It's last day of the Second Life Coast Guard's 21st birthday celebrations. And they're having a cruise today.
⛵ Welcome to the SLCG's 21st Birthday Cruise ⛵ ⛵ Brought to you by the SLCG Sail Training Center ⛵
We're delighted to have you along for our birthday celebration cruise. Please read through the following information so that you know what to expect and do contact us if you have any questions.
It was seven years ago tomorrow, Sunday April 26, 2015, that a bombshell was dropped: the SS Galaxy would be closing down. It was a shock to both fans of ships & boats and explorers alike. The announcement was made in the ship's group by it's managing director DBDigital Epsilon. The Galaxy wasn't just any ship, but a *massive* structure that was three sims long with two water sims in front and back. So it was probably the largest structure ever created in Second Life, and certainly the largest known. It was also one of the first places the Newser wrote about.
There was much to do aboard this huge vessel. One could rent a room there for a while. And once there, one could stop by the ballroom for music and dance. And as Gemma once wrote, "You will find a myriad of places to visit between shows in the Zodiac. Play a little miniature golf, skeet shoot, fishing, or play a little basketball. There is a gallery with a featured artist, many shops to visit, and much more to discover for your extended visit." It was a place one could have a virtual vacation on, or just drop by time to time for individual attractions. A video made by Nika Dreamscape would show much of the ship and it's activities.
So why did the ship close? An investigation revealed that the ship had recently been sabotaged in a severe griefing attack.
"We have had griefers before but not on this scale," one of the crew
told me, saying what happened was the culmination of a number of attacks
in recent days, tearing holes into the ship and mangling much of the
deck and walls. So DBDigital spent "hours" on the phone with Linden Lab,
only to be told he would be allowed one rollback for his sims, and then
no more. Not one a day. Not one a week. One rollback once, and then no
more, *ever.* And there was nothing they could really do to stop the
vandals from striking again. Feeling he could no longer safely offer the
cruise ship experience he had been giving, it was then DBDigital made
the decision to close the ship. After eight years of operation, the
great cruise ship would be having it's last call. For the remaining days
the ship was open, longtime fans, and new admirers alike dropped by to
enjoy it while they could, such as some impromptu fishing parties. Then
on May 3, the ship was closed.
So why did the Lab tell the Galaxy they would only allow one single rollback and then no more? There was no shortage of people saying the Lab just didn't care about it's residents. It was also suggested that this was the result of a "hands off" policy with minimal involvement. And there was the viewpoint it was customer service cut back to the point it was seldom available. But it was more than just the Lab. After all, the incident had happened because of vandalism by griefers. "Griefing is a big problem, not just in SL, but the uprise of 'active sociopathy for entertainment' on the Internet is becoming a larger issue. Especially in the last few years as it has gained its own sort of culture, justifications, and communities dedicated to it." "... that was years of people's work, and God knows how many thousands of dollars. And some people felt entitled to go and trash that."
But it eventually dawned on the Lab they really goofed up. Just two days after my commentary on the ship's closing, a group of Moles and Lindens created a preservation group. And five days after that, DBDigital announced the Galaxy would be reopening soon, but under the ownership of the Lab. That was the good news. The bad news, "Sadly being under Linden Lab’s flag also means that none of the previous management or crew will be aboard in any sort of capacity. I have also been told there will be no rentals or events. This means she will not quite be the Galaxy you know and love." A few months later in September, the ship reopened. The ship itself was preserved. But there would be no cabins available to rent for a time. There would be no schedule of parties in the ballroom. In a sense, it was a museum ship.
The closing of the SS Galaxy was one of several noted blunders and questionable moves by Linden Lab in 2015. But the Lab seemed to learn it's lesson. I never did hear of another place that shut down because the Lab told them no more rollbacks. As it turned out, there would be an occasional event at the Galaxy's ballroom, notably for the Relay. But for those who were fans of the ship in it's heyday, these would be just short reminders of what once was.
Last Saturday was the "Valentine's Day Love Boat Cruise" in the Linden Home continent area of Bellisseria. Instead of taking place on an ocean liner, residents were invited to appear at a certain place, rezz their own boat, and sail down a course to the Bellisseria Fairgrounds. Among those taking part was yours truly (in a Cupid look for the occasion). So how did the cruise go?
Quite a bit happened over the course of the weekend, and Valentines Day. Saturday had the Love Boat Cruise on Bellisseria, and the party afterwards at Bellisseria Fairgrounds. Frolic Mills had the "Where Is My Damn Valentine" show. There was also a memorial service for Jimmy Branagh of the Steamlands. Monday, Valentines Day, had the "Hug A Linden/Dunk A Linden" (picture above) event by the Lab, and the One Billion Rising demonstration for women's rights. There were also numerous Valentine's Day parties at Club Cutlass, the Safe Waters Foundation, and more.
This Saturday, February 12, there's a special event going on at Bellisseria. It's the Valentine's Day Love Boat Cruise. The cruise starts at 10 AM, and should go on for slightly less than an hour. This will be followed by a four hour party at Bellisseria Fairgrounds.
On Saturday, February 12 starting at 10am SLT, join us for a romantic
cruise and after party, featuring a live performer and DJ’s!
Collect your map of the route and the urls to the music streams from
one of the kiosks placed out in-world. The actual cruise should last
approximately 50 minutes.
After the cruise, celebrate with everyone at the Bellisseria
Fairgrounds. The party will last for approximately 4 hours (until 2PM
SLT) and everyone is invited to party and dance. Come and join us in a
celebration of love!
Live DJing will begin at the start of the event in the Fairgrounds
region. You can listen to the stream as you sail or go directly to the
fairgrounds.
There's a live performer, of who the name hasn't been disclosed yet as of the writing of this article. The Lab states while smaller boats may follow the cruise ship (large ones that may block waterways are unwelcome), any decorations have to be in theme with Valentine's Day with no political messages.
Almost three years ago when Second Life Newser was first published, one of our first locations covered was the huge passenger liner the SS Galaxy. The ship is so big, it covers three sims. Gemma Cleanslate whom wrote about the ship then recently went back to see how the vessel was doing, and found it still had plenty to offer.
On June 18th, 19th, and 20th the SS Galaxy will be marking its third anniversary in SL. The Zodiac Ballroom will be hosting the live musicians. Eponine Dench will entertain with her sultry jazz songs Friday at 6:00 pm SL time. Saturday at 2:00 pm, Carah Nitely takes the stage with her popular songs. At 5:00 pm, you can listen to the blues and county style of EdHausen Morpork. Sunday the festivities start at 11:00 am with Katia Keres will light up the venue with her expressive music and at 6:00 pm you can listen to the acoustic guitar of Edward Kyomoon.
If you have not visited the SS Galaxy, you have a treat in store for you. This magnificent vessel occupies three sims in the Blake Sea. You will find a myriad of places to visit between shows in the Zodiac. Play a little miniature golf, skeet shoot, fishing, or play a little basketball. There is a gallery with a featured artist, many shops to visit, and much more to discover for your extended visit.
There are 8 decks to explore! Book a room and stay for the weekend. You will be able to see all the planned events and any changes on their website: http://www.ssgalaxy.com. You will also find the boarding gangway SLURL if you would like to visit before the anniversary weekend.
Congratulations to the SS Galaxy for all the fun you have provided for so many over these three years!
