GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of April 15

by Adrienne Wilson on

The end of the week has arrived and I can’t express how happy that makes me. But I’m not going to make this intro long winded or provide some silly intro on the close of the day and what you may have missed so let’s just get into it!

5. Where Have You Been? At Bluestockings:
Although I am sure there are other events around the globe similar to this Bluestockings event this is one in particular makes me wish I lived in the Big Apple. For those who haven’t the desire to be on the go or can’t but still love drooling and thinking on the travel tales of others this live storytelling events might make for a fabulous evening for you and a nice cup of tea.

4. Cruise Ship Work: It’s Possible:
In need of a new job NOW? Well I can’t promise you’ll land one on a cruise ship immediately, but you can start NOW to get out of your cube farm and onto the high seas for a few months. The air is much fresher out there.

3. Tickets on Sale for Beijing Olympics:
While Ember is busy bringing the daily Beijing 411, Jonathon stops to remind us that one of the world’s biggest events is coming up fast and tickets are now on sale. Will you be at the Olympics?

2. Talking Travel with Matthew Polly:
Ready to be inspired? Gadling contributor, Justin Glow brings us all an awesome Q&A from his chat with Matthew Polly. If the name doesn’t ring a bell fear not, but don’t and I repeat don’t try bullying this guy to fork over his egg roll or burger for that matter. Read the interview and find out what pushed him to leave everything behind to travel to the Shaolin Temple.

1. Weekend in Miami: An Overview:
Summer is on the way and thanks to Willy, those who are planning a getaway to Miami, Florida can check out this overview for a few links and ideas on how to spend 2-3 days time or more if you happen to have it! Though the beach is almost a given he also provides a glimpse at museums and dining and most importantly, where you may want to rest your head.

Just How Hard is it to Fall Off a Cruise Ship?

by Jonathon Morgan on

In the past two weeks, three people have gone overboard on cruise ships — a drunk 35-year-old off the Florida coast, and a couple 20-somethings who’ve asked for the circumstances of their tumble to be kept secret. So what gives? Are you actually at risk of going overboard when on a cruise?

Carolyn Spencer Brown of CruiseCritic.com says: “It is so hard to fall overboard that when someone does go over the side, it’s either because, sadly, it’s a suicide attempt or it’s because they’re being incredibly foolish.”

Douglas Ward, author of ‘Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships,’ suspects “that drink is usually involved in these kind of circumstances.”

Douglas Stallings, editor of ‘Fodor’s Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises,’ agrees, saying: “Many of these incidents involve excessive use of alcohol.”

So no, you’re not at risk, unless you’ve been getting hammered.

But not so fast. Even though statistics provided to Congress by cruise lines show that less than one in one million passengers went missing over a three-year period, organizations like International Cruise Victims still exist. These critics say that cruises are dangerous, and that — especially when foul play is involved — the cruise lines don’t thoroughly investigate. Additionally, a recent Congressional hearing found that crime reporting on cruise ships is inconsistent.

However, in spite of these high profile incidents, chances are that Douglas Stallings is right, and “cruise ships are considerably safer than any other place you’re likely to vacation.”

Dead Whale Found on Bow of Alaska Cruise Ship

by Adrienne Wilson on

Sad news from the Seattle Times, a 25-30 ft. dead whale was discovered on the bow of a cruise ship as it pulled into an Alaska port. As of now it doesn’t look as though the ship’s operators did anything wrong and no one on the 2,000 passenger ship, Summit said they felt anything. While two humpback whales (an endangered species) have been struck and killed by tour boats in the Glacier Bay National Park in the past decade it doesn’t look as if this may been the case this time. The whale could have died from some genetic issue’ however a necrosy has been scheduled for the whale to see whether it was struck dead or alive.

Makes you wonder if it was just the creature’s time to go or whether man should keep his enormous cruise ships out of the water.

(Photo from: www.yoto98.noaa.gov)