September 7, 2008 

Latest Book Review

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London May 28, 2006 - At 7.00 p.m. this evening (Sunday) Maritime & Coastguard Agency surveyors detained the 1975 built cruise vessel Van Gogh at Harwich on the advice of the local Director of Public Health. This was after a severe viral infection was reported to be rife on board the ship during its previous cruise.

The 1999 refitted, 15,402 GT ship, which can carry up to 795 passengers, was due to leave the port at 1700 bound for a seven day trip to Norway. The Marshall Island flagged ship was due to visit Bergen, Flam, Gudvangen & Rosendal. The vessel is owned by Club Cruise based in the Netherlands.

Earlier it had been reported that over 100 people were infected, including 16 of the 250 crew during its earlier voyage, and when the vessel docked earlier today 14 passengers were still suffering from the same symptoms. Two passengers were taken by ambulance to Colchester Hospital's accident and emergency unit after being taken off the ship by stretcher.

500 passengers who were on the dockside and waiting for the cruise to begin were advised to return home. The vessel is likely to be in dock for at least 48 hours whilst the vessel and its crew are monitored for the further outbreaks.

Captain Andy Rudge of the MCA who detained the ship said:

"We have been in close discussion with both the local port health inspectors and the Director of Public Health during the day examining all the options for the well being of future passengers on board this vessel. We have also been in contact with the owners of the vessel and the charter company who have been made aware of our deliberations this afternoon. It is with regret that we have had to take this action, in detaining the vessel on health advice but clearly passenger's health is the first priority for all concerned.

Miami May 30, 2006 - The 10th Annual Conde Nast Traveler "Hot List" singles out the southern Italian region of Puglia as its up-and-coming "Hot Europe" destination for travelers. Not surprisingly, it's already on the radar of the intimate, ultra luxury Yachts of Seabourn.

"Seabourn's guests are well traveled and well informed," said Seabourn president Deborah L. Natansohn. "They expect us to be ahead of the curve and to discover hidden gems like Puglia for their cruising pleasure. Year in and year out, that's what we do."

A lavishly illustrated article in the magazine's May 2006 issue praises Puglia's unspoiled authenticity, beautiful beaches and rich cultural history, along with its appealing culinary traditions and a small, but high-quality hospitality community. Those are the very qualities that make it an ideal candidate for a Seabourn port of call.

Located halfway between Bari and Brindisi on the Adriatic coast of Italy's "heel," the port of Monopoli is in the heart of the Puglia region. Seabourn Pride will initiate Seabourn's Puglia presence with a full-day maiden call at Monopoli in May of 2007, during a 10-day cruise from Athens to Rome. Seabourn Spirit will call at the port three times during 7-day cruises between Athens and Venice in July, August and September. Called "Greece and Dalmatian Delights," the voyages also include visits to Corfu, and to Kotor, Montenegro and Split and Rovinj, Croatia, along the Dalmatian coast, a region that has already generated considerable buzz as one of Europe's most desirable destinations.

The Mediterranean provides a myriad of intriguing ports accessible to the yacht-sized Seabourn Spirit and Legend. The volcanic Aeolian Island of Lipari is new in 2007, as is Tarragona in Spain.

More ports along Turkey's Turquoise Coast include Fethiye and Alanya, with a return to the popular seaside resort Marmaris. Also added in Europe is lovely Belle-Ile-en-Mer off the Atlantic coast of Brittany.

With early Booking Savings of up to 25%, fares for Seabourn cruises visiting Puglia start from $4,699 per person, based on double occupancy of a 277-square foot ocean-view suite.

Miami May 30, 2006 - Today marks the beginning of a new century for Celebrity Cruises, as the line's Century sets sail following a $55-million makeover that began just five weeks ago.

Designed to incorporate a variety of Celebrity's most popular Millennium- class attributes, the revitalization of Century is the line's most extensive refurbishment to-date, and the largest cruise ship modification completed by Fincantieri's Palermo, Italy, shipyard.

A total of 314 new verandas have been added to the ship -- a first, for an existing cruise ship -- along with 14 new suites, 10 new staterooms ranging from inside to veranda categories, an expanded number of ConciergeClass category staterooms, a new specialty restaurant, an expanded AquaSpa, and a series of features and amenities that typify the line's acclaimed Millennium- class fleet.

"This initiative is nothing short of miraculous, technically and otherwise -- particularly the veranda program," said Celebrity's President Dan Hanrahan. "Think of what it takes to thoroughly renovate a home, then consider what it took to do what we did onboard a 70,000-ton ship ... in just five weeks. It's extraordinary."

New Culinary Delights

Among Century's multiple new attributes is a specialty restaurant, quite literally, featuring a heart of glass. The new "Murano" specialty restaurant in the center of the ship sparkles with magnificent chandeliers handcrafted of Murano glass, named for the island of Murano near Venice, Italy, where glass- blowing has been a fine art and tradition since the 13th century.

Celebrity's longtime culinary and wine consultant, renowned Master Chef Michel Roux, designed the menu for Murano, with the cuisine and service following the celebrated style of Celebrity's Millennium-class specialty restaurants, which presented the industry's first tableside cooking, carving and flambé.

Century's dramatic, two-level "Grand Restaurant" has been entirely refurbished, retaining the glamour and sophistication that made it so popular prior to the revitalization, and maintaining the quality of service and impeccable culinary standards that have won the line extensive praise every year under the deft direction of Chef Roux and Celebrity's culinary team.

Among the many other dining options onboard Century is a 76-seat Sushi Bar -- Celebrity's first designed specifically to reflect the popular regional cuisine -- with a casual Asian atmosphere, and a collection of thematic artifacts and artwork.

Surrounded by glass walls offering magnificent ocean views, Century's Ocean Grill offers an alternative dining area with an upscale ambience, where guests can select cuisine ranging from steaks, chops, salads, antipastos and desserts from a fixed menu.

Opposite the Ocean Grill, guests will find fresh, made-to-order omelets and crepes each morning and an endless array of pizzas and made-to-order pastas every afternoon and evening. For the sweet tooth in everyone, just around the corner, there is a station offering a tantalizing array of homemade ice creams and sorbets.

Pairing refreshing sea air with panoramic views, Century's outdoor Sunset Bar features a full-service bar where guests can enjoy an assortment of fresh tapas and appetizers with cocktails and other beverages.

A Celebrity favorite across the fleet, Cova Cafe, the seagoing version of the stylish coffeehouse in the fashion district of Milan, Italy, serves fresh pastries and cookies to complement its coffees, teas, and other beverages every day, while at night, the space transforms to a romantic, lamp-lit wine bar, with live music.

Ample Opportunities to Exercise Mind, Body and Soul

Celebrity's award-winning AquaSpa onboard Century now welcomes guests within a new reception area featuring a 42-inch LCD TV highlighting spa services; 10 new sea-view treatment rooms; new locker rooms with lounge seating; a new beauty salon with enhanced manicure and pedicure bars; a dedicated teeth-whitening station; a new Persian Garden with Turkish steam room; three tropical showers; both infrared and Finnish saunas; Celebrity's first barber shop, complete with a 42-inch LCD TV, and a new, 54-set Spa Cafe serving light, healthy cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Adjacent to the AquaSpa, Celebrity's Acupuncture at Sea -- the only such program in the industry -- offers guests acupuncture treatments, therapies and enrichment lectures by licensed doctors of Oriental Medicine.

The fitness center within the AquaSpa area features new equipment throughout, including treadmills and cardio machines with personal LCD TVs, and a variety of strength-training equipment.

To exercise the mind, "High Seas Computing" offers computer training courses ranging from basic program use to web site creation to digital photography, within a newly dedicated space.

An art gallery joins a new array of trendy boutiques in "The Boulevard," allowing art aficionados the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind works, and avid shoppers to purchase designer beauty products and fashions, leather goods, premium gifts, rare gems, and designer accessories, including watches and sunglasses.

"Cool" Clubs and Lounges

Century boasts the first "ice bar" concept at sea within its Martini Bar, featuring a liquid wall that freezes to form a sparkling crystalline appearance, and a bar counter that freezes into ice-cold stone, while a solid block of ice will creatively display bottles of liquor behind the bar, creating a very "cool" way to serve Celebrity's famed menu of more than 30 versions of martinis.

All other clubs and lounges onboard have been entirely refurbished, including the Crystal Lounge, Michael's Club jazz/piano bar, Rendezvous Lounge, and Hemispheres observation lounge and disco.

Teen travelers also have a lounge all their own -- Century's new "X-Treme" teen lounge and video arcade. The dedicated space includes a dance floor, video arcade, juice bar, jukebox, and karaoke, along with computers offering Internet access.

Stylish Staterooms, Suites and Sweet Dreams

Century promises sweet dreams, as the first ship in the Celebrity fleet to present Celebrity's new bedding program -- which will be introduced onboard Galaxy and Millennium later this year, and across the balance of the fleet in 2007. The program features new premium mattresses, 100 percent Egyptian cotton linens, duvets, Euro pillows, colorful bed throws and pillow shams.

Every ocean-view and inside stateroom onboard Century is now equipped with new flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet access, new carpet, textiles, windows, lighting fixtures, and art. The bathrooms have new vanities and enhanced lighting, stylish surface-mounted sink basins and fixtures, curved-rod shower curtains, and renewed architectural surfaces.

Century's suites are now that much sweeter, with new carpeting, wall covering, windows and textiles, luxurious new bedding and new light fixtures. Each suite also is equipped with new phones, 26-inch LCD TVs, DVD players, wireless Internet access, new accessories, and new veranda furniture.

Enticing Itineraries

Celebrity's "new" Century sets sail today on a 9-night "Best of Europe" cruise, followed by a series of 12-night Baltic and 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings, a 13-night "Best of Europe" voyage, and a seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise.

Century also will be one of the first Celebrity ships to offer short cruises from the cruise capital of the world, the Port of Miami, beginning in November 2006. The ship will present four- and five-night roundtrip Caribbean cruises through April 2007, offering travelers with more limited vacation time the opportunity to experience what the award-winning Celebrity brand has to offer.

"When Century returns to the Caribbean this fall, Celebrity will have the best short-cruise product in the industry," said Hanrahan.

Henderson NV May 31, 2006 - "Cruise Control: Your Peace of Mind at Sea" is written for passengers who want to cruise and contribute to their own safety.

You've heard all the recent reports about cruise ships, reports of assault and crime on the high seas, pirates and the threat of terrorism to say nothing of rogue waves and the risks inherent to ocean travel. Now there is a book that tells consumers how to improve their safety so they can enjoy the most exciting vacation of their lives. By reading and applying the simple principles detailed in "Cruise Control: Your Peace of Mind at Sea," passengers can experience a revolution of personal safety, wherever their adventures take them.

Written by retired U.S. Coast Guard veteran and former cruise employee Ronald Butcher, this insightful, engaging and invaluable book is a must have for anyone considering travel on the water.

"Cruise Control: Your Peace of Mind at Sea" is an easy-to-follow, one-of-a-kind consumer guide that prepares, in an informative, relaxed style, the millions of cruise ship and excursion vessel passengers for a safe and positive "on-the-water" experience while providing the information necessary to resolve or mitigate an unlikely negative event. Butcher said he wrote the book "to illustrate that safety, even under the harshest and most complex conditions, does not have to be difficult or expensive. I provide actual examples and response recommendations that can be used immediately."

By combining cruise specific travel information, equipment and service recommendations, checklists and emergency reference information, "Cruise Control: Your Peace of Mind at Sea" provides in basic terms the information and methodology necessary to create your revolution of personal safety in an imperfect, unsafe world.

Juneau May 31, 2006 - The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is one of the sponsors of the "Kids Don't Float" peer education program, through which teams work to increase public awareness of child drowning issues and reduce the fatality rate.

In addition to youth education, the program includes a life jacket loaner program. Loaner boards, where boaters can borrow the appropriate size life jacket for children (and adults) free of charge, can be found at harbors and public boat access areas throughout the state of Alaska.

Seeing the need for protecting these jackets, keeping them dry and serviceable, the Juneau Flotilla of the Coast Guard Auxiliary offered to sponsor boxes for harbors in the Juneau area. The $2,000 will go to construct up to 12 aluminum shoreside boxes to hold loaner life jackets for the Kids Don't Float Program. The life jackets are provided by the State of Alaska Office of Boating Safety. The Juneau Flotilla will take care of making sure the boxes are stocked, and the life jackets are maintained in good condition.

"The funds came from donations made on board the Princess Cruises vessels by passengers and crewmembers to a Shoreside Charity account that is active worldwide," said S. Kirby Day, III, Director of Shore Operations for the Alaska Region Princess Cruises and Tours. "Once we received the request for this great project [Kids Don't Float], the Princess Executive Committee allocated the $2,000 at their recent quarterly meeting from that fund. Princess Cruises is pleased to be able to support projects such as this."

Miami May 18, 2006 - Right on the heels of Freedom of the Seas’ spectacular debut in New York, Royal Caribbean International this week announced plans to revitalize its product and itineraries for 2007, to include an extensive refurbishment of Miami-favorite Majesty of the Seas and an exciting new Mediterranean itinerary for Legend of the Seas.

"Royal Caribbean is committed to providing a quality experience for our guests both on and off our ships," said Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International. "Legend of the Seas’ two 12- and 13-night European itineraries and Majesty of the Seas’ extreme makeover are the latest examples of our continued dedication to providing guests with a wealth of itinerary choices and an enhanced onboard experience."

Beginning January 12, 2007, the 2,356-passenger Majesty of the Seas will undergo extensive renovations extending to every area of the ship, from expanded spa and fitness facilities to additional dining options, refurbished guest staterooms and bathrooms, and refreshed public areas and lounges.

Refurbished staterooms will feature the line’s new bedding program, which includes new bed frames; nine-inch-thick spring mattresses with separate two-inch-thick micro-fiber pillow tops; 220-thread-count, long-staple cotton-blend sheets; micro-fiber pillows, duvets with cotton-blend covers and bed skirts.

Fitness-minded travelers on Majesty of the Seas can maintain their workout regimen at the expanded, more contemporary ShipShape Fitness Center and Spa, which will be relocated to Deck 9. Public and entertainment areas will receive a complete facelift, including Casino Royale, which will feature new carpets, window coverings and upholstery as well as a completely refurbished bar.

Royal Caribbean’s popular eateries Johnny Rockets and Sorrento’s authentic Italian pizzeria will be added to Majesty’s list of dining options. In addition, the Windjammer Café, the Mikado and Maytime dining rooms, and the popular piano Schooner Bar will be revitalized, with upgrades in carpeting, chairs, window coverings and décor.

Renovations will be completed in time for Majesty of the Seas to resume her three- and four-night sailings out of Miami to CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas on February 9, 2007. Guests who have been affected by the refurbishment program should contact their travel agent or call

1-888-837-5676.

On the scheduling front, Royal Caribbean has introduced two new and exciting European experiences in the Legend of the Seas 2007 itinerary. The season will kick-off on May 6, 2007 with a 12-night Italy & Croatia cruise, calling on the new destinations of Portofino and Split, providing a truly in-depth Italian experience. This itinerary will alternate with a 12-night Eastern Mediterranean tour, sailing roundtrip from Civitavecchia in Rome with calls in Mykonos, Ephesus, Rhodes, Athens, Naples/Capri and two new ports, Limassol, Cyprus and Alexandria, Egypt.

Miami June 5, 2006 - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today appointed top federal security and law enforcement executive, Gary M. Bald, vice president of Global Security, a new position being assigned broad responsibilities for assessing, managing and continuously improving companywide security. Last week, Bald stepped down as Executive Assistant Director for the National Security Branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the third senior-most post at the agency. Bald's new post will report directly to company Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain.

"We are thrilled to have Gary joining our team," said Fain. "Thanks to Gary's leadership, our country is much better prepared in terms of security, and I am fully confident, given his resume and resolve, that he will lead our company to even greater advances in our preparedness and security systems."

Bald spent nearly 29 years at the FBI, where he gained broad experience and received numerous honors and awards for his exemplary leadership in both national security and criminal law enforcement. In his most recent job, at the National Security Branch, Bald headed the bureau's counterterrorism, counterintelligence and intelligence programs worldwide and directed the efforts of 19,000 employees.

In earlier positions, he ran the individual divisions accountable for the agency's counterterrorism and counterintelligence activities. Bald spent much of his FBI career in law enforcement in the field.

Among Bald's most recent honors are the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service and the Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Partnerships in Law Enforcement in 2004, and the U.S. Attorneys' Award for Outstanding Contribution in Law Enforcement and the FBI Director's Award for Excellence in Investigation in 2003.

"I couldn't be more excited about coming to work for this company," Bald said. "For nearly 29 years, I have worked for the finest organization in the world at what it does, and I wanted to work for an organization that has an equal standing in its industry."

"I want to take the best and make it better," he added.

Bald received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of South Carolina in 1976 and master's degree in Forensic Science from George Washington University in 1981.

He will begin his new job on June 12.

Hollywood FL June 5, 2006 - Guests sailing aboard the new Costa Concordia can learn how to race like the pros on the ship's state-of- the-art Grand Prix driving simulator -- the first and only of its kind on a cruise ship. Recently installed on the ship, the simulator features real-time vehicle modeling, the same technology used by Grand Prix champion drivers in training.

The Costa Concordia, which weighs 112,000 tons and has a total guest capacity of 3,780, is the newest and largest ship in the Costa fleet and will sail the Mediterranean in her first season beginning this summer.

Located on one of the top decks of the Costa Concordia, guests can "virtually" compete in a Grand Prix race at speeds of over 200 miles per hour on the simulator. In addition, they can record their performance throughout the week to compete with themselves as well as other guests. The Grand Prix simulator is reserved for guests 16 years of age and older.

"The Costa Concordia offers some of the most incredible innovations ever seen on a cruise ship -- from the Samsara Spa, which is the largest spa at sea, to the Grand Prix simulator, the ship is truly revolutionary," said Lynn Torrent, President and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines-North America.

"As an Italian company, the Grand Prix driving simulator is especially exciting as it gives us an opportunity to share the country's great enthusiasm for racing with our international clientele."

Finishing touches on the Costa Concordia are currently being completed at the Fincantieri shipyards in Genoa, Italy. The official delivery of the ship is scheduled for June 30 and inaugural festivities will take place in Rome on July 7.

The ships of Costa range in size from 30,000 tons to 112,000 tons, and provide an ambience that is distinctly Italian -- from the progressive architecture and stylish design to the unforgettable cuisine and gracious hospitality. The number one cruise company in Europe and South America, Costa offers cruises that span the globe on itineraries of three nights and longer throughout the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and Transatlantic, Far East and Dubai.

Charlottesville VA June 5, 2006 - Freedom of the Seas - Royal Caribbean's newest and biggest passenger cruise ship, which enters regular service this month - has been equipped with an advanced, state-of-the-art suite of navigation and communication electronics by Northrop Grumman Corporation.

At 160,000 gross tons and carrying more than 3,600 passengers and 1,400 crew, Freedom of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world. The ship was constructed at Aker Finyards in Turku, Finland, where two additional Freedom-class ships are also being built.

Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit supplied a comprehensive array of bridge electronics for the giant cruise ship, with multiple levels of back-up systems and redundancy of all critical components to ensure safety at sea. The integrated bridge system (IBS) layout is similar to that on other Royal Caribbean ships, with displays and consoles arranged in a U-shaped configuration for easy control from trackball devices built into the armrests of the watch officers' chairs.

The bridge systems include multiple navigation radars, adaptive self-tuning autopilot, a fiber-optic gyro heading reference system, Doppler speed logs and electronic chart display and information system running on Sperry Marine's proprietary Voyage Management System software, as well as a full array of communication equipment meeting international requirements.

Sperry Marine is under contract to supply the IBSs for the next two Freedom-class ships and has supplied the same equipment for all of the new Royal Caribbean Voyager-, Radiance- and Vision-class ships, ensuring that all of the vessels have standardized equipment and operating procedures. Sperry Marine also provides extensive navigation training for the ships' watch officers and fleet-wide service and technical support under a comprehensive service agreement with Royal Caribbean.

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