Rather than unduly alarm passengers, cruise ships use a variety of “code” words to alert the crew of a “situation” onboard. Seasoned cruisers who have become familiar with ship “jargon” know that the announcement “Bravo-Bravo-Bravo” is not a cue to stand and take a bow - it IS a call to alert the ship’s highly specialized safety team of fire onboard.
We had tried for years to get our friend “Shirl” to cruise – “oh no” – “every time I get on a boat something bad happens” –she would argue. (To be fair, she had had two bad experiences involving sailboats.) “Shirl – we’re not talking “boat” we’re talking CRUISE SHIP.” Finally, her resistance wore down, and she and her husband joined us for a Voyager of the Seas adventure out of Galveston.
There we were –chatting and relaxing in the Aquarium Lounge prior to departure, when we heard it. You could spot the seasoned cruisers in the room– (the ones looking around somewhat apprehensively, but saying nothing) - even as the safety team in full fire-fighting garb ran down the main deck right outside the windows.
When our server approached to take our order, my reply of “all things considered, make mine a double” drew a “knowing” smile, but no response. Calmness prevailed.
Only after leaving the dock and clearing the channel, did the Captain announce that a “small” electrical fire in the engine room prior to departure had caused the loss of use of one propeller- that he was altering the itinerary and sailing directly to Roatan for repairs.
LOL! Happy to say she has become a big fan of cruising - doesn’t care where the ship is sailing - just wants to be on it when it does – even if she does hear “Bravo.”
More about ship “jargon” later.