Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for cruise travel
Queens Visit New York City
By Linda Tancs
For one day only, there’ll be three Queens in New York–of the Cunard variety, that is. On 13 January at 6:30 p.m., QE2, QM2 and Queen Victoria will sail out of New York harbor together for the first and only time, followed by a fireworks display amidst the Statue of Liberty. This is a one-time event because QE2 will be heading for retirement in Dubai near year’s end. Interested observers should head for one of four viewing areas: Battery Park, Wagner Park, Esplanade, or Hudson River Park.
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Proposed Rule Could Assist U.S. Cruise Lines
By Linda Tancs
In a move to thwart the incursion of U.S. cruise business by foreign-flagged lines, Customs and Border Protection has proposed a change in cabotage law. In cruise industry parlance, cabotage refers to the transportation of passengers between two ports in the same country. Current U.S. law prohibits foreign vessels from transporting passengers between ports in the country, but this restriction is often circumvented by foreign lines by the addition of a token port of call in another jurisdiction. Under the proposed new rule, any such additions will be deemed a violation of the cabotage law unless the foreign port of call lasts at least 48 hours and foreign ports comprise at least 50% of the overall itinerary. The time for public comment on the proposed new rule will expire on December 21, 2007. Go to www.regulations.gov for instructions on submitting a comment.
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High Oil Prices Affect High Seas
By Linda Tancs
A presumably unwelcome surprise awaits many current and prospective cruise passengers: a fuel surcharge to offset oil prices nearing $100 per barrel. Surcharges currently range from $5 to almost $8 per person per day, with some taking effect in a matter of days. Check with your cruise company for details. If you pay your balance early on an existing reservation, you may be able to avoid the extra fee.
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Hip New Cruise Ship Seeks Godmother
By Linda Tancs
Billing itself as the hottest ship on water, the Norwegian Gem is seeking a godmother to christen it. The christening tradition in maritime history can be traced as far back as the Vikings, when human sacrifices were made to appease the gods. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since then. Today, the godmother’s role is to bring good luck to the ship and its occupants. Are you up to the task? Visit www.gemitgirl.com for more information.
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Delta Queen May Get Legislative Reprieve
By Linda Tancs
Who can imagine the Mississippi River without a genuine riverboat plying its waters? Perhaps that’s what a group of U.S. legislators were thinking as well when they decided to sponsor a bill on October 16th to continue the exemption enjoyed by the Delta Queen that allows this historic steamship with a wooden superstructure to operate despite a 1966 ban on floating hotels made of wood. The current exemption is expiring in 2008, which led to the steamboat company’s decision to cease operations after November’s sailings. If the bill becomes law, the Queen can continue to hold court over her mighty waters until 2018. Want to show your support? Check out the grassroots effort to save the historic ship at www.save-the-delta-queen.org.
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QE2: Last Call
By Linda Tancs
If you have a tendency to be last minute when it comes to cruise travel, be forewarned–QE2 will be following in the footsteps of old Queen Mary towards the end of 2008. Book now, or save your pennies for that long awaited trip to luxury haven Dubai for your photo ops with the grand lady.
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