Hobbies

Each generation of Celebrity ships has emerged to assume a leadership role in the cruise industry. From the contemporary elegance of Horizon to the stylish and high-tech Century, to the latest epoch, Constellation, Infinity, Millennium and Summit, all are five-star vessels of incomparable allure. In true Celebrity style every conceivable luxury awaits you. Every stateroom is a sanctuary; culinary standards are impeccable, entertainment a masterpiece! There’s poetry to be found in the perfect symmetry of grace and strength, which is the hallmark of Celebrity’s trim, powerful ships. The ships are designed for your complete fulfillment and beauty is in every detail. In every painting and sculpture, in foyers so grand they resemble Venetian courtyards, in the exotic fabrics tinted to rich jewel tone colors, in the handsome accommodation, and in the sophisticated restaurants and stylish lounges and bars. Polished mahogany, etched glass, soft leather and crisp linen harmonize with immaculately maintained public areas and perfectly prepared staterooms.

Celebrity’s Fleet

Holland America Cruise Lines has initiated a program of up-scaling their cruise ships, cruise line image and passenger cruise experience. This initiative is called the Signature of Excellence program and will soon be experienced by cruise passengers on all Holland America cruises.

The award winning Holland America five star fleet of cruise ships will all have the unparalleled enhancements by the end of 2006. Included in the program are enhancements to the impeccable service Holland America guests have become accustomed to as well.

Premium cruising aboard Holland America’s fleet will be enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities and public areas. Included are stateroom amenities, luxury beds and bed linens. All Holland America cruise ships will include the Neptune Lounge, Pinnacle Grill, Explorations Café, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, and a Culinary Arts Center.

Changes will be made for children and teens cruising with Holland America as well. The program includes newly expanded youth facilities with the “Club HAL” program. For teens, Holland America has included The Loft and The Oasis.

How do you clean the hull on a boat when it is out of the water? As a boat cleaner or detailer there are ways to speed up the process of boat hull cleaning. It is important to do a perfect job if you are to later detail the boat or put wax on it. You must protect yourself and you will need safety equipment. First, you’ll want some protective equipment as you’ll be using some harsh acids to remove the algae growth that accumulates on the bottom of boats. Some very strong nitrile gloves, goggles, and/or respirator are all recommended. Here are some of the best places to buy safety equipment, we have used all these companies and they are all fast, responsive and knowledgeable:

http://www.hullsafety.com/products/index.htm

http://www.micronsafety.com/page2.html

http://www.polywater.com

http://www.ahsafety.com

http://www.alimed.com

Make sure that you keep any acid from splashing up on your skin. First-aid eye kits can be purchased at: Wal*Mart, Target, ACE Hardware, K-Mart, etc. You should have a first aid kit with eye flushing fluid with you if you are going to use muratic acid or acetone. For more information on this please go to:

http://www.chargar.com/ab.htmOSHA

It is important to follow these procedures when sealing a private dock or a dock at the marina. Always let the dock dry for three to twenty-four hours before applying any coating or sealant. You cannot put a seal coat over on top of moisture or wet wood.

Mask off boats, shrubbery, masonry, foliage with drop cloths or large sheets of cardboard. When using an airless sprayer use a 0.014-inch fine tip at about 250 to 500 PSI. if you are using a lower pressure sprayer or pump sprayer that is okay, but get in close. Apply water repellant, coating or sealant to railings, spindles, etc. first. Then move to the floor of the dock, deck or pier. Always work with the grain spraying in that direction. Use liberal portions of coating.

Be sure to brush out any puddles or drips aiming for smooth uniform application. Make sure whatever product you end up choosing is a preservative and not just a ‘water repellant’. Always have your EPA information with you, which you can download from the Internet;

www.EPA.gov

So you are in the pressure washer business and you want to clean the local docks at the Marina. Good plan, let us give you a little advice on this. First you have to sell the account. Explain to the marina manager or the dock master or municipal purchasing agent that their clientele and/or citizens will be very impressed to see that this normally much neglected area of the marina and/or pier is being taken care of and cleaned. It’s going to make it much more presentable. The clientele will be happier, therefore will be more likely to keep their moorage in storage there and be happy-paying customers for long into the future. Explain to the dock master or marina manager also that it can be a safety issue. The cleaner and less slippery their docks are the better and safer it’s going to be for their clientele. This is also a good selling point. This is an easier sell to government agencies since everyone wants to stay away from lawsuits.

It is important when cleaning a dock that you use these steps as to not cause wood damage or hardship. If you do not follow these steps, we told you so. So here is how it is done by the professionals who would rather get it right the first time, get it over with and get back out on the water where we belong.

Remove any furniture, grills, etc. Watch for damage to the wood, scout out where you will clean before you start, sometimes once wet you cannot see the flaws in the wood as easy. If you are doing this as a contractor you may wish to point out these areas to the Marina management. You may want to bring this to the attention of the boss as a good P.R. move. Wet the deck, dock or pier with low pressure if you plan on using any chemicals; we do not recommend chemicals if you can help it. You may not be able to use chemicals due to environmental laws but if you can use soap and chemicals try to find ones that do not contain sodium hypochlorite, bleach or acids. After the chemical has had proper dwell time, use a Hydro-twister or a 40-degree nozzle tip. You must use the 40-degree tip with an extension wand for railings and stairs. Either way 1500 PSI is fine for this type of in-close detail work. Remember the sensitivity of the wood fibers while keeping in mind how delicate the wood is.

Docks needs to be routinely pressure washed or they become slippery and ugly from black algae and small spills. Often they have spilt oil, fish guts, beer, fuel and even sewer tank liquids on them. Obviously you do not want anyone to slip on anything like that. So what equipment to do you need to use to have the best results.

You really need a good pressure washer. It would be best to have a hot water pressure washer if possible, but a cold pressure washer will work also. You can use a stiff bristle brush or a broom even perhaps to clean any stuck on dirt or bird droppings when using your pressure washer.

It is not recommended that you use any type of soaps or cleaners as these will probably directly run right into the water causing environmental concerns, possible fines for you. So please avoid any of the soaps or cleaners even though it may be tempting to use them. Good old-fashioned elbow grease will take care of the situation.

A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will be also to take care of any buildings that are on or near the water, and the docks themselves as they can get covered with bird droppings, dirt, spider webs, and anything like that. Wood decks, docks and piers are subject to attack by moss, insects, sun, salt spray, fish guts, water damage, physical wear, foot traffic, rain, snow, morning dew. All of which are quickly absorbed into unprotected wood causing it to swell, deteriorate and chip away, also causing shrinking, warping, splitting, cracking and discoloration.

Because docks are horizontal, they hold water and snow for prolonged lengths of time. The dampness attracts pollen and fungal spores, which collect and cause this ugly discoloration and black algae. And, of course, these horizontal surfaces are subject to 40 to 50% more direct sunlight than their vertical counterparts. The bottom of a dock may be as much as 50 to 60º F cooler than the topside.

Alaska is a place to experience not merely to visit or to see. Holland American Alaskan Cruising is the best way to experience the marvels of the Alaska coast. Add Holland America cruise tours to your Alaskan itinerary, and you have the makings of a once in a lifetime Alaskan adventure.

Announced in April of 2005, Holland America will launch a new Alaskan culinary experience to its seven ships bound for Alaskan cruising. HAL’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has developed a menu of Alaskan salmon dishes. Dubbed “Going Wild for Salmon”, this feature is an extensive menu rotation of Alaskan salmon during each cruise. This Alaskan delight will also include on-board culinary events, cooking demonstrations and seminars.

Having spent time recently in Anchorage Alaska, Chef Rudi thought that the delicious Alaskan salmon should be brought on board. This will enhance the Alaskan flavor of cruising to Alaska aboard Holland America.

Chef Rudi and his staff have developed about 50 distinctive Alaskan salmon recipes. Every night, a whole range of Alaskan salmon dishes will be available. The “Going Wild for Salmon” menu choices will be available 5 nights a week on board their Alaskan cruises. Holland America now offers more Alaskan salmon dishes than any other cruise line to Alaska.

Two boys from South Carolina made headlines a few weeks ago. They had spent six days adrift at sea before being rescued … off the coast of North Carolina.

The boys, one fifteen and one sixteen, had set out in a small boat with no paddles, no motor, no sail, no food and no water. The fact that they had survived for six days under these circumstances is almost a miracle.

The first lesson to be learned from their experience goes almost without saying: never, never, never set out to sea without paddles, a motor, or sails. No matter how close you think you will stay to shore, no matter how serene the ocean seems, no matter how calm the weather is, you just can’t trust that conditions will not change.

Beyond the obvious, that you do need paddles or a sail, what else do you need to survive at sea and what you need to do you to maximize your chances of survival?

The US Army Survival Manual has some very good information on the topic of survival at sea. The first thing, in the words of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, is "don’t panic." Check the physical condition of everyone onboard. Give first aid as necessary. Take seasickness pills if available as vomiting from seasickness (or any other cause) increases the danger of dehydration.