Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Fords Blue Cruise driver-assist tech in use during fatal accident, crash investigators find

what is blue cruise

That means prices tend to be more affordable, particularly for shorter Bahamas-only voyages. Water sports abound, and the clear, bright blue water is exactly what you'd expect from an island paradise. DETROIT (AP) — The driver of a Ford electric SUV involved in a February fatal crash in Texas was using the company’s partially automated driving system before the wreck, federal investigators said Thursday.

night cruises on Carnival Venezia from New York City

Designed to be the perfect complement to a visit to Orlando's Disney theme parks, these short cruises visit Nassau and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. Also keep an eye out for Black Friday deals toward the end of each year. Six of the cruise industry's seven private islands are located in the Bahamas. These carefully curated swaths of land can only be visited if you're sailing on a ship that has access.

Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver assist under investigation after two fatal crashes

BlueCruise worked well during our preliminary evaluations on a Mustang Mach-E rented from Ford. The system is easy to activate because it takes only a single press of the cruise control button on the steering wheel to simultaneously engage the ACC and LCA. Although BlueCruise has taken notable steps in the right direction for active driver assistance systems, Ford has made some missteps, too. We found that it doesn’t communicate enough information to the driver about when and why they are being told to suddenly put their hands back on the wheel when the system is in its “hands-free” mode. Families, couples and friend groups will appreciate the unstructured nature of a Norwegian cruise. The line's "freestyle cruising" mantra — cruising without rigid dining schedules, dress codes and formal nights — is perfectly suited for short sailings.

Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise feature is now available as a monthly or annual subscription

BlueCruise is a Level 2 system, meaning the vehicle controls major functions like acceleration and braking as well as lane centering and automatic lane changing. But while drivers can take their hands off the steering wheel and their feet off the pedals, they need to keep their eyes on the road and be ready to take control at a moment’s notice. Ford said that BlueCruise-equipped vehicles have already traveled over 100 million miles. But although pressing the cruise control buttons turns the system “on,” the hands-free aspect won’t necessarily engage immediately—sometimes it does; other times it can take a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

Royal Caribbean

That Ford BlueCruise Subscription Is About to Be More Worth It - MotorTrend

That Ford BlueCruise Subscription Is About to Be More Worth It.

Posted: Fri, 06 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Carnival is also attractive on its latest pullback to $14.12 after testing a high of $17.68. It’s also over-extended on RSI, MACD, and Williams’ %R and is starting to slowly pivot higher. From its last traded price of $14.12, I’d like to see it initially retest $17.68 and potentially test $19.50.

Ford's hands-free BlueCruise feature is now available as a monthly or annual subscription - The Verge

Ford's hands-free BlueCruise feature is now available as a monthly or annual subscription.

Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If you plan to shop while ashore, most places do accept credit cards, but you might want to bring cash. U.S. dollars are accepted in the Bahamas, so there's no need to exchange currency. Private cabanas, villas and bungalows are also offered, but they come at a premium and usually book up quickly.

All of those numbers are only expected to increase from here, with much stronger demand. Tigress Financial just raised their price target on CCL to $25, with a buy rating. All thanks to record booking trends driven by strong consumer demand for cruising. Even Barron’s recently noted that CCL’s recent pullback is an opportunity worth buying. JPMorgan also raised its price target to $23 with an overweight rating on the stock.

what is blue cruise

In testing, the biggest weakness of BlueCruise is how it handles off-ramps. When a new exit lane opens and you're driving ahead in the adjacent lane, the system will sometimes disengage and revert back to conventional adaptive cruise control. Fortunately, BlueCurise usually reengages a few seconds later once it figures out you're not headed for the ditch, but this is still a bit annoying and it happens more often than I'd like. Some companies might have restrictions against working overseas, mainly for tax reasons. In the eyes of the IRS, any money you earn while on board a cruise ship in international waters is "sourced in the United States," as long as you're a U.S. citizen. You might be surprised to learn that not all cabins on all cruise ships have a functional space to get work done.

What Is Cruise Control?

It can be overwhelming, so be prepared to politely decline if you're not interested. Get a full dose of the Bahamas in a short amount of time aboard the 3,002-passenger, Carnival Sunshine. Known for a festive atmosphere onboard, Sunshine hosts comedy shows, lip sync battles, deck parties, karaoke, and live theater performances. When it’s time to relax, there’s Cloud 9 Spa or Serenity adults-only retreat.

Your ZIP code also helps us find local deals and highlight other available offers. There are no fully autonomous vehicles for sale to the public in the U.S. The Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday that a Mach E was in the left lane when it struck a stationary Hyundai Elantra that earlier had collided with a Toyota Prius. Another driver who was able to avoid the CR-V told investigators that neither its tail nor hazard lights were working at the time. The NTSB can only make recommendations, but NHTSA has the authority to take action including seeking recalls for safety issues.

what is blue cruise

I put this Super Cruise imitator to the test on a nearly 700-mile round-trip drive to Northern Michigan and the results are positive -- with a couple caveats, of course. They are long enough to scratch the cruise itch and short enough to account for travel time to and from the port without adding any extra vacation days. Plus, the slightly longer itineraries are less popular with hard partiers who can be disruptive on shorter Bahamas cruises.

The clean iconography is also helpful for folks with color-blindness. These cruises are the best Bahamas sailings for those who prefer the intimacy of an older ship and don't care about flashy amenities and onboard attractions on newer vessels. Plus, they're ideal for travelers who live north of Florida and are looking for a more convenient drive-to departure port. This an ideal cruise for older travelers who are new to cruising and want to sample one or frequent cruisers who might prefer a shorter time at sea. Although Celebrity doesn't draw many families with young children, the shorter Bahamas itineraries are also perfect for multigenerational family groups seeking an affordable cruise that appeals to all ages.

Monday, April 1, 2024

Ford BlueCruise Active Driving Assistance System Review

what is blue cruise

There might just be a small makeup stool near a ledge and a wall mirror, or a couch with a coffee table as the only real seating areas. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The island chain of Bimini, which is part of the Bahamas, is also home to a cruise port. Apart from beaches and resort-style experiences, there isn't much to do.

Things to do in the Bahamas

With a wide range of eateries and no assigned seating times, passengers have lots of flexibility for their limited time at sea. Norwegian Cruise Line offers four-day sailings from Miami aboard Norwegian Jade. Ports of call include Key West and Great Stirrup Cay, the line's private island. In both cases, the Mach Es hit vehicles stopped on freeways at night, and neither the driver nor the system were able to prevent the collisions. Ford says on its website that its driving systems do not replace human drivers, who have to be ready to take control at any time.

Carnival (CCL)

This options group is priced at $1,995, though BlueCruise -- and just about everything else -- is standard on the range-topping F-150 Limited. This hands-free driving aid is currently included in the $3,200 Comfort and Technology Package, which also bundles a bunch of other amenities. Higher-performance GT models offer BlueCruise in the $1,900 Ford Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 and 360-Degree Camera options group. If you get a vehicle equipped with BlueCruise, you'll be set for three years. After that, a separate subscription fee will be required, though Ford has not released any details about what this entails. Celebrity Reflection is the line's last and largest Solstice Class cruise ship.

The invisible seafaring industry that keeps the internet afloat

Ford's Blue Cruise self-driving tech was in use during fatal crash, NTSB says - TipRanks.com - TipRanks

Ford's Blue Cruise self-driving tech was in use during fatal crash, NTSB says - TipRanks.com.

Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 10:15:33 GMT [source]

This is obviously the best Bahamas cruise for lovers of all things Disney, including "Star Wars" and Marvel fans. Ian Cooper, a contributor to InvestorPlace.com, has been analyzing stocks and options for web-based advisories since 1999. The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.

However, many of its Costa-aligned, Italian-themed designs remain, including a real gondola "sailing" down the middle of its main dining room and a pool deck built to look like a Venetian boulevard. The 2,402-passenger vessel is part of the line's Jewel class of ships. Though the ship launched in 2006, it received a substantial refurbishment in 2017 that included a cabin remodel, new and expanded dining and a design overhaul. This is the best Bahamas cruise for the non-cruiser who is either young at heart or young and eager to party aboard this glitzy ship. If you're easily offended by loud music, round-the-clock partying or sexual innuendo, this is not your Bahamas cruise.

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Combine the pink-sand beaches of Bermuda with a trip to the Bahamas onboard Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas for a longer, sun-soaked getaway. The cruise sails from Baltimore and overnights in Port Canaveral, for even more time exploring. Then, it continues to Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas for private cabanas, gigantic water slides, and swim-up bars. Onboard Grandeur, passengers can watch movies under the stars, watch a tango show, take culinary or sushi classes, and learn some new dance moves. Sample excellent cuisine at one of Royal Caribbean’s signature restaurants, like Chops Grille steakhouse or Giovanni’s Table. Ford’s Blue Cruise system allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while it handles steering, braking and acceleration on highways.

Virgin Voyages aimed to be a disrupter in the cruise market from the beginning — creating a product designed to please even those who claim they would never set foot on a cruise ship. Yet the itinerary for this four-night Bahamas cruise on Scarlet Lady is fairly ordinary. Ports of call include Key West and a private beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini. Disney waited a decade to build its next new ship, but Disney dreamers had their wish granted in 2022.

Fatal Crash Leads To Investigation Of Ford's Hands-Free Driving Tech - Car Throttle

Fatal Crash Leads To Investigation Of Ford's Hands-Free Driving Tech.

Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

To disengage from BlueCruise, you can do this by either using your brakes to slow down or by pressing the Adaptive Cruise Control button on the steering wheel. If BlueCruise is activated and you are in a BlueZone, you will see the BlueCruise Hands Free icon appear on the screen in front of the steering wheel. During an interview with representatives from Ford, we were told that they “choose very carefully what to show drivers” in terms of messaging on the instrument cluster. But they also acknowledge that they’ve been listening to feedback from customers and “are looking at a future enhancement” to the system, although they wouldn’t elaborate on the details. To further help their customers understand the nuances of BlueCruise, Ford says it is developing how-to videos on the system. Ford basically built a version of General Motors' groundbreaking Super Cruise, which launched in the Cadillac CT6 sedan and has been out for about five years.

The ship is also ideal for family reunions, bachelorette parties and birthday cruises. Couples will love the adults-only Solarium with its extra-large hot tubs looking out over the sea. If you can work remotely, there certainly are some great reasons to work from a cruise ship. Cruising can be a cost-effective way to travel to several places in one trip, and a cruise vacation includes a lot. There's entertainment, shopping, fitness classes, movies, games, pools, and more within a short walk at all times. The port was thrust into the spotlight when Virgin Voyages developed its Beach Club at Bimini on part of a property operated by Resorts World.

A police news release on the crash says a criminal investigation is under way and a charge of homicide by motor vehicle while driving under the influence is possible against the 23-year-old woman driving the Mach E. A company spokeswoman wouldn’t comment on the NTSB report Thursday, deferring to a previous statement saying that Ford is cooperating in the investigations. Yes, there is a 90-day complimentary trial period for applicable vehicles.

what is blue cruise

Historic Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is the cruise industry's most trafficked cruise port. It's bustling and busy, and it can feel overwhelming to travelers visiting for the first time, especially when there are several ships docked at the same time. One unique outlier is Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which exclusively operates two-night voyages back and forth between Palm Beach, Florida, and Freeport, Bahamas. The cruise line also partners with a land-based resort, allowing passengers to extend their vacations on land in the Bahamas before returning on the ship several days later. If you've cruised or are planning to cruise to someplace warm, it's likely the Bahamas will pop up on your itinerary -- and for good reason. Found on Bahamas-exclusive sailings and Caribbean voyages, Bahamian ports offer plenty of sun and sand, as well as opportunities for shopping, gambling and more.

Once you're on an approved divided highway, BlueCruise is a snap to engage. It starts in adaptive mode with lane centering, something that's indicated within the meter cluster by an icon of a steering wheel with hands on it. After the system finds its bearings, BlueCruise usually engages a few seconds later, with a large steering wheel icon emblazoned with "Hands-Free" taking up a sizable chunk of the digital gauges. This is nice because everything is clearly illustrated -- there's no ambiguity as to whether you need to steer or not.

For example, if I search for "Independence of the Seas Balcony Room," I can find several short videos that will walk me through a room similar to the one I'm staying in. If you cruise, it's almost certain you'll visit the Bahamas at some point in your travels. For any cruise, you can't go wrong with resort-casual clothing and something for formal night if you'd like to participate. You'll also need underwear, toiletries, pajamas and footwear, as well as any travel documents required to board and clear immigration and customs.

The company says the system isn’t fully autonomous and it monitors drivers to make sure they pay attention to the road. It operates on 97% of controlled access highways in the U.S. and Canada, Ford says. Ford’s marketing of BlueCruise as a “hands-off highway driving experience” is potentially misleading to consumers.

Both NHTSA and the NTSB have investigated multiple previous crashes involving partially automated driving systems, most involving Tesla’s Autopilot. Surveys have shown that people often over-rely on ADAS, treating them as fully automated driving systems, with their reaction times slower than what is considered safe when it’s time to take back control. Now, customers will have several new ways in which they can get access to the feature.

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