean Fjords, Straits of Magellan, and Beagle Channel all offer great scenery. It changes at a moments notice as the sun shines or doesn’t; as it rains or doesn’t; or as it snows or doesn’t. Fog is just one of many other influences on this highly changeable landscape. Seas range from glassy calm to rough, even with all the protection of surrounding islands that are thousands of feet in height. One of the great varieties provided by the vistas is the snowline that further north was around 20,000 foot elevation. It is slowly moving down the mountain peaks to its lowest point in the south where it is at an elevation of only 2,000 feet above sea level. (See photo in top section)

The names of the areas generate tremendous awe and respect based on history. Hernando Magellan who is considered to be the founder of Tierra del Fuego, sailed and settled these waters, later named the Straits of Magellan. Beagle Channel, which leads us into Ushuaia the world’s southern most city in Argentina, is named for the "Beagle"-- Charles Darwin’s ship.
(See Newsletter #013).

And even more importantly to Capt. Lou and many other sailors, they lead to the Cape!

Another quote by Melville from the White Jacket tells us, "Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver, but less daring. Thus, with seamen; he who goes the oftenest round Cape Horn goes the most circumspectly". Our Captain is cautious. My greatest fear--now past--is that he may deem conditions too rough and opt for something less than a real rounding of the Cape. He did not and that delighted many passengers and prevented major disappointment on our part.

This cruise has shown Capt. Lou that we can all still go out and experience our "Life Adventures", of whatever kind. The adventures may not be like those of others; at least not the small boat sailors of the world, nor of the tireless trekkers across mountains and deserts. BUT, any adventure will be unique and will be your adventure.

What’s YOUR Dream? A trip of the kind we just finished can instill in you…the ability to fulfill your dreams!

Sound dramatic…well, that’s because it is!

The preceding article was written and contributed by:
Capt. Lou Hoffman

  

*BREAKING NEWS*

NCL AMERICA
"PRIDE OF AMERICA"
SINKS

On Wednesday January 14th, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) was notified by Lloyd Werft, the shipbuilding yard in Germany where the "Pride Of America" is currently under construction, that the ship had "SANK" during a heavy storm the previous evening!

At approximately 12:30 am local time on January 14th the German seaport was experiencing a severe winter storm with near gale force winds. The 81,000 GRT ship began taking on water for an unknown reason.

The ship began listing to the starboard side. The superstructure then struck a 60 ton crane which was located dockside causing the crane to topple to the ground partially destroying a building it landed on. Fortunately nobody was working in the building at the time and all workers onboard the ship were evacuated. Three workers were taken to a Bremerhaven hospital with minor injuries.

The ship was almost completely wrapped in scaffolding and tarpaulins as the hull was in the process of being painted.

The ship continued listing and quickly sank to the bottom of the harbor basin located at the dock. It was in approximately 36 feet of water. The three lower decks were completely under water which included the engine room, most mechanicals, as well as crew facilities. The ship was due to be delivered to NCL America in April.

It took several days until the storm settled and all remaining scaffolding was secured, so that divers could be sent down to make initial damage assessments.

By Friday evening into Saturday morning, it was determined that there was indeed enough damage that there would be a substantial delay, this being referenced as months, not weeks!

NCL then announced the plan to switch the arrival of the Pride of America with the Pride of Aloha. This ship is actually a major multi-million dollar remodeling of the current Norwegian Sky, so that they could still meet the planned July 4th inaugural celebration and ship christening in Hawaii.

Details of the planned switch were sketchy and complete details will be announced later this week.

So much for my planned June cruise aboard the "All New" Pride of America! Any ideas?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Off the Track Fact"
by Judy

 

Capt. Lou is "full" of stories of his travels, adventures and maritime teaching experiences! Make it known if you would like to read more in the future.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Q & A

Question: I want to start by saying that I think you have a wonderful newsletter. It is very informative and covers current events very timely.

However, I have one question or request. While I love getting and reading the newsletter, I hate the advertisments and the other emails I occasionally get from Cruise-n-Views.

I don't want to unsubscribe because as I said, I really do like the newsletter. I know you need to make some money to cover the cost and time of producing the newsletter and I would assume that is what you get from the ads and emails. Is there any way to offer the newsletter with NO ADS? I would even be willing to pay a SMALL fee if that was what was needed to get all the good with none of the bad!

Thanks, and keep up the great work on a great newsletter.

Stanley D.

 

 

Answer: Hello Stanley,

I am amazed at the timing of your question! We have been working on setting up a system that will offer EXACTLY what you are asking for and referring to.

We will be offering a Cruise-n-Views Newsletter version that will have absolutely NO ADS and you would RECEIVE absolutely NO EMAILS from us except the newsletter each Tuesday.

Details will be available by next week.

Thanks for the question, and your timing is scary!

If anyone has a question dealing with any aspect of the cruise industry or cruise market, do not hesitate to drop us an email and we will get you an answer.

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