Captain Greybeard

Whether it's a for a river cruise on the Nile or a Red Sea voyage on an ocean-going ship, Egypt can be a memorable destination. The Pyramids of Giza, the temples of Luxor, Karnak and Abu Simbel, and the tombs of the Valley of Kings are all spectacular sights, but sadly visits to Egypt can provide memories of a different kind. The middle reaches of the Nile can get crowded, and mooring can often mean tying up alongside a gaggle of other boats - all of which have to be negotiated before passengers can step ashore. Safaga, the Red Sea [...]

Following yesterday's news about the aid given by the crew of P&O's Oceana to the people of St Lucia, I have been sent some heart-warming pictures from Holland America's Noordam. The second cruise ship to return to Castries after Hurricane Tomas hit the island, Noordam provided 45,000 gallons of drinking water and 15,000 lbs of food, including beef, rice, sugar, vegetables and flour to help the relief effort. Passengers chipped in by donating $3,300 (about £2,100) in cash, and crew gave bottled water and food from their own stocks A group of 19 orphans from the Holy Family children's home [...]

The first cruise ships have returned to the Caribbean island of St Lucia following the devastation caused by hurricane Tomas. P&O's Oceana arrived in Castries yesterday, closely followed by Holland America's Noordam. Oceana's captain, Mark Symonds, was met by Prime Minister Stephenson King and tourism minister Allen Chastanet as he presented donations to the local Red Cross, including two pallets of mineral water, biscuits, mattresses and furniture. The Prime Minister reported that Tomas has destroyed the island's entire banana crop, and "wiped out" agriculture. The town of Soufriere was the hardest hit and roads to the town in the south [...]