smokeybandit Posted May 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 Reading between the lines https://twitter.com/JamesVanFleet/status/1663638365265092609?s=20 teddy and Jill 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Of The Seas Posted May 30, 2023 Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 Funny, but airlines have managed for years with contract/private meteorologists, none of which probably pointed at a green cloth in front of a camera in a TV studio, reading their script from a teleprompter. Maybe that was an on air Zoom audition for the intrepid Mr. Van Fleet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 30, 2023 Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 21 minutes ago, Geezer Of The Seas said: Funny, but airlines have managed for years with contract/private meteorologists, none of which probably pointed at a green cloth in front of a camera in a TV studio, reading their script from a teleprompter. Maybe that was an on air Zoom audition for the intrepid Mr. Van Fleet? Airlines used to fly into storms and planes crashed. No one warned them not to. Modern pilots learned a lot about what not to do based on mistakes made by others before them. For the purpose of weather you can't compare aviation with ships. Airlines fly fast and can delay a departure to wait for the computer projected clear weather. They are nimble and can quickly fly in another direction. Ships move slowly and can't always sail in every direction, for example when near land, their movement is unlike an airline that fly in any direction over land or water. He was there 6 six years so whatever audition he submitted seemed to work. rjweber3 and The Crown and Anchor Life 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAYNO Posted May 31, 2023 Report Share Posted May 31, 2023 I don't think the question was if cruise lines need a meteorologist. My question is, if they are struggling financially, would an unknown face be cheaper for them than a popular local TV weatherman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 31, 2023 Report Share Posted May 31, 2023 34 minutes ago, WAYNO said: I don't think the question was if cruise lines need a meteorologist. My question is, if they are struggling financially, would an unknown face be cheaper for them than a popular local TV weatherman? It really depends what the goals for the position are. Did James Van Fleet turn the position into customer facing with videos and social media interaction or was that the goal all along? IIRC they sought a met with a TV background. Plenty of companies have inhouse meteorologists that are not TV celebrities but rather low paid younger graduates who are churning out reports and advisories. Is that what Royal wants? A never seen by the public back office worker churning out data for consumption by bridge crews and management but never in front of a camera? Royal may desire to have a TV personality so that they can create content, interact with guests and put guests at ease. The Crown and Anchor Life and CruiseGus 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted May 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2023 5 minutes ago, twangster said: Royal may desire to have a TV personality so that they can create content, interact with guests and put guests at ease. I think this was the whole reason he was hired to begin with. Much easier to fix things behind the scenes to ensure another Anthem doesn't happen than it is to convince future guests of the same. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 23 hours ago, smokeybandit said: I think this was the whole reason he was hired to begin with. Much easier to fix things behind the scenes to ensure another Anthem doesn't happen than it is to convince future guests of the same. It's also a convenient direction to point the finger if something does go wrong. A CYA for the executive team. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scatmanjack Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Interesting to see if 90L/Arlene changes any itineraries in a few days... We will sail on Sunday from Galveston but what happens after that might be up in the air... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted June 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 1 hour ago, Scatmanjack said: We will sail on Sunday from Galveston but what happens after that might be up in the air... I doubt you even notice it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffH Posted June 19, 2023 Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 His live and pre-recorded video updates on weather were timely and done well. Miss them this week, with Ma Nature threatening to mess up our cruise out of Miami this weekend. Jjohnb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jjohnb Posted June 19, 2023 Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 Looks like the crew of the Indy was missing him on Friday also! https://www.reddit.com/r/royalcaribbean/comments/14dfuqd/craziness_on_independence_after_storm_hits/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=10 WAAAYTOOO, Pattycruise, Carlos A. and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2023 His replacement: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/08/19/royal-caribbean-cruise-weatherman?fbclid=IwAR15knB-gwg7LR00kwLXjzSZEQ7SRY6WnMb41L2x4Xw9WdNMGJYi-XxscsQ Matt and JasonOasis 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonOasis Posted August 19, 2023 Report Share Posted August 19, 2023 It is good to know Royal will not revert back to relying on outside vendors. I think most people will miss James Van Fleet but I do wish Craig Setzer well in his new role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2023 It doesn't appear he's going to be a passenger-facing resource though, which is kind of disappointing. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2023 As I feared, he doesn't look to have any interest in being a passenger-facing resource. instaGator 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 The captain is the correct person to communicate itinerary changes. He/she receives guidance from the meteorologist. FloatyBoaty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 28, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 28 minutes ago, Xaa said: The captain is the correct person to communicate itinerary changes. He/she receives guidance from the meteorologist. The captain can't help quell fears of passengers on the next cruise though. instaGator 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 The question you posted was about an itinerary. Not about weather on the next cruise. Setzer is right to defer to the captain when he receives questions about itinerary changes. How would you have preferred he respond the the twitter question? It wasn't even a question about weather. It was about the ship and itinerary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 28, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 He could have answered the question. Like "No, there are no changes at this time. But if there are, the captain will be the one to let you know" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 So your beef is that he didn't say there weren't' any changes now? He did say the second part that the captain will be making announcements. Not something I need from a weatherman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 28, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 15 minutes ago, Xaa said: So your beef is that he didn't say there weren't' any changes now? He did say the second part that the captain will be making announcements. Not something I need from a weatherman. He's going out of his way to avoid any contact with the public. Maybe that's what RC wants out of his role. But I think that's a huge gap. instaGator 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 I hear ya, but your example is one where he interacted with the public guiding them to an appropriate source for the requested information. There may be overarching gaps, but I'm not sure this is the best example of one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jjohnb Posted August 28, 2023 Report Share Posted August 28, 2023 On 8/27/2023 at 11:43 AM, smokeybandit said: As I feared, he doesn't look to have any interest in being a passenger-facing resource. It looks like you're correct. Vision is supposed to be in Bermuda today, just checked and she's headed to Nassau. Per Royal's travel updates page, there are no itinerary changes at the moment. While I agree with the itinerary change due to hurricane Franklin, the total radio silence from Royal is a bit disappointing. Weather happens, it's no ones fault and a risk you take sailing this time of year but let's be adults and communicate. I miss the daily regional updates from Van Fleet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted September 30, 2023 Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 On 8/19/2023 at 5:33 PM, smokeybandit said: It doesn't appear he's going to be a passenger-facing resource though, which is kind of disappointing. Looks like you got your wish Jjohnb and smokeybandit 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted September 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2023 2 minutes ago, Matt said: Looks like you got your wish WAAAYTOOO and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jjohnb Posted October 2, 2023 Report Share Posted October 2, 2023 That's great news. Thank you Royal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB17 Posted October 5, 2023 Report Share Posted October 5, 2023 The pandemic losses/debt are forcing them to downsize to James Van Ship. Jjohnb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted December 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2023 monctonguy and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingSteve Posted December 27, 2023 Report Share Posted December 27, 2023 James Van Fleet is now working at Spire Weather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted December 27, 2023 Report Share Posted December 27, 2023 For some unknown reason, he's following me on Insta. Weird. asquared17 and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted December 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2023 29 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said: For some unknown reason, he's following me on Insta. Weird. He's into really fast pasta? Jamesszy94, WAAAYTOOO, Geoff P and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted December 28, 2023 Report Share Posted December 28, 2023 3 hours ago, smokeybandit said: He's into really fast pasta? IFKYK WAAAYTOOO, TakeMeSomewhere and Snotarni 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atricks Posted January 8 Report Share Posted January 8 Saw this interview with Craig with Greg Fishel (retired meteorologist from WRAL TV in Raleigh, NC) Where they discuss the cruises a bit. Craig is a good asset for RC to have. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atricks Posted June 27 Report Share Posted June 27 Here's a new interview with Craig regarding how Royal responds to hurricanes, also first place I heard they had two full time meteorologists at Royal now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baltodave Posted June 27 Report Share Posted June 27 51 minutes ago, Atricks said: Here's a new interview with Craig regarding how Royal responds to hurricanes, also first place I heard they had two full time meteorologists at Royal now. Fantastic video. Though it's long, it was very informative (as a RC fan who often sails during hurricane season) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonOasis Posted June 27 Report Share Posted June 27 Wow that is a fantastic video, very informative, I had no idea the job entails all of those things and with 67 ships in the Royal Caribbean Groups fleet I'm glad he was able to hire someone to help him. It is still shocking to know that Carnival Corporation which has more ships than Royal Caribbean Group still does not have its own meteorologist on staff and now Royal have 2 full time meteorologist on staff. Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted June 27 Author Report Share Posted June 27 That's worth the 40 minutes, but kind of annoying that the host shot the whole video in backwards selfie mode though. Also funny that the host referred to Anthem as an "older" ship. Even funnier, the host name drops Matt's dislike of flying. Craig notes that RC does not sail out of New Orleans, which is technically true right this minute, but of course RC is starting up there again in October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotleyCruiser Posted July 17 Report Share Posted July 17 On 5/18/2023 at 10:12 AM, Jjohnb said: It's a shame to see James go! He was very charismatic and had a knack for making bad weather a little more fun and interesting. I looked forward to his updates as I prepared for my upcoming cruises. From the sounds of his goodbye message, since he doesn't have any immediate career plans, I'm assuming he fell victim to Jason Liberty's continued cost cutting and dismantling of the amazing company Richard Fain built. Considering I was on the fateful February 2016 sailing of the Anthem that necessitated the hiring of Mr. Van Fleet, I will feel a little less safe next time I sail with Royal. Especially as we haven't heard Royal's plans for filling the void they've now created. When this happened, I felt as if Royal hired him to create a department and now does not need the pricey Meteorologist on staff and they can float it with their own staff??!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted July 17 Report Share Posted July 17 11 minutes ago, MotleyCruiser said: When this happened, I felt as if Royal hired him to create a department and now does not need the pricey Meteorologist on staff and they can float it with their own staff??!! They replaced him a few weeks later with another certified meteorologist and have recently posted a job opening for an additional one. @CraigSetzer on X. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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