Very interesting reading -

http://www.tripso.com/archives/2006/03/chilecrash.html

Good article Denise - we all should do as they suggest, but at times I think we do get a bit "lax" on finding out if things are safe or not.

Good advise, but if we had heeded all of it during our trips to FP we would have missed out on a lot of fun. A few of our friends still can't belive that we snorkeled with sharks swimming all around us.

Obvious that you cannot control the health or alertness factor of your driver/pilot. The Celebrity incident was due to driver error. What about being on a public ferry? The Staten Island Ferry had a problem not all that long ago, if you recall. Gee, I think about the times I've parasailed in Mexico, being up 12 plus stories being dragged by a speedboat by a only rope way over the water.

Life is meant to be experienced. If I could choose the way to leave for the next dimension, it would be while I was traveling and having the time of my life.

being up 12 plus stories being dragged by a speedboat by a only rope way over the water.

GOSH Kathy wasn't that scary? 12 stories no way for me - Joanna

Kathy, I agree with you, life's too short.

But reading that article did not make me want to do the waverunner excursion if I ever go back to Bora Bora, that's for sure.

Everything in life has certain risks. Even after making educated decisions, one could take an excursion and suffer a disaster. I'm a fatalist. I choose what I wish to do and hope for a fantastic experience. I don't dwell on the what if's.

The people who perished or were injured went on their excursions with those very same expectations, never once expecting tragedy. No one equates vacation with tragedy. Sadly, these things do happen. This week, far too much.

Denise, I have similar feelings. I have friends who cannot even cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge because of fears of driving over it. Different problem, yes, but I am not going to let the remote chance that something is going to happen to me dictate what I choose to do here or anywhere in the world. Like you said, educated decisions.

Great comments Denise and Olivia - life is to be lived - We have little control over these tragedies - unless we want to stay at home and who knows what can happen at home? Joanna

The glass is half empty or the glass is half full. I'd like to live my life in the hopes of a half full glass!

I agree, Joanna. Life is definetly meant to be lived. I would hate to have regrets because fear took control in my life.

Denise, I couldn't agree with you more!!

I had three people today (who know we love to cruise) say "well you can have your cruising did you read about the bus and the fire?" Sometimes you know when NOT to respond or atleast NOT to argue?? - WELL.....hard for me not to respond so I said "yes we are going to Alaska in August" - Joanna

Joanna, Did those people read about car accidents that occur each and every day?

It doesn't pay to argue. Some people don't get it! And, I am not referring only to cruising; I'm referring to missing out on a whole lot of enjoyment in your life.

My exact thoughts about car accidents home and away - I think many people lead lives of quiet frustration and do not realize it - someone asked me what do you do if you have a toothache on a cruise??? I felt like saying DRINK!!!

Joanna,

Tell them that there is a dentist on board!
One of the couples we went with on our Tauck Tour in Italy was a dentist. He told me he is invited regularly to cruise in exchange for his services if needed onboard. He says he has never been needed, but, he cruises in case!

Oh so nice to offer services a cruise ship wants - we have Italian restaurant here and Johnny (and Nella his wife) the chef/owner have been on Rad 3 times, over the yrs, as guest chef.... and head of Smith Barney office here cruises on Rad and SS to talk about investments - how nice???

Forget the DDS - Bring on the drinks!

I agree swish some vodka on that molar!!!

Gee, I can't tell is that Creme de Menthe or Scope?

Scope is for the faint hearted -

I agree with the article that it is important to check out the operator - I also think that many people believe in safety in numbers. Although the operator wasn't "vetted" by the cruise line, accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, likewise, despite all safety precautions taken by a cruise line, somebody is bound to ignore those and smoke in bed with the risk of causing a fire.

Wow, makes me wish I had studied dentistry!

Yes, I , too , choose to live life to the fullest and not regret lost opportunities. For many years I have treasured the following quote:

"Oh, God! To be approaching death and find that I have never lived."

Great quote! I hope I never have to utter or even think those words!

When I think of all the crazy things we have done while traveling I shutter, but one really foolish adventure that stands out was the JET BOAT RIDE in New Zealand. We all thought that we were totally crazy to have done it after the fact and indeed we were. Those of you going to New Zealnad think twice before getting on that boat - an unbelievable thrill but the scariest thing I have ever done. I think you just have to take the attitude you could get run down by a car crossing the street so have fun while you can. Don't they say most accidents happen within a block of your home. Go for it -but remember the Jet Boat.

jan

Oh yeh....the jet boat. Olivia and I LOVED that. It was so fun!

Yes, that was one of the most fun rides I've ever had! Too chicken to bungee jump, though!

My favorite most exciting ride was on a donkey going down the side of the Grand Canyon> I was all excited and exhilerated and hubby was somewhat scared.

I really like the earlier quote:
"Oh, God! To be approaching death and find that I have never lived."

Adelle

Only time I was ever on a donkey was going down the hill from Santorini in Greece with 6 women friends to the water below, where we were getting a boat to somewhere, it was not a cruise! Stinky! Not scary!

Not sure if this was a safe excursion either, but in the late 80's, did a wonderful hot air balloon ride over Burgundy! We started in a field near Beaune, and ended up in a cow field! It was great. Chase vehicle going with us all the way. There were nine women in that basket!

Olivia,

That sounds like a lot of fun! I will have to put that one on my list - maybe in Santa Fe during one of the Balloon Festival.

Yes, a balloon ride! I've wanted to do that forever! We have a big festival near our cottage, this year it's on Labor Day weekend. One of these years, we will do it.

We took a hot air balloon ride over Tuscany and it was one of the most thrilling and breathtaking experiences we've ever had. We'd do it again in a Tuscan minute!

Now, taking a chartered flight from St. Petersburg to Moscow (in a plane that had been built and has been used since, most likely, in the 1960's) goes beyond an E ticket experience - especially when a huge, severe storm is brewing, while you're flying midway between Moscow and St. Petersburg - and the pilot doesn't know if he's able to safely land! Head back to Moscow or fly onto St. Petersburg??????? Hold your breath while the pilot makes a decison. Sit in your seat, clutching the hand of the person sitting next to you. Say your "I love yous," if you're so inclined, to your husband/wife/travel companion/and/ or everyone on the plane,including the flight crew. Make promises to yourself and your maker, should you survive. Sit silently and pray for a safe landing. Land safely (thank God!). Ah, an excursion doesn't get much better than this for a grand finale! Again, we'd do it again in a Moscow minute!

"There is the risk you can not afford to take and there is the risk you can not afford not to take!"
and for food for thought........
what if the Hokey Pokey is really what it's all about?

:app:

I'm sorry, that is crazy flying in a plane like that! :) Who does the mechanics? Are the pilot's ratings and training up to date? Are they flying with good radar or is the pilot qualified for instrument approaches, and if so, down to what # of meters/feet visibility, or is he like many other Russians, worried about feeding his family and feeling pressured to take chances to get the trourists where they want to go. Probably it'll be okay this time...just this time...probably...crash. I'd never do that for an excursion, and I'm a 747 pilot with about a gazillion hours. Hmm, maybe that's why I'd never do it. I know too much!

Well, there are different types of excursions that (IMO) require different levels of caution before booking. A limo tour of Rome through Claudio's Limo Service, requires little concern. After all, you are in Rome, and many fellow cruisers have recommended him. But a van trip through a Central or South American jungle or other remote area with an unknown outfit? I think I'll pass! One thing we like about RSSC is that their sponsored excursions are really reasonably priced and are generally very good. When in doubt, we "default" to those.

But even considering the Princess fire and the bus wreck, which resulted in a total of thirteen casualties, cruising remains the safest mode of travel available.

Thanks,
Richard

I dunno Richard. We had an experienced driver in Rome for three days and I would say just standing on the street and watching the traffic is dangerous in Rome! 99% of the time, we were all terrified while touring. We couldn't even deterimine if their were lanes, the way they zip in and out at such high speeds! I keep looking around trying to determine if there were side airbags in our van.

On the final day when we left the city and were on were on our way to Civatecchia, I would bet we all had more gray hairs when we arrived than when we left. :ohmy:

My hair turned totally gray from that ride - he must have been doing 95!!!

That driver was going 150 km per hour! Yes gray hair! I just noticed that I said I ballooned over Tuscany, and got on in Beaune. Now that would have been a long ride! We were in Burgundy. Tuscany's next! One wine country to the next, still not all the same!

Sue,

I'm so glad I didn't read your post before taking that excursion! Needless to say, we didn't ask those questions. This excursion was through RSSC and I would hope that they ask these questions! The pilot got us back to St. Petersburg safe and sound. Considering that, either he knew what he was doing or each of us on that flight had angels on our shoulders!

Not only was the plane a relic of the 1960's, so were the "flight attendants!"

Olivia, if ever you have the opportunity to visit Tuscany and want to take the ultimate hot air balloon ride, I have just the guy to go with. He was outstanding!