Tourist news: developments, initiatives and strategies

[Kowalski]

I like your flags 

Thanks comrade.

It may interest some of you to know that the blog entry was nominated in the "2009 Plain English awards". I was up for "Best depiction of a small seaside town on the Welsh coast". Unfortunately I lost out to "Thoughts of Oscar".

[DaveR]

Fester wanted to know if you were named after Killer Kowalski, the American wrestler?

[Kowalski]

No, I'm Kowalski the driver from Vanishing Point

[Merddin Emrys]

I have no idea what the blog was on about, but I know the name Kowalski from the excellent film
'Vanishing Point'

[Merddin Emrys]

No, I'm Kowalski the driver from Vanishing Point

You made a good recovery from driving a Dodge Challenger flat out into a bulldozer all those years ago!   ^*^0 ^*^0

[Bri Roberts]

The new SeaWalk used last Saturday for the first time in Norway could be the answer?

http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2012/08/14/the-incredible-floating-cruise-dock-photos/

[Yorkie]

The new SeaWalk used last Saturday for the first time in Norway could be the answer?

http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2012/08/14/the-incredible-floating-cruise-dock-photos/

It is a great idea but all made easier by the relatively calm waters of a Norwegian Fjord.   Trying to dock against Llandudno Pier Head, in even a moderate sea, could be difficult.

Cruise and Maritime Ships have started using Liverpool and Fred Olsen is due to start there in Spring next year.  No doubt others will follow.   It will certainly be better than driving down to Dover or Southampton as we do now.  The economics of having another stop off so close to Liverpool (or even Holyhead) will probably govern any decision.
 

[Bri Roberts]

Yorkie, the new SeaWalk offers an alternative to berthing at Llandudno Pier.

Only very small cruise ships will be able to berth at Llandudno Pier anyway, even when the repairs have been carried out.

It has already been stated the larger cruise ships will need to anchor in the bay with passengers tendered in but we both know that can be a problem with any ship being in port from 7am – 5pm and with our tides.

In choppy waters, the SeaWalk can be a more attractive alternative to tendering.

It is a motorised folding pier so I presume it gets folded away when not in use.

BTW, I wouldn’t get too carried away with Fred using Liverpool next year as I understand it is only the 40 year old ‘Boudicca’ using it.

[Yorkie]

In some way what you say is fine, but it is after all a Floating Pier (see pic) and I can just imagine all the old Codgers one finds on cruises marching down the walkway in anything but a calm sea - which we rarely get on our shores.  On the last few cruises we have been on there has been a plethora of wheelchairs, walking frames and other walking aids.  Many aged and infirm passengers seem to fill the cabins these days!

As for the Boudicca, she is still a fine ship, and at 40 is in the prime of her life, and a darn site better than some of the glitzy 3000 plus passenger cruise ships of today

[Bri Roberts]

In that case, Yorkie, all those disabled passengers would surely much prefer to come ashore in their wheelchairs and electric scooters on that floating pier rather than climb into one of those tender boats?

[Fester]

Old Codgers?   Wheelchair and Zimmer frame users?

Thats because they are the only ones with any money my friends.

Take it from me, they are the generation who appreciate nice things and can afford them.
I owe my living to 'Old Codgers' ... and more power  them I say!

[Nemesis]

Hear Hear !

[Yorkie]

In that case, Yorkie, all those disabled passengers would surely much prefer to come ashore in their wheelchairs and electric scooters on that floating pier rather than climb into one of those tender boats?

Dead right, providing the darn thing isn't bouncing up and down!   

Actually there are now very few ports where the passengers are tendered ashore, and those who can't manage stay aboard and are entertained with games or just relax.  Electric scooters are not used on board and I think that anyone in a wheelchair has to be accompanied by an able bodied person.

Also the floating pier has to be accessed down the gangway steps, I don't think it's as easy as it sounds.  Maybe as I get older, and a not so active, I will discover the problems first hand.    ZXZ

I am also going to check my Admiralty Charts as I think there could be an insufficient depth of water in Llandudno Bay for all but the smallest ships.

[Michael]

   So THATS why I talk to myself all day. Mike

[Bri Roberts]

Actually there are now very few ports where the passengers are tendered ashore, 

Yorkie, did you not know there are still over 70 tender ports in the World including seven in Alaska?

Would you like me to PM a list to you?