NAVIGATION-Cruising and Maritime Themes

 "CARNIVAL BREEZE" is the third and last DREAM-CLASS built by FINCANTIERI in Italy, the other sister ships being the CARNIVAL DREAM and CARNIVAL MAGIC, they were the largest passenger ships ever built by this prestigious Italian Ship Yards. This new giant Cruise Ship is 306 meters in length and has a G.T. of 130.050, her capacity is for 3600 passengers and her top speed is 23.5 knots. "CARNIVAL BREEZE" is operated by CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES and is registered in Panama. The ship started her maiden voyage on 3.6.2012 and is seen here in Barcelona just three months later where she was cruising from during the summer months, together with Venice, she is now based at Miami.  One of the features on board this enormous ship is the "WATERWORKS AQUA PARK" with a 91 meter long corkscrew water slide called "Twister" and another one called "Drainpipe" All photos above taken, Barcelona 7.9.2012

QM2 is seen here at Southampton 10.1.2013 ready for her WORLD VOYAGE 2013. The week that the ship celebrates her 9th Anniversary, 12.1.2013 marks nine years since QM2 started her Maiden Voyage from Southampton, since then the ships Port of Registration has changed from Southampton to Hamilton. To follow her WORLD VOYAGE 2013 and for other posts and photos of the first liner of the twenty first century, please click  here

Yesterday, 17.1.2013 plans were unveiled that will save the QE2 from the scrap yard, OCEANIC GROUP has announced in Port Rashid, Dubai, its plans to transform the ship into a 5 star Floating Hotel, QE2 will become a Tourist Attraction offering 400 luxury rooms and suites, gourmet cuisine, a QE2-Themed Museum, corporate functions and weddings. Quoting OCEANIC " QE2 will add a new level of luxury accommodation without the need for land and become an Iconic Tourist Attraction to complement Asia's already famous waterfronts. " It's not clear for the moment the ship's final destination, both Hong-Kong and Singapore have been suggested. Yesterday QE2 has moved into dry dock for undertaking classification checks prior to her renovation as a luxury hotel. As plans were unveiled the "TELEGRAPH's" website looked back on some of the most memorable moments during the QE2's distinguished and long career, please click  here  to fol

"ROTTERDAM" was built by FINCANTIERI in Italy in 1997, the ship is operated by the legendary HOLLAND AMERICA LINE she was named after the S.S. ROTTERDAM of 1959 and also the city of Rotterdam, the ship has capacity for 1.350 passengers and has a G.T. of 61.849. Photos taken at Southampton 10.1.2013

"SAGA RUBY" was still at Southampton last thursday 10.1.2013 due to engine problems, the ship is due to withdrawn from service in January 2014, really unfortunate this is happening with this beautiful passenger ship, one of the most handsome at sea, SAGA CRUISES recently spent a fortune trying to make sure that she would remain in pristine form until her retirement, these unexpected circumstances could be disastrous for the ship, "SAGA RUBY" looked immaculate as the photos included I hope will demonstrate, this is a ship that would bring tears to my eyes when she goes. Photos 10.1.2013 at Southampton

                   AZURA ready to depart from the OCEAN TERMINAL                                            BLACK WATCH getting ready for her voyage                       QUEEN MARY 2 berthed at the QEII terminal                           M.S. ROTTERDAM operated by HAL                        QUEEN VICTORIA the last ship to leave Southampton 10.1.2013 was a special day for the Port of Southampton six cruise ships in total were in the port, AZURA, BLACK WATCH, QUEEN MARY 2, QUEEN VICTORIA and ROTTERDAM starting new voyages and the SAGA RUBY which unfortunately was still at the port due to engine failure which prevented the ship from starting her World Cruise a few days before.. I have decided to take a SAILAWAY CRUISE with BLUE FUNNEL our vessel was the ASHLEIGH R, not many on board I believe probably about 45 people but all keen ships enthusiasts, the weather was reasonable for the time of the year, the cruise ships dep