November 2011 - Page 3 of 3 - Captain Greybeard

Welcome home for Finnmarken

There'll be a warm welcome in the Norwegian fjords next February, when Finnmarken, one of Hurtigruten's newest and largest vessels, returns after an absence of almost two years. The ship, built in 2002, has been serving as a floating accommodation unit for workers developing the Gorgon natural gas field at Barrow Island, in a remote corner of Western Australia. But it will be back on duty plying the picturesque route from Bergen to Kirkenes from February 16, standing in for Hurtigruten's Nordlys - which is still undergoing repairs after being damaged by fire in September. Nordlys is expected to return [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:58+00:00 9 November 2011|Cruise News, Cruise Ships|1 Comment

Adonia regrets, she’s unable to lunch with Dame Shirley today

From the moment she was invited to be godmother to P&O's pathfinder cruise ship, Adonia, Dame Shirley Bassey approached her responsibilities with the enthusiasm of an excitable teenager. At the naming ceremony in Southampton on May 21 she posed for photographs wearing the captain's white cap, successfully smashed a bottle on the ship's hull and dutifully intoned the familiar "I name this ship . . ." speech. Later in the evening she even burst into a spontaneous, unaccompanied performance of Diamonds Are For Ever. Dame Shirley also made a vow that when Adonia paid its first visit to Monte Carlo, [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:59+00:00 6 November 2011|Cruise News|0 Comments

P&O doubles up on UK cruises

Nicely-timed announcement from P&O Cruises - just as Royal Caribbean reveal the withdrawal of Independence of the Seas from the UK next winter, the line voted the UK's most popular confirms it will have two ships sailing out of Southampton year-round. Oceana and Oriana will be sailing cruises of anything from two to 35 nights in length. Oceana, which carries 2,016 passengers, will embark on its second year of winter cruising from Southampton. Highlights include two short (seven-night) cruises for Christmas and New Year, giving the opportunity to spend Boxing Day in Copenhagen or New Year's Eve in Amsterdam. http://www.pocruises.com/Cruise-Ships/Aurora/Ship-Overview/ [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:59+00:00 3 November 2011|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News|0 Comments

Ballard back where Titanic was born

The man who discovered the wreckage of Titanic has paid his first visit to the £97 million Titanic Belfast museum which is to open next year in time for the centenary of the liner's sinking. Deep sea explorer Dr Robert Ballard is providing previously unseen artefacts and images to be exhibited at the new visitor attraction being constructed in the Harland & Wolff shipyard where Titanic was built. Visiting the yard's drawing office, Dr Ballard said: "Titanic belongs to Belfast. I'm very pleased that the city which gave Titanic to the world will now be able to welcome the world [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T15:59:59+00:00 1 November 2011|Cruise News|0 Comments