CRUISE NEWS - CRUISE SHIP DAMAGED IN HIGH WINDS, HUGE CARNIVAL ANOUNCMENT

[@fredacuneo5180]

My very first cruise back in the 90's aboard the Carnival Fantasy didn't go into port at Freeport because of high winds. We ended up having our sea day instead. From day 1 I learned to be flexible with cruising. Glad no one was hurt in Turkey.

[@007moma]

Miss the Fantasy!

[@richardhoward526]

Starlink will not effect the reliability of Princess Medallion the way you mentioned. The ordering and finding of fellow cruisers and so on is an internal Princess networking issue. That would be like being at home and connecting to ur Bluetooth printer to print and blaming your IP that the network is slow. Lol. Glad ur having a good time. See ya in April

[@bruciethecuz9031]

Glad you caught that. I was about to chime in with basically the same comment. Yup, the on board Medallion is a function of "intranet " rather than "internet". In my "semi geek" frame of mind, I processed what Don said the same way! 👍

[@KeithDavey2014]

Star Link is a connection to the Internet but will do nothing for the Medalian. That is a local network problem.

[@3716anderson]

Don, we missed many ports because of the wind. Felt that it was the right decision...safety!

[@manuelocampo7285]

Thanks again Don for the information. Crazy how things are going.

[@gregm1955gm]

Welcome home Don. Thanks for sharing your experiences on cruising. Like all your updates. And for keeping us informed on ships and cruises.

[@nancymehrbach7343]

Beautiful port! Hopefully not too much damage

[@ruthperkins8321]

I hope HAL has Starlink up and running before our next cruise with them in October! Thank you for the great news!

[@rodnewman6519]

Welcome home Sir, bet you are glad to get there after the eventful trip!

[@Donsfamilyvacations]

Oh yes!

[@markbergthold6181]

Even with Starlink, Alaska & other extreme northern & southern destinations may not experience the usual Starlink speed. We thought our XM radio would keep us entertained during a roadtrip to Fairbanks & Anchorage. The closer we got, service became spotty & eventually quit. We learned that there were somewhat valid reasons, mainly to protect Alaskan radio stations, but also because there were very few satellites near the earths poles. So it all depends on if enough satellites are deployed to provide service.

[@98849]

Taiwan is one amazing country with lovely welcoming people . Got stuck on a tour bus in a tunnel- it was a first tour trip for the country . I just been away with Fred Olsen they were hit by giant wave in CASABLANCA - quire a bit of damage .

[@ronaldcooper4809]

Loved following your travels in our beautiful country of Australia, your view of the Sydney fireworks was awesome, enjoy your future travels. Your positive outlook and enjoyment of the simple things shines through your posts.

[@denisemiller9296]

thank you Don and glad your home.

[@janbooth2431]

We were on the Discovery Princess over Christmas and had great luck with the Medallion. We really enjoyed it. Thanks for the video

[@niuhuskieguy]

On my last cruise on the Carnival Horizon in 2019, the internet was surprisingly good the whole time.

[@StephanieVanLoon-si7iz]

Our next cruise on Carnival Dream is April 19, 2025, hopefully Starlink will be available. Glad no one was injured on the cruise ship that hit the breakwater in Turkey. That must have been scary. Our first cruise back in the 90’s, we had to take smaller boats into Cozumel from the ship. There was so much wind and the waves hit those boats so hard. We couldn’t see anything out the front window. Everyone was getting sick 🤢 and my husband who gets seasick was trying his best not to get sick. It was the worst boat trip to shore we have ever had and we have now been on 14 cruises.

[@heideleskun1163]

Carnival tried to get Starlink when it was first put out there. Royal just outbid them.

[@donaldmessenger598]

Glad your home and had a great cruise with a little changes but thats the way it is right now you have to expect changes and a few incovient time but cruiseing is still the best vacation I enjoy Thanks for all the info.

[@cgpnomad]

Don, love your channel! Have been watching it for awhile, Great information, we are in Seattle and enjoy all cruising with 25+ cruises

[@susantam5681]

Welcome home!! NCL also needs Starlink.

[@Rich22C]

Increased internet speeds shouldn't have anything to do with the connection to use the Medallion system as I understand it. My Medallion worked fine when the internet speed was terrible since it used intranet, not internet for connection.

[@eirabish7980]

Hope the Medallion works on Princess, cos we are booked for 2 Princess cruises, one end of February

[@gowithgid3274]

Was just on the Celebrity Reflection and it had Starlink. At least in the Caribbean, the service was on par with my land service in most cases. It's a big step forward for wifi at sea.

[@crimlarksSteve]

Thanks for the update on Carnival moving to StarLink. I sure hope Princess does that, as the internet speed on our 3 week Caribbean cruise on the Sky Princess was abysmal. 0.5MB donwload speeds. Totally unusable.

[@KMMK2371]

Yaay, Don's home! 🙂

[@deborahbolton3417]

Thanks for sharing this with us!❤❤❤❤

[@Masterchief68]

Ship’s captains really need to keep the safety of the passengers and crew foremost in their minds, not to mention to keep the safety of the ship first! I would rather miss a port than lose the ship because of running aground or whatever!

[@rogerrohwedder7162]

Internet worked great never had a drop off on Wonder of the Seas Jan 7-15. They have star link.

[@rogerrohwedder7162]

@p¡nned by Don's Family Vacations I don't have WhatsApp what is that.

[@snowbird9896]

Welcome home, Don! Enjoyed your trip vlog for Australia and New Zealand.

[@michaelratcliffe7559]

Thats a tough way to get your hill scraped clean!!

[@JohanMsWorld]

As I got it the pilot is in charge of guiding the ship in as long as the captain follows his or hers orders. So mostly its on the pilot. J.

[@CesarinPillinGaming]

If they hit bow in, I imagine the damage would have been minor to the bulbous front of the ship.. right?

[@CarnivalGalaxy]

interesting. thanku... 👍😎🌅👆

[@roberthamilton1301]

Thanks Mate

[@cherylmiller1189]

Thanks for wifi info

[@ichwilleinboot3921]

Queen Mary 2 is increasing internet as well. For crew and guests.

[@stephladouceur]

Nice T-shirt. When I put the video on pause I taught that it was uploading hahaha!

[@stevedowney9185]

Hi Don. I have cruised many times on Princess and have never had a problem with the medallion. The medallion app is another thing. I have always had a problem with the app.

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

Glad you got home safe

[@johnstoutley7421]

Welcome home, Don. Great to know you got back without too much trouble. I would be happy if the internet on board is improved with the introduction of "Starlink". We will see if that happens and how good it gets. We have a Princess cruise in the Caribbean next month, and then a Norwegian Encore Panama Cruise in April, and then two cruises with Princess in September along the New England/Canadian shore lines. Lots to look forward to. Always keen to hear your news, keep it coming, Don.

[@davva360]

I am about to go back on Harmony of the Seas in 10 days. I was on it a year ago and had great internet, but it was also only at 55% capacity. I expect the ship to be full this time but I do not know if Starlink is installed yet. Based on my research I do not think it has been installed.

[@idjones3]

Don, love your reports! But I have to say I am really diggin" your t-shirt! Keep up the grat work!!!

[@ZappaZombieWolf]

No more Titanic communication screw ups.....lol..... and hope you come back to Oz.... [

[@andrewgentry752]

Have we ever heard the details regarding the NCL Escape and what damages it actually sustained and what repairs had to be accomplished? Love the videos Don, been here since the beginning and really appreciate all of your videos!

[@TSKseattle]

To be clear, the Princess Medallion on your wrist works great. It's the Medallion App that has problems because of the poor wi-fi

[@rossweaver8638]

Welcome home, Don. Costa cruises must be run by politicians because they always make big announcements but with no detail, sigh!. Anyway, hope you can make is back down under again sometime soon so you can pick up a koala, kangaroo and kiwi stuffed toy for the cabinet behind you.

[@guachatierna]

I think that the Pilot has greater responsibility about the safety of the ship than the Captain in this case. Anyhow, it was a bad decision regardless. Glad you are home safe. I loved your videos during this trip and Tony's about you two touring the Sub and Captain's Cook ship. Very unique. Thank you.

[@airbob21]

Hi Don - we received an email from NCL that the Joy is getting refurbished in January 2024 and they’ve cancelled cruises that were booked.

[@foredimples529]

Ah man. That sucks.

[@HOlsen789]

I know RVers who have Starlink mobile internet and gets throttled often. It will be interesting to see how cruisers will be affected.

[@JacobIsrael30]

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[@rttrudy4647]

Welcome back to Canada Don 🇨🇦 😀

[@nancyrichardson9927]

Sure hope Carnival gets the updated internet soon!

[@judithdrayton7642]

Thank you Don!

[@kikirush3642]

Welcome home! Hopefully you have caught up on sleep.😊

[@johnhemric9405]

Good afternoon Don. Since you brought up Starlink, would you know if it has been installed on the Harmony of the Seas. Thanks

[@unlvqasl]

How would cold weather affect internet???? Please tell me.

[@jilllovesbeegees70]

I heard about a Pool flood on r c biggest ship

[@carolynnowak3823]

The only thing the Medallion was good for was opening our cabin.🙁

[@dwm24803]

Have you heard anything about Celebrity Cruise line severely cutting back on their dinner buffet options?

[@TVHouseHistorian]

😯 cutting back on BUFFET?

[@rpmillam]

Fascinating aida

[@donnafrflorida56]

I have starlink at home. Beat my satellite viasat by 50x. Starlink rocks.

[@cyberfrank-bx2nv]

Canadian luck, you re all safe, that s all that counts. we ll have to be more patient for services, I can t wait to live like you do, and experiment it, if only once in my life. Pacific Princess, the love boat, a dream since my childhood. ehhhh, I ll keep dreaming until it happens then. Terminator 2 ; I need a vacation.... good show Don, and God save us all.

[@southerncaladygolfer8651]

Since ships always have a pilot on board from the port I am really surprised to hear this.

[@donnaschuepbach3830]

He said both were on board. I guess the unexpected bad weather was just too unpredictable.

[@darleneeastburn7639]

Great shirt !!

[@MikeSteinSeaTac]

My wife said to put your swiffer away before you make your videos LOL LOL LOL

[@KylesRV]

Starlink was not that good on Allure of the Seas. It was spotty and fairly slow.

[@joandobrijevic7572]

As the internet is pretty much an everyday part of life now, when will ocean cruise ships include it as part of the base fare as river boat cruises do? I guess never due to the likely insane profits the cruise lines make from selling internet packages! It’s like the exorbitant roaming fees we Canadians pay through our cell providers 😩😡 Thanks Don for all your informative videos with all the cruise industry breaking news!

[@elouise5593]

It might drive cruise prices up, if it is included in the fare and some of us, myself included, can live without it for a week or so.

[@joandobrijevic7572]

@@elouise5593 I agree but I’m sure the cruise lines have seized upon a huge cash cow opportunity! Although I can spend a trip without the internet (we did so for years!), for some people it is important to stay connected for whatever reason. It just seems the cruise lines are nickel and “diming” everyone for everything these days compared to my first cruise over 40 years ago!

[@Lyn4817]

If the weather conditions were bad, was the Pilot in attendance?

[@jeffross5424]

carnivore corp's decision this will make musk happy

[@deloressmith8451]

Is princess cruise line owned by carnival cruise line please tell me if I am wrong or right cause I told my granddaughter that carnival cruise line own princess cruise line

[@eah8185]

More color re Astoria Grande . . . yes, a former AIDA ship - but, since 2021, it's been owned by Akvilon (a consortium of Russian investors) collaborating with Turkey's Miray Cruises. In July 2022, the ship began offering Black Sea sailings from the Russian City of Sochi (of 2014 Winter Olympic fame). So, it's noteworthy that even amidst Putin's war, the Russian cruise industry is attempting a comeback.

[@tnrodgers]

Glad you’re back home safe Don. Enjoyed your visit videos in Australia and NZ. The voice overs were all pro.

[@evynnecohen8014]

Welcome home

[@Donsfamilyvacations]

thank you :)

[@richnull2302]

Don what is the best Medical travel insurance for cruisers? That you can recommend. Thank you for your help.

[@emmib1388]

he generally does not respond to comments and as he is not an insurance agent, he really can't recommend insurance policies 😞

[@SeanReigle]

Allianz, if you are in the US is generally good

[@bob_frazier]

We call 'em jettys.

[@lelandnanny967]

The pilot can say whatever he wants but, the captain is responsible and can over ride the pilot.

[@tammyhutchins9367]

Be careful with Starlink. Be sure to read your user agreement. You may be giving Starlink more information than you think you are. They have very strict guidelines on what they want to gather.

[@mattdisney1132]

What happened

[@N1ftyNick]

Don: Have you been on a cruise with Starlink? How much better is your experience with Starlink?

[@owenmunn3248]

With the tensions between China, Taiwan and the US, I would not want to cruise near Taiwan.

[@jerrychurch5050]

What in the world is Mexico thinking banning smoking/vaping even on beaches?

[@fadacious]

I always end up next to a smoker on the beach and it's horrible. I like the idea but I agree it's a lot at once. Maybe designated areas would be a better idea? And it's Mexico so who knows how well the new restriction will be enforced. If I was a smoker I wouldn't worry.

[@debbief2882]

How many do you think lost their job after that ship accident?

[@densnow4816]

Pretty obvious that Costa fears the reaction of a certain country if it enters any Taiwanese ports.

[@cfs8118]

I use Starlinkj at my home. It's great. But I have my own dish. I just wonder how good it's going to be multiplexed through just one dish on a ship.

[@stephaniecole4609]

Hi Don, glad that you didn't mind safety over aborted sightseeing in your recent NZ cruise. I'd booked to go on a HAL cruise around NZ in January 2021 but that all got cancelled because of Covid. It sounds like there are better times to go round NZ. Anyhow, turning north in your direction, I had an interesting experience with Advebture Canada when our ship got caught in an Arctic storm with 35 knot winds. No problems, we just had to shelter in the Bellot Strait, avoid floating ice, and hunker down until it blew itself out. They warn you to be flexible as it's an expedition! I encourage to try out their expeditions so that you can see little travelled parts of Canada and Greenland. Crossing the Davies Strait & going down Iceberg Alley is amazing as well. You certainly need sea sick tablets 😀🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🦘🦘🦘

[@idjones3]

"great"

[@jamesconway4821]

There has to be severe penalties for captains that put their vessels at risk especially with large amounts of passengers and crew. This could have very easily turned into another Costa Concordia. With all the equipment on board modern cruise ships then tell the wind speed the water current speed the weather conditions the depth of the water and nearby objects there is no excuse not to vitally use that information to come up with an informed safety decision. This is the equivalent of a bus driver speeding through rainy conditions to get to their destination.

[@herwartgebhardt5505]

Ridiculous statements,

[@jamesconway4821]

@@herwartgebhardt5505 are you referring to my statements or the statement that the captain gave blaming it on wind conditions.❓

[@travelcampexplore166]

I hope Holland America hurry up. I was on New Amsterdam and the internet was terrible. Full review on my channel.

[@funafter5081]

Dear Don, I always like your videos but as a KZbinr myself, I have a KZbinr pet peeve that I have to discuss with you ( many KZbinrs do this ). It involves something important...YOUR AUDIENCE! I don't know what you are looking at ( possibly, yourself in your flip out screen on your camera, maybe?...I don't know ) but you should be looking at us...your audience. To do that you need to look at your lens more often when you are making your videos, please. I have suggested this to other KZbinrs and they take it or leave it and you can do the same...I'm just trying to help. Please forgive me if this irks you, I'm not trying to rain on your parade, I'm just trying to make it more engaging. To me, addressing your audience by actually looking at them ( your lens ) should be a rule on KZbin...lol...JMHO... You are an icon in the cruise industry so keep doing what you are doing and ignore this suggestion if you want to...no worries. Cheers, A Big Fan, John 😉 P.S. I know you know where your lens is because you do look into it like at the end of this video! Maybe you are reading a script and I didn't account for that...my apologies if that it the case...

[@liseohplease]

I have no problem with Don. He looks like he is looking across a table at us. Keep up the good work Don!

[@funafter5081]

@@liseohplease It's just me and it's my own pet peeve that I have with any KZbinr who doesn't look into their camera. Don is great. I shouldn't have even mentioned it...because he does look into his camera at times.

[@tomhassell1483]

Bad show Don.....

[@thomaswithers999]

you princcess dion

[@jonrobbins6095]

Any one no how we can email Don please his email address

[@Lamb9491]

Welcome home