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IF YOU WERE anywhere near the docklands area of Dublin today – you’ll no doubt have caught a glimpse of the MSC Splendida.
You couldn’t help but spot it… If you were walking near the East Link, it would have blotted out the sun for a few hours…
Why was everyone making such a fuss over one cruise liner?
Two reasons, really…
Along with the great and good of the Irish news media, TheJournal.ie was fortunate enough to be invited on board for a gawk today.
Before you ask – yes, it was a tough few hours.
After battling our way past the slow-moving stampede of German pensioners (keen to board buses bound for the Guinness Storehouse) here’s what we learned…
1. We’re not going to need a bigger boat.
Let’s get the stats out of the way first: Both the Splendida and her sister ship the MSC Fantasia are 333 metres long, and can carry over 4,000 passengers.
At 66.8 metres high – the ship is taller than Liberty Hall.
In fact…
2. There’s a deck missing…
The Splendida is owned and operated by the Italian-headquartered Mediterranean Shipping Company. As a result of that Italian influence, there’s no ‘Deck 17′ on board the 18-level vessel. Why? Well, quite simply because the Italians consider 17 to be an unlucky number (rearranging the letters, the Roman numerals can spell VIXI which means ‘I have lived’ – or, more literally, ‘I am dead’.)
3. It passes the Burlesconi test
Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has been on board and was pretty impressed with what he saw, according to head butler Thierry, who looks after VIP guests in the opulent ‘ship-within-a-ship’ Yacht Club (we asked about ‘Bunga Bunga’ parties – but a broad laugh was the only response).
The ship was Christened by Sophia Loren back in 2009, by the way (we mentioned it’s Italian, right?) – and Jose Carreras performed at the launch party.
4. They get through THIS MUCH yoghurt
The ship’s on a 12 day cruise at the moment (it will be hitting Cobh in Co Cork tomorrow). Here’s a few stats on the volume of food and drink passengers will be getting through on the current trip…
35,692 pots of jam, 13,743 litres of milk, 41,440 fresh eggs, 33,310 kilos of fresh fruit, 27,308 kilos of fresh veg, 27,350 sachets of sugar and 19,000 pots of yoghurt.
5. Those are some expensive stairs
Staircases in the main reception area and the VIP Yacht Club are covered in Swarovski crystal.
6. There are pianos everywhere
But the ones that aren’t encrusted in crystals were covered up for today’s press visit – lest they offend our sensibilities.
7. So, Germany’s doing all right…
Around 80 per cent of the passengers on board the current cruise are German, according to the ship’s (unfeasibly dapper) deputy purser, Michelle Valestra.
8. It’s a boon for city business
Cruise passengers heading into the city centre spend an average of €100 per head, each day – according to Dublin Port Company CEO Eamonn O’Reilly. So if around 2,000 of the passengers on the Splendida head into town – well, you do the math(s)…
(Restaurants and cafes may not do as well as you’d imagine, however. According to the Deputy Purser, again “many people come back on board for lunch”. It’s all-inclusive – wouldn’t you?)
9. Fitting the Splendida into Dublin was quite an operation
As we touched upon in the intro – Dublin Port’s normal operational limit for a ship is 300 metres… No-one was quite sure if they’d be able to fit the Splendida in at all. Today’s docking took quite a bit of planning – and the captain had to make a trip to Ireland in advance to make sure it could be be done safely.
Dublin Port CEO Eamonn O’Reilly takes up the story:
“You’re asking about the preparations to bring the ship in?
“The Splendida was down to call to Dublin Bay – to anchor in Dublin Bay and to tender in. MSC approached us to see is there any possibility to bring it right in to Dubin Port? She’s 333 metres long and that’s 33 metres longer than the biggest ship that we can bring in, and reverse in the river.
So that’s a big marine manoeuvre - you’ve seen the size of the ship – it’s huge. So, the master of the ship, Giuseppe Maresca, along with our harbour-master Dave Dignam, both went down to the simulator in the National Maritime College of Ireland [in Ringaskiddy] where you can simulate any port in the world, any ship, and drive it in real time.
“They were able to simulate the conditions in Dublin – both the physical conditions and the weather conditions. And that satisfied both the master of the ship and our harbour-master that this was a do-able manoeuvre.
In addition, Dublin Port pilot Mattie O’Connor flew out to board the ship yesterday. A second pilot joined the Splendida on her way in, as a belt-and-braces measure – to make sure the VIP visitor could make it all the way to her berth safely. (It’s a tight fit – she had to reverse in so she could sail out, bow-forward, this evening).
10. But in a few years time – it might be a little easier
Dublin Port has applied to An Bord Pleanála to be allowed radically reconfigure its docks – meaning even larger cruise ships could sail right up to the East Link bridge and moor alongside the Point.
The plan was unveiled in October of last year – and interested parties (local residents associations, etc) have been making submissions to An Bord. According to Dublin Port Company:
The project, once complete, will mean that Dublin Port can handle the world’s top ten largest cruise liners, including the 360m long Allure of the Seas.
11. Yes, they’re paying their water charges
We were having a chat with Leo McParland of Hamilton Shipping – who looks after all the daily needs of ships like the Splendida – when this subject happened to come up in conversation.
“€8.14 per cubic metre” is how much Dublin City Council charges – which is a little more than the going rate for households. The supply is metered as it enters the ship, according to McParland.
12. We haven’t finished telling you about all the STUFF on board yet
You’ve already heard about the the theatre, restaurants and VIP club. There’s also a squash court, 4D cinema (because that’s a thing, apparently) and F1 simulator.
13. Here’s why they need all that water
In addition to the four swimming pools – there are also saunas, a Turkish bath, a solarium, a relaxation room, thalassotherapy (us neither), a massage room and whirlpool baths.
14. Dublin, fine – Brazil, better
The officers and crew say all the usual nice things about Dublin – but there’s no doubting they’d rather be somewhere a little sunnier. After managing an impressive-enough answer about why passengers would want to visit Ireland – we ask Dep. Purser Valestra his favourite cruise destination…
“Rio,” he says, with a grin.
Similarly, up in the nightclub venue – we ask how late they stay open. “It depends on the passengers and the DJ,” says our helpful guide.
Then again, says the guide, the current clientele are all in that ‘older age profile’ so there’s not much call for all night disco parties. “In Rio, it would keep going until 4am.”
15. No request too odd
We asked Thierry, the chief butler, about unusual requests from VIP passengers.
“One person wanted to have a book read to them” he says, smiling.
(Thierry didn’t read the book himself – but yes, that passenger request was fulfilled).
16. If you’re not back, they’re not waiting for you
Thousands of passengers head off to see their host town or city, where-ever the ship moors up. If they don’t make it back in time for the next sailing?
“We can wait five, maybe fifteen minutes” says Dep. Purser Valestra. If they’re not back within the appointed time, AWOL passengers have to make their way on to the next destination by land or air.
(So if you’re on the train to Cork tomorrow – and notice a group of slightly-worse-for-wear elderly Germans, they may well be hard-partying Splendida customers).
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We haven’t been left with much choice, have we?
@Newto2016: there’s always a choice. Is three weeks not enough for you?
@Marie Broomfield: in fairness it’s not especially when you have children to buy for
@Marie Broomfield: if everyone left their Christmas shopping to those three weeks without online there would be some cram with queues etc for shopping, kind of defeats the purpose of what we are doing right now to deal with covid!
@Marie Broomfield: It’s funny. That you mention the exact duration of the initial lockdown.
@Marie Broomfield: no it’s not enough and it’s also not safe.
@Marie Broomfield: god bless your innocence if you think Sir Tony will allow the country open up on 1st of December, last time he shut us down for 4 months!
@Alison Maguire: I remember a time when the Christmas shopping didn’t start until December 8th, in fact there was no indication that Christmas was close till then. We all managed and had great christmases.
Nowadays it all starts on 1st of September, and by the 25th of December it has all become a bit of an anticlimax.
@Marie Broomfield: You’re assuming of course that they will lift the restrictions on Dec 1st. That’s not a given according to NPHET. If the R number is not down to 0.5 then they won’t be recommending lifting them.
@Newto2016: Shop as local as you can!
@Liam O Connor: Why are you calling him ‘Sir’?
@Newto2016: we have, Christmas is probably going to be cancelled this year, they just haven’t told us yet cos there might be protests and we can’t have that, can we
@John Mulligan: 8th Dec you are so right, it was in my opinion much better and not all this drama and commercialisation of Christmas like today.
Please folks.
Try to support small local businesses as well as Artisans and craftspeople this Christmas.
A lot of them are pinned to the collar and can’t afford websites to advertise, they depend on word of mouth.
If you come across one or have dealt with one (or many) please share on social media.
It could make the difference between survival or shutting up shop.
Please look local, buy local, support local.
@Michael Clinton: businesses can get 90% funding for an e-commerce website at the moment through their Local Enterprise Office
@Michael Clinton: I’ve been trying to buy from small Irish businesses online but sometimes it just isn’t attainable. They price themselves out of the market. I’m not prepared to pay ott prices that far exceed the value of a particular item. On top of that then there’s ott delivery charges.
@Jess Kelly: same here Jess…. I would spend every time on local if it was value for money and unfortunately the money will be leaving Ireland because you get a lot more for your buck.
@Michael Clinton: supporting local works both ways. Will local businesses stop ripping local residents off??
@Michael Clinton: can’t afford a website to advertise ? Come off it . Even Facebook could help in a small part to advertise their business . It works . People won’t have as much money this year . They will go where they can get the cheapest deals . That may mean online sales . Retail , in particular artisan products have no business being open without a website facility to allow for online shopping . Those niche crafts markets ain’t normally catering for the locals after all
@Patrick McGarry: The answer is No
In China they’re loading several supermassive container ships with cheap tat for us to buy over the Christmas season. Better to cancel Christmas this year and let the Chinese stew for a while for gifting us with this covid thing. It is daft that they are allowed to profit from this crisis to the extent they do, they have us over a barrel because everyone in the West wants to be a manager or an inspector and nobody can be bothered making actual physical goods anymore.
Whether online or offline I’ll be avoiding stuff that came from China like the plague this year.
@Quiet Goer: Good luck with that
@Quiet Goer: Xing Xing…
@Quiet Goer: Firstly, the virus isn’t any countries fault.
Secondly they’re profiting because they contained the virus successfully with the kind of strict lockdown measures necessary, as did New Zealand many East Asian countries.
We should look far more to the problems in the West, the lack of unity among people to accept their elected governments decisions and how large businesses always seem to be prioritised in any kind of response.
@Rochelle: if you believe that you would believe anything!!
@Quiet Goer: what in the name of Jaysis are you talking about
@Quiet Goer: someone give this guy a list of what is made in China . It be longer than Santa’s list
@Rochelle: It is China’s fault, they started it and tried to hide it . Why are we sugar coating it
Of course it’s someone’s fault , it didn’t just come out of no where
As opposed to not doing any at all??
I’m going to wait until the shops to reopen and then do a blitz
The 5km distance limit just forces people online
Thats some poll..
@Joe Bergin: A lot of thought gone into that one.
Yes, and click and collect too
Another poll which the obvious is known. We’ve not much of a choice plus in most instances it’s cheaper. Sigh
Just scrap the Christmas and save everyone a lot of stress. Sure buy your children something nice and have a nice dinner but avoid all the other bull**** that usually goes on.
@Nomis Andrews: urgh , Communist .
Due to worrying that we would go into the lockdown we are currently in back in August by October with flu season coming in and schools reopening I have the kids presents bought by start of September, all other presents got between September and October bar one. Figured why not get them in early just incase and I’m glad I did. I’ll wait until December to see if can buy last present in local shop before rushing into going online.
Not much choice really!
Most places are still open coz they are selling PPE so no real loss of sales
@Eddie Michael: not for much longer. Gardai are carrying out compliance checks to ensure only essential goods are being sold. They were in Duunes and M&S on Grafton Street yesterday. Can’t post the link, but you’ll see it on their twitter. Avocados are essential, pajamas aren’t
@Critical Thinker: Then there are the shops selling masks, thinking that makes them essential.
@Mary Morrisey: I really shouldn’t chime in until I’ve read the entire comment chain and start from the top.
@Mary Morrisey: I think if a shop is permitted to stay open to sell essential items they should also be able to sell non essentials. What difference does it make. Absolute stupidity… they are open anyway
The danger is, any curtailing of the virus that we might see for the 6weeks up to December will be wasted if we all hit the shops like school kids getting their summer holidays.
Yes. We are already seeing price gouging by some in the local economy. They woukd be wise to be ascompetitive with price and shipping rates as another very large online retailer.
Obviously
Nearly finished for the kids, I’d say 90% if not more was done online.
Always do, no difference this year
I detest in line shopping. But it seems it’s the only option.
@2thFairy: perhaps , try on line shopping instead ?
Yes ALL of it! :-)
Courier s making a killing this year
It’s greed of some retailers charging for click and collect, boots brand max etc
i think everyone will do exactly as they have been doing in recent years. Who starts shopping in town before the 1st december anyway?
@Marie Broomfield: oops. All done by September
@Marie Broomfield: people who can’t afford to do the shopping all in one go ! Thousands start as early as August and buy pieces but by bit . Always the way
I cannot trust that local shops will have what I want or need come December 1st. If I start ordering then it may not arrive by Christmas. Unfortunate but true. Will leave a small bit to December but not the gifts I need to get.
No.
The amount of money flooding out of country for next 6 weeks will be felt in tax, if I can’t go into local supermarket where I’ve often buy essentials such as socks underwear babygro I’m not going to wait I’ll go online and but from UK, might be same company as here but can bet you it’s cheaper online but if I could have got it here wouldn’t wait for a delivery
A lot of people get paid this week and won’t get paid again till end of November so are not going to take chance on shops opening let’s remember the next review is the 1st Dec not an opening date companies may have orders due in for what they thought was these 6 weeks but will be cautious about putting orders in for December because they won’t want to be stuck with stock, remember when penneys reopened it was old stock for weeks and had only really started to stock up on winter stuff lately so by waiting your taking a chance they can get what they need so a lot of revenue will be leaving the country
There are some really good Facebook initiatives showcasing Irish Arts and Crafts people advertising their creations. I think that’s a brilliant idea! Help small businesses, get originals – all from the comfort of your home.
@Mandy Seiler: that kind of useless tat kinda to be for tourists not locals
We have no option as most of the retail shops closed . Thanks Leo .
Just remember, 72% of all online shopping in Ireland is purchased from companies/businesses outside of Ireland, so fine, shop online , but support Irish businesses, if it’s a little more expensive, is it not worth it, to help save the jobs of tens of thousands of employees around the country?
@Sean Walsh: No it’s not worth being ripped off ! The delivery companies will have Irish bases and thus need to employ staff . Groceries will still need to be bought in Irish stores anyway . People will still purchase via the websites of Irish based stores eg Brown Thomas et all
Buyin nobody nothin
Yes or No simple question. Why are people unsure???
I small token for everybody under tree…..double up on big pressies 2021
Voted no because most of my shopping all year round is done online and that won’t change.
As people say unfortunately local shops are over priced which is a bigger issue overall but I’m not prepared to pay x for something I can get for y (cheaper) online.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/3030547663723659 shop in ireland
@Su Murray: Many are using shipping rates to recoup losses. In an economy where many have just loss their jobs again, that’s not very wise.
Do it every year. I can’t stand shopping.
Buy them throughout the year as I see things people will like. Done
Simple answer is yes. The only shops I will be entering in December will be food shops. Christmas shopping in December is a nightmare at the best of times.
Check out the Shop in Ireland group on Facebook where hundreds of Irish craftspeople, artists and producers are all sharing the most incredible ranges and positivity. If you search within the group for your own county you’ll be able to narrow down your support to an even more local circle too. https://www.facebook.com/groups/3030547663723659/?ref=share
@Elmarie Mawe: positivity ? What’s that ? Happy clappy guff? Stock that locals normally don’t buy and stick catered to tourists ? Only so many times one can buy Waterford /Galway crystal etc etc and knitted jumpers . Don’t think the kiddies are interested unless it’s PS5/x box etc etc . Will this positivity be supporting with competitive pricing ?
Would it not be more useful to ask if we were planning to shop online in Irish stores our uk/international stores ?
After all we can only shop online at the moment other than food and diy.
@sheila elmes: go down to the main shopping centres and main streets . A majority of the stores are franchises of International stores . Unless it’s Brown Thomas , Arnotts , Dunnes , Pennies ,Staunton Sports and Lifestyle (I think) and a few chemists it’s mostly British and American brand stores anyway
Test
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