Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Rolls Royce Working on building ships with the need of Captain and Crews
British engineering company claims huge cargo carriers will be cheaper, greener and safer than fully manned vessels
A fleet of giant cargo ships, up to almost a quarter of a mile long and wider than a motorway, are to crisscross the world's oceans without a captain or crew on board.
The remote-controlled vessels, which could set sail within the decade, are the latest development in the growing trend for unmanned vehicles, with drone aircraft already flying and Google planning to introduce driverless cars.
Rolls-Royce, the British engineering company developing the ships, claims the unmanned ships will be cheaper, greener and safer than those with a full complement of captain and crew.
"It's about making the ships more safe," said Oskar Levander, Rolls-Royce's head of marine innovation and technology. "If you look at most accidents in marine they are happening because of human error – a lack of concentration and people becoming tired. We can provide a safer, more comfortable and better way of steering the ship."
Levander said marine technology had progressed so fast in recent years that most of the steering and control of ships was already automated, relieving captains of many of their traditional duties for large parts of long voyages.
"If you think about a captain today, most of the work he does every day is on [managing] the crew and bureaucracy – he is more of an administration person, but he is still trained in operating a ship," Levander said. "You have these highly trained people but they only operate the ship a small part of the time – why not have them operate ships all the time?"
Under Rolls-Royce's plan captains will be relocated from the bridges of ships to unremarkable office blocks in London, Singapore or Oslo, from where they will control fleets of ships on big screens akin to air traffic control centres.
"Maybe a captain can operate 10 ships … it might be easier to have a pool of 10 captains in control of 100 ships," said Levander, a Finn working at Rolls-Royce's Blue Ocean research centre in Ålesund, a small town known for its art nouveau architecture on Norway's remote western coast eight hours' drive from Oslo.
For most the of voyage, captaining the ships will amount to little more than watching blinking lights travel across a computer screen. "Then, when it approaches port, control of the ship is passed to a full bridge simulator with 360° views."
Levander said the simulators, which are already used for crew training and will be hooked up to dozens of cameras on the ships, would provide captains with a far better view of the vessel and any obstacles than they would have from the bridge. "If we're going to do this, it must be as safe if not safer," he said. "We can create a better view of reality. The camera can see better than the human eye, they can spot objects in the water that the human eye cannot."
Levander brushes aside concerns that the ships could pose a danger to other seafarers and the environment. "We have drone aircraft flying, we have [drone] helicopters, we have Google cars – these are situations where you need to react in a fraction of a second, with ships you have a lot of margin. A ship isn't going to run up and hit me," he said.
"The point is, who is normally in danger if you hit something? It is the crew on the ship, they are the ones that get injured. It is safer if they are not there in the dangerous position."
If a ship does get into difficulties, spring a leak or lose the satellite link to the control centre it will "go into safe mode, stop and float there until someone comes".
The technology, which will be tested on a real ship off the coast of Ålesund in the next few months, will be used only on bulk cargo vessels and not passenger ships. Levander said the technology would be used on cargo cable ferries (which are guided across rivers on cables) within the next couple of years, "but the real benefit will be in ocean going tankers and bulkers", where remote control would cut operating costs by up to 30%.
Spotting the potential cost savings, cargo companies are keen to get remote-controls ships on the water soon, but winning approval from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the global regulator of shipping, is likely to take some time. If approval is granted, Levander reckons more than half of the world's bulk cargo ships will become remote-controlled, with container ships following later. "We have ship owners who are seriously interested, but they know they are not going to sign the contract on them this year or next year – it will take some time."
The new technology is likely to be most popular in northern Europe, where most marine technology is developed and where crew wages are the most expensive.
The prospect of remote-controlled ships comes as cargo companies are beginning to struggle to find people willing to spend months at sea on not hugely generous wages. "Young people don't want to go into shipping any more, it's not attractive," Levander said. "In the past you joined up to see the world, today you take a low-cost airline ticket and go."
The EU is funding a €3.8m (£3m) study into the safety and feasibility of unmanned vessels. The maritime unmanned navigation through intelligence in networks (Munin) programme said: "Seagoing professions are increasingly perceived as unattractive these days."
"Remote-control shipping will also make a captain's life more appealing as they will no longer have to leave their families for months on end," Levander said. "We can provide the possibility of working in shipping but doing it from an office near your home where you can drive back home after a day's work.
"In the future, we would like to spread them [the shipping control centres] out around the world so you only have daytime jobs."
Not having crews will remove the need for heating, air conditioning, sewage systems and lifeboats, freeing up even more space for cargo. It will also lead to a comprehensive redesign of ships, stripping out the bridge, handle rails and access points, allowing a sleeker shape and making life much harder for pirates attempting a hijacking.
"If you take the crew off you have much less interest for the pirates because you don't have hostages," Levander said.
"Even if they do get on board what are they going to do? You can remotely shut down the ship. They can sit there on the ship in the middle of the ocean but they cannot steer it – you can drive them to the nearest military base."
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS INFOGRAPHIC
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS INFOGRAPHIC
At We Love To Crusie And Travel we have put together a helpful infographic depicting many of the great features and facilities to be found aboard the Anthem of the Seas. From statistics about the size and capacity of the ship to the many World’s first features; the infographic answers many of the questions cruise fans will have about the ship.
The Anthem of the Seas will be a part of the second largest class of ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, offering the most technologically advanced amenities at sea. With high speed internet connections, the Anthem of the Seas will offer passengers an unparalleled cruising experience.
Built at Home Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas
Cruise Ship Built at Home
Francois Zanella, a 58 year old former mine worker has built a cruise ship at his home in Morsbach, Moselle in North-Eastern part of France. He started building his ship on August 10-th, 1994. By that time, he had already spent more than 3,500 hours designing in excruciating detail all the components of the ship. It took him 11 long years to build the ship, a process that was completed on June 23, 2005. On that day his ship started sailing from port Sarreguemines. Francois built his ship based on the model of Royal Caribbean's 1992 cruise ship Majesty of the Seas, but on a smaller scale. Because of that, he also named his ship Majesty of the Seas. Building this ship was a dream come true for Francois, a dream for which he happily spent 25,000 hours of his life. He also became quite famous in France because of this project. One of the main TV channels in the country - France 3 - created a special program named Thalassa which followed his work during the construction process. He received considerable amount of fan mail because of that. Currently Francois is enjoying the fruits of his labor by traveling around the world in his own cruise ship - Majesty of the Seas. |  Here is the cruise ship sitting in the exact place where it was built.  Here is how the ship was transported to sea. |
Here is Francois Zanella, the man who built the ship.
Royal Caribbean International Shore Excurison The Sea Lion
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Blue Lagoon Island Sea Lion Encounter - NS73
Enjoy an encounter with sea lions that allows you to kiss, hug, feed and play with these affectionate and humorous marine mammals from a waist-deep water platform. Your tour includes a 30-minute scenic boat ride through historic Nassau Harbor on a high-speed, double-decker catamaran. You'll cruise to Blue Lagoon Island, and upon completion of your sea lion encounter you may also observe the fascinating Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. A professional on-site photo and video staff captures your interaction with the sea lions and gives you the opportunity to purchase these memories after your program is done.
Ready to reserve this excursion? 
Enjoy an encounter with sea lions that allows you to kiss, hug, feed and play with these affectionate and humorous marine mammals from a waist-deep water platform. Your tour includes a 30-minute scenic boat ride through historic Nassau Harbor on a high-speed, double-decker catamaran. You'll cruise to Blue Lagoon Island, and upon completion of your sea lion encounter you may also observe the fascinating Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. A professional on-site photo and video staff captures your interaction with the sea lions and gives you the opportunity to purchase these memories after your program is done.
Highlights: •Catamaran Cruise: Absorb the beautiful setting of Historic Nassau Harbor, as you ride a high-speed, double-decker catamaran. •Sea Lion Encounter: Interact with sea lions from a platform in waist-deep water. •Blue Lagoon Island: Observe Atlantic bottlenose dolphins upon completion of your sea lion interaction. What to Bring: •SeaPass card and photo identification •Camera •Sun protection •Cash/credit cards •Towel (from ship) What to Wear: •Hat and sunglasses •Walking shoes •Swimsuit and cover-up or light clothing •Change of clothes Important Notes: •Guests ages 8 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult. •Guests ages 13 to 17 w/an adult must sign liability waiver. •Consider physical fitness and medical history when selecting tour. •Cameras are not allowed. |
Prepare for a life-changing encounter with a magnificent dolphin at Blue Lagoon Island, home of the famous Flipper. After a short, scenic catamaran cruise to the Island, you'll meet the dolphin trainers for an informative orientation. Interact in waist deep water where these beautiful and gentle sea creatures will impress you with their friendliness and supreme intelligence. Be sure to take several pictures as you play with and feed your new friends.
Highlights:
•Catamaran Cruise: Enjoy a short, scenic cruise from Nassau Harbor to your dolphin encounter.
•Blue Lagoon Island: Visit the beautiful facility that is home to Universal Studio's Flipper.
•Dolphin Encounter: Take home blissful memories of your interaction and a priceless photograph of your dolphin interaction.
What to Bring:
•Sea Pass card and photo identification
•Camera
•Sun protection
•Cash/credit cards
•Towel (from ship)
What to Wear:
•Swimsuit under cover-up or light clothing
•Hat and sunglasses
Important Notes:
• Consider physical fitness and medical history when selecting tour.
• Children between the ages of 4 and 12 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Top Reasons To Book Our Shore Excursions:
- Guaranteed First Off Ship: Guests booked on our tours enjoy priority departure in port.
- Hassle-Free Cancellation Policy*: Excursions can be modified or cancelled up to 24 hours prior to tour departure without penalty.
- Guaranteed Return To Ship†: If our tours are delayed, the ship will wait for you.
- In-Depth Destination Expertise: Discover the heart of the destinations with our knowledgeable and experienced guides. Your excursions are planned by insured partners who adhere to the highest safety standards in the industry.
- Our most popular tours and activities often sell out so we recommend advance booking for the best selection and availability.
Prices of Shore Excursions include local transportation, such as motorcoaches, limousines, taxis and boats (unless otherwise indicated in
Sunday, April 19, 2015
How to Pack For a Cruise
How to Pack for a Cruise
So you are heading out on a cruise, lucky you. Lots of fun filled days ahead lazing around the deck just soaking up the sun. As with any holiday there are a few things to consider before heading off.
Your cruise line will send you information spelling out its dress policy for your cruise. The one thing you really must keep in mind is that cruise cabins are very small, so you have to pack smart.
Bikini weather ahoy!
For cruises to warm locations, be sure to pack a few favourite items of swimwear, as you’ll be spending quite a while poolside. Throw in a couple of cover-ups so that you can wander from your sun lounger into the nearest café or bar without getting completely changed – consider a loose fitting sun dress you can pull on over your head, or a sarong.
Dress code debacles
When you book your cruise, you should be sent through a fact sheet including the type of dress required on board. Some cruise lines won’t have any specific requirements and are happy for you to let it all hang out, whilst others will be a lot more specific and even have formal wear evenings on board. Make sure you understand the meanings of terms. The dreaded term ‘smart casual’ is the trickiest to master but generally means that you’ll be fine wearing tailored shorts, a skirt, dress or trousers along with short-sleeved shirt or blouse. T-shirts aren’t usually be acceptable for this dress code. Formal wear for women generally means an evening dress or a dressy trouser suit. Think about taking a smart shawl or wrap with you to guard against over zealous air conditioning on board.
Looking ship shape
There are a few specific items you’ll find handy on board a cruise liner that you might not necessarily take on a normal holiday. Pack some flat shoes with good grip for wandering about decks on a choppy day. On warm weather cruises, you’ll be spending quite a lot of your time outside, so include some typical beach items such as a couple of pairs of sunglasses and a hat or two to stop you ending up looking like a cooked lobster.
Sizing things up
Whatever you do, don’t pack that pair of trousers that you can only zip up lying down. Yes, we’ve all got a pair and yes, they do make us look slim, but be realistic: You’re going to be spending a week or more aboard an all-inclusive eating and drinking machine and those trousers will not fit you within a day or two of indulgence. Just leave them at home, enjoy yourself and shift the extra holiday pounds when you get back.
Don’t over pack
Cruise cabins are small. Even the most expensive ones. You will not thank yourself when you’ve brought too much stuff and have to walk over mounds of clothing to get to your bathroom every morning and then find yourself only wearing half of it. Plus, most liners have self-service laundry facilities and dry cleaning services on board, so you’ll be able to clean your clothes and get more than one wear out of them. Zip pack storage bags are great for helping you to pack light. Putting garments in these before stuffing them into your luggage will reduce the amount of space required by a surprising amount. Pack light and pack well.
Ready to go
On major ocean-going cruises, you’ll be sharing your ship with possibly thousands of other passengers. Because of this, it can take hours for your luggage to be delivered to your cabin. With that fact in mind, do the sensible thing and include a change of clothes and swimwear in your hand luggage. That way, you can check into your cabin, get changed and maximise your time by the pool while the other passengers wait for their swimsuits to arrive!
Remember the basics
Despite the price tag on your cruise holiday, the majority of cruise ship cabins don’t come with simple things like alarm clocks. So if you need one to drag yourself out of bed in time for breakfast, then do pack one or make sure the one on your mobile phone does the job. Other essentials you might want to consider packing include clothes hangers, medication, batteries, ear plugs and power strips for charging your camera etc.
Keep documents safe
As for any holiday, Always pack your most important documents in your hand luggage, not in the suitcase you check in. Keep your passport, photo identification and cruise ship boarding pass on hand. You may also need certificates for vaccinations if you’re travelling to certain countries where it is required. Be sure to check in advance what form of identification your cruise company requires – surprisingly, with some cruise companies, a photocopy of your birth certificate might not be good enough!
Accessorize
A few well chosen accessories can transform an outfit. Take a simple silk top and pack in your suitcase a statement necklace, and maybe a scarf or a brooch – all little things that won’t take up very much room. Wearing the top on its own during the daytime and it’s just a simple t-shirt. Add a scarf for lunchtime and it’ll look like you’ve got changed. Dress it up after dark with the chunky necklace or the brooch and it will immediately become a piece of evening wear. Easy, effortless chic!
Activity-tastic
There are usually lots of options for onshore and on-board activities whilst on a cruise holiday. Have a look through the program beforehand and decide upon the types of things you’d like to do so that you can pack accordingly. If you’re sailing around Alaska for the Arctic Circle, for example, you might want some small binoculars for all the wildlife-spotting opportunities, waterproof footwear, several layers of warm clothing and socks, or perhaps you’ll need a tripod for your camera.
Sensible underwear
Your lingerie doesn’t have to be sensible and boring, but it ought to actually match the clothes you’re planning to wear. Don’t take a strapless top without packing a strapless bra to match and don’t take only black underwear when the main colour of your clothes are white and pastel! Lay everything out on your bed before putting it into your suitcase to avoid such wardrobe malfunctions.
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