Cuban Refugees Picked up by Allure of the Seas

On Saturday (09/06/12) Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas picked up Cuban refugees floating on a raft in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship also stopped to check out a second raft that turned out to be empty.

The pick up, of five refugees, was initially reported by WSVN News 7 in Miami. According to the TV station, the group was given food and water and then transferred to a U.S. Coast Guard ship.

Members of Cruise Critic posted comments in relation to a 2nd raft of refugees also being assisted by the Cruise Ship.

"It actually happened twice on the same day," wrote one member of the Cruise Forum.

Another Member also said they "did get to see the action from our balcony on the second raft they found."

Passengers on the Cruise also watched the refugees depart from Allure of the Seas to board the Coast Guard ship.

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Royal Caribbean 'Wow' Sale

Cruise vacationers who saw summer creeping-up on them without a firm plan in place still have a chance to book a cruise hrough Royal Caribbean International’s three-day WOW Sale.  With a world of options ranging in Europe, Caribbean, the Far East and Australia and New Zealand, vacationers can receive up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom to enjoy during their cruise when they book a Royal Caribbean cruise, sailing on or after August 15, 2012.

Additionally, all guests will enjoy Royal Caribbean’s ships, exciting destinations, and friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service from every staff and crew member, also known as the Royal Advantage.

“There’s no time better than now for vacationers to book their summer vacation or a future cruise with Royal Caribbean,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of Global Sales and Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. “Vacationers may choose among any of our worldwide locations aboard any of our recently revitalized ships.

Guests will enjoy our fleet’s new range of delectable onboard dining experiences, cutting-edge entertainment and innovative amenities such as zip lines, rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks and FlowRider surf simulators, as well as Royal Caribbean’s world-renowned, friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. ”

For all new individual bookings made with deposit on June 11, 12 or 13, 2012, vacationers can enjoy $50 onboard credit per stateroom for three- to five-night itineraries; $100 per stateroom for six- to nine-night itineraries; and $200 per stateroom for 10-night or longer itineraries. Additionally, vacationers enjoy 50 percent reduced deposit as part of the offer, and can reserve a stateroom for as low as $50. The offer is valid for all Royal Caribbean International sailings departing on or after August 15, 2012, including aboard the world’s largest and most innovative sister-ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Offer is not combinable with any other offers or promotions and is not valid in Australia, New Zealand or China.

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Allure of the Seas to Depart as Schedule After Engine Fire

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas arrived back in Fort Lauderdale early Sunday morning as scheduled after a short-lived fire broke out at 7:45 Friday evening in the engine room aboard the world's largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean tells Cruise Critic that nobody on the 5,400-passenger vessel was injured, and the next sailing will leave on time Sunday evening. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

According to accounts from several passengers on cruise message boards, the ship had to change course briefly on its way from St. Maarten to Fort Lauderdale to keep smoke from blowing back inside the vessel.

One such message had this to say of his first-hand experience: "I am on board The Allure, yes there was a small fire in one of the engine rooms, that caused some smoke smell around the back end of the ship. There was no visible smoke in passenger areas. I was dining at the Chefs Table at the time and we were asked to move from the area for about 20 minutes, whilst the extract fans did their job. There was NO panic around the ship, a couple of youngsters showed concern, and some parents went to meet up with family members."

Whilst another posted the following: "Just got off the Allure and I have to disagree that there was NO panic. The crew were visibly scared as we're many of the passengers. ...The crew were trying very hard to appear in control and they did a good job, but you could see them passing notes to each other and the concern on their faces. We were finished our dinner, but skipped out on desert because I really couldn't eat much after hearing Bravo bravo bravo and water tight doors closing." 

"We could see that there was no power from the engines as it appeared we were drifting - this occurred for at least an hour maybe two," commented another user of the online message boards of the view from the AquaTheater deck. "Auxiliary power was running as at no time did the power, lights, air conditioning or water go out."

This incident is just the latest in a string of recent cruise ship engine problems. Last week, Saga Holidays' Saga Sapphire cut its inaugural cruise short due to engine troubles. Two weeks ago, Plancius, an ice-class vessel operated by the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions, suffered a partial engine failure and stranded its 73 passengers and 42 crew on a South Atlantic island. In March, Azamara Quest suffered an engine room fire that injured five crewmembers and left the ship adrift off the southern Philippines coast. In February, an engine fire left Costa Allegra inert in the Indian Ocean. Cunard's flagship, Queen Mary 2, has also been plagued with engine troubles over the past year.

Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.