Grandeur Fire "Grace under pressure"

[GiannaD]

The following article appeared in The Baltimore Sun Tuesday, June 4, 2013 page 15 NEWS Commentary.

 

It is a wonderful article and a tribute to the officers and crew of the Grandeur of the Seas.

 

Grace under pressure

 

A fire aboard a cruise ship was handled surprisingly well, one passenger says

 

By Adam Tiffen

 

On May 24, my wife and I embarked on our first cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean ship *Grandeur of the Seas to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary. Having deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of the Maryland Army National Guard, I had been overseas for our fifth anniversary, and this year I booked a cruise out of Baltimore to help make up for it.

I was a little hesitant to do so. Last year, while deployed to Afghanistan, I booked a cruise for my two weeks’ leave. I planned to meet my wife in Barcelona, Spain, and we would embark on our first cruise aboard the Costa Concordia for a one-week tour of the Mediterranean.

Needless to say, our cruise never happened. The Costa Concordia ran aground outside Italy a few weeks prior to our scheduled trip, with horrific loss of life. In the aftermath, I found Costa cruise lines to be uncommunicative and extremely difficult to deal with. The experience came very close to turning me off of cruising entirely.

After setting sail, my wife and I enjoyed two days by the ship’s pool, and then turned in late on Sunday. Around 2:30 on Monday morning, we awoke suddenly to the sound of the ship’s intercom system announcing that all passengers should report to their muster stations immediately. A few seconds later, a crew member began pounding on our door. Opening the door, I was immediately hit with smoke and the thick, acrid chemical smell of burning plastic. The voice on the intercom announced: “This is not a drill.”

My mind immediately flashed to my experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. When a rocket or mortar attack on our base was imminent, an automated siren and alarm would sound with the words “Incoming, incoming.” We had been trained on how to respond: We would hit the ground and cover our heads. After we heard explosions, we would grab our body armor and head to the nearest bunker and wait for the “all-clear” signal. This was essentially what the army calls a “battle drill.” At that moment, what was going on aboard our burning ship was essentially a battle drill, and it was executed heroically by the officers, staff, and crew.

Securing our life vests, my wife and I moved immediately into the crowded hallway to our muster stations. Along the hallway every few feet was a Royal Caribbean crew member pointing the way for passengers in various states of undress and consciousness. We were shepherded to our muster stations calmly and efficiently, and the crew sprang into action. Cooks, dancers and art gallery specialists immediately began to get a by-name accountability of every passenger. Waiters, housekeeping staff and blackjack dealers began to lower and prepare the life boats in case they were needed. Carpenters, electricians and plumbers valiantly donned firefighting equipment and risked their lives to fight a raging fire for almost three hours.

All along, the captain gave regular updates, keeping passengers fully informed about the progress of the firefighting, the status of the Coast Guard, where we were headed, and how far we were from port. When a passenger became faint, almost immediately a mobile medical team arrived to assist. Later, when the captain announced that the fire had finally been put out the crew and passengers spontaneously erupted into applause.

The crew who had been up all night fighting fires and caring for passengers then kicked into hospitality mode and went above and beyond the call of duty. Within an hour, cooks managed to prepare a hot meal. Unlimited Internet and phone service were provided, and customer service representatives began addressing individual passenger issues.

When it was officially announced that the cruise had to end, the captain informed us that we would be getting a full refund, plus a credit for a free cruise. We were also told that we would be flown the next day on chartered aircraft back to Baltimore. Until we left Tuesday evening, the crew continued to provide outstanding service with grace and undeniable pride in their ship. From opening up the restaurants to providing live music and putting on comedy shows, our time was made to pass as pleasantly as possible. On Wednesday around 1 a.m., my wife and I disembarked at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, where we were met by representatives from Royal Caribbean and, much to my astonishment, a jazz trio playing live music in the baggage claim area.

Although this obviously wasn’t what we had in mind for our first cruise, the attention to detail, professionalism and genuine care and concern of the officers, staff and crew saved lives and ensured that we all returned home safely. It is because of them that my first cruise will not be my last.

 

Adam Tiffen lives in Fairfax, Va., and has served in the Maryland Army National Guard for 12 years. His email is adamtiffen@hotmail.com  .

[reallyitsmema]

It is a great article, here is a link to the current thread about it.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1856212

[GiannaD]

It is a great article, here is a link to the current thread about it.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1856212

 

 

Thanks! I read the article in our newspaper this morning. I didn't have a link.

[tx121]

Joking here...but I wouldn't want to go on a cruise with this guy. lol! Seems like bad luck has followed him twice with the Concordia cruise not happening because it ran aground and the fire on the Grandeur of the Seas! :eek: Maybe third times a charm! :D

[The BarCarres]

Joking here...but I wouldn't want to go on a cruise with this guy. lol! Seems like bad luck has followed him twice with the Concordia cruise not happening because it ran aground and the fire on the Grandeur of the Seas! :eek: Maybe third times a charm! :D

 

That's exactly what I was thinking :o. I will say though his glowing words and description of what happened brought me to tears. It's people like him that makes me proud to share the human race with him.

[Arizona Laura]

Joking here...but I wouldn't want to go on a cruise with this guy. lol! Seems like bad luck has followed him twice with the Concordia cruise not happening because it ran aground and the fire on the Grandeur of the Seas! :eek: Maybe third times a charm! :D

 

That was my initial thought but then realized he is alive and well after being deployed in Afghanistan, avoiding the Costa Concordia, and surviving a fire on the Grandeur.

Hope his guardian angel continues to keep him safe.

 

Laura

[happyiam]

OP....nicely written.

[flyingv4me]

Excellent article. Truly excellent.

[MedicKen]

Thank you Adam both for your service in the National Guard and your review of an incident that has been sensationalized by the news media. I'm sure you were a great help during the incident as well. Even if only to your bride.

 

Thanks again, hope to run into you on a cruise and offer a proper thanks.

[drarill]

That was my initial thought but then realized he is alive and well after being deployed in Afghanistan, avoiding the Costa Concordia, and surviving a fire on the Grandeur.

Hope his guardian angel continues to keep him safe.

 

Laura

 

I believe in guardian angels... Excellent article!!

[Let'sGo!]

Such a nice article - thanks for sharing!

After reading so many complaints, I find it so refreshing to read positive perceptions like this one!

 

Ann

[plank]

that's exactly what i was thinking :o. I will say though his glowing words and description of what happened brought me to tears. It's people like him that makes me proud to share the human race with him.

 

amen!

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Thanks for sharing ! We were on Freedom and passed you guys in PC. Glad everyone is safe !

[Keith1010]

Thanks for sharing.

 

Keith

[SGMT2013]

Thank you for posting this Gianna it was very kind of your and all the messages are well received. My husband and I appreciate all the kind messages here.

[cruisingabuela]

Glad that person will cruise again.What most companies do not realize is that doing the right thing and making it right is what customer service is all about.Very frightening incident, but by the way it was described RCCL did all they could.

[shippmates]

We were also on this cruise and RCL reacted royally. They did an awesome job. We also want to thank you for your service to our country. We are going to sail again on Granduer in November hoping for an uneventful cruise.

[SGMT2013]

Joking here...but I wouldn't want to go on a cruise with this guy. lol! Seems like bad luck has followed him twice with the Concordia cruise not happening because it ran aground and the fire on the Grandeur of the Seas! :eek: Maybe third times a charm! :D

 

LOL we hope it will be Adam and I will be cruising again this year. Thank you for all the positive postings about Adams article.;)

[wolfganghowell]

SGMT - I am guessing you might be Mrs Adam. Thank you both for your service to the US and I wish you both many happy cruises in the future. We have sailed 21 times in 14 years without incident so I do believe your next should be wonderful. And I hope someone in Royal Caribbean's marketing dept sees that article and arranges a little special something for you as a thank you. Room upgrade, anyone? :)

[SGMT2013]

SGMT - I am guessing you might be Mrs Adam. Thank you both for your service to the US and I wish you both many happy cruises in the future. We have sailed 21 times in 14 years without incident so I do believe your next should be wonderful. And I hope someone in Royal Caribbean's marketing dept sees that article and arranges a little special something for you as a thank you. Room upgrade, anyone? :)

 

Your so funny, yes I better be his wife as I'm the one going with him on the next cruise :p. Adam is a fantastic writer and I was so happy that his OP-ED was picked up. I think it voiced the majority of voices and opinions we heard on the ship. What was very special was the emails we received from actual crew members saying how much the article meant to them. Third time will be a charm Gd willing :)

[Mac303]

To Adam & Wife, Thank you for your sacrifice to serve our Country, and thanks for telling it like it was, not at all like the news media tried to portray what happened.