Captain Greybeard

Lots of fascinating facts and figures have emerged from the European Cruise Council in Rome this week. For a start, Carnival UK boss David Dingle, who is the current chairman of the Council, disclosed that while the global cruise market grew by 12 per cent from 2005 to 2008, Europe's slice of the business is up by 33 per cent in the same period. The number of Europeans taking a cruise in 2008 was 4.4 million, a 10.5 per cent increase on 2007, and Michael Bayley of Royal Caribbean Cruises is predicting that the figure will rise to ten million [...]

Some of the facts and figures about Oasis of the Seas, which will be by far the biggest cruise ship in the world, are almost as impressive as the vessel itself. For a start, the 2220,000-ton vessel will carry 5,400 passengers in its 2,700 cabins. As part of their campaign to build interest before the December launch, Royal Caribbean International are releasing a new "factoid" every week, but the latest has less to it than meets the eye. Of the Oasis's 2,150 crew members, say RCI, 95 per cent will be transferred from other ships in the 20-strong fleet, "bringing [...]

By TOM BRYANT: Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are helping pay the nursing home fees of the last survivor of the Titanic. The actors, who starred in the 1997 film about the doomed liner, are funding 97-year-old Millvina Dean, who at just nine weeks old was the youngest passenger on board when the ship sank in 1912. Oscar-winner Winslet, 33, DiCaprio, 34, and the movie's director James Cameron are thought to have donated £22,000. The actors said "We are honnored to help out." The Millvina Fund was launched yesterday in belfast, where Titanic was built. Miss Dean, who lives in [...]

Jenson Button wasn't the only one celebrating at the end of the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend. Cruise line MSC, whose billboards surrounded the Barcelona circuit, have sealed a deal to advertise at the Formula One races at Germany, Italy and Brazil later in the season. The package also includes access to the Paddock Club, an exclusive hospitality area with the best track views and privileged access to the circuit and pit lane. No confirmation yet on whether this year's Formula One champion will get a cruise on one of MSC's ships as part of their prize.