Res ChairsChairs HansChairs WoodChairs DiningFurniture SignedMetal FurnitureFurniture DesignChairs WishboneHans Wegner WishboneForwardLook for Less: The Hans Wegner Wishbone ChairIt is perhaps one of the most romantic ways to travel, taking to see on a ship with nothing but the horizon stretching out ahead.But not all cruise holidays are as idyllic as planned. Despite becoming the fastest-growing area of tourism, the success of a cruise holiday is very dependent on the weather.It's not always plain sailing, especially when the storms sweep in, the waves start crashing over the deck and passengers suddenly become quite green. Extreme weather warning: Passengers steer clear as rough seas cause tidal waves in this swimming pool The water in the pool is seen being slammed from side to side as Carnival Splendor is tossed about in rough seasOn its website, Cruise Lines International Association assures potential cruisers that 'popular cruise itineraries ply some of the calmest waters in the world.'
However, this week 2000 passengers were stranded on board Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas when it was forced to circle the Gulf of Mexico for nearly two days due to extremely dense fog. Royal Caribbean International Cruise Law News reported a fire earlier this month, which led to Jewel of the seas having no air conditioning for five hours. Young children on board one cruise ship are filmed playing the waves created in the pool by the rough seas Meanwhile, back on the Pacific Sun cruise ship, workers and passengers are seen stumbling as they try to stay on their feet during the huge swells Thankfully, these incidents were resolved safely.This selection of video clips reveals the power of mother nature; from crockery smashing in rough seas, to swimming pools flooding over and water flooding a stairwell.In one clip, barmen in the restaurant of a Pacific Sun Cruise ship watch as tables, chairs and even passengers dramatically slide past them.Crew members and passengers struggle to get from one side of the room to the other, grabbing pillars to steady them and several people fall to the ground and are tossed to and fro.
Tables, chairs and even passengers dramatically slide past across the floor on this Pacific Sun Cruise ship Most cruises run smoothly with little incident; but there are exceptions as these video clips illustrateAnother video shows the force of rough seas on Carnival Splendor's swimming pool, during a storm. The huge ship, which carries around 3,000 passengers, is seen being tossed around like a cork, sending the huge waves in the pool slamming from side to side. Another turbulent pool is shown on a separate, unnamed, ship where children splash around and play in the waves created by the motion of the vessel in the sea.The swimmers don't appear to be concerned as the rocking motion creates huge waves, which crash onto the deck. Just this week more than 2000 passengers were stranded on board Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas ship when it was forced to circle the Gulf of Mexico for nearly two days due to extremely dense fog which enveloped the ship. Last Friday, Royal Caribbean ship Rhapsody of the Seas was tracked right in the heart of Cyclone Marcia, a category five cyclone off the coast of Queensland.Royal Caribbean International Cruise Law News reported a fire earlier this month, which led to Jewel of the seas having no air conditioning for five hours.
In January, Cruise Critic reported that a man dived overboard on Princess Cruises Sapphire Princess. Back on board Pacific Sun, the swells appear to have become even larger, throwing passengers, crew and even what appears to a hug filing cabinet across the deck from side to side.The Holland America-Prinsendam also encounters a dramatic storm in a video by passenger Andrew Gruel.The holidaymaker films an announcement by the captain as the ship braces for 40ft waves.A waiter and a table of diners are shocked when a powerful wave causes the crockery in one ships' dining area to smash. The announcer can be heard saying: 'Be very careful, sit down, don't move and hold onto you chair, or your couch or your railings, to whatever is available' before a huge crash is heard. 'Oh boy, that was a bad one,' exclaims a passenger. Safety trumps convenience for portable cots. We test to the Australian and New Zealand standard to find portable cots that give you peace of mind your baby is sleeping safely.
Join us now for instant access Join more than 100,000 members today and you'll get: Thousands of test results and research you can trust Everything in one easy place Expert support a phone call away if things go wrong Here are some safety considerations to be aware of when buying a portable cot: The cot should have 2 locking mechanisms to prevent it from collapsing accidentally. The cot should be stable and have good base support. The mattress should fit snugly with no gaps at the sides or ends (see "Portacot problem", below). Only use a mattress that was designed specifically for the cot. There should be no gaps that could trap a child's finger, limb or head. Make sure there are no protrusions or sharp edges. Inside the cot, there should be no footholds that could allow the child to climb out. Does the cot have wheels or castors? If so, make sure they have brakes fitted. If the cot has a removable base, check that it is firmly secured.
Certain features make portable cots more convenient. Keep an eye out for the following: The cot should be easy to set up and fold away, and shouldn't be too heavy - check these features while you're in the store. It should come with a carry bag. Removable covers on the frame and mattress make cleaning easier. Mesh sides give good ventilation and allow you to easily see the child. A pocket on the outside of the cot is good for storing small items or toys. 2-in-1 cots have a bassinet that sits up higher in the cot. This can be a plus if your child can’t yet get up. However, the bassinet walls must keep the child safely inside: they must be at least 250mm high once the mattress is installed. 3-in-1 cots come with a change table as well as a bassinet. A 3-in-1 can be convenient – but make sure you remove the change table before putting your child in the cot, because the table could trap a baby’s limbs, fingers or even head. Tip: Portable cots can be tricky to put up and take down.
It’s a good idea to ask for a demonstration instore – and always keep the instructions just in case. Our test was based on the Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS 2195:1999 “Folding cots – Safety requirements”. We also tested against the breathability clause in the revised 2010 standard. We check the folding mechanism, stability, that there are no entrapment hazards, sharp edges or points; that the mattress is firm enough and fits snugly; and that there are breathable zones at the sides and ends of the cot (in case a baby rolls face-first against the side or end). Major failures include insufficient breathable zones on all four sides, a mattress that isn’t firm enough, doesn’t lie flat or fit snugly, insufficient depth, poor stability (tipping), head/neck entrapment hazards, locking mechanism integrity and material integrity failures. Minor failures include less serious examples of major failure conditions, plus limb and finger entrapment hazards.
We won’t recommend a portable cot if it has a major safety failure. To assess ease of use, we look at how easy it is to set up, pack and store the cot and its accessories. The cot mattress must fit snugly. In 2008 we reported that a 4-month-old baby had rolled sideways and become trapped between the base of her bassinet insert and the mattress. Fortunately her mother heard her crying in panic and came to the rescue before she suffocated. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs investigated and found the mattress didn’t fit tightly enough into the cot insert. The manufacturer withdrew the portable cot from sale until suitable mattresses were imported and it offered free replacement mattresses to customers who had already bought that model. Tip: Check the mattress fits snugly. Only use a mattress that’s specifically designed for the cot and sold with it. Our guide has everything you need to get set up for your new baby. It covers everything from change tables and high chairs to car seats and strollers, buying second hand, life insurance and much, much more.
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