Workers in Italy spent 19 hours flipping the shipwrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship to remove it from the middle of a nationally protected marine park and coral reef.
The 60,000-ton ship – which crashed in January 2012, killing 32 people — is now upright.
Here's the GIF (via The Daily Mail) of how it was done:
And here's a one-minute time-lapse video:
SEE ALSO: The Entire Construction Of The New World Trade Center In One Perfect GIF
Early this morning in Italy, salvage workers finished flipping the capsized Costa Concordia upright, pulling the ship off underwater rocks for the first since since it crashed there in January 2012.
The resulting photos are amazing, but it will be more than two years before workers are done with the job.
The righting of the ship — a process called "parbuckling"— was only step three out of five.
Step one was to stabilize the wreck. Step two included building an underwater platform for it to rest on once upright, and attaching a series of enormous, hollow steel boxes onto the exposed side of the ship.
Step three was parbuclking. Now that the ship has been turned and is resting on the platform, at a depth of about 100 feet, it's time for step four: welding 15 more steel boxes — called sponsons or caissons — onto the long submerged starboard side.
"Refloating" is the fifth and final step of "The Parbuckling Project." The sponsons on each side of the ship will have water in them, which will be pumped out with a pneumatic system after they are all installed. Once empty, they should provide enough buoyancy for the water-filled ship to float up off the platform, rising to a depth of about 60 feet. That will happen in a few months, after prep work.
Then the Costa Concordia will be towed away and cut up for scrap, a process that will take two years, according to CBS.
Here are the sponsons on the port side, before the ship was parbuckled:
And a rendering of the ones to be installed on the newly exposed side of the ship:
SEE ALSO: They've Turned Over The Costa Concordia And The Pictures Are Nuts
A model of the proposed 'Titanic II' cruise ship – a replica of the ill-fated Titanic liner – has been tested in Germany.
The 9.3-metre wooden model was put through propulsion and power testing in a 300-metre tank in Hamburg earlier this month, ahead of the ship’s construction in China.
Clive Palmer, the wealthy Australian behind the project, said the results would be received later this year.
Mr Palmer first announced his intention to build a replica of the Titanic last year. The vessel is expected to make its inaugural cruise in late 2016, sailing from Southampton to New York. It will be built to resemble the original, with the only upgrades being air conditioning, a hospital and a helipad.
Mr Palmer has suggested that there will be no televisions or internet access, and said that passengers will be provided with period clothing should they wish to dress up.
As in 1912, there will be three passenger classes. Even the gym and the swimming pool will be almost identical to those on the 1912 ship.
One crucial upgrade will be the number of lifeboats. The original Titanic, carrying 2,224 passengers and crew, sank after hitting an iceberg during its maiden voyage on April 15, 1912. It had 16 wooden lifeboats which accommodated just 1,178 people – a third of the total capacity.
“The model testing by the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA), including resistance and open water tests, is an important part of the process in the Titanic II project,” Mr Palmer said. “The Titanic II model was tested by HSVA at speeds of up to 23 knots and this testing is crucial for assessing the speed and power performance of this prototype vessel design.”
Mr Palmer, who was estimated to be worth $795 million (£511m) by Forbes magazine in 2012 but describes himself as a billionaire, has refused to say how much the venture will cost.
He made his fortune in mining, but also owns a number of holiday resorts. The Titanic II isn’t his only business idea apparently inspired by a Nineties blockbuster film. Last year he reportedly took an interest in cloning a dinosaur to attract guests to the Palmer Coolum Resort near Brisbane. He later announced plans to install more than 100 mechanical dinosaurs at the resort.
He also stood in this month's Australian elections after founding his own political party this year.
Cruises may have become more affordable over the past few decades with the arrival of low-end offers, known for their kitschy shows and all-you-can-eat buffets. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, certain cruise lines focus on ever more exceptional and extravagant ships for the most demanding vacationers. Below is our selection of luxurious cruise ships offering a level of comfort and service worthy of a five-star hotel.
Repeatedly recognized by the prestigious “Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards,” a reference in the luxury tourism sector, the Crystal Serenity is manned by 655 staff members serving up to 1,070 passengers. The ship’s accommodations include 35 spacious and luxurious suites. Guests can even shop while on board the ship, which includes a Dior boutique. Crystalcruises.com
This luxurious cruise welcomes no more than 450 guests at a time, and its staff is comprised of nearly as many individuals (330). The Seabourn Quest’s suites, including the 125.5 square meter “Signature” suite, are particularly palatial. A private marina allows guests to enjoy water-skiing, kayaking and other water sports, while a spa ensures that guests can relax in the most luxurious way possible. Seabourn.com
Sailing on the Ayeyarwady, Myanmar’s main waterway, the Road to Mandalay is an exclusive and rather intimate cruise ship, with room for just 100 guests. On the observation deck, tourists can admire the lush landscapes, swim in the pool or sip drinks at the bar. Orient-express.com
Each of the 700 guests aboard the Seven Seas Mariner has a customized experience, as each member of the staff is responsible for the well-being of just two guests. The ship’s accommodations — all suites — range in size from 24 to 110 square meters and are often equipped with marble bathrooms and private balconies. Rssc.com
The 540 guests aboard the Silver Spirit will enjoy its numerous pools and restaurants and its ultra-luxurious suites. The “Owner’s Suite” includes two bedrooms — one with a surface area of 120 square meters and the other at 150 square meters — each with its own 18 sq m balcony. The most demanding guests can opt for the even larger Grande Suite, which one 142 sq m bedroom and a second measuring 175 square meters, in addition to a 65 sq m veranda. Silversea.com
The most intimate and exclusive ship in our selection, this sailing ship can accommodate just 64 passengers in its 32 cabins. The suites, all impeccably decorated, range from around 10 to 30 square meters. Guests dine in the ship’s fine restaurant and enjoy drinks in the lounge. Seacloud.com
SEE ALSO: 25 Strange But Awesome Golf Courses Around The World
There's never been a better time to take to the seas.
Because the new ships are seriously cool. Launching in November, Royal Caribbean International’s 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas is so high-tech that industry insiders are calling it truly revolutionary. On board? A glass viewing capsule that rises 300 feet above the sea on a mechanical arm.
You will find a laser-shooting range on the new Regal Princess and on the Norwegian Getaway, a “plank” for guests to walk that juts over the water. (Don’t worry, you’ll be harnessed in.)
River ships are breaking new ground (er, waters), too: with Scenic Cruises, your cabin’s balcony becomes a sun room on cool days; Tauck River Cruising’s new ships have 22 suites with some 300 square feet of space, larger than any other staterooms on European rivers.
Starting this spring, Emerald Waterways will offer European itineraries on two ships equipped with heated pools and movie theaters. Scenic Cruises, A-ROSA Cruises, Tauck River Cruising, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Viking Cruises are among the other lines with new vessels this year. Amenities include butler service, free Wi-Fi, and floor-to-ceiling views.
Because the food rivals what you’ll find on land. Immersive culinary experiences are now so much a part of cruising that you can try some of the top city restaurants at sea. Geoffrey Zakarian, chef at Manhattan hot spot the Lambs Club, has restaurants on the Norwegian Breakaway and the Norwegian Getaway.
You’ll find outposts from Michael Schwartz of Miami’s Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink on Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Don’t miss the molecular and ice bars on Celebrity and Carnival; they’re as chic as any urban boîte.
Because going digital has never been easier at sea. Most mega-ships now have digital directional signs, language apps and culture guides with GPS mapping. Crystal Cruises provides live streaming of TV news and movies in all cabins. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is making the Wi-Fi experience so much better: double the satellite bandwidth, greater speed, and even free service for guests in concierge-level and higher suites.
Robots are on board, too: a remote camera on Lindblad Expeditions’ new National Geographic Orion lets you see down under, while Quark Expeditions’ Antarctic ships have drones with GoPro cameras that give you a view from above. On Quantum, interior staterooms offer real-time ocean views on their virtual balconies.
Because you’ll have exclusive, insider-only experiences. In Europe and the Americas, cruisers will mix visits to much-loved cities and heritage sites with VIP adventures, behind-the-scenes access, and events including the World Cup, the British Open, and the Grand Prix of Monaco (all of which tend to make booking hotel stays on land a challenge).
Guests of Celebrity can spend a day driving a Ferrari through villages around Nice, France, while with Seabourn, you can walk through penguin colonies on the Antarctic ice before slipping into the spa back on board for a Thai herbal-poultice massage.
Because you may just learn something. Among the guest lecturers on board ships this year?
Port: Sochi, Russia
Excursion: Long before this city was chosen to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, the region was a favorite retreat of Joseph Stalin. Tour the dictator’s austere 1937 dacha, still filled with his personal possessions. The day ends in the 30-acre subtropical Dendrary Botanical Garden (mind the roaming ostriches!).
Voyage: Celebrity Constellation, to and from Istanbul. October 14; 11 nights from $2,499.
Port: Rangoon, Burma
Excursion: This two-day jaunt is worth the quick flight to Pagan: you’ll see a few of the 2,000 pagodas and temples from a traditional horse cart, with stops at a lacquerware workshop. Includes an overnight stay in a local hotel.
Voyage: Seabourn Odyssey, to and from Singapore. November 9; 14 nights from $6,999.
Port: San Francisco
Excursion: Take a three-hour ride through Napa Valley on a restored 1915 train—passing wineries such as Far Niente (established in 1885), Robert Mondavi, and Opus One. Bonus: thanks to a conductor turned designated driver, feel free to enjoy the tasting bar, replete with some 50 local bottles at any given time.
Voyage: Azamara Quest, from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. February 10; eight nights from $1,499.
Port: Santa Marta, Colombia
Excursion: In Colombia’s oldest city, you’ll see artifacts of the Kogi and Arhuaco peoples in the Gold Museum—and tour the final home of 19th-century liberator Simón Bolívar.
Voyage: Oceania’s Regatta, from Miami to Los Angeles. December 5; 15 nights from $3,499.
Port: Lombok, Indonesia
Excursion: Visit nearby villages to see locals dye fabrics using ikat techniques and mold decorative pots, then stop at the Sayang Sayang art market to shop for intricate rattan baskets and wooden boxes inlaid with pearl and filigree panels.
Voyage: Crystal Symphony, from Sydney to Bali.February 16; 12 nights from $4,055.
More from Travel + Leisure:
The wreck of the Costa Concordia — which crashed on underwater rocks off the Italian coast in January 2012 — will finally be towed away in June, officials said at a press conference today.
Ports in Italy, France, Turkey, Britain, and China are bidding for the right to dismantle the nearly 1,000-foot long ship for scrap, according to the Wall Street Journal. The choice will be made in March.
In September, salvage workers successfully flipped the capsized ship upright. Since then, it has been resting on an underwater platform, at a depth of about 100 feet. Workers have attached 15 enormous, hollow steel boxes — called sponsons or caissons — to the port side of the ship.
Now that it's upright, they will attach 15 more sponsons on the formerly submerged starboard side. This spring, all 30 will be drained of water. Empty, they will provide enough buoyancy for the ship to float up off the platform, to a depth of about 60 feet.
Then the Costa Concordia can be towed away, and Italy's Isola del Giglio can finally say goodbye to the eyesore.
Cutting the ship up for scrap will take two years, according to CBS.
32 people died after the ship crashed, and Captain Francesco Schettino is on trial for alleged manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, and abandoning the ship, according to WSJ.
SEE ALSO: The $37 Million 'Apostrophe' Luxury Yacht Is Overflowing With Art Deco Style
(Reuters) - The number of passengers and crew who fell ill aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship climbed to more than 600 on Monday, many of them vomiting and suffering diarrhea.
The updated sick count aboard the Explorer of the Seas, which cut short its Caribbean cruise and was expected to dock in New Jersey on Wednesday, is more than double the 300 originally thought to have been felled by gastrointestinal illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Among those sick were some of the onboard entertainers, which caused shows to be canceled, passengers said.
"I started with upset stomach and vomiting, and that lasted all night and into the morning," passenger Joseph Angelillo told CNN in a telephone interview.
Another ill passenger, Arnee Dodd of Connecticut, wrote on Twitter: "I've been sick and quarantined... Everything I touch goes in a biohazard bag."
Passenger Brittany Ann Schneider, who did not get sick, told Reuters that for two to four days she saw few people.
"I was not aware that people were sick until they made an announcement after they had canceled a walk they were supposed to have," she said in an email.
Port calls and activities in Haiti and St. Maarten were canceled.
Sick passengers had to remain in their rooms until they were cleared to come outside, said Schneider, who is from Effort, Pennsylvania.
Schneider said she felt officials should have returned home at the height of the outbreak, rather than continuing on.
"The refund they are giving us is a little unacceptable," she said. "They are only refunding half of the trip and giving us a 50 percent off for (a) future cruise."
Altogether, 595 passengers and 50 crew members fell ill aboard the ship, CDC spokeswoman Bernadette Burdensaid. The ship was carrying 3,050 passengers and a crew of 1,165.
The ship departed Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey, on January 21 and will cut its planned 10-day cruise short by two days, returning to its home port on Wednesday, the cruise company said.
"Disruptions caused by the early wave of illness means that we were unable to deliver the vacation our guests were expecting," Royal Caribbean said in a statement issued on Sunday.
The CDC said Monday the cause of the sickness was unknown but that an environmental safety officer and an epidemiologist boarded the ship on Sunday in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands to determine the cause of the outbreak and the proper response.
Stool samples were gathered and sent to a CDC lab to determine what type of pathogen is to blame, Burden said.
"We likely will have a determination or identification of the pathogen later this week," she said. "Our team will be remaining on board the duration of the voyage."
The ship's crew increased cleaning and disinfection procedures and collected specimens from those who reported feeling ill following the outbreak, the CDC said.
"After consultation between our medical team and representatives of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we think the right thing to do is to bring our guests home early, and use the extra time to sanitize the ship even more thoroughly," Royal Caribbean said in the statement.
The cruise line said it believes the illnesses are consistent with norovirus, a highly contagious virus spread from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces, according to the CDC.
(Reporting by Karen Brooks in Austin, Texas, and Noreen O'Donnell in New York; Editing by Barbara Goldberg, Dan Grebler and Eric Walsh)
FBI investigates death of 1 child, hospitalization of another after both pulled from ship pool
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The FBI is investigating the death of one child and the hospitalization of another after they were pulled from a swimming pool aboard a cruise ship off the North Carolina coast.
Bureau spokesman David Couvertier said Wednesday that officials from the Tampa division met the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship when it docked in Port Canaveral, Fla., on Tuesday. Couvertier said the FBI became involved because the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was in international waters about 40 miles off Cape Lookout, N.C., when the two boys were found Monday. He also said it was because the 4-year-old boy who died was a U.S. citizen.
A 6-year-old boy was hospitalized at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. Hospital spokeswoman Chris Mackey said his family didn't want his condition made public.
Copyright (2014) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Going on a cruise is a great fix for the winter blues.
But you shouldn't have to skimp on luxury even when you're in the middle of the ocean.
The experts at CruiseCompete used their extensive database of traveler reviews to help us compile a list of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world.
Forget the corny magic shows and nightclubs — these cruise ships offer five-star accommodations for an elite group of travelers.
Each onboard suite includes butler service, down comforters, and a refrigerator stocked with the snacks and drinks of your choosing. Voyages to Asia and Alaska are highlights on the Silver Shadow's itinerary for 2014.
The Sojourn's spa is the largest onboard any luxury cruise ship in the world, taking up 11,400 square feet of indoor and outdoor space over two decks. There are also six jacuzzis and two pools for their 450 guests to enjoy.
The 982-square-foot penthouse suite aboard the Crystal Symphony has an elegant dining area, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a pedestal sink made completely out of crystal.
Northern Europe holds increasing allure for UK cruise passengers looking to book a no-fly cruise, in a record year for the UK cruise market.
Latest figures from CLIA UK & Ireland show that 2013 was another record year for the UK cruise market, with continued growth and port embarkations passing the one-million mark for the first time.
The number of British and overseas passengers joining their cruise at a UK port grew 10% to 1,062,000 in 2013, whilst the number of British passengers taking an ocean cruise also continued to increase with an additional 25,000 (1.5%) in 2013.
The UK retains pole position as Europe’s biggest cruise market, accounting for 27% of cruise passengers.
Destination winners include Northern Europe – now the destination of choice for one in three British passengers. A cruise in the Mediterranean remained the most popular holiday choice for cruising Brits, accounting for 644,000 of them, but for Norway alone the number of passengers joining a ship at a UK port has increased five-fold from 37,000 to 218,000 over the past decade – making it more popular than the Mediterranean for ex-UK cruisers.
There was a 20% increase in cruise passengers to Northern Europe in 2013; numbers for the Med fell by 8%. Were the trend to continue in 2014 Northern Europe will overtake the Mediterranean as the leading cruise destination for UK cruise passengers since the inception of cruising two centuries ago.
The increasing popularity of no-fly cruising however, coupled with crippling APD (air passenger duty) to the region and the impact of higher fuel costs has put the traditional Caribbean fly-cruise holiday out of reach for some. There were nearly 100,000 fewer fly cruises there in 2013 compared with 2009, in spite of the fact that one in every two cruises sold last year cost less than £1,000.
Despite a record year for British cruising the number of first-time cruisers dropped by 4%, which has contributed to an increase in the average passenger age, to 57. “Numbers of first-time cruisers have been volatile in recent years as cruise companies have marketed even more strongly to past passengers,” said a spokesperson for CLIA.
Demand for river cruising continues to soar with 20,000 Britons choosing a European river cruise in 2013, taking the total to almost 110,000 passengers. Twenty-seven ships were introduced in 2012-2013 and a further 24 are on order.
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Cruise ships seem to be getting more and more extravagant, with cool extras like glass viewing capsules, laser-shooting ranges, heated pools and movie theaters.
We've found the 10 best cruise lines in the world with the help of the experts at FindTheBest.
FindTheBest ranked major cruise lines based on data from consumer reviews, including those from J.D. Power Cruise Line Satisfaction Report, expert ratings from U.S. News and Cruise Critic, crime reports and health inspection data like the CDC vessel sanitation program score.
Average Price: About $150 per day or less
FindTheBest calls Royal Caribbean International "The Innovative Ship." It has the biggest ships in the cruise industry and provides everything you would expect from a cruising experience: bumper cars, water slides and musical theater all onboard.
Young couples in their 20s and families with young kids tend to take this cruise line. It sails to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico among other places.
Average Price: About $150 per day or less
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a very relaxed atmosphere, which is why FindTheBest dubbed the line "The Freestyle Cruise." Travelers dress casually and enjoy onboard activities including comedy shows, musicals and food events like a Chocoholic's Buffet.
The line attracts a lot of family travelers. It sails to the Caribbean, Mexico and the West Coast of the U.S. among other places.
Average Price: $301 - $450 per day
Seabourn is a luxury cruise line for "The Well-Traveled Cruiser," according to FindTheBest. It offers sophisticated onboard activities like wine tastings and lectures. The ships have high marks for health and safety.
Couples tend to take this cruise line. It sails to Asia, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean among other places.
If you scatter more than a thousand blue whales over the length of four football fields, you have Allure of the Seas, the world's largest luxury cruise ship.
Measuring approximately 1,200 feet long and weighing 223,000 tons, the size and and sheer magnitude of the ship is almost mind boggling.
And yet over 5,000 passengers are probably aboard, dancing the Congo at this moment.
FindTheBest helped us determine the biggest cruise ships on the seas right now. These mega-ships have everything from ice skating rinks to outdoor parks, and feel more like mobile cities than boats.
Length: 1,115 feet
Weight: 128,000 tons
Passengers: 4,000
Disney Fantasy travels to the Caribbean and has a virtual sports simulator, and an 'AquaLab' with 1,800-square-foot area featuring pop jets, geysers and bubblers, and a 'Royal Tea' time with Disney princesses for the kids.
Length: 1,115 feet
Weight: 128,000 tons
Passengers: 4,000
The Disney Dream ship has an early 20th-century design that's meant to evoke the "golden age of cruising." This ship, which usually travels to the Bahamas, has the AquaDuck, which is the first "water coaster" on a cruise, as well as seven different hang out areas for kids, tweens, and teens.
Length: 1,004 feet
Weight: 130,000 tons
Passengers: 4,724
This massive Carnival cruise includes Guy Fieri's Guy's Burger Joint, a comedy club, 3-D theater, and separate rum and tequila bars.
Royal Caribbean wants to take cruising to the next level with its new ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, which are being billed at the "world's most futuristic and advanced ships."
English TV producer Jason Bradbury teamed up with Royal Caribbean to produce a video detailing the ships' new features. Both will offer futuristic technology aimed at making cruising even more enjoyable and entertaining.
One of the major features on the new boats will be the North Star, a glass capsule modeled after the London Eye, which will suspend passengers 300 feet above the deck. This feature will operate whether the ship is docked or sailing.
Another special feature, called Two70°, is a room that offers 270-degree views of the ocean. 
Robotic screens will also project images — either real or imaginary — onto the room's massive windows, creating the illusion of a new location.
The ships will also offer RipCord by iFly, an experience that uses a wind tunnel to simulate the feeling of skydiving. 
And Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will host Sea-Plex, an entertainment center that transforms to accommodate the desired activity, whether it's rollerblading, driving bumper cars, or playing basketball.
The ships will each have 18 decks and 2,090 state rooms. Even interior rooms will have ocean views with the help of "virtual balconies," which offer real-time views of the sea..jpg)
The ships can each hold 4,180 passengers at double occupancy. Quantum of the Seas is set to sail in November 2014 from New York, while Anthem of the Seas will sail from Southampton, UK, in April 2015.
SEE ALSO: The 10 Hottest Travel Destinations Of The Future
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The sunken Costa Concordia cruise ship that hit a rock and capsized off an Italian island more than two years ago has finally risen from its watery resting place.
Predictably, it's in bad shape — the luxury cruise liner is now just a shell of its former self.
The ship, which is more than twice the size of the Titanic, will now be broken up for scrap, according to Reuters.
Italian authorities have released photos of the inside of the ship now that the official inquiry has closed.
The raising of the Costa Concordia is one of the biggest maritime salvage operations in history, Reuters notes.
Francesco Schettino, the captain of the ship, is facing charges in the deaths of 32 people who perished in the disaster. He's been accused of sailing too close to shore and then abandoning ship. Schettino is on trial for manslaughter and has proclaimed his innocence.
SEE ALSO: OOF: The Wrecked Costa Concordia Has Emerged From The Water And She Looks Awful
Condé Nast Traveler readers rank the best cruise lines in the world, including large ships, midsize-ships, small ships, and river cruising vessels.
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Readers' Rating: 81.434
Anticipate "elegant public spaces" and "a wide variety of excursions" from Cunard's three liners—Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria—which make transatlantic crossings and extended journeys around the world.
This most venerable of cruise lines (two of its ships were christened by the Queen of England) caters to an older, dignified crowd, but there are family-friendly itineraries as well.
Readers' Rating: 81.707
Encounter an "outstanding crew" on this 18-ship line that sails to the Caribbean, South Pacific, Europe, and South America, among other destinations. Staterooms feature soft tones, wood detailing, and big TVs.
The latest addition to the fleet, the Regal Princess, launched in fall 2014 and includes the SeaWalk, a glass-bottomed walkway extending out over the water.
Readers' Rating: 83.174
Celebrity's fleet sails seasonally up the East and West coasts, around the Caribbean, Europe, and South America, with year-round itineraries in the Galápagos Islands aboard the Celebrity Xpedition.
Cabins are "well laid out and exceptionally comfortable," and the varied onboard activities ensure that "there is something for everyone." Of note: The oh-so-peaceful Solarium is the adults-only pool complex aboard Solstice-class ships, including Solstice,EquinoxEclipseSilhouette, and Reflection.
I recently spent the weekend on the Celebrity Solstice cruise ship – and I had a ball.
Despite the cruise not actually going anywhere, except out to the Pacific Ocean and back to Sydney, the holiday felt more like a week than 3 days.
I was on the ship to celebrate my aunt’s 50th and my grandfather’s 80th birthdays, but don’t let that define the average age of passengers on the ship. As a 20-something I had my crowd on the ship also – hanging poolside with the family by day, dining with the grandparents by night and clubbing with the partiers into the early hours of the morning.
Our Sky Suite was all we needed space-wise, with 90% of the staterooms including an outside view and 95% of those with a balcony.
The Martini Bar was a tasty treat, with the barmen putting on a show when you order your drink, and the adults’ pool was a balmy retreat that felt 5-star.
The food was pretty good, but I wasn’t blown away. While we only had limited time to try out the specialty restaurants, they will be at the top of my list on my next trip.
Yes, there will definitely be a next trip!
ROME (Reuters) - A corpse found in the wreck of the Costa Concordia is thought to be that of the last person unaccounted for almost three years after the luxury liner sank, Italy's coast guard said on Monday.
Russel Rebello, an Indian who worked as a waiter on the ship when it hit rocks and sank off the Tuscan coast in January 2012, killing 32 people, had been the only person missing after the disaster whose body has not yet been found.
A Coast Guard spokeswoman in the northern port city of Genoa, where the 290-metre-long (957-foot-long) hulk was towed for scrap in July, told Reuters a body found on the ship was "assumed to be the last victim, Russel Rebello."
In August, authorities announced they had found remains on the ship and would test them to see if they belonged to Rebello. Italian media later reported that those remains were determined to be lamb bones.
The sinking of the Concordia, a floating hotel as long as three soccer pitches laid end-to-end, prompted a chaotic night-time evacuation and one of the largest maritime salvage operations in history.
(Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
As the work mounts up at Chevron’s $US54 billion Gorgon gas project the company has had to ship in a massive floating hotel to accommodate an extra 1200 workers.
“We have secured – I guess I would call it a floatel. We have got the capacity over the next several weeks to bring, over time, about 1200 additional workers to the island to work on the MEI that is underway that needs to be done in the next year,” Chevron chief financial officer Pat Yarrington said recently.
In a previous life the temporary accommodation facility was a passenger ferry which made the trip between Finland and Estonia.
The 202-metre cruise ferry Silja Europa has been converted into worker accommodation and will be moored off Barrow Island for at least the next 12 weeks, the company said.
The boat was specifically modified for Chevron and is equipped with recreational facilities including a gym, reading room and restaurant and each contractor is allocated their own room with a television.
It can house up to 1400 workers, including crew.
Australian listed Mermaid Marine won the Chevron contract earlier this year and estimates the deal will generate about $AU105 million in revenue over a 12 month period.
Chevron hopes the decision to bring the ferry accommodation in will boost productivity at the resources project.
Gorgon was originally scheduled to start production in September this year. That date was pushed to halfway through next year but with construction only 87% complete the company is now hinting it could be a few months later than that.
Top Interpol officials tell The Associated Press that would-be jihadi fighters are booking tickets on cruise ships to join extremists in battle zones in Syria and Iraq, hoping to bypass efforts to thwart them in Turkey.
Pierre St. Hilaire, Interpol's counterterror director, and outgoing Interpol chief Ronald Noble suggested the Turkish crackdown and increased monitoring of airports are forcing some would-be jihadis into alternative travel plans.
Noble said, "There are more and more reports that people are using cruise ships in order to get to launch pads, if you will — sort of closer to the conflict zones — of Syria and Iraq."
The international police body is hoping to expand a pilot program that lets airlines bounce passenger information off its databases to include cruise lines, banks, and hotels.
