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Local Items: Queen Mary
Bonaire Talk: Local Items: Archives: Archives 2001- 2004: Archives - 2004-07-01 to 2004-12-31: Queen Mary
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carl Pflanzer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #133) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 12:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

So do I hear correctly? The Queen Mary arrived at 6am this morning? Anyone with some pictures for us? It must be amazing.....

Carl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #2052) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 12:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

She is here. Jake is coming into town with the kids and plans on taking some pictures. She is absolutely immense and dwarfs the Silverseas ship that is docked in front of her.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Carrier (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 12:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I once saw a schedule of ships to arrive in Bonaire. But I don't recall where. Can someone post the schedule, or the web address?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen Kimmett (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7019) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 1:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Please post pics!!:-):-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Richter - NetTech (Moderator - Post #2053) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 1:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

http://www.infobonaire.com/cruises.html
Compared to the list I got last week, there are a few small changes. The QM2 arrives back on the 27th instead and the Oceana is on the 26th.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter (Moderator - Post #5303) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 3:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Here you go with pics of the Queen Mary 2. Also included in several of the shots is the Silver Whisper (smaller and posher).

QM2 - 1

QM2 - 2

QM2 - 3

QM2 - 4

QM2 - 5

Our Telbo Wireless Internet connection is out at the house because the QM2 is blocking line of sight from our local Belnem base station to Telbo. Thought that was interesting...

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bart Snelder (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 3:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

unf"ιη_ingbelievable!!!! That covers the coastline almost from Divi to Nautico, that is just unreal. Just doubled the population of Bonaire, what???

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john merriner (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 4:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

WOW!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eileen Kimmett (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7022) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 4:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

WOW!! Thank-you Jake and Linda!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin de Weger (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3720) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 4:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

KEWL!! I remember her sailing out of the Rotterdam harbour. That is one impressive lady!! Too bad we are going th miss her when she comes back at the end of the month..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4429) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 4:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That is absolutely unbelievable! To double the population of the island with one docking...that is something beyond the realm of comprehension!

Thanks for letting us all see the QM2 while docked today, Jake and Linda! Hope your Internet access returns quickly....well, as soon as she departs, I guess! LOL. Ayo. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #12774) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 4:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

WOW!!! Indeed...just WOW...what kind of activities do they plan for their passengers while on land..diving? touring the island? visiting Sorobon? Donkey Sanctuary? You certainly couldn't fill an entire day of shopping downtown! Anyone know?

Let's hope that Bonaire doesn't get like some of the other island (like St. Maarten) where 4 cruise ships come in daily...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1625) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 5:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My new puppy had me up at 5 AM so we walked across the street to the sea and watched her looming pre dawn all lit up.

At 7 AM the town was mobbed and the Junior Drum Corp (like Drumline, the movie) was heralding in the cruisers.

I cannot wait til she leaves at 11 all lit up.

Interestingly enough Mags, Mercy and I had a chat with several of the cruisers who had multiple complaints, all around issues of poor food, crowded public areas and WAY overhyped..I cannot comment as I was not allowed access nor were any local travel agents per post 9/11 rules.

Ann

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1940) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 5:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

She certainly is impressively large as seen against a Bonaire backdrop.

However, having spent a fair amount of time aboard ship, I can't see being in that small a space for a week with 10,000 people, if that is her real capacity. Talk about 'people per cubic meter'!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #173) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 5:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glen
The stated capacity, passengers and crew, is 3,873. Of course they can't all be ashore at once, but that's still quite a mob for Bonaire. The hull is 135 ft. wide. As I recall the Panama Canal is 105 feet wide, I think the length is not so unusual, but the beam is. She,ll be back again at Christmas time.
Mickey

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1941) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 8:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

So it didn't 'double the population of Bonaire' quite. :–)

Seems Annie's passengers echo my comment nonetheless. All the best to those who choose to cruise on mega-ships-- just not my cup o' tea.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4433) on Sunday, December 12, 2004 - 11:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Never been, most likely never will....cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #397) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 8:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I just hope this isn't the start of more cruise ships in Bonaire. Bonaire is not a cruise ship type island-not enough jewelry stores and hype. And that's exactly why I like it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lee da Silva (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 8:06 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake and Linda, great pictures. Thanks
Lee

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Birk (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 9:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nice pictures, but they still look like the same old floating tourist boxes. Nothing of the stately elegance of the original Queens. Time marches on, I guess. Heavy sigh.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harrie Cox (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #179) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 12:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Some additional pictures:
pic1
Oh yes, she is HUGE

pic2
pic3
new attraction
So many visitors on Bonaire, lots of new activities developed, like a tour across the island in a Landrover 4WD.

Wilhelminapark
It was also busy in the Wilhelminapark, you can see the queen in the background...

evening
A complete lightshow when the Queen is an a harbour...

leaving
11:45pm Queen Mary 2 left Bonaire, and is on full sea, on her way to her next destination.


Harrie

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1860) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 12:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

No need to worry. Bonaire's plans do not call for more cruise ships in the near future. There is a long standing project for a new pier with shops near where the old cusoms pier was, however it looks like it will be a while before it happens. Also, there is not enough infrastructure to support more than two ships at a time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walter Stegemann (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 1:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great photos W.O.W BIG BOAT
(ship)

A new Puppy for Ann, that is good

Buster

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #411) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 1:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Here Lurker...Lurker :-):-)

Hi, Buster!
We're looking forward to April dives and dinners.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nat (BonaireTalker - Post #48) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 1:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That many people generate a huge amount of human waste, garbage, and trash, especially with the lifestyle excesses on cruise ships. Anybody know what happens to it all?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walter Stegemann (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 1:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes I'am a lurker lurker
yet I did a post to let people know I'am lurker
you Know June don't even do that.:-)

O YES I hope it works out for us in April,
I will be ready,

Happy cheerleaders

Buster

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #412) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 6:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

LOL...:-):-):-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marc @ CrystalVisions (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1363) on Monday, December 13, 2004 - 10:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

More pictures (including aerial shots) at VisionsOfBonaire :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4436) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 2:16 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Awesome shots, Marc! What a thrill that must have been parasailing over the QM2 and the other cruise liner, too. Beautifully done!

I can't believe the size of this ship....I spotted pieces of the Divi in some of the shots....wow...that is one huge play toy!!!

I'm glad she only comes to town on very few occasions, though....QM2 and Bonaire just don't seem like a good "mix" to me! LOL. Two extreme contrasts....humungous extravagance vs. quiet serenity....I'll take the serenity!

Thanks again for sharing your work with us, Marc.

Thank you, again, Jake and Linda, as well. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4437) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 2:18 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oh, Harrie! I'm so sorry I forgot to thank you, too!!! My apologies! Thank you so much for sharing your photos with us, too. Ayo. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1290) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 11:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake, Linda, Harrie and Mark, Thank you all for sharing the photos of this giagantic vessel! She almost reaches the Divi from the town dock!!! In one of Mark's pictures you can see Ulf and Dee's boat and the Woodwind! It also appears that the bow is right in front of Cha Cha pier and the Dive Inn. Simply incredible!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By J.J zambrano mazzei (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #113) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 1:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake.....the other boat looks like a toy...(great pictures) thanks

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jason thomas (BonaireTalker - Post #87) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow I guess it does rain in Bonaire.


lildick.bmp

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jason thomas (BonaireTalker - Post #88) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 5:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow I guess it does rain in Bonaire.


lildick.jpg

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #806) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 6:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great pics, Jake and Marc. Here's a shot of the original from Dave Lee's Queen Mary Photo Page. Hope I have better luck with this image.

\image(Dowager Queen}

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #807) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 6:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Great pics, Jake and Marc. Here's a shot of the original from Dave Lee's Queen Mary Photo Page. Hope I have better luck with this image.

Dowager Queen

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By andrew hamilton (BonaireTalker - Post #57) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 6:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Anyone else think this is not such a great development? Does this mean Bonaire will go the way of Cozumel - rows and rows of jewelery shops selling tanzanite and other trinkets at inflated prices, together with ever expanding numbers of waddlingly obese 'cruise doozies'? How often will the boat call? Seldom I hope.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4442) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 6:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I don't really care for it, Andrew. I'm hoping there are not too many liners scheduled to arrive at Bonaire's port. See my posting up higher in this thread. cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Birk (BonaireTalker - Post #33) on Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 9:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

For a number of years, Cozumel was our destination of choice. At that time, one cruise ship came in on, I believe, Wednesday. We just stayed out of town on that day. On our last trip, there were 2 or 3 in every day, they had added stop lights and a second gas station. Lost the flavor of the place, never went back. Love the shot of the original QM, saw her a few times. I was also on a destroyer berthed for a few days in Port everglades just in front of the QE. Those were the iron ships, not hotels caulked up and laid down in the water. Andrew, ditto on the cruise ship folks.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Hardy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 1:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We were flying out the morning the QM2 was docked and got this view from the air. Really hope mega ships don't become the norm on Bonaire. We really saw what it did to Aruba (yuck!).

qm-2-air

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carl Pflanzer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #134) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 7:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks guys for the great pictures and stories.
Wish I could be there to see it!

Carl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Israel A. Sanchez (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #121) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 7:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I too echo the sentiments on cruise ships. When my wife and I were in Roatan this past August we had the misfortune to Run into a cruiseship vomiting its cargo of podpeople into West Bay. Ugh! Very disconcerting to see the nice beach being transformed into a landfill at the end of the day. There were signs clearly stating that collecting was not allowed and please to refrain from touching the reefs, but guess what... chunks of corals, shells, and starfish taken as souveniers!!! Needless to say, quite a few were left at the beach to rot. I saw the QM2 when it docked in Manhattan, and was more disgusted than impressed. Another symbol of excessiveness in all aspects with complete disregard to its impact on the environment (Hummers anyone?). JMHO. Coach Izzy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #679) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 8:45 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Coach,

I agree with you 100%...the good news is that I'll be in Bonaire a week from today...in fact, I should be pretty well tanked...the bad news is that I heard the QM2 would be back on the 27th...the Divi usually gets mobbed when a cruise ship is in....hope it doesn't stay long

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Israel A. Sanchez (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #122) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 9:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey Gregg, according to the Calendar, the Cow Mary 2 is supposed to dock her hefty derriere on the 26th, The AidaVita on the 28th, and the Silver Whisper on the 29th. I'm sorry to hear about the podpeople mobbing the Divi (is it the dive shop, the beach, the restaurant, or the casino? Hope you get enough tanks to stay well north (or south) while they are there. We will be staying at the divi from March 20-27, and the only one ship is due that week. The Aida Vita is scheduled to dock on March 22. My wife and I will probably spend our day at the national park that day. Oh well, I hope you have a good time! Coach Izzy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1944) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 10:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Interesting aerial shot from Kevin. The lighting provides a fine view of an into-the-water discharge from the ship at the stern that looks to have oil content, with that telltale surface sheen. Good thing the water/wind flow is offshore. Looks like some sort of smoke from nearer amidships.

Be a good pic for the Bonaire authorities to take aboard ship at the very start of her next visit, to have a stern (he-he!) conversation with the Captain!!! Might even constitute proof of a law violation.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1945) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 11:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jake's second pic shows a 'lake' in the foreground. Left over from when 'the rains came'???

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4445) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004 - 11:53 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I was checking out the same observations, Glen. I thought I saw something that appeared to be a sheen on the water in a couple of Marc's shots, too. My hubby thought it might have been the tide waters but I'm not certain.

Definitely way too much of everything here. Excessivism to the max, if there is such a word.

How about the little Hummers for the kids, too? Don't you just love that obnoxious commercial showing little kids riding little Hummers tromping all over the earth and destroying the land....what a good way to bring them up. Don't get me started! LOL.

The Divi is the closest resort spot...I guess they all walk down there. We are Divi owners, too...not something I would want to see.

Coach Izzy....love the term PodPeople! I had not heard that one before. Not exposed to any cruiseliners at all..thank goodness. We live in Northern NJ so I guess that would qualify as being near podpeople, too, tho! LOL. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the USA...we now boast (??) 1134 people per square mile compared to 70 for the rest of the USA per square mile. No wonder I don't want to be here....

Glen....that has to be water left over from the rains a few weeks ago...that is normally not a lake like that at all. If you were at Lisa Gas looking toward Kaya Industria straight ahead, this is what you see to your left. Amazing, isn't it?! I recall that castle type house not far from Lisa Gas. Not the "real" castle house in Lagoon Hill, but the one closer to the water....not far from the car dealerships. That's a LOT of standing/still water. NO wonder the critters/skeeters are driving folks nuts. Ayo. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #174) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glen
The QM2 has 4 props, the outer ones are on pods similar to an electric outboard motor. They can be turned to manuver the ship. I believe that wash from prop is what you are seeing in Kevins picture. It also has bow thrusters.
I don't think cruise ships are a great thing for Bonaire either. Indeed, I don't think criuse ships are a great thing, just technically interesting.
Mickey



 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1946) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:55 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I recognized the location-- just surprised water still would be standing there from the rains. I have seen some water there in the past: –)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By andrew hamilton (BonaireTalker - Post #59) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 3:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good to hear that there is a concensus on this one - ie that this aint great news. No doubt some of the business folk on Bonaire will be happy, but there has to be a balance between what attracts folk who come to stay for 1-3 weeks and put a great deal of cash into the economy over a prolonged period and the one off pulses of cash brought by a cruise liner docking for a day. I certainly regard the appearance of leviathans (both the ship and the people it carries) with a degree of concern to say the least, and its a minus point in Bonaire's ledger. I loved the diving in Cozamel but would hesitate to go back because of all the associated cruise related paraphenalia.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brigitte Kley - Coco Palm Garden (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #223) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 7:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The QE2 comes for more than 20 years 2x per year ... and now it is the Queen Mary .... Cunard is one of the few interested in Bonaire ... we speak about an average of 1 cruise ship a week .. from Dec to March ...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Birk (BonaireTalker - Post #34) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 9:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The folks who do these cruises seem to think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Lots of food, drink, excercise (gyms), a casino, they get to dress up some nights. Lots of stops where they can get off the boat and "mingle" with the quaint natives. On the other hand, the places where we visit or have visited (a week or two at a time) like the input of currency, as the souveniers generally sell for twice as much around the piers. At mealtime, the "sailors" tend to mosey back to the ship where the meals are already paid for. It is amusing to see thousands of folks (in all kinds of interesting dress) crowding a town square in the afternoon, and then see it deserted a few hours later, except for some trash. I've seen this scenario in Cozumel, St Maarten, Grand Cayman, St Thomas and Belize City. I prefer shorts and sandals. As an ex-sailor, any ship without a gun mount is a target. But, to each his own. Give me a secluded beach, some grilled fish and cold beer and some diving and I am "on vacation".

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2113) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 10:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

"...vomiting it's cargo of podpeople" .... lol... that's one of the best descriptions I've ever heard... well said Coach Izzy..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1947) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 12:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mickey,

Could be the starboard stern thruster. The position is right and, with her size, I guess the scale is on. Her mooring lines would be hard to see in that pic; there are small boats at the bollards forward and that 'platform' aft as if they are waiting to handle her lines so it could be the thruster. I hope the 'oil sheen' is an artifact of the lighting!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Hardy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 2:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Some of what you might be seeing in my airel photo might be the dirt on the Bonaire Exel plane window and the JPG compression. I don't recall seeing any smoke from the ship. Now the slick was definately there, however it's to the leeward of the ship so who knows.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1948) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 2:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If the slick were to windward, it would not likely be from the ship, but to leeward... :–)

The smoke looks to be from the 'gas turbine-like' stacks on the aft white top deck. I believe the 'funnel' is for show, like the aft funnels on steam-owered ocean liners, where they were used for esthetic, design balance purposes. Try covering up just the farthest aft stack on pics.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Israel A. Sanchez (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #123) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 8:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Regardless of what the picture implies, that behemoth does affect that water that surrounds it. They had to dump their ballast water somewhere, and I'm guessing it was some place pretty close. Ballast water is a common way to introduce foreign species/organisms into an environment, and let's not get started on waste management, Ok, ok, I'm not getting mad... Take a deep breath... Ohhhmmm!

IMHO, Cruises are Floating All Inclusives catered regularly by people who feel better about themselves by having someone attending to their every petty need (they call it pampering) There are exceptions of course. Definitely not for us. The only ship I'll ever set my foot into will be a Liveaboard.

It's nice to have a forum composed of a large number of divers. I've come to the conclusion that most divers are well aware of their role in environmental protection and frown upon the excessive waste generated in those ships. Most divers are also self-reliant, self-sufficient and will find the excessive "pampering" of these places smothering.

Gimme my Nitrox fills and a cold Polar at the end of the day to keep me happy. Vacation to me does not involve gluttony or binge drinking "to get my moneys worth". There's a very distinctive feeling that lets me know it's time to relax. It is the combination of sounds and sensations that start the moment I jump into the water. The pleasant caress of the ocean, with the slight tinge of salt water as I give the OK sign to my buddy. It is the hissing of the BC as it deflates and the split second when the water muffles the surface sounds and the mask goes beneath the surface. The moment when the colors of the reef come into life as the sounds of my gear and my bubbles frame it with that unmistakable wall music. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Now, that's vacation! 4 months and 4 days... Enough of the podpeople! Later! Coach Izzy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #12810) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 8:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Diversity is good in the world, and I say to each his own. I know that there are regulations for cruise ships, and when and where they can dump (some comply, some don't). Don't get me wrong, I would not want Bonaire to see 4 a day like St. Martin, however, there are people that enjoy them (be them podpeople or not). We can't fight it, they exist, and a lot of people enjoy them. I have only been on one cruise, and it was with my mom 3 years ago. One of the best memories I have of our relationship. We had a wonderful time, dressing up for dinner, enjoying the amenities the ship had to offer. It was only a 4 day cruise from LA to Ensenada Mexico, and since we were from San Diego, we didn't "vomit" off of the ship with the rest. We stayed on and just had a nice relaxing afternoon in our room with a balcony.

Anyway, I don't know if I will ever go on one again, maybe to Alaska, certainly wouldn't be to the Caribbean. Like I said, to each his own. We are a big enough world to allow some to enjoy something that we may not. And the big cruise ships are certainly not going to go away (at least not in my lifetime) I'm also sure that the one ship a week that comes in, helps support Bonaire's economy.

Rant off...nuff said...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4449) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 9:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde, you mean you and Mom did not hit Husong's Cantina in Ensenada??? No primal screaming for the two of you on that cruise??!! LOL. That is the only place I recall during our jaunt down to Ensenada....it was one of those "lost days", if you know what I mean. That Mexican tekillya can really get to you during the daytime....memories....that's all at this point of our lives.

I remember when you and Mom went on your cruise.....good times. Good days. Good memories.

Hugs to Michael! Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #12812) on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 9:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ah....Husongs...spent many a night in that place between the ages of 19 and 24...even broke my nose there...my brother got arrested there...ah..."memories, are so beautiful and yet....many colored memories, the way we were" think Barbara Striestand here ;-)

Yep, mom and I left all the partying to those that jumped ship that day:-) Been there, done that!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #420) on Friday, December 17, 2004 - 11:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just a note on Cruise Ships... Last April, while snorkeling off of the south side of Klein, I swam into a huge amount of surface scum. The dive boat followed the scum back to the cruise ship at the dock. Needless to say, I scurried off that dive boat directly to the showers!! :-(

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #12813) on Friday, December 17, 2004 - 5:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Linda, ICK!

 


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