NEWS: Costa Cruises Makes Junior Cruisers “Captains for a Day”

My bad. The character was Whimpy that loved hamburgers in the old Popeye cartoons. I don't know where I got Blimpy from. On a side note, why did Bluto have his name changed from Brutus ? Ginger ? MaryAnn ? or Olive Oyl ? If you said Olive Oyl, seek help.

Reading the original article, it doesn’t say anything about visiting the bridge (I interpret that as they probably will, but they aren’t promising it) or any interaction with officers outside of dinner. I think this is really an optional experience run as part of the existing kid’s program. That said, I think it’s a cute idea.

Actually it was. It was just a little too close to land due to poor judgement on the part of the former Captain.

The Concordia was not on course was it?

You don't think any of the officers actually keep the ship on course do you ? Popeye ain't piloting these boats. It's all done via GPS. The only time someone is actually hands on is A) in an emergency, or B) docking / pulling away from the dock.

"But could you please spare a nickel for a hamburger today, which I will gladly repay on Tuesday". q. Blimpy

If the ships officers keep the ship on course, no drive by's, everything should be fine. I'm sure this activity would be canceled or re-set if a storm or other issues come up.

To really be a naysayer, could a child do any worse then Captain Schettino ? And he was a trained professional.

That's the truth!

Can't do any worse than fmr Capt. Schettino.

I have taken the ultimate ship tour on Princess and have been fortunate enough to have been invited on a bridge tour twice. What I have seen is the officers of the watch do not interact with the tour. The stay focused on running the ship. I have had cadets to the Captain explain the bridge. I believe the kids would probably be better behaved than some adults I've seen. Just my two cents.

I hate to be a naysayer but I'll throw out an opposing view. It is a nice idea in theory but I'm not sure how this will play out. Consider the issue of having the Captain's and/or ship officer's attention turned away from the ship's operation. Francesco Schettino should have been a lesson on that topic.

Honestly, I'm not crazy about having non-essential personal, let alone kids, anywhere near the bridge or in sensitive areas. Maybe it's just me and maybe they have safeguards in place but I'm not sold. It's simply creating another revenue stream.