Some you lose. And the so-called "blimp" that made its debut on Oasis of the Seas last week, while Royal Caribbean International's megaship undertook its sea trials, was definitely a loser. Quite literally.
Apparently the vague idea is that the aerostat might fly 50 metres above the 5,400-passenger ship, as it is in the picture, offering thrill rides for those who fancied giving it a go. Problem, is, it might have been a little more thrilling than Royal was planning as during the trials it somehow became untethered and crash-landed into the sea.
I'll let Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Cruises chairman and chief executive officer, tell it in his own inimicable way.
Then this morning, something happened and the balloon broke free. It ended up in the water and we are now taking steps to recover it and determine what happened. This is precisely why we do such tests (and why I don't take credit until we know whether or not they are successful).
Jane Archer
