The Splendor is now slowly making her way back to San Diego. Projected ETA is tomorrow [Thurs 11/11] at around noon.
We are now getting the first reports from the ship as she cruises into cell coverage. Passengers are saying that that due to the lack of a/c, the smells are atrocious. Several passengers are said to have been taken to the ships infirmary because they got sick from the smells. The USS Ronald Reagan has been supplying the stranded ship with food and water.
I have just found out that the food is Pop-Tarts and SPAM!
First hand account after the break [click More…]
The King of social media [although I believe that he should be on twitter] on the high seas, John Heald is actually onboard the Splendor as the cruise director. He posted the following today:
I don’t smell of roses at the best of times but as the laundry is not working and I only have two pairs of underpants I smell like Paris on a hot summer’s day………that’s Paris the city not Paris the …….person.
So here I am with a very quick hello. I am so sorry that I have not been blogging or Facebooking but we have had no internet and only now just got limited e-mail which an I/S beard has let me borrow for a few moments to say hello. Obviously it has been a challenge but let me tell you the most important facts and those are that the ship is safe, the guests are safe and that nobody was injured in what was a very difficult situation. I also want to tell you that the guests have been magnificent and have risen to the obvious challenges and difficult conditions onboard.
I am making continuous announcements from the bridge to keep them informed and sometimes when there is nothing new to tell them I just use the PA system to say hello and hope everyone is OK and try to keep some humour (spelt correctly) alive as well, which to be honest, I have no idea how that’s going over.
I have to say that the crew has been absolutely epic and I am so very proud of each and every one of them. There have been high points and low points throughout the last few days and I will tell you all about those in the days ahead. But for now the most important thing for you and the world’s press to remember is that everyone is safe and well and we will all be home soon.
There will be those who will say this has been “the cruise from hell.” However, when you see the local news reporter with the huge hair talking to Mr. Angry remember that there are many many many many more who will tell you what they have been telling me and the crew and that is that Carnival as a company have done everything they can and continue to do so to help them through this difficult situation.
One thing is for certain though……I doubt anyone onboard will ever ever want to eat a sandwich ever again.
Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts and I will write more soon.
Goodnight
Your friend
John
DISCLAIMER: John Heald and I have crossed paths before in a rather ugly fashion.But that’s in the past.