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A bit of a squeeze for Celebrity Eclipse (From This is Hampshire)
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A bit of a squeeze for Celebrity Eclipse
12:01pm Saturday 13th March 2010
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- By Corey Stephenson » Senior News and Video Reporter
SAYING a monumental farewell to its dockyard in Germany, the latest luxury ship to be based in Southampton has completed the first stage of its journey to its new home.
Guiding the 122,000-ton Celebrity Eclipse towards its launch in the UK was no easy task, though, as the very first trip the new Celebrity Cruises ship had to undertake was made up of a series of seemingly impossible adventures.
Having hurriedly boarded the luxurious yet unfinished Solstice-class vessel two days earlier than originally planned, we learned that to get from Meyer-Werft’s inland shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, to Eemshaven in the Netherlands, the 121ft wide ship would have to pass through a series of gaps with, at times, just inches to spare.
Complications Not only did the locks on the River Ems offer serious complications for the latest in a US$3.7 billion fleet of ships, but the local town of Weener even had to dismantle a railway bridge to allow her to pass.
The journey is such a delicate operation, it can only be carried out when the 1,040ft long ship is unloaded and the river is flooded.
And frantic last-minute changes brought the mission forward 48 hours because a storm was threatening to brew on the scheduled weekend.
To add to the spectacle, for the entire 26-mile journey the 2,850-passenger ship had to be towed backwards.
The fourth in a line of luxury Celebrity ships, this expedition is now a highlight in the cruising calendar.
Not only do hundreds of locals line stretches of the river to gaze in wonder at the great white vessel that has transformed their rather flat, countryside landscape for many months, but the journey has even become a prize for competition winners around the world.
Many of the people on board relish the chance to take a sneaky behind-the-scenes peak at a cruise ship before the carpets are laid, the wine cellars are stocked and the spa rooms’ tiles are firmly in place.
Before arriving in Southampton on April 22 banisters still need to be fitted and the glass lifts joining the 13 guest decks still need to be fully installed.
But it is already easy to see how Celebrity Eclipse is going to cater for those with the most luxurious getaways and finest cuisine in mind.
Giant chandeliers, a two-storey glass wine tower and sweeping ocean views are just a few of the features of the main dining room.
The AquaClass state rooms share a deck with the Aqua Spa relaxation room, while assigned seating in the stylishly-designed Blu restaurant guarantees a range of healthy dishes in a sophisticated and soothing atmosphere.
New from its sister ships is the Qsine restaurant which encourages passengers to throw the dining rulebook out of the nearest balcony window and get creative with their meals for a fun menu of food.
Included on offer is a make-your-own cheesecake-style dessert along with Crunchie Munchies – a variety of foods served with a crunchy, seasoned bite. The cruise company’s designer chef is also keen to reinvent the meatball with some interesting results.
Another new feature just announced is the i-Lounge. Royal Caribbean is the first cruise company to team up with Apple to sell its gadgets and computers on board, as well as use i-Touch devices to display menus and wine lists in some of the restaurants.
Like her sisters – Celebrity Solstice which entered service in November 2008 and Celebrity Equinox which came to Southampton last year – Celebrity Eclipse has larger state rooms, 90 per cent with outside views and 85 per cent with private balconies.
Among its unusual attractions is the lawn club, an area of manicured grass where passengers can enjoy a game of bowls, putting or a picnic.
Arriving in Southampton for her naming ceremony next month, Eclipse will be the first Celebrity vessel to be based in the city.
And as the people who lined the riverbanks and the tight lock of Papenburg said a tearful farewell – with the sound of Andrea Boccelli’s Time To Say Goodbye blaring from the dockside – they knew it wouldn’t be long before they were gathered there again – work is already under way on the fifth Celebrity ship which is due to enter service next year.
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Your Say YourHampshire
Cyber-Fug, Hampshire says...
1:37pm Sat 13 Mar 10
hulla baloo, Turkey says...
2:24pm Sat 13 Mar 10
southy wrote:Southy, I do think the engineers have done their homeworkm with ballast and the very heavy engine and fuel loads down in the hull.
i hope she never hits a ho-two, if she do she be a goner, way to top heavy.
RobJChase, Littlehampton says...
2:24pm Sat 13 Mar 10
hulla baloo, Turkey says...
2:34pm Sat 13 Mar 10
RobJChase wrote:Similar to a he-three, only smaller
What's a 'ho-two'?
southy, redbridge says...
2:49pm Sat 13 Mar 10
RobJChase wrote:seamans terms for the worse storm going, hurricane force winds waves of 70 feet plus, coming in from 2 or more directions.
What's a 'ho-two'?
a ship like this would never be able to take a storm like that, it would have to go a long way round them, if it gets caught in one it would just capsize.
v_dubman2005, southampton says...
2:51pm Sat 13 Mar 10
southy wrote:Sould have namend it the pamala anderson.
i hope she never hits a ho-two, if she do she be a goner, way to top heavy.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
5:01pm Sat 13 Mar 10
hulla baloo wrote:I don't think deck hands were required to understand the ships Curves of Statical Stability. I expect the designers and the ships officers are acquainted with them though so the ship will be safe.
southy wrote:Southy, I do think the engineers have done their homeworkm with ballast and the very heavy engine and fuel loads down in the hull.
i hope she never hits a ho-two, if she do she be a goner, way to top heavy.
v_dubman2005, southampton says...
5:05pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:perhaps she will visit derek when they build the new port at dibden....Just for a quick statical stability test.
hulla baloo wrote:I don't think deck hands were required to understand the ships Curves of Statical Stability. I expect the designers and the ships officers are acquainted with them though so the ship will be safe.
southy wrote:Southy, I do think the engineers have done their homeworkm with ballast and the very heavy engine and fuel loads down in the hull.
i hope she never hits a ho-two, if she do she be a goner, way to top heavy.
warness, Cadnam says...
5:56pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Request from the Admiralty
Would sir be so kind as to give the southy seal of approval to our latest design techniques. Also, our naval architecture courses run at Warsash College need a new sponsor. With your honours permission, we would be proud to rename the awards after your knowledgable self.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
6:35pm Sat 13 Mar 10
v_dubman2005 wrote:I doubt that any testing wind or wave conditions would ever occur within the shelter of the Southampton Water.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:perhaps she will visit derek when they build the new port at dibden....Just for a quick statical stability test.
hulla baloo wrote:I don't think deck hands were required to understand the ships Curves of Statical Stability. I expect the designers and the ships officers are acquainted with them though so the ship will be safe.
southy wrote:Southy, I do think the engineers have done their homeworkm with ballast and the very heavy engine and fuel loads down in the hull.
i hope she never hits a ho-two, if she do she be a goner, way to top heavy.
Redback, Southampton says...
6:35pm Sat 13 Mar 10
I don't generally see the appeal of cruises (I'd rather actually explore the places I go to), but this big boat does sound quite cool.
v_dubman2005, southampton says...
6:42pm Sat 13 Mar 10
col123, Southampton says...
7:04pm Sat 13 Mar 10
warness, Cadnam says...
7:18pm Sat 13 Mar 10
col123 wrote:Sorry, not me.
We have a new breed of ships get used to it. How many of you served in the British Merchant Navy,in the days when we still had one? Not many of you judging by your remarks,
Qualifications?
southy, redbridge says...
7:46pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Redback wrote:thats because they never been in any deeper water than the local paddling pool with a rubber ring.
The southy-bashing's going a bit OTT imo. Leave the poor fella alone lol!
I don't generally see the appeal of cruises (I'd rather actually explore the places I go to), but this big boat does sound quite cool.
ships like this are designed for quiet waters and not real heavy seas, look what happen to the qe2 a number of years back on a new york run nearly got caught out but manage to divert enough around a storm but she still took damage to her stabilizing fins, research ship caribbean seal hit a storm just off the coast brazilian coast her bridge was bent right up, rrs john biscoe a ship built for real heavy seas got into a ho-two and ended up in the records books has a ship that had steepest liss angle and held there for the longest amount of time and and came back. a ship like this once it passes that 45% angle it will capsize.
X Old Bill, Sunny South Coast says...
8:24pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Until then I am quite happy to clock up a few more sea miles.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
1:11am Sun 14 Mar 10
southy wrote:I'm sure that the vessels owners will be relieved to relieve the Kendal Avenue certificate of approval.....LoL.
Redback wrote:thats because they never been in any deeper water than the local paddling pool with a rubber ring.
The southy-bashing's going a bit OTT imo. Leave the poor fella alone lol!
I don't generally see the appeal of cruises (I'd rather actually explore the places I go to), but this big boat does sound quite cool.
ships like this are designed for quiet waters and not real heavy seas, look what happen to the qe2 a number of years back on a new york run nearly got caught out but manage to divert enough around a storm but she still took damage to her stabilizing fins, research ship caribbean seal hit a storm just off the coast brazilian coast her bridge was bent right up, rrs john biscoe a ship built for real heavy seas got into a ho-two and ended up in the records books has a ship that had steepest liss angle and held there for the longest amount of time and and came back. a ship like this once it passes that 45% angle it will capsize.
southy, redbridge says...
12:03pm Sun 14 Mar 10
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:never mind derek it soon be summer and you be able to get out on the paddling pool with your rubber ring and dream some more of a life at sea.
southy wrote:I'm sure that the vessels owners will be relieved to relieve the Kendal Avenue certificate of approval.....LoL.
Redback wrote:thats because they never been in any deeper water than the local paddling pool with a rubber ring.
The southy-bashing's going a bit OTT imo. Leave the poor fella alone lol!
I don't generally see the appeal of cruises (I'd rather actually explore the places I go to), but this big boat does sound quite cool.
ships like this are designed for quiet waters and not real heavy seas, look what happen to the qe2 a number of years back on a new york run nearly got caught out but manage to divert enough around a storm but she still took damage to her stabilizing fins, research ship caribbean seal hit a storm just off the coast brazilian coast her bridge was bent right up, rrs john biscoe a ship built for real heavy seas got into a ho-two and ended up in the records books has a ship that had steepest liss angle and held there for the longest amount of time and and came back. a ship like this once it passes that 45% angle it will capsize.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
4:34pm Sun 14 Mar 10
southy wrote:Happy days in my paddling pool after we'd got rid of UK Pool dross and replaced them with willing foreign sailors who actually knew how to do their jobs. I believe there are still jobs to be found on dredgers and the odd fishing boat though.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:never mind derek it soon be summer and you be able to get out on the paddling pool with your rubber ring and dream some more of a life at sea.
southy wrote:I'm sure that the vessels owners will be relieved to relieve the Kendal Avenue certificate of approval.....LoL.
Redback wrote:thats because they never been in any deeper water than the local paddling pool with a rubber ring.
The southy-bashing's going a bit OTT imo. Leave the poor fella alone lol!
I don't generally see the appeal of cruises (I'd rather actually explore the places I go to), but this big boat does sound quite cool.
ships like this are designed for quiet waters and not real heavy seas, look what happen to the qe2 a number of years back on a new york run nearly got caught out but manage to divert enough around a storm but she still took damage to her stabilizing fins, research ship caribbean seal hit a storm just off the coast brazilian coast her bridge was bent right up, rrs john biscoe a ship built for real heavy seas got into a ho-two and ended up in the records books has a ship that had steepest liss angle and held there for the longest amount of time and and came back. a ship like this once it passes that 45% angle it will capsize.
southy, redbridge says...
5:18pm Sun 14 Mar 10
and if you ask any where around the world who did have the best navy in the world and they will all tell you the british did and they where the best that ever been
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
7:41pm Sun 14 Mar 10
southy wrote:More from your dream world where reading and writing are skills you still haven't grasped.The only seamen I had to send to the Master to be logged were all from UK Pools, never did I have a problem with a foreign crew member. The UK Pool sends how many seamen to crew ships today? Like numerous other unionised groups they shot their feet so full of holes that the companies mercifully flagged out their vessels to avoid using them. If they were so fantastic why aren't the crews made up of these wonderful chaps today?
derek you would not know who could do a sea man job right, to find that out need to go to sea first. and dont say that you have because we all know that bs.
and if you ask any where around the world who did have the best navy in the world and they will all tell you the british did and they where the best that ever been
Try to differentiate between your fantasies and reality before proclaiming them the salt of the earth or perhaps the Isle of wight ferry had a different breed on it which is all you ever knew.
southy, redbridge says...
10:01pm Sun 14 Mar 10
the reason why there are extremely few british seaman is because of cheap labour, and is not a choice of any skipper to have cheap labour its a choice of the companys that owns the ships just so they can earn more money for them selfs and share holders, and if you talk to any good skipper he will tell you give him an english crew and a ship will run much better, and they dont scare so easy when the weather gets really rough, and its not just british companys doing it, they all are using cheap asian crews but thats coming to an end even those asian crews are now starting to join unions.
southy, redbridge says...
10:06pm Sun 14 Mar 10
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
11:33pm Sun 14 Mar 10
southy wrote:The usual half-witted response made by someone who thinks he knows all of the answers. I'll say again that I referred a couple of dozen pool seamen who were all logged at least a days pay and varying amounts of overtime. The IOW ferry didn't teach you much did it? Take a couple of minutes to find the reference I made to the Captain deciding which crew to employ and you'll find yet another of your constant steam of mistakes. Never learn do you but do keep trying.
other error you made derek by the way a second mate can not send a crew member to the master to be logged, you aft to go though the chief rigger if the ship has one, or chief engineer or the first mate and it be those people that will decide on weather a person should go to the master for a logging after that officer has spoken to the captain.
southy, redbridge says...
1:38am Mon 15 Mar 10
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:derek you never been to sea in your whole life well maybe has a passenger, a 2nd mate can't even refer seaman to the captain, he can only report the matter to his superiors, even the chief steward is a higher rank than a second mate. and you said "send to the Master" that is not a referred, a second mate can only go and report problem to next rank up, and it is that rank ( one of the chiefs ) that refer to the captian. after that officer has had a chat to the crew member.
southy wrote:The usual half-witted response made by someone who thinks he knows all of the answers. I'll say again that I referred a couple of dozen pool seamen who were all logged at least a days pay and varying amounts of overtime. The IOW ferry didn't teach you much did it? Take a couple of minutes to find the reference I made to the Captain deciding which crew to employ and you'll find yet another of your constant steam of mistakes. Never learn do you but do keep trying.
other error you made derek by the way a second mate can not send a crew member to the master to be logged, you aft to go though the chief rigger if the ship has one, or chief engineer or the first mate and it be those people that will decide on weather a person should go to the master for a logging after that officer has spoken to the captain.
you should stick to paddling pool with your rubber ring.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
10:26am Mon 15 Mar 10
southy wrote:Your mindless posts remind me that you are at the bottom of the gene pool so I'm no longer surprised at their content.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:derek you never been to sea in your whole life well maybe has a passenger, a 2nd mate can't even refer seaman to the captain, he can only report the matter to his superiors, even the chief steward is a higher rank than a second mate. and you said "send to the Master" that is not a referred, a second mate can only go and report problem to next rank up, and it is that rank ( one of the chiefs ) that refer to the captian. after that officer has had a chat to the crew member.
southy wrote:The usual half-witted response made by someone who thinks he knows all of the answers. I'll say again that I referred a couple of dozen pool seamen who were all logged at least a days pay and varying amounts of overtime. The IOW ferry didn't teach you much did it? Take a couple of minutes to find the reference I made to the Captain deciding which crew to employ and you'll find yet another of your constant steam of mistakes. Never learn do you but do keep trying.
other error you made derek by the way a second mate can not send a crew member to the master to be logged, you aft to go though the chief rigger if the ship has one, or chief engineer or the first mate and it be those people that will decide on weather a person should go to the master for a logging after that officer has spoken to the captain.
you should stick to paddling pool with your rubber ring.
southy, redbridge says...
11:15am Mon 15 Mar 10
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:keep going derek its showing how much of a low life you really are. so what is your fortay car salesman insurance or windows maybe
southy wrote:Your mindless posts remind me that you are at the bottom of the gene pool so I'm no longer surprised at their content.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:derek you never been to sea in your whole life well maybe has a passenger, a 2nd mate can't even refer seaman to the captain, he can only report the matter to his superiors, even the chief steward is a higher rank than a second mate. and you said "send to the Master" that is not a referred, a second mate can only go and report problem to next rank up, and it is that rank ( one of the chiefs ) that refer to the captian. after that officer has had a chat to the crew member.
southy wrote:The usual half-witted response made by someone who thinks he knows all of the answers. I'll say again that I referred a couple of dozen pool seamen who were all logged at least a days pay and varying amounts of overtime. The IOW ferry didn't teach you much did it? Take a couple of minutes to find the reference I made to the Captain deciding which crew to employ and you'll find yet another of your constant steam of mistakes. Never learn do you but do keep trying.
other error you made derek by the way a second mate can not send a crew member to the master to be logged, you aft to go though the chief rigger if the ship has one, or chief engineer or the first mate and it be those people that will decide on weather a person should go to the master for a logging after that officer has spoken to the captain.
you should stick to paddling pool with your rubber ring.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
11:55am Mon 15 Mar 10
southy wrote:I could claim to be a car salesman or anything else on the planet but you would tell me I'm wrong so you tell me. I won't waste any more of my time debating with a half-wit (I've elevated your status) as it's the same as talking to a five year old who wants its sweeties and won't take no for an answer. That was the limit of your debating skills though wasn't it? Spelling correction this time is FORTAY which should read FORTE. The floor is now free for you to wallow in your envy and enjoy the privilege of a semi detached council house on a rundown Redbridge estate. What a sad way to end a life but that was your choice. I won't have time to open this page again so you can write what you like as it's a well known fact that (mental) toddlers like to have the last word.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:keep going derek its showing how much of a low life you really are. so what is your fortay car salesman insurance or windows maybe
southy wrote:Your mindless posts remind me that you are at the bottom of the gene pool so I'm no longer surprised at their content.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:derek you never been to sea in your whole life well maybe has a passenger, a 2nd mate can't even refer seaman to the captain, he can only report the matter to his superiors, even the chief steward is a higher rank than a second mate. and you said "send to the Master" that is not a referred, a second mate can only go and report problem to next rank up, and it is that rank ( one of the chiefs ) that refer to the captian. after that officer has had a chat to the crew member.
southy wrote:The usual half-witted response made by someone who thinks he knows all of the answers. I'll say again that I referred a couple of dozen pool seamen who were all logged at least a days pay and varying amounts of overtime. The IOW ferry didn't teach you much did it? Take a couple of minutes to find the reference I made to the Captain deciding which crew to employ and you'll find yet another of your constant steam of mistakes. Never learn do you but do keep trying.
other error you made derek by the way a second mate can not send a crew member to the master to be logged, you aft to go though the chief rigger if the ship has one, or chief engineer or the first mate and it be those people that will decide on weather a person should go to the master for a logging after that officer has spoken to the captain.
you should stick to paddling pool with your rubber ring.
Opinionated hot mum, Chandlers Ford says...
12:49pm Mon 15 Mar 10
southy, redbridge says...
1:39pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:no if you said your a car salesman or insurance or some thing like that i would believe you, that would be more believable than any thing else you have said. and it would fit in with your rudeness and insulting behaver.
southy wrote:I could claim to be a car salesman or anything else on the planet but you would tell me I'm wrong so you tell me. I won't waste any more of my time debating with a half-wit (I've elevated your status) as it's the same as talking to a five year old who wants its sweeties and won't take no for an answer. That was the limit of your debating skills though wasn't it? Spelling correction this time is FORTAY which should read FORTE. The floor is now free for you to wallow in your envy and enjoy the privilege of a semi detached council house on a rundown Redbridge estate. What a sad way to end a life but that was your choice. I won't have time to open this page again so you can write what you like as it's a well known fact that (mental) toddlers like to have the last word.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:keep going derek its showing how much of a low life you really are. so what is your fortay car salesman insurance or windows maybe
southy wrote:Your mindless posts remind me that you are at the bottom of the gene pool so I'm no longer surprised at their content.
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:derek you never been to sea in your whole life well maybe has a passenger, a 2nd mate can't even refer seaman to the captain, he can only report the matter to his superiors, even the chief steward is a higher rank than a second mate. and you said "send to the Master" that is not a referred, a second mate can only go and report problem to next rank up, and it is that rank ( one of the chiefs ) that refer to the captian. after that officer has had a chat to the crew member.
southy wrote:The usual half-witted response made by someone who thinks he knows all of the answers. I'll say again that I referred a couple of dozen pool seamen who were all logged at least a days pay and varying amounts of overtime. The IOW ferry didn't teach you much did it? Take a couple of minutes to find the reference I made to the Captain deciding which crew to employ and you'll find yet another of your constant steam of mistakes. Never learn do you but do keep trying.
other error you made derek by the way a second mate can not send a crew member to the master to be logged, you aft to go though the chief rigger if the ship has one, or chief engineer or the first mate and it be those people that will decide on weather a person should go to the master for a logging after that officer has spoken to the captain.
you should stick to paddling pool with your rubber ring.
X Old Bill, Sunny South Coast says...
3:23pm Mon 15 Mar 10
.
Tip to anyone who has trouble reading Southy's posts - Try reading it out loud with a heavy Hampshire accent. Some of it still doesn't make sense but at least you can understand most of it.
Pettle, Southampton says...
7:23pm Tue 16 Mar 10
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southy, redbridge says...
12:16pm Sat 13 Mar 10