November

Yahoo News:
An Australian resident has told Lateline the Church of Scientology imprisoned her on its cruise ship mv Freewinds (ex Boheme build 1969). Valeska Paris says the Church of Scientology's leader David Miscavige sent her to the ship when she was 17, to prevent her mother taking her away from Scientology. Ms Paris says she ended up being on the ship for over a decade, and was unable to leave The Freewinds for the first six years without an escort. She has also described the church's leader David Miscavige as a psychopath and says he should be put on trial. Ms Paris was born into a Scientology family in Switzerland, and at the age of six she moved to Scientology's headquarters in the UK where she was placed in its then youth wing the cadet org. At 14 she joined the Church's elite Sea Organisation, signing a contract binding her for a billion years, a commitment that would override her bond with her own family. "I was basically hauled in and told that my mum had attacked the church and that I needed to disconnect from her because she was suppressive," she said. Her mother had denounced Scientology on French TV after her ex husband Albert Jaquier committed suicide. more...

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has launched a new website with more information for prospective travelers to Antarctica. “The familiar URL remains the same, but the similarity stops there,” said IAATO Executive Director Steve Wellmeier. “The new site provides much better graphics and navigation tools, including a search function and site map. One of our goals is to provide accurate information for the Antarctic traveler, particularly in the area of environmental stewardship, guidelines for visitors, and answers to the many questions they might have.” An extensive “Guidelines & Resources” section features visitor guidelines, a PowerPoint briefing for visitors, wildlife-watching guidelines, links to other Antarctica-related organizations and tourism statistics.

Xiamen is expected to launch cruise ship routes of Xiamen-Japan and Xiamen-Korea in March next year, reports Xiamen Daily. Unlike other homeports, Xiamen cruise ship homeport will be located in the downtown area, which will take a short time to reach the scenic spots in the city, and is expected to create a high-end cruise liner economic circle and form a new tourist attraction of Xiamen. Xiamen residents will have more chances to get close in touch with worldwide luxury cruise ships in the near future, according to a source with the Xiamen cruise ship homeport project. Xiamen is speeding up the reconstruction of the Dongdu Port area to attract more international ship companies so as to form a cruise ship industry chain and further boost the economic development of the city.

In the Port of Antwerp the Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Hilde Crevits, European Investment Bank (EIB) President Philippe Maystadt and Chairman of the Antwerp Port Authority’s Board of Directors and Alderman for the Port Marc Van Peel gave the official starting signal on 21 November 2011 for the construction of the second lock on the Left Bank. Over the coming years the new construction project will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Flanders, with 255 people working daily on building the biggest lock in the world. The lock is due to open in 2016 and will cost around EUR 340 million of which 50% will be financed by the EIB. For Ms Crevits, the construction of the new lock is necessary to improve maritime access to the economic hub of the Port of Antwerp. For EIB President Mr Maystadt, the new lock will help to further develop efficient, multimodal and sustainable goods transport, which will benefit not only the Port of Antwerp and Flanders but also Europe. more...

Piräus
A considerable number of Greece’s islands - and not just remote ones - are at risk of being stranded from the mainland in the coming months as a result of the financial difficulties being faced by coastal shipping companies and state interference in the shipping sector. In the first nine months of 2011, listed coastal shipping companies lost more than 100 million euros because of a drop in bookings (both passengers and vehicles) as well as soaring fuel prices. In a bid to save the coastal shipping industry and maintain services to the country’s islands, representatives of the sector have urged the government to introduce a more flexible policy and to harmonize Greece’s institutional framework with European Union regulations. more...

Galveston, TX
Today, Carnival Cruise Lines' newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, arrived at its year-round homeport of Galveston, Texas , after completing its transatlantic voyage. An expected crowd of more than 4,000 will celebrate the ship's U.S. debut with a concert by three-time GRAMMY Award-winning band Maroon 5 - VIDEO -, internationally known for hits like "Moves Like Jagger," "This Love," "She Will Be Loved," "Wake Up Call" and "Makes Me Wonder." The chart-topping group, nominated for the 2011 American Music Awards' "Favorite Pop/Rock Band," will perform an hour-long concert set to the backdrop of the stunning new vessel from Pier 21.
"Today marks a big day for Carnival Cruise Lines as we introduce the spectacular new Carnival Magic to its U.S. homeport of Galveston, Texas ," said Gerry Cahill , Carnival Cruise Lines' president and CEO. "We're thrilled to celebrate the Carnival Magic's arrival with a Texas -sized performance by Maroon 5, one of the country's most popular bands."
On Monday, November 14 , Carnival Magic, the newest and most innovative cruise ship to sail from Texas -- will depart on its inaugural U.S. voyage, launching a year-round Caribbean cruise program that will feature two different week-long itineraries, including seven-day western Caribbean voyages to Montego Bay , Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and week-long eastern Caribbean cruises to Nassau , Freeport , and Key West.

Port Canaveral, Fl
Canaveral Port Authority Chief Executive Instead of congratulating Payne about the new jobs and new tourist revenue coming to the Space Coast, Payne said the Customs representatives weren’t all that enthusiastic about having the Carnival Ecstasy based at Brevard County’s seaport, implying it would further tax the agency’s limited staff in its processing of passengers returning to the port at the end of their cruises. Officer J. Stanley Payne said he was a little surprised by the reaction he got when he let Customs officials know about the deal he reached with Carnival for the cruise giant to base a third ship at Port Canaveral. more...

Miami
Oceania Cruises' Marina has been named one of the top 10 mid-size ships in the world in the 2012 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships. With a total score of more than 1,700 points, which translates to a 5-star rating,Marina has joined an elite group of vessels that belong to the Berlitz 'Five-Star Club," representing the highest rated ships in the world. Marina sets cruise industry standards with elegantly appointed public rooms and standard staterooms that are among the most spacious at sea. Specifically designed for epicureans, the ship features a total of 10 dining venues, six of which are open-seating gourmet restaurants; all at no additional charge. Riviera,a sister ship, will debut in April 2012. "It is really good to see a new entry into the Berlitz "Five-Star Club" due to Oceania Cruises" major investment and focus on the finely detailed furnishings aboard this new mid-sized ship, combined with the highest regard for and attention to the dining and culinary aspects of the cruise experience," said Douglas Ward, author of the prestigious guidebook.

While North Americans don’t worry too much about tipping, it is nearly always an issue with Brits. So much so that the subject is continually turning up in British newspaper travel sections and travel magazines. there is a huge cultural difference here. For just one thing, Brits are used to drinking in public houses, where they never leave a tip, while Americans are accustomed to leaving a tip for every drink they purchase. The difference in culture shows best in terms of the differing amounts lines recommend, as well as how they go about charging them. Looking at the chart, it is clear that the British cruise lines are by far the cheapest, with P&O Cruises recommending a mere £3.10 per person per day. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines follow at £4 per person per day, 29% more than P&O, and Cruise & Maritime Voyages at £4.50 per person per day, 50% more than P&O. So P&O wins hands down if the recommended amount of tip is to used as a guide.

Nassau
Downtown Nassau bustled with commerce October 27, when the port made history by hosting seven cruise ships at once for the first time. The seven ships is a record for the recently-revamped port.  The ships brought in almost 25,000 visitors – 17,762 vacationers and 6,935 crew members. Reports confirmed that the large number of guests kept small business operators in the downtown and nearby areas occupied throughout the day.

San Francisco
A goodwill visit to San Francisco and the Sonoma Coast by a big, handsome Russian sailing ship Nadezhda - VIDEO - was suddenly canceled Friday, the result of a complicated legal problem that involves both history and cultural treasures. It was a baffling morning that left two boatloads of diplomats and members of the Russian and Polish communities sailing around on the bay waiting for a ship that never arrived. The ship is the 360-foot-long sail training vessel Nadezhda, which was due at the San Francisco sea buoy, outside the Golden Gate, at 9 a.m. A pilot was ready to board the Nadezhda to guide it into the harbor, longshoremen were assigned to tie it up at Pier 27 on the city's waterfront, and nearly 100 people were aboard two boats ready to greet the ship.