Ex-Holland America Rotterdam V Arrives in Gibraltar for Restoration
July 19, 2004 -- There aren't many great old ocean liners left these days, so it's news when a savior steps in to save one from the scrap yard. That's what happened last May, when RDM Technologies purchased the laid-up Rembrandt, formerly Holland America's legendary Rotterdam V, following the bankruptcy of Premier Cruises. Plans were announced to sail the ship to her namesake city, where she was built in the late 1950s by RDM in its earlier incarnation, the Rotterdam Drydock Company. There, she'd be permanently moored as a hotel, convention center, and museum.
July 12 marked a milestone in that process, as the vessel arrived in Gibraltar after a transatlantic tow from the salvage tug Englishman. She's currently berthed at the main wharf of Cammell Laird Ltd., the company contracted to accomplish her retro-refurbishment - removing her remaining asbestos, replacing some steel, and restoring the ship to her original 1959 appearance. Credit Holland America and Premier for making that job a lot easier: Up until the day she went into mothballs in Freeport, Bahamas, Rotterdam/Rembrandt was probably the most well-preserved older ship afloat, with an interior that had remained almost unchanged (and extremely well-maintained) from the time of her launch.
The ship is expected to remain in Gibraltar for nearly a year, after which she'll be towed to Rotterdam and berthed permanently in the River Quarter.
Interestingly, Rotterdam has been such a revered vessel over the years that designers at Carnival Corporation borrowed several of her notable features for Cunard's Queen Mary 2, including her topmost observation deck and semi-enclosed forward promenade. QM2's principal architect, Stephen M. Payne, even wrote a book about Rotterdam, titled Grand Dame: Holland America Line and the S.S. Rotterdam (1990).
United Airlines Launches Full-Service Cruise Website
July 15 marked the launch of United Cruises (tel. 888/UAL-2-SEA, www.united.com/cruises), a new service from United Airlines that offers customers the ability to earn and redeem frequent-flier miles and book trips on more than twenty cruise lines, from the majors to several small-ship and ultra-luxury operators.
United Mileage Plus members can redeem miles or use a combination of cash and a minimum of 10,000 miles to purchase their cruise. Mileage Plus members also earn one mile for every dollar spent on cruises at united.com, including purchases for shore excursions and other expenditures. To enroll in Mileage Plus, visit www.united.com/mileageplus.
United is offering 2,500 bonus miles for Mileage Plus members who book a cruise online by August 31, 2004. After August, the bonus goes down to 1,000 miles.
In June, Delta Airlines launched the similar SkyMiles Cruises (tel. 800/571-4965, www.skymilescruises.com), offering cruises on seven Carnival Corporation lines (Carnival, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, and Windstar). Since then, the service has expanded to include Oceania Cruises.
RING-RING!!!! Island Cruises Rolls Out Onboard Cellular Service
There really is no escape anymore. On July 15, European operator Island Cruises (www.islandcruises.com), which offers Mediterranean and South American cruises on the former Royal Caribbean Viking Serenade, announced new onboard wireless phone service.
Island Escape is the first cruise ship to take advantage of the new service, developed by Wireless Maritime Services, a joint venture of AT&T Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network (www.mtnsat.com). AT&T Wireless uses GSM technology, which serves nearly 70 percent of the world's wireless users. The wireless carrier with whom they subscribe will bill passengers roaming charges.
It's probably only a matter of time before other cruise lines get on the bandwagon with this, so folks, please, in the interest of peace and relaxation, turn off those ringers, huh?
Carnival Triumph to Host "Notre Dame Legends" Football Cruise
Attention Fighting Irish fans: Athletic Appearance, a speaker's bureau that specializes in securing speaking engagements for professional athletes, has put together a cruise for you.
Departing Miami on February 26, 2005, Carnival's Carnival Triumph will number some noted Notre Dame athletes and coaches among its 2,758 passengers. Names announced so far include Derrick Mayes, Tony Rice, Raghib "Rocket" Ismael, Bob Golic, and former coach Bob Chmiel. Private events and activities will be programmed throughout the cruise, including a beach barbecue on St. Maarten, a welcome-aboard cocktail party, a Q&A session, a memorabilia sale, a motivational seminar, and more.
The "Legends" cruise will visit San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten before returning to Miami on March 5. Cruise fares start at $999 per person. See www.NotreDameLegendsCruise.com for more information.
American West Steamboat Company to Offer Theme Cruises in Pacific Northwest
American West Steamboat Company (tel. 800/434-1232, www.americanweststeamboat.com), which offers nostalgic cruises on the stern-wheelers Empress of the North and Queen of the West, has just announced a series of weeklong themed sailings commencing in October of this year, sailing the Pacific Northwest's Columbia, Willamette, and Snake Rivers.
- The line's first Lewis & Clark Cruise kicks off October 2, 2004, with guest historians linking the explorers' exploration of the Columbia and Snake Rivers to your own. Cruises depart regularly between October 2 and December 5, with per-person rates starting at $1,799.
- Big Band Cruises depart October 24 and 31, 2004, aboard Empress of the North, featuring the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in the ship's Golden Nugget Showroom. Rates start at $2,269 per person.
- On November 7, a special Veteran's Day Cruise features guest speakers John Wukovits, author of Pacific Alamo: The Battle for Wake Island, and Dr. Dirk Ballendorf, author of numerous books on military and world history. Cruise rates start at $2,269 per person. Veterans receive a 5% discount with proof of service.
- Departing November 21 and December 12, Northwest Food & Wine Cruises feature area chefs creating a regional special regional and vintners from Tefft Cellars, Adelsheim Vinyard, and Three Rivers Winery offering their expertise. On shore, passengers tour three Washington and Oregon wineries. Prices start at $1,799 per person.
Additional savings are available on select cruises.
Crystal and Seabourn Talk Up Canada/New England Shore Tours
Fall foliage cruises along the coast of New England and Maritime Canada aren't just about leaves anymore. For September and October, ultra-luxe lines Crystal (tel. 866/446-6625, www.crystalcruises.com) and Seabourn (tel. 800/929-9391, www.seabourn.com) have added a number of distinctive shore excursions that bring out the colors of the region.
Crystal's offerings include kayaking around the Porcupine Islands; biking the famous carriage trails of Maine's Acadia National Park; walking Boston's Freedom Trail and New York's historic Brooklyn Bridge; and cliff walking among Newport, Rhode Island's cottage estates. All are offered on Crystal Symphony's 7- and 11-night New York-Montreal cruises. Depending on the itinerary, per person fares begin at $2,495.
Highlights of Seabourn Pride's 7-night fall New York-Quebec cruises include tall-ship sailing in Halifax, Nova Scotia; hot-air ballooning over Quebec City and the St. Lawrence River; and creating a reproduction 18th century weapon with the help of a master artisan at Nova Scotia's Louisbourg Fortress, near Sydney. Complimentary excursions include a look at the life of a Victorian era regimental soldier in Halifax's hilltop Citadel and attending traditional Scottish Highland Games at Cape Breton Island's Gaelic College. Fall foliage cruises are currently being offered at 50% off the published fares, which brings them down to a starting price of about $2,998 per person.