ITS YOUR JOURNEY, MAKE IT COUNT!
The first 5 years, planning and execution
Planning the 5-year (initial) cruise program will take place over the nearly 24 months available while Raffles is being built. The process starts as soon as the potential owners are vetted, their ownership confirmed and they are provided with a world map or a Google – Earth based computer program defining 20 main areas of the world:
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Within the main areas above is provided a list of countries, e.g. NE Asia includes:
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Owners will also be provided with basic information on main weather patterns, temperature, seasons etc. in the various areas / countries.
From this list the individual owner selects their ideal cruise schedule, first by area, 1 to 20, then in order of preference by countries in the area(s). Lastly for each individual country owners create a wish list of the ports / towns / places / islands etc. that they particularly would like to visit.
All information, from all 122 owners will then be compared / correlated, with it is anticipated many desired destinations / schedules matching.
Noting that Raffles in 5 years can travel 109,000 miles (175,000km) or almost 4 times around the world this allows all individual preference to be met, at one time or another.
Based on the initial individual ideas (x 122) a draft cruise schedule is then developed, circulated, and suggestions, comments etc. solicited. With these in hand a second correlation will be carried out by the designated Captain of Raffles.
With the second correlation completed the Captain will develop a final draft cruise schedule that in practice will be about 2.5 times around the world in 5 years, similar in format to the sample program following. Still in draft form this will be circulated together with notes on weather conditions and the Captains suggestions on places to visit, things to see (and to avoid).
It will also include information on conditions, and (current) risks such as wars, civil unrest, icebergs, hurricanes, pirate’s, tsunamis etc. that might influence the final program.
As well it will include information on such shore amenities as golf courses / tennis courts, and historical / archaeological sites, gardens, national parks, wildlife, local food specialties, festivals, etc., etc.
The owners feedback to the Captains proposed program will then allow him to refine the initial 5-year cruise, subject to............?
Once the 5 year cruise program is, more or less, established an FVH research team, probably including the Captain, will then go out around the world to survey the route, proposed ports / visits, find / survey others or alternatives.
They will also check on costs / potential operational problems plus such as availability of medical facilities, banks, etc., etc. After they return a final draft cruise program will be developed and again circulated with additional notes / advice etc.
The process described means that by the time Raffles is delivered its initial 5 years programme will be more or less decided and promulgated as in the sample programme following.
Notes:
- Each apartment has equal rights, regardless of size in voting on / planning the cruise schedule.
- The program shown assumes a generally West about route, starting from Singapore.
- Month 1 of year 1 could be any month.
- Only general areas / countries listed. Within them small ports, islands, coastal bays, rivers, etc. visited are not detailed.
- Program shown can be adjusted to allow for adverse weather conditions at various times of the year.
- Only some of the ports / places visited are named.
- Antarctica visits must normally be between February and May.
- One possibility still being explored is across the top of North America via the Arctic Route, North West Passage from New Foundland to British Columbia.
- 3 monthly, (short) visits to major ports with an international airport.
- USA visits subject security and US Coastguard per visit approval.