The original Queen Mary, which is now permanently moored at Long Beach, is something of a military veteran, having served as a troop carrier for five years during World War II. With Memorial Day coming up next month, Queen Mary is saluting US military personnel all during the month of May.
All active and retired military personnel with an ID card will receive a special general admission rate of $5 during the month. Anyone accompanying them who is not in the military will receive a $5 discount on the regular admission price. Parking is not included in the price. More information is available on the ship's website at www.queenmary.com
The classic oceanliner is worth a visit (or even an overnight stay) if you are in the area.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Suspected MSC Melody Pirates Captured
The BBC reports that the Spanish navy captured nine men suspected of attacking MSC Melody on Saturday evening.
They were found near the site of the attack near the Seychelles and handed over to authorities in the Seychelles.
In another article about the capture, AFP quotes a bizarre interview with the pirate leader who said, "We were aware that hijacking such a big ship would have been a new landmark in piracy off the coast of Somalia but unfortunately they used good tactics and we were not able to board."
Update April 28, 7:30am
The president of the Seychelles says he expects the suspected pirates to be tried in the Seychelles.
They were found near the site of the attack near the Seychelles and handed over to authorities in the Seychelles.
In another article about the capture, AFP quotes a bizarre interview with the pirate leader who said, "We were aware that hijacking such a big ship would have been a new landmark in piracy off the coast of Somalia but unfortunately they used good tactics and we were not able to board."
Update April 28, 7:30am
The president of the Seychelles says he expects the suspected pirates to be tried in the Seychelles.
Norwegian Sun's Cancellation Hurting Vancouver
As we noted in an earlier item, Norwegian Sun moving to Europe in 2010 is costing Alaska money, but the Port of Vancouver will also suffer.
In an article published today, the Vancouver Sun notes that loss of the ship will have an impact of about $38 million on the Vancouver area, and saying port officials are calling the cancellation "a surprise."
In an article published today, the Vancouver Sun notes that loss of the ship will have an impact of about $38 million on the Vancouver area, and saying port officials are calling the cancellation "a surprise."
NCL Withdraws Norwegian Sun from Alaska in 2010
Citing low rates and high costs resulting from the 2006 citizens ballot initiative, Norwegian Cruise Line is withdrawing another ship, Norwegian Sun, from the Alaskan market in 2010.
Norwegian Sun had been scheduled in 2010 to sail one way voyages in the summer between Vancouver and Whittier, so not only is Alaska losing more than 1,900 passengers a week, but so is Vancouver.
Norwegian Sun will instead be deployed to Europe in the summer of 2010 to operate a previously announced program that was to be operated by the larger (by about 400 passengers) Norwegian Jewel. Norwegian Jewel will be homeported in New York for a new summer series to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Details were in the April 27 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Last updated April 27, 8:54pm
Norwegian Sun had been scheduled in 2010 to sail one way voyages in the summer between Vancouver and Whittier, so not only is Alaska losing more than 1,900 passengers a week, but so is Vancouver.
Norwegian Sun will instead be deployed to Europe in the summer of 2010 to operate a previously announced program that was to be operated by the larger (by about 400 passengers) Norwegian Jewel. Norwegian Jewel will be homeported in New York for a new summer series to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Details were in the April 27 edition of Cruise News Daily.
Last updated April 27, 8:54pm
Sunday, April 26, 2009
What the government says about swine flu and your cruise to Mexico
It's easy to find articles about there being a swine flu outbreak in Mexico, but is it safe to go on a cruise that calls at a Mexican port? So far the US government still isn't exactly saying it's unsafe.
Finding their actual advice can prove challenging among the array of government websites and their medical definitions of swine influenza. So you don't have to, here are the two pages updated constantly with the advice from the US government about travel to Mexico with respect to the swine flu. There is also one from the World Health Organization with specifics of where in Mexico the cases are occurring:
CDC - Centers for Disease Control
US State Department
WHO - World Health Organization
You'll note at this point at least, the outbreaks are not near the popular ports of call. Officially the US government is "recommending" Americans "avoid all nonessential travel" to Mexico, but they aren't exactly saying "don't go."
As of Monday evening, the cruise lines are considering what their course of action will be.
Updated: April 27, 8:44pm
Finding their actual advice can prove challenging among the array of government websites and their medical definitions of swine influenza. So you don't have to, here are the two pages updated constantly with the advice from the US government about travel to Mexico with respect to the swine flu. There is also one from the World Health Organization with specifics of where in Mexico the cases are occurring:
CDC - Centers for Disease Control
US State Department
WHO - World Health Organization
You'll note at this point at least, the outbreaks are not near the popular ports of call. Officially the US government is "recommending" Americans "avoid all nonessential travel" to Mexico, but they aren't exactly saying "don't go."
As of Monday evening, the cruise lines are considering what their course of action will be.
Updated: April 27, 8:44pm
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