Captain Greybeard

Miami will go to sea on board cruise ship Norwegian Getaway launching in January 2014. The ship's striking hull art, intended to reflect the connection with its home port, has been created by Cuban-American artist David "LEBO" LeBatard. The artwork features a whimsical tropical ocean theme complete with a mermaid holding the sun, pelicans and palm trees. Its creator also designed part of the Miami Heat basketball arena for owner Mickey Arison, boss of rival Carnival Cruise Corporation. Norwegian's CEO, Kevin Sheehan, said: "Getaway will be Miami's ship and we wanted to ensure the hull was designed by an artist [...]

Picture: Simon Brooke-Webb TV naturalist and wildlife presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff (above) is looking forward to her first cruise as a lecturer on board mv Voyager after acting as godmother at the official naming ceremony in Portsmouth today. She is particularly keen on visiting South America - where the ship will be sailing this winter, and she won't be at all surprised if crewmembers and passengers have problems pronouncing her name. In her time, she told guests gathered by the ship's open-air pool, she has been referred to as Miranda Kalashnikov and even Miranda Chesty Cough. Having been godmother to nothing [...]

Almost ready to go . . . cruise ship Voyager sports a new blue all-weather awning outside the Veranda restaurant as its refurbishment nears completion. The vessel is due to arrive in its home port of Portsmouth at the weekend and will be christened by TV naturalist Miranda Krestovnikoff on Tuesday. Over the past few weeks in Portland, Dorset, Voyager - formerly the Alexander von Humboldt - has received a new Lookout lounge, a piano bar called Scott's Lounge in line with the ship's new explorer theme. There's new soft furnishings in the public rooms, which have also received a [...]