Topic: Cruise Ship

The Dutch government is moving forward with extreme "green agenda" policies, including the compulsory purchase of farms to reduce nitrogen pollution and a planned ban on cruise ships by 2035. These measures, combined with reduced flight slots at Schiphol and a strained electrical grid unable to support new housing or rapid EV charging, lead the hosts to describe the country as being in decline.

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discussed the Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, noting a two-to-six-week incubation period. He disagreed with other experts by suggesting a longer window of observation is needed to determine if additional cases will emerge from the initial exposure.

Major European tourist destinations are implementing new taxes and restrictions to manage record-breaking visitor numbers. Rome is considering a fee for the Trevi Fountain, following Venice's pilot program of a 5-euro entry tax. Barcelona has vowed to end all short-term apartment rentals by 2028, while Greece is levying a 20-euro tax on cruise ship passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel received the UN Nansen Prize for her open-door refugee policy. Meanwhile, the Netherlands has begun housing asylum seekers on luxury cruise ships, a move that has drawn criticism from locals facing economic hardship. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has reportedly closed a similar deal to house migrants on a Norwegian cruise ship.

The Amsterdam City Council has agreed to house approximately 3,000 asylum seekers on a large cruise ship due to a lack of available hotel space and housing. This move follows similar programs in other European and American cities where governments pay high rates to secure temporary accommodations for migrants.

The death of Dr. Li Wenliang, the Wuhan ophthalmologist who was silenced by police after warning about the virus, sparked outrage and calls for freedom of speech in China. Meanwhile, the first American death was reported in Wuhan. Internationally, 3,700 people were quarantined aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship after dozens of passengers tested positive.

Washington State health officials identified over 100 "breakthrough cases" where fully vaccinated individuals still contracted COVID-19, resulting in two deaths. Discussion also touched on the legalities of vaccine requirements for international travel and cruise ships. While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has moved to ban vaccine passports, travelers face uncertainty regarding hotel and entry requirements in foreign countries like Morocco.

The hosts discuss the 2019 measles outbreak, including a quarantined Scientology cruise ship and a moviegoer who attended "Avengers: Endgame" while infected. They play clips from NPR featuring Dr. William Schaffner, who advocates for universal vaccination to end the outbreak. The hosts question the "scare tactics" used in the media, noting that current case numbers are similar to those seen in 2014.

Donations are acknowledged from producers in Australia, South Carolina, and Missouri. A note from Derek Winky describes his experience going "off the grid" during a cruise by refusing to pay for the onboard internet package, observing the constant smartphone usage of other passengers.

A massive brawl broke out aboard the *Carnival Legend* cruise ship in the South Pacific, involving 23 members of a single family. The captain was forced to dock the boat in New South Wales to have the family removed by police. Video footage showed security guards allegedly using handcuffs as brass knuckles to strike passengers, leading to questions about the conduct of the ship's security detail.

A prediction was made regarding a potential terrorist attack on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, coinciding with President Obama's visit to Jamaica. The 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro by the Palestinian Liberation Front serves as a historical precedent for such maritime incidents. Such an event could be used as a pretext to increase military presence in the strategically important Caribbean region.

The segment covers DARPA's development of nature-inspired robots, including the "Bioswimmer" fish drone and the "Robo-mule." This is followed by a humorous audio blooper from Al Jazeera where a reporter repeatedly stumbles over the phrase "giant ships" while reporting on cruise ship pollution in Venice.

Adam Curry reports from Bonaire, noting significant changes since the Dutch government designated the island as a province in January 2011. The local government workforce has expanded to 600 employees for 15,000 inhabitants, while property taxes have tripled. Despite a 28-million-euro EU grant for sewer and fiber infrastructure, residents remain unconnected due to high individual hookup costs and a lack of an external internet service provider. Local frustration is rising over cruise ship passengers who allegedly shoplift souvenirs without spending money at local businesses.

A segment on the Rachel Maddow Show claimed that security vehicles in New York City are powerful enough to detect a single person who has ingested a medical radioisotope on a passing cruise ship. The hosts dismiss the claim as fear-mongering "bullcrap" designed to intimidate the public.

The fire aboard the Carnival Splendor cruise ship is discussed, with the hosts noting how quickly the story disappeared from the news cycle once the ship reached San Diego. They question the severity of the damage and suggest the incident remains "fishy" given its proximity to military activity in the region.

The power failure on the Carnival Splendor cruise ship is scrutinized, with the hosts suggesting the "engine fire" narrative may be a cover for an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) event. They analyze interviews with passengers who claim they were "debriefed" and "decompressed" in San Diego. The segment highlights the lack of visible smoke damage and the suspicious timing of a USA Today article about EMP threats.

The Royal Caribbean cruise ship Independence of the Seas continued its scheduled stop at a private fenced-in beach in Labadee, Haiti, shortly after the earthquake. Passengers participated in water sports and barbecues while armed guards patrolled the perimeter. The cruise line defended the stop as a humanitarian call because the ship delivered 40 pallets of supplies.