By Brian Marshall
Review Editor
The cruises sure to spice up the American Summer week of fun and festivity in Lake Orion had been publicized for weeks. Little did anyone suspect that the lake adventure would become a mysterious letdown.
The Grand Princess, booked for several cruises, ran into some unexplained mechanical glitches and wound up spending most of the scheduled events docked up.
Thursday’s cruise, a fundraiser for Lake Orion Fireworks, was halted shortly after it began, having to be pulled to the docks. Uncertainty then developed. Lake Orion Boat Club Commodore Kevin Cartwright said Grand Princess would be good to go for Friday’s Flare Night cruise.
“The boat sustained no damage and was up and running the next morning after replacing a hose,” Cartwright said.
Later Friday, however, the boat was kept at bay. Likewise, the much-anticipated fireworks cruise slated for Saturday night was squashed.
On Sunday, however, the Grand Princess was gracing the water.
Then Monday, problems continued with the ship.
“This morning about 10 o’clock we went out and just before it hit the dock, the engine quit,” said Boat Club officer Carl Cyrowski. “I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve got people calling me, ‘should I go or not?’”
Cyrowski summed up the whole cruise ship experience.
“They fixed it, then they had a problem, fixed it again, had another problem. I’m not a mechanic,” he said.
Passengers on Thursday’s short trip were fine, although disappointed their cruise was postponed. Passengers paid $55, which was not be returned, according to Cartwright, who added that their money was targeted for charity. Tickets included a buffet and live music by the Full Tilt band.