That was going to be their only view?
They also apparently had monitors on board that would show images from the cameras mounted outside but how is that different than viewing the same images from the comfort of the ship on top of the water or even a land-based location?
Also, consider that these five had to sit cross-legged jowl-to-jowl with each other for the entire journey. They had virtually no space in there to move about. So to take a turn at the one porthole, they would have to literally climb over each other in a space so tiny you couldn't even stand up. I get claustrophobic just thinking about it.
The passengers also had to go on a special diet before the trip to bind themselves up inside, so that they would not need to have a bowel movement during the journey. I suppose they were all wearing adult diapers (for any urine discharge) but a bowel movement would have stunk that tiny space up for sure. I can't even imagine.
Well, you hit the nail on the head.
There was absolutely no point in this voyage or their loss of life and property, the chaos and expense they caused the military and the public except for bragging rights by a few “great men.”
At least they are shooting African Tigers with a semi automatic combat rifle to show their greatness.