We were heading for Xingang, China – a port two hours away from Beijing. It got unpleasantly cold (mid-50s). On the day before we disembarked Diamond Princess, we had received the invitation:
And this is how this happened: As the members of Captain’s Circle (cruising for the second time with Princess) we were invited (along with many other passangers) to the Captain’s Circle Cocktail Party. We needed to bring E with us because the Kids’ Club was closed and in order to ensure his cooperation (and good behaviour) we told him in solemn voices that he would meet THE CAPTAIN (the most important person on the ship!). E was great throughout the party! Unfortunately, due to thick fog, the Captain was unable to attend. He sent his Staff Captain instead. E was disappointed. He asked to go and see the picture board where the photos of all the people “in charge” were hanging. He insisted that he wanted to see the "HUGE" Captain.
And this is how this happened: As the members of Captain’s Circle (cruising for the second time with Princess) we were invited (along with many other passangers) to the Captain’s Circle Cocktail Party. We needed to bring E with us because the Kids’ Club was closed and in order to ensure his cooperation (and good behaviour) we told him in solemn voices that he would meet THE CAPTAIN (the most important person on the ship!). E was great throughout the party! Unfortunately, due to thick fog, the Captain was unable to attend. He sent his Staff Captain instead. E was disappointed. He asked to go and see the picture board where the photos of all the people “in charge” were hanging. He insisted that he wanted to see the "HUGE" Captain.
The following day, on our return from the Shanghai excursion, I asked one of the officers whether she thought it might be possible to visit the Captain on the Bridge. At that point most of the ship crew (those “visible” ones at least) knew E or knew about him (no kidding!). She whispered that I should go ahead and write a note to the Captain and leave it in the ship’s “Comments Box.” That night E, Eric and I crafted a note saying that E (the youngest passanger) really wanted to meet the Captain and visit him on the Bridge. E dropped the note in the box on his way to dinner that night. The following evening, we received the invitation!
The next morning we were met by a member of the security staff. Along with 4 other “chosen” passengers we were led to the Bridge... where we met THE HUGE CAPTAIN!
After a few minutes of introduction and a brief photo op, we were given a tour of the bridge by the Third Officer.
One thing that I found fascinating in particular was the fact that other than using electronic radar, there are two "watchers" up front who use binoculars as well as non-enhanced vision to spot objects on the sea. Apparently, the human watchers are more reliable than radars when it comes to spotting smaller objects! E had a chance to salute a few more times and off we were led from the Bridge.
After a few minutes of introduction and a brief photo op, we were given a tour of the bridge by the Third Officer.
One thing that I found fascinating in particular was the fact that other than using electronic radar, there are two "watchers" up front who use binoculars as well as non-enhanced vision to spot objects on the sea. Apparently, the human watchers are more reliable than radars when it comes to spotting smaller objects! E had a chance to salute a few more times and off we were led from the Bridge.
Great, unusual experience!
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