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Alaska Has Almost Twice as Many Caribou as People
Alaska's human population numbers around 600,000, while there are
over one million caribou in the state. And the government doesn't
even pay them to live there!
Caribou are almost constantly on the move. Some caribou migrate more
than 3,000 miles each year farther than any other land animal. They
travel in herds every fall and spring from their wintering to their
calving grounds, and arrive just in time to think about heading back.
Caribou are built to travel. Their large, concave hooves hold them up
like snowshoes both on winter snow and on the soggy summer tundra. In
water, those hooves become enormous paddles. A caribou in a hurry can
run 50 miles per hour.
Carnival unleashes new branding campaign
Today marks the debut of Carnival Cruise Lines’ new
multimillion-dollar branding campaign. Carnival said the effort aims
to inject a fresh look and feel into its advertising, marketing and
collateral materials.
The centerpiece of the initiative is a series of 30-second television
spots that begin airing today. Backed by the Queen classic
‘You’re My Best Friend,’ the spots feature images of
people of all ages enjoying a Carnival cruise, enhanced by computer
animation and editing techniques that blend one scene into another.
The goal, the company said, is to transport viewers into the relaxed
and carefree environment of a Fun Ship vacation.
The print campaign encompasses full-page images gleaned from the
various TV spots, with shots of couples and families relaxing in
scenic locales and enjoying various on-board activities.
The TV spots will air on all major broadcast networks, as well as
select cable channels such as USA, TNT, TBS, Food Network, Travel
Channel, HGTV, and Discovery Channel. The first of the new spots can
be viewed at www.carnival.com/promo/tv.
Introducing the Class of 2008
Ten newbuilds will sail into service during 2008, adding nearly
26,000 lower berths. Six are post-Panamax, and five lines will be
introducing bigger ships than they have built before. Going post-Panamax
for the first time are Celebrity Cruises, P&O Cruises and MSC
Cruises.
The year's largest ship will be Independence of the Seas, the third
in Royal Caribbean International's 158,000gt Freedom class, and the
largest newbuild ever to spend a full inaugural season homeported in
the UK.
The smallest newbuild of 2008 is from newcomer Pearl Seas Cruises --
the sister company to the well-established American Cruise Lines --
with a 210-passenger vessel emerging from Canada's Irving
Shipbuilding.
Rounding out the year's newbuilds is Ruby Princess, third in a series
of 116,000gt ships for Princess Cruises.
House Votes to Delay Passport Requirement
The U.S. House of Representatives took a major step in delaying a new
security rule requiring passports at all U.S. border crossings next
year to avoid a repeat of last summer's backlog of passport applications.
The first phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
went into effect earlier this year, requiring U.S. travelers
returning by plane from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean to carry a passport.
In the second phase of WHTI, the Department of Homeland Security has
regulated that as of Jan. 31, 2008 all U.S. citizens at land and sea
crossings must prove their citizenship and identity with a passport
or an alternative, including a birth certificate, enhanced
driver’s license or other documents. Passports will be required
starting in July.
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), chairwoman of the House Rules
Committee, announced that language she authored delaying
implementation of the WHTI until 2009 was included in the Omnibus
spending bill passed by the House on Dec. 17th. Also included is
language withholding funds from the Department of Homeland Security
until it reports on the feasibility of WHTI to Congress.
The bill passed by a vote of 253-154. The Senate is expected to vote also.
The Bush administration said it plans to go ahead with implementing
the passport rule next summer, despite Congressional opposition.
Keep your eye on "Passport
Update" on The
Cruiseman Web Site. We'll keep you posted as
updates become available.
Cunard Liners to Sail Together
On Jan. 13, Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2
and Queen Victoria will, for the first and only time, sail
together out of New York harbor. The regal fleet is scheduled to
depart at 6:30 p.m. Queen Mary 2 will depart from her homeport,
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, while QE2 will depart from Pier 92 and
Queen Victoria will depart from Pier 88 both at the Westside Cruise
Terminal. Then, the three Queens will rendezvous and sail past the
Statue of Liberty during a fireworks celebration at approximately 7 p.m.
"This is an historic occasion for Cunard and New York, marking
the only time that the three ships will be together...ever,"
said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "More history will
be made as our grand dame QE2 departs on her 26th and final World
Cruise and Queen Victoria will depart on her maiden World
Cruise," added Marlow.
This is the first time in Cunard's 168-year history that three
"Queens" have been in service at the same time and with QE2
retiring in November will be the only time they will be together,
offering a maritime history-making moment, according to a spokesman
for the line.
NCL Announces Major Investment in Freestyle
As it was introducing the new Norwegian Gem to the industry Dec.
19th, NCL announced its "Freestyle 2.0" fleetwide
significant enhancements to its onboard product, including a major
investment in dining; stateroom upgrades; new onboard activities;
added recognition, service and amenities for balcony, suite and villa
guests; and a relaunch of a tiered Latitudes past guest recognition program.
The initiative, driven by feedback from gu |