fire on star

[DandyCandy]

DandyCandy -

 

That was so not you! Nothing you said was taken offense by me - in fact I didnt even see it until after I posted.

 

It was Negc that offended me. It was taken out of context. I was sympathizing with the passengers not suggesting that Princess was doing anything wrong unless "roll-call" took 7 hours, which was completely a misunderstanding on my part.

 

You owe me no apology, not that I was going to get one anyways. :p

 

No worries. I will just go elsewhere where people check to see what I am trying to say before they blatantly flame me.

 

ok--I'M SORRY for thinking you were offended by me and "flaming" you. I just ASSumed since it was after my post that it pertained to me.:o

[bdjam]

Water was not given every 30 minutes in our muster station. It was given once at 7 am from the tap in the explorer's lounge and then the glasses were recycled and others used them. Over an hour later we were given some more. The staff had their own large bottles of water.

No one is asking for a meal or a food storgage closet to be near the muster stations. The fire had been contained for hours. They had trays of food one flight down waiting that they could have brought up. A crew member who is dating one of the cooks in Horizon told me that he was told to make all of this food but of course no one could leave.

 

As far as taking medications with you, this works well if the fire isn't already knocking on your door and entering your room as you leave. Yes, they did finally ask if anyone needed medications hours into it. I know it was horrible for the staff to have to go into the cabins and took an hour or more for you to get it after you asked.

 

Princess handled things well in most regards. However, watching one of the muster guys sleeping and others eating Mike and Ike's was a bit hard at the time.

 

Where Princess dropped the ball was they should have taken those of us who's cabins were gutted and had everything burned and brought us into one area after they let everyone else go to their intact cabins. Someone senior crew should have come in to speak to us and inform us that everything was gone but they would still let us come to our cabins to see if we could find anything. They also should have let us not wait on the general lines with those who were looking for their liquor that they purchased or wanted to return casino chips. I never lost my cool, never yelled at anyone or anything else. I just got tired of waiting in line only to be told, come back in an hour and then wait in line again for 30 minutes. They brought me back to my cabin to find that the locks were burned shut. They finally got my door open and I can't even begin to tell you what is was like to look into room where I had been sleeping hours prior and seeing a large hole and melted things and burned things everywhere with tons of water on the floor. It was hard to recognize things.

 

The reason that more people did not get injured was due in part to some fellow passengers. Passengers ran down hallways banging on long before the fire alarm came over for us to hear. AFter the silent alarm came in, someone from the bridge could have looked backwards and seen a very large fire. The person who pulled the alarm said it took over 10 minutes for the alarm to sound. My balcony was a wall of fire before the announcements came over for us. I want thank the girl once again, she saved numerous lives and is a true hero. Who ever banged down my hallway, thank you. 2 minutes later and we would have been caught in my cabin in bed with the fire inside.

I posted on your thread that I was sorry that everyone didn’t get the excellent treatment that Sunshine reported. I can’t begin to imagine why all passengers weren’t treated equally. I’m sorry that you went through a terrible ordeal. I’m also sorry that you had to deal with the Purser’s Desk unsuccessfully. I don’t know why this happened and I can only speculate that those who work on Star Princess were overwhelmed. I think it very fortunate that you seem to be a strong person who is able to handle these types of situations.

 

I think that life depends a lot on timing and luck. Everyone on board Star Princess had a chance to save themselves and while one person did pass, for the most part there was a power looking over you and keeping you safe. There are no accidents and there’s a reason you were able to get out of that cabin.

I used to ask my supervisor at work why I always got the fuzzy end of the lollipop…she responded that it was because she knew my strength and knew I could handle circumstances that weren't the best. I’ve always remembered that…and I think that's the way life works - we're not given more than we can truly handle.

 

And finally - and I know it seems trite at this point - you should voice your concerns to the Princess land office. They are receiving glowing reports on their efforts to save the ship - if you've not experienced the same, they should know about it.

[Host CJSKIDS]

I posted on your thread that I was sorry that everyone didn’t get the excellent treatment that Sunshine reported. I can’t begin to imagine why all passengers weren’t treated equally. I’m sorry that you went through a terrible ordeal. I’m also sorry that you had to deal with the Purser’s Desk unsuccessfully. I don’t know why this happened and I can only speculate that those who work on Star Princess were overwhelmed. I think it very fortunate that you seem to be a strong person who is able to handle these types of situations.

 

I think that life depends a lot on timing and luck. Everyone on board Star Princess had a chance to save themselves and while one person did pass, for the most part there was a power looking over you and keeping you safe. There are no accidents and there’s a reason you were able to get out of that cabin.

I used to ask my supervisor at work why I always got the fuzzy end of the lollipop…she responded that it was because she knew my strength and knew I could handle circumstances that weren't the best. I’ve always remembered that…and I think that's the way life works - we're not given more than we can truly handle.

 

And finally - and I know it seems trite at this point - you should voice your concerns to the Princess land office. They are receiving glowing reports on their efforts to save the ship - if you've not experienced the same, they should know about it.

 

 

Thank you Brian for your kind words. Trust me, I will be in touch. Princess is not receiving glown reports from everyone, trust me. Princess did work very hard to contain the fire and the safety of it's passengers in a horrific situation. However, it was the treatment afterwards of those who's cabins were totatlly destroyed where I have a problem. While everyone needed help, once the all clear was given I do believe that something different should have been done. I kept getting different answers form different people at the front desk. It took me 10 hours to get home yesterday and the only reason that I was on the plane in the first place is that I booked it myself. Once I get back from the doctors this morning, I will be placing a phone call and I'm hoping that someone is there to pick up.

[sunshine426]

Still on the Star, making the best of it. Waiting on our flight info. When I get back I will write my own first person acct, but for the time I can tell you that I can look out over my balcony (Lido 234) and see the damage. Haven't seen any damage in the public areas. Pools are drained on the Lido except the terrace pool. Dining rooms open, Horizon Court Open and yes the bars are open. Some College boys we met have turned shuffle board into a unique drinking game... providing a little humor on board.

Sun is still shining on us in port, and in a few minutes my eldest daugnter (24) whos says she will also post a review from her perspective and I are going to go ashore for a bit. Carolyn, glad you are safely ashore, my prayers are with you. Karen

[curly4dana]

snoozeman...yes they do! carnival has a non smoking ship. it is completely smoke free and i do remember reading that if you are caught smoking onboard the ship, you will be detained and possibly put off the ship. now, i know i did not imagine this...it is a fact. i was going to sail on that ship, until i realized the stringent non smoking rules.

 

as i type this, i am currently smoking a cigarette...sue me! i've been a smoker for a long time, probably too long, but that is my business and my business alone...i am also aware of the hazard they may be if mishandled.

i am amazed that someone referred to smoking and guns in the same sentence..oh please! i got their point, but we smokers are losing our rights daily and to put smoking and murder in the same sentence.....oh boy! i would also like to add that if i work all year to pay for my vacation, i am not, and i repeat, not(!) going to struggle through a week long cruise cold turkey...if i fly to europe, i wear a patch so i make it through the flight, but i will not do that for a week or more on a cruise. call me callous, but i am careful not to offend others with my smoking and i extinguish them in a proper receptacle...i wouldn't ever even think to toss one overboard...that's insane! give us a break here, will you? one person's actions do not make all of us the same...IF it was even from a cigarette in the first place.

 

i am stricken by the fact that the sprinklers did not contain this blaze....i am sailing in less than 4 weeks and as a group leader i am very concerned with the safety of my cruisers...there will be NO blowing off the muster drill on our sailing! in fact, we will all be meeting prior to muster and i will be certain to make sure every single one of my cruisers makes it to muster and pays attention...

 

as has been said before, a fire on board a ship at sea is far worse than a structure that is stationary...unless there are fire fighting tugs nearby, there is no way for a fire truck to pull up next to the ship.

 

carolyn, i am so thankful you and your husband are safe...you can replace your belongings...i hope that princess helps you with that, too. paying for a cruise can be costly, replacing everything lost can run into even more money than expected.

i will say a prayer for the family that suffered the loss of their loved one.

i will also hope that whatever the cause is determined for this tragedy, that it doesn't happen again any time soon.

 

instead of finger pointing...let's keep this in perspective...a life was lost, people were injured. this is a tragedy no matter what the cause...

[curly4dana]

so crusin chick...you are saying that smokers are jerks??? i resent that and think that is a pretty broad statement to make about all smokers...

you know...i think reformed smokers are the biggest jerks...sorry, but if they once smoked and were able to quit most of them feel that gives them the right to dictate living rules to those of us that haven't quit. sorry, but people that have quit drinking, gambling and drugs don't feel they need to dictate anything...why do former smokers???? who died and left you all in charge???

that is so wrong...leave us alone and we'll leave you alone! please...

[Snoozeman]

cjskids--So sorry for the all the problems, thank god your safe though.

 

Thank you for starting this thread so soon under terrible circumstances. I heard from you long before I saw it on the news.

 

 

 

 

quote=RacerBC]Sorry, yes they do/did The Paradise is/was a NON SMOKING ship... .

 

I am quite aware of the Paradise. My comment was to RacerBC who said there was one now--

[blcfree]

Unfortunately, I have the terrible smoking habit.I dont drink and am always very cautious. And all I really want to say it this. "I am so very sorry for this tradgedy. I am sad for the gentleman that lost his life and for his family left behind to grieve. I am sad for the people who felt fear and for those whose long awaited vacations were ruined. I am sad for those who could not get a bite to eat or water to drink or food to stabalize blood sugars. And I wish you all healing and sunshine. You are in my prayers..And I wish you soon, the vacation of a lifetime

[flyguy404]

Just curious as to whether or not one of the Carnival ships used to house evacuees from Katrina are available? I understand they have left New Orleans. That would make everyone happy and I am sure none of us would mind the substitution...LOL:D

 

P.S.

 

Just trying to add some levity to the situation:)

[Eddie4Paws]

My family on the ship last night called and said that there is a rumor going around that the fire was not started by a cigarette, but by "spring breakers" that were trying something cool...lighting their alcholic drinks on fire. Hmmmm...

 

Well, when the investigation is complete, they will be able to determine the point of origin and how it started. Flammable liquid will show a pour pattern when it spilled and spread the fire, as opposed to a single point such as a cigarette.

[derf5585]

Well, when the investigation is complete,

 

In about a year?

[derf5585]

But then you should not speculate that the crew did a great job.

 

From what I understand the crew did not panic. No everyone for themselves. They stuck around helping passengers and putting out the fire. With only one death and that was a heart attack and seeing the damage to the ship I would say they did a good job.

[D4]

snoozeman...yes they do! carnival has a non smoking ship. it is completely smoke free and i do remember reading that if you are caught smoking onboard the ship, you will be detained and possibly put off the ship. now, i know i did not imagine this...it is a fact. i was going to sail on that ship, until i realized the stringent non smoking rules...

 

Carnival used to have a non-smoking ship, the Paradise, but it was not as profitable as their other ships, so it became a smoking ship a couple years ago. We sailed on it when it was non-smoking and really enjoyed it.

 

Apparently smoking and drinking often go hand in hand. The bar waiters didn't not make near as much money on that ship and the ship's alcohol and casino revenue was not up to par.

[spongerob]

My family on the ship last night called and said that there is a rumor going around that the fire was not started by a cigarette, but by "spring breakers" that were trying something cool...lighting their alcholic drinks on fire. Hmmmm...

It's interesting that that rumor hasn't been picked up and spread around for speculation in the press and elsewhere as readily as the casually tossed cigarette. I guess we'll get the answer as to what really happened if Princess and other cruise lines change their smoking policies, or get serious with those who smuggle liquor.

[sunshine426]

I am still on the Star. Will speak from my observation. I truly did not see rowdy spring breakers. Yes their were college students on the ship, yes they were drinking, but the ones I met, were respectful, and quite amusing. In fact several of those "spring breakers" were helping the elderly down the ships stairs, and yes that I did witness.

[blcfree]

The pictures are similar to the destruction one sees in DC when Meth labs explode and burn. And God knows it was a very hot fire. I propose that we refrain from the blame game untill we have more information.

Now watch the rumor start ie: Fire started from makeshift meth lab by spring breakers.

[redrobin]

sunshine426,

Princess customer service has said today that, although the Star is still in Montego Bay, repairs are already underway. What have you seen? Any insight from staff onboard what the upcoming plans are for the ship? Thanks for the first-hand observations! Hope you are holding up well given the circumstances.

[sunshine426]

Certainly there is a lot of clean up going on. The fire areas are off limits and rightly so to passengers, but sometimes you can get a quick peak. The public areas look to be undamaged. My husband and I have been exploring (he is an engineer and is watching everything), but can't see into the corridors of the damaged areas. From our balcony we can see people on the affected balconies, but I think they are probably inspectors. Many many many inspectors have been on board. I'll try to answer questions. Do you think I shoud start a new thread... Still on the star.

[redrobin]

Thanks for the info. Another thread sounds great. Appreciate you taking the time to field questions given all you've been through and have to think about. Hope you can head home soon.

[shallwechat]

i am sure the first ones scraping their way to the door to get off were the ones who griped and whined about the fire drill and muster stations.

 

as for the star princess, i was on her in summer 2004 in alaska. she is a beautiful ship and it appears princess handled things well.

 

she will be up and running full speed ahead in no time.

[Princess Chatterer]

she will be up and running full speed ahead in no time.

 

Oh really? :confused:

[TNTLAMB]

Really, the cabins are really no more than lego blocks that slide in and out. The passage ways are intact and once the ship is certified to have no superstructure damage it can sail. It can function with or without those effeted cabins. They can simply be unplugged.

[boatlover]

sunshine426 - Your idea for starting a new thread is great. I read somewhere on this board that one side of the buffet is closed and one of the pools. Is this accurate? Also, what do you think about upcoming cruises, will they a go? We also keep reading that the crew has been sent home. Can you confirm? Thanks!!

[cruiznbabe]

Hi Sunshine426,

4 of us ladies are to be sailing out April 23 on STAR, Aloha deck aft I think 608. Does it seem like they are repairing the ship right there? Or has anyone said where they'll dock & repair it at? I'm holding my breath. I sure would hate to miss out on this cruise, but the damage looks very extensive. Any info sure would help. How blessed you and so many other familes were through this ordeal. It sounds like Princess is meeting the needs of all the passengers.

Cruiznbabe

 

 

Still on the Star, making the best of it. Waiting on our flight info. When I get back I will write my own first person acct, but for the time I can tell you that I can look out over my balcony (Lido 234) and see the damage. Haven't seen any damage in the public areas. Pools are drained on the Lido except the terrace pool. Dining rooms open, Horizon Court Open and yes the bars are open. Some College boys we met have turned shuffle board into a unique drinking game... providing a little humor on board.

Sun is still shining on us in port, and in a few minutes my eldest daugnter (24) whos says she will also post a review from her perspective and I are going to go ashore for a bit. Carolyn, glad you are safely ashore, my prayers are with you. Karen

[Host Caroline]

I am leaving this thread as it is "for now" BUT if a couple of you don't take you insinuating posts and debate to e-mail I will take them to the cleaners if you get my drift.... It's obviously a shouting match that's gone on pre-Caroline maybe??/ But it's time to go to email with it since it's getting personal.

thanks in advance for your cooperation