Inspections seem to avoid looking at things such as cabin cleanliness.
Galleys and food serving areas appear inspected over and over. What about cabin and living areas

Barrryboat showed an excellent photo of the top deck of QE2 strewn with unwanted garbage and broken deckchairs.

From experience, RCCLs Song of America went downhill fast as Sunbird until Carnival had an interest in Airtours and smartened the ship up again.

The cleanest older ship that I remember was Pacific Princess. Sure she was old, but stewards kept everything 'clean' even though she was tatty around the edges. No rust in the sinks, dust bunnies under the bunks or grunge in the showers.

Let me comment about Star Cruises.
To them their ships safety standards and cleanliness are the top priorities. And it certainly shows.

I have sailed all their ships, present fleet and former ships countless times. These ships are, in a word, immaculate. Never once did I find a "sticky floor" in the buffet restaurants or elsewhere.
During the on deck BBQ, there are a host of crew who go around cleaning after each table leaves. Not one crumb will you find left on the table or deck.

I have had the opportunity to watch the rigid cleaning that the cabin stewards perform. On turnarounds, every drawer in the cabin is opened and cleaned, as well as the shelves in the bathroom mirrored vanities.
A flashlight (torch to some of you) is used to inspect under the beds before being vacuumed.
All cushions on sofas are removed and vacuumed and hand cleaned! Windex or similar is used on all Windexable surfaces. Icebuckets are replaced fresh daily. Housekeeping Supervisors are ever present, making random checks.

I can honestly say "shipshape" applies to all of Star Cruises fleet.

If you find a "grubby" ship then it is usually that way right through and stems from the attitude at the top. It only takes a very few minutes on board to have a good idea of what will be found.

I agree with you fully.

I have also had the opportunity to have a look at some of the store rooms for cabin stewards on deck. Again, there was a place for everything and everything in its place. You could "white glove" these rooms.

This also applies to below decks as well. I have had the pleasure of being shown below decks on some of the Star Cruises fleet and the word immaculate comes to mind.

So yes, if "good housekeeping" is easily noticeable, it should follow that below decks will be in the same condition. My "thumbs up" to Star Cruises for having such pride and a strict policy, and carrying it through.

Other than the highest level of hotels and possibly vessels such as Oriana, preferences seem to keep male public urinals like a miasmic bog.

Before its cleanup, Sunbird sported Verdigris, (a green growth) on all water pipes. Dangles of some type of green algae from the flush outlets and the most unspeakable smell.

The practice was to take a deep breath and hold it. Get things over with and get out before any more respiration was needed. For larger projects, return to the cabin was a preferred option.

In fairness, things had improved last year. Lets hope it continues.

quote:

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Originally posted by CGT:
Excuse me but why am I being censored? Topgun is asserting that that picture in question of the QE2 shows GARBAGE strewn about and it DOES NOT. That is FALSE. It does show broken deck chairs.

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Sorry, I was trying to add Barry's photo to your original post for reference and accidently deleted it. It was not an attempt to censor.

quote:

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Originally posted by topgun:
Before its cleanup, Sunbird sported Verdigris, (a green growth) on all water pipes.

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BTW.. I've expended a hell of a lot of elbow grease cleaning copper/brass and then seen it all turn black overnight after docking in London.

I do not disagree with you. I was merely countering any misconception readers with no knowledge of chemistry might have after seeing Topgun's simplistic and misleading description of what verdigris is.

In and of itself, the verdigris is NOT a health problem but can reasonably be regarded as a symptom of lax maintenance leading to health problems in other areas.

quote:

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Originally posted by topgun:
Brian-O. I dont think I tried to describe the chemistry of verdigris.
The description could hardly be a "simplistic and misleading description" when none was provided.

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The phrase you used was "a green growth" which could easily be misconstrued by readers as being a fungus which it is certainly not. Fungi are organic life forms which can pose serious health problems; verdigris is an inorganic compound of copper which does not pose such a health risk. I stand by my comments. The phrase is simplistic and potentially misleading to the uninformed.

Your post would have been fine if you had simply mentioned verdigris without the parenthetical description.

Again note that I did not say that you called it a fungus; I said that the readers could easily misconstrue it that way.

Brian

[ 09-16-2003: Message edited by: Brian_O ]

ASTORIA Vanishes
September 17: London newspapers report that MV ASTORIA docked in Greenwich last week with 492 passengers and 250 crew on board. Shortly thereafter she was placed under a "voluntary detention agreement", but fled at 3AM, returning to Bremerhaven. According to the London port health authority, officers found that both the crew and passenger galleys were infested with vermin. Inspectors issued an emergency prohibition notice forbidding the preparation of food on board. Detention required the liner to stay in port until the infestation had been treated. The port health authority is considering legal action against her owners and crew.

How did the ship get a Pilot, linesmen, tugs etc if she was detained. What about the Agents - abetting a crime by getting the ship cleared? Very strange.

And where were the German Authorities allowing this ship to operate in such a condition? Sounds like she needs a thorough going over. They had another lately with legionnaires disease. Some smartening up required by the sound of things.