Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises announced today that its new expedition ship (originally acquired as World Discoverer II) will be renamed HSH Prince Albert II, in tribute to Prince Albert of Monaco. (HSH stands for His Serene Highness)
The name is fitting for a ship that will be dedicated to the exploration and conservation of the planet’s oceans, wildlife and indigenous cultures. The Principality of Monaco, aside from being the world’s capital of wealth and luxury — and home to Silversea’s global headquarters — has long been recognized as a leader in marine environment research. Prince Albert I, a pioneer in oceanographic science and exploration, first explored the Arctic’s Svalbard archipelago in the early part of the last century, and founded the world renowned Oceanographic Institute. In 2006, Prince Albert II plotted a similar course on part of his journey to the North Pole, in an effort to add to the scientific body of work started by his ancestor — and to draw attention to the effects of global warming on the Arctic regions. As a result, the Prince is the first incumbent head of state to have reached the northern most point on Earth.
When Silversea’s adventure ship sets sail on June 12, following a naming ceremony in Monte Carlo, it will herald the beginning of a new mode in exploration cruising — where a luxurious ambiance is just as important as the eye-opening educational experiences it will deliver.
The Lloyd’s Register A1A ice-rated vessel is purpose-built for expedition cruising and is currently undergoing an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation at the Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste, Italy. To ensure the ship will deliver an expedition cruise experience consistent with Silversea’s award-winning luxury standards, the refurbishment will include exterior design modifications, state-of-the-art technological enhancements and a comprehensive upgrade of all guest accommodations and public spaces.
The ship is also being outfitted with a new fleet of eight, latest-model Zodiac boats with Yamaha four-stroke engines (for lowest possible emissions) that will allow guests to enjoy up-close exploration and access to some of the world’s most remote landscapes.
We have the details on HSH Prince Albert II’s itineraries when you click on “more” below.
Celebrity Cruises has ordered a fifth big cruise liner from MEYER WERFT in Papenburg. The previous contracts for four ships of the Solstice class are now followed by a pre-contract for the construction of a fifth cruise ship.
Delivery of the fifth ship is scheduled for the autumn of 2012. The first ship of this class, the Celebrity Solstice, will be delivered in the autumn this year. The other ships will follow at one-year intervals each.
In keeping with increasing demand for extraordinary experiences, Crystal Cruises is introducing VIP access to the British Open and excursions to four of the world’s finest and most prestigious British Isles courses. Available during Crystal Symphony’s 12-day sailing roundtrip from London on July 13, the golf excursions offer play at Gleneagles King’s Course, The Royal Belfast Golf Club, and other coveted courses.
Guests can take advantage of standard Crystal amenities that are par for the course, including the instruction of an onboard PGA golf pro, Taylormade equipment for onboard clinics, a putting green and a driving range.
Click on “more” for the courses included:
From the US Coast Guard:
The Coast Guard resumed its search at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, for a 28-year-old Chinese crewmember from the cruise ship Celebrity Constellation after cruise ship staff informed the Coast Guard of video surveilance showing the man going overboard.
The Coast Guard initially suspended its search at approximately 10 p.m. Tuesday, but after receiving information of video surveilance at 7:30 a.m., the Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators to resumed the search and launched an HC-130 aircraft from Air Station Clearwater, Fla.
The Coast Guard’s search efforts now include the coast off Cape Canaveral, Fla., due to the northern drift of the currents associated in the Gulf Stream and the amount of time the man has been in the water.
The missing crewmemver did not report to muster at 6 a.m. Monday after the Celebrity Constellation moored in Port Everglades, Fla., around 5:50 a.m. Initial reports stated the man was last seen by another crewmember at 5 a.m. but video surveilance from the ship shows him going overboard at 3:25 a.m.
The crew of the Celebrity Constellation searched the ship immediately after the man failed to report for the morning meeting. The Coast Guard was notified at 1:40 p.m. that the man was missing.
Initial searches by crews from Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet, Fla., Station Fort Lauderdale, Fla., an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Miami, a HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Clearwater, along with the Cutter Ocracoke, totaled almost 1,500 square-miles.
The Cutter Ocracoke is a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Miami.
Coast Guard aircraft and boat crews searched approximately 24 square miles off Hillsborough Inlet, Fla., for a missing cruise ship crewmember believed to have fallen overboard early Monday morning.
The 28-year-old Chinese national did not report to morning muster at 6 a.m. after the Celebrity Constellation moored in Port Everglades, Fla., around 5:50 a.m. The man was last seen at approximately 5 a.m. Monday.
The crew of the Celebrity Constellation searched the ship immediately after the man was not at the morning meeting. The Coast Guard was notified at 1:40 p.m.
Search and rescue coordinators at Sector Miami launched a rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet, Fla., and an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Miami.
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