Cunard have recently shown off pictures of their new ship the Queen Elizabeth, to be launched in September 2010. The new Queen will join the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria as Cunard’s flagship ships and takes the name of a former Cunard ship the Queen Elizabeth that first sailed with Cunard White Star Line in 1936 and was later retired in 1969 when the QE2 took to the seas. The theme of this new ship is much like her namesake with some wonderful art deco designs that are reminiscent of the 1930’s. hit up the full page for a gallery of the plans. Read the rest of this entry »
There is no shipwreck more popular than the Titanic so its only fitting there are a few museums that are devoted to the ship that would be nearly 100 years old today. Recently Belfast announced a £100 million plan for a Titanic museum on the shipyards where she was built, that is due to open on the sinking’s centenary in 2012. There is also a travelling Titanic exhibition that we have seen in a few places as well as this interesting one in Branson, Missouri. Shaped like the front bit of the Titanic in half scale, the museum claims to be the worlds largest museum attraction The museum looks cool with recreations of the grand staircase as well as other parts of the ship, an iceburg and a bit of memorabilia. We understand the reason for Belfast building their museum but we just wonder who come up with the idea to build a ship shaped attraction in the landlocked state of Missouri. A TV ad for the museum is above that should give you an idea what its grand staircase is like. Read the rest of this entry »
Stretching 1010 metres onto Lake Michigan in Chicago is Navy Pier one of the city’s entertainment precincts. Packed with cafes, restaurants, theatres amusments and the Children’s museum Navy Pier is a popular destination especially on sunny weekends. The pier dates back to 1914 when it was built for freighters but today it is a tourist precinct being home to many of the city’s tourist craft and a huge meeting place. The pier was transformed in the early 1990’s and has undergone some major changes including the addition of a 46 m Ferris wheel and Imax, there are even plans afoot to give the pier a multi million dollar makeover with roller coaster, floating hotel, monorail and an even bigger Ferris wheel built around a huge water park. Read the rest of this entry »
You don’t get much for nothing in this world without a catch- well here’s one and the the catch is one of the best views in the world. The ferry carries some 20 million people a year between Staten Island and lower Manhattan, which is about 60,000 a day. The ride takes about 25 minutes and you get a very good look at the majestic Statue of Liberty and the amazing skyscrapers of New York City and New Jersey. Weekdays there are over 100 trips a day with a few less on weekends, avoid the peak hours for the journey. Bus and Train are easily available from both ferry terminals to explore more of either Manhattan or Staten Island. Read the rest of this entry »
The Queen Mary sailed the seven seas from 1936 to 1967 and has had a very interesting life both at sea and docked at Long Beach California. The vessel had served in World War II and even accidentally sank one of her escorts the HMS Curacoa. Adolf Hitler even had the equivalent of $25000 bounty on her for anyone who could sink her. She was just about on her way to Japanese scrap merchants in when a bid for her to be parked at Longbeach California was approved. In 1971 she opened to the public as a hotel and tourist attraction and didn’t fare to well. Disney took control of her during the 80’s with plans for turning her and the site into a new theme park which would have been similar to Tokyo’s Disney Sea, this didn’t go a head and a few later owners went bust trying to come up with new plans. Today the Queen Mary open as a hotel and function centre and various tours, there are plans are drawn up to turn the area into a large entertainment complex similar to Universal Studio’s city walk with cafes, small attractions and a tourist precinct. Read the rest of this entry »
The Creole Queen is one of the delights of New Orleans, chugging up the mighty Mississippi bringing back memories of a bygone era, no trip to the city would be complete without a ride on one of the city’s beautiful steamers. The paddle steamer was introduced into service in 1983 and is one of the largest paddle steamers on the river. The vessel is 200 feet long, 40 feet wide and has three decks and can handle 1000 passengers. The Creole Queen is an authentic paddle wheeler she has two 24 foot diameter paddlewheels and is fueled by a diesel electric engine. The interior of the craft is absolutely beautiful bringing all the beauty of the past with some modern comforts. The lovely Victorian draperies and fittings and parquet cypress floors help you step back in time.
Situated in the historic area of Manhattan where Fulton Street meets the East River you will find the South Street Seaport Museum. The seaport is a collection of beautifully restored 19th century commercial building, restored sailing ships and plenty of tourist malls with food, shopping and good night life and one of the best views of the majestic Brooklyn Bridge. One of the more popular vessels to visit is the Peking a Flying P Liner which was a sailing ship of the German F Laeising shipping company which originated in Hamburg. Built in 1911 the ship was made famous by Irving Johnston who filmed onboard the ship as it rounded Cape Horn back in 1929. The ship has been on display at South Street since 1975. Other interesting vessels include the Wavetree which is a 1885 fully rigged cargo ship and the W.O Decker a 1930’s tugboat which sometimes gives the public a chance to board it for strips around New York’s waterways. Read the rest of this entry »
Today’s youtube pick is of the Cunard cruise liner the Queen Victoria. It’s the newest in the Cunard fleet and pretty darn flash judging by the video above. She is the running mate to the RMS Queen Mary 2 and RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 (until the QE2 is retired later this year). A sister ship is also planned to be built named the Queen Elizabeth, this is amazing that Cunard will have 3 fairly new luxury liners at sea as it wasn’t long ago many predicted the death of cruise travel. Today cruising has become big business with heaps of new ships launched each year all trying to out do each other.
Cunard’s RMS Queen Elizabeth II is currently sailing though the Magellan Straights of the South American continent on its way to on one of its last voyages. The ship is probably the best know of all ships (except that of the Titanic of course). Launched in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the craft has sailed over 5.5 million nautical miles and carried over 2 million guests. The original cost of building the ship was just over 29 million pounds over 15 times that has been spent in the last 40 years refitting the craft, and it is not over yet. The ship is going to be the centerpiece of a new development in Dubai called Palm Jumeirah and is going to be completely refit to match the original 1960’s decor then become a luxury floating hotel as part of the monstrous palm shaped island entertainment complex. It is expected the ship will be open for business some time in late 2009. Read the rest of this entry »
Before the days of cars the river was the lifeblood of the country and just as the Paddle steamer on the Mississippi opened up the USA the paddle steamer also opened up Australia along its mighty Murray River. The Cumberoona at the twin cities of Albury and Wodonga is a unique experience to step back in time an imagine the days the paddlesteamer ruled the trading world and also get to experience the mighty Murray River with its huge river gum trees. The Cumberoona offers trips up the river during from about October to April when the river is high and the cooler moths the craft is docked at Noreuil Park on the river, where it is open for dining and special events including some fantastic jazz and blues nights.
