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E NEWS SUPPLEMENT...by Bill Miller
Week of December 9th, 2013
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Welcome to another issue of our Enews Supplement.
I am presently aboard Nieuw Amsterdam with Stephen Card hosting our members cruise. We had a wonderful cocktail party which was attended by the Captain and Hotel Manager and then a great dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. Look for a full update when I return.
To those members who would like to join one of our groups, Bill and I will be hosting a cruise aboard the Royal Princess on October 11, 2014. Information can be found here
Royal Princess 2014
If you haven't joined us on Facebook yet, here's anotherof the great images you will find there.
Holland America has provided us once again with Shipboard Credit coupons good for sailing through 2014. These are available to members in good standing. They will be shipped with the next issue after your renewal has been received. If you have already renewed, just send us an email at membership@wocls.org and we will ship them to you. If you haven't yet renewed you may do so online here..
Regards
Tom Cassidy
You May Renew Your Membership Here
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Cargo Shipping - Royal occassion!
One of the world's largest cargo-carrying ships, the mega-containership Majestic Maersk, was named on September 24th during ceremonies at Copenhagen. She was named by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. The ship & her sisters have mammoth proportions - 174,000 gross tons, 1306 feet in length and a capacity for 18,270 containers.
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 Construction planned!
In a joint plan with the Port Authority of Barcelona, Carnival will invest $25 million toward the construction of a new cruise terminal. The facility at the busiest European cruise port will open in 2016. |
Holiday spirits!
I will be aboard, as a guest speaker, on the Crystal Serenity's Holiday cruise, departing from Miami on Saturday evening, December 21st. It is a 15-night cruise, touching at Turks & Caicos, Curacao, Santa Marta & Cartagena in Colombia, Roatan in Honduras, Belize City in Belize, Costa Maya & Cozumel in Mexico and Key West.
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 Ocean Liner history!
Cunard has had a wealth of great ocean liners, beginning in 1840 with the paddle steamer Britannia. There is lots & lots of history in Cunard. Recently, new books have been published on the life & times of the mighty Queen Elizabeth, which sailed for the Company from 1940 until 1968; the second Mauretania, in service from 1939 until 1965; and the Majestic, acquired in 1934 through the merger with White Star Line. |
Planning ahead!
Initial planning has been made to revive the historic riverboat Delta Queen, dating from 1926. She would again cruise inland American rivers. The classic vessel has been used in recent years as a moored hotel at Chattanooga, Tennessee and is currently owned by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. |
Double honors!
The new, 42,000grt Europa 2 is said, in several travel circles, to be the highest rated luxury cruise liner afloat (and an honor shared with her slightly older fleetmate, Europa). In addition, Hapag's Hanseatic has a 5-star rating - the highest for an expedition ship.
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Most popular!
The most popular theme cruises in 2012 were culinary cruises followed by wine and then wellness cruises.
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Up for sale!
While little known in North American cruising, Israel's Mano Cruises is selling its 15,000grt Royal Iris. Built in 1971, the ship has had a diverse life - she was the P&O ferry Eagle, the Azur for Paquet Cruises, then The Azur for Chandris and then, under the same name, but for Festival Cruises. Mano retains one other ship, the Golden Iris, which was built in 1977 as the Cunard Princess and then, beginning in 1995, sailed as the MSC Rhapsody for MSC Cruises.
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Reopening!
After great damages from Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, Ellis Island Museum - which welcomed 18 million immigrants between 1982 and 1924 - reopened in October. Initial repairs have been made while much of the Museum's artifacts remain in storage in Maryland. ... Meanwhile, Pier 17 at South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan will be demolished and totally rebuilt in a plan that includes a hotel.
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Ocean Liner Collectibles - Artistic qualities!
A large, colorful poster for the Cunard liner service between New York & Northern Europe and dated 1947 sold recently for $1,000. Posters create colorful reminders of the great age of trans-ocean passenger ships.
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Ocean Liner History - Crossing to Europe!
It was 5 days from New York's Pier 86 to Cobh and 6 days to Southampton & Le Havre on the liner America. She carried 1,046 passengers in three classes: first, cabin & tourist. In 1955, fares aboard the 33,500-tonner were set at $325 in upper-deck first class, $220 in slightly less fancy cabin class and $175 in tourist class.
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 Reunion!
This Spanish cruise line, with Royal Caribbean as its parent, has reunited the original Celebrity Cruises' sister-ships Horizon & Zenith, dating from 1990 and 1992. The two sisters are sailing, however, under the French arm of Pullmanturs, Croiseres de France.
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New homeport!
The 50,000grt Superstar Gemini - the onetime Norwegian Dream of NCL - is the first Star cruise liner to be homeported in Xiamen in China. Star is a major operator in the Asian cruise market.
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Ocean & Cruise News
Current & Past Issues Members can download a PDF of current and past issues using the following links
Past Issues of this "new" Email Supplement beginning with the Feb. 21, 2011 issue can be found by clicking our logo below
The above listed items are copyrighted material and are for the exclusive use of paid members in good standing. Any unauthorized duplication, transmission or distribution of this material without the written permission of The World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society is strictly prohibited.
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The Sands of Alang - Peter Knego
DVD Video All regions
Running time: 60 minutes
$30.00 USD + 6.95 priority mail shipping in the U.S. ($8.00 airmail for overseas) and 7.5% sales tax for California residents
The follow up to my first Alang documentary, ON THE ROAD TO ALANG, THE SANDS OF ALANG is about my second and third pilgrimages to the shipbreaking yards of Alang, India in the summer of 2005. The impetus for these treks were visits to the former EUGENIO C and former RMS WINDSOR CASTLE (which will be featured in the next volume). The video takes you on board the ex-EUGENIO while still intact and then a couple months later as demolition was well underway. It tells her story from cradle to grave with archival images and footage as well as the guest appearance of historian Maurizio Eliseo, whom I was able to film in the shipyard at Monfalcone where EUGENIO C was realized and built.
THE SANDS OF ALANG also tells the story of the EXPLORER, which was built in 1944 as the P2 troopship GENERAL W.P. RICHARDSON and went on to become LA GUARDIA, LEILANI, PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, ATLANTIS, EMERALD SEAS and OCEAN EXPLORER I. There is a visit to the half demolished ship and guest historian Gordon Ghareeb, who is penning a book on her, tells of her varied careers with a special emphasis on her oft-overlooked time as LEILANI.
Soundtracks by the EUGENIO C's and LEILANI's onboard orchestras add poignance to the footage. Covered as well are the Danish train ferry KONG FREDERIK IX and the Kay Korbing-designed ferry PRINSESSE MARGRETHE, which were both ending their lives at the same time on the Indian beach.
Some of the footage is shocking and sad but unavoidably fascinating as the video chronicles the end of these ships' varied careers. Here is but one of many scenarios depicted in the film:
"When we were finally granted permission to visit the BIG RED BOAT II (ex EUGENIO C), the monsoon was in full swing. During the low tide, we took off our shoes and hiked out into the knee deep mud. At the water≠s edge, I climbed into a tiny dinghy with the foreman of the scrapyard -- only two of us could fit in the craft, holding on tightly as two men towed us out to the ship. For several minutes, while a squall passed through, we clung to the anchor chain (where I took the cover shot), then passed under the ship≠s mighty starboard bow, ribbons of water plunging through the openings in her bulwarks. Somehow, my drenched video camera kept running and I was able to record our approach to the Jacob≠s ladder, which dangled an intimidating height from the shell door entry. The foreman went before me, getting momentarily stuck half-way up the ladder, much to the amusement of the two men who towed us out there. As soon as I began my climb, they returned to the embankment to get the other people in our group..."
The order page also contains a link to a short trailer on YouTube:
http://www.midshipcentury.com/#!the-sands-of-alang/ckv
For those without computer access, please contact us at: PK Productions, 15485 Mallory Court, Moorpark, CA 93021
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WORLD OCEAN & CRUISE LINER SOCIETY'S
HOSTED CRUISES
One of the great things about being a World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society member is joining us aboard one of our "Hosted" member cruises. Each cruise features low group rates, special amenities plus onboard lectures and events
Oceania Riviera
Sailing roundtrip from Miami and visiting Tortola; St. John's; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Gustavia and Miami March 28, 2014 (10-Nights)
Exclusive WOCLS Events with Host Art Sbarksy
Special WOCLS Q&A with Art Sbarsky as he takes you through his career in the cruise industry.
This is a Fundraising Cruise for Art's favorite charity.
The American Cancer Society.
- Welcome cocktail reception with Art Sbarsky for our guests
- Art Sbarsky will host a dinner in a specialty restaurant with our group
- Includes airfare from most Oceania gateways or an air credit
- Includes a special $150 per cabin shipboard credit
Inside cabin from - $2899*
Window cabin from - $3199*
Balcony cabin from - $3499
Suite cabin from - $4999*
*Rates are cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy. Includes government fees
CRUISES MUST BE BOOKED WITH THE WOCLS GROUP
COORDINATOR TO PARTICIPATE IN WOCLS EVENTS!!
For more information please
call (800) 229-2542
cruises@wocls.org
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 WOCLS E News & Renewals
If you've been receiving this E-news but not the monthly print publication chances are your subscription has expired. Please renew now as your E-news will stop shortly. Please renew online using the following link
Join or Renew Here
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In either case you may join or renew securely using your Visa or MasterCard. This form features VeriSign's Secure processing so you know your vital information is secure. You may also mail your check to The World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society - P.O. Box 329 - Northport NY 11768. A renewal ($30/year domestic -or- $36/ year foreign) will extend your existing subscription to both this "E-News" Supplement and Ocean Cruise News a full 12 months from the end of your current subscription
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About Bill Miller 
Bill Miller is an international authority on the subject of ocean liners & cruise ships --- from those "floating palaces" of yesteryear to the current generation of cruise ships, the "floating resorts". Called "Mr. Ocean Liner," he has written some 80 books on the subject: from early steamers, immigrant ships and liners at war to other titles on their fabulous interiors, in post card form and about the highly collectible artifacts from them. He has done specific histories of such celebrated passenger ships as the United States, Queen Mary, Rotterdam, France, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Crystal Serenity.
In all, he has also written over 1,000 articles for newspapers, magazines and nautical journals & newsletters. He even had his very own ocean liner quarterly, the Millergram. He has made nearly 450 voyages to date: Atlantic crossings, tropical cruises, coastal runs and even trips on container cargo ships and exotic banana boats. He has appeared in some three dozen video & television series, both in the USA, Britain, Europe and Australia, including Castles of the Sea, The Floating Palaces, The Super Liners, Inside the World of a Cruise Ship, Disasters at Sea, Deco: Age of Glamour, and Lady in Waiting: The Story of the SS United States. He has also appeared on The Today Show, CBS Evening News, CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, NBC Evening News and many other news broadcasts. He has been guest lecturer aboard over 50 different liners, sailing with the likes of Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Radisson-Seven Seas, Saga Cruises and others. Miller was a public school teacher, in middle school and for social studies, for 32 years. He was named "Teacher of the Year" in 2002.
A native of Hoboken, New Jersey, the once busy port just across the Hudson River from New York City, Miller was named Outstanding American Maritime Scholar in 1994, received the United States Maritime Preservation Award and also the Ocean Liner Council's Silver Riband Award, both in 2004. Also, he has been chairman of the Port of New York Branch of the World Ship Society, deputy director of the New York Harbor Festival, served on the selection committee for the American Maritime Hall of Fame, created the passenger ship database for the Ellis Island Museum and currently serves as Curator of 20th Century Maritime History at Manhattan's South Street Seaport Museum. He has also organized a 14-week college course on liners, and helped to create & then served as historian at the US Merchant Marine Museum. His private collection includes 4,000 books on ships, over 15,000 photos and some 1,500 miniature ship models, most of them being passenger ships.
By 2011, Miller had 10 new books in the works, was curator to Decodence (an exhibit at the South St Seaport on the design & décor of the grand French liner Normandie) and himself was the subject of a one-hour film documentary aptly titled Mr Ocean Liner. In 2011, he hosted Cinematic Crossings: Ocean Liners on the Big Screen, a 5-day film festival at Manhattan's Lincoln Center. Currently, he spends some 200 days a year lecturing onboard ocean liners & cruise ships.
Follow Bill's look back at ship's of yesteryear..
Heard Along the Boat Deck
And his current and past cruise experiences...
Scribblings
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William Miller Books!
 In the world of ocean liners, those built for French lines were the epitome of style and panache, and SS Normandie perhaps the pinnacle of this. When she entered service in 1935, she was the largest, longest, fastest and certainly the best fed ship of her time, serving the finest food imaginable in a dining room longer than the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Normandie embodied high glamour and was a firm favourite of many, albeit for a short time. Times were changing and even the French government's massive subsidies to the builders, an attempt to make Normandie a flagship for the drive out of the Depression. could only work for so long, as the Second World War drew nearer. She might have been a valuable troopship, and served a the USS Lafayette for a time, but caught fire at her New York pier in 1942. The great ship was salvaged, but with an expensive restoration in prospect she could not escape being scrapped in 1946-47. Through beautiful illustrations and evocative writing, William H.Miller presents the story of one of the most lavish liners ever to cross the seas. $29.95 plus postage & handling
 Union Castle Liners - From Great Britain to Africa 1946-1977 - William H. Miller
It was one of the most important British liner routes of all - the express run from Southampton to the South African Cape. Carrying passengers as well as cargo, including the all-important mail, it was a byword in travel - 'every Thursday at 4', as one of the big Union-Castle liners set off for Cape Town and beyond. By the late 1950s, these mail ships included the Arundel Castle, Carnarvon Castle, Winchester Castle, Athlone Castle, Stirling Castle, Capetown Castle and two post-war sensations, the Edinburgh Castle and Pretoria Castle. Three new liners arrived in 1959, the last great ships built for Union-Castle. They were Pendennis Castle, Windsor Castle and Transvaal Castle.
The route was not just to the Cape - for Union-Castle also offered a service down the East coast of Africa and a round-Africa route too. In 1977, with the mail contract and passengers lost to the jet and cargo to container ships, the service ceased in October that year and Union-Castle was no more. Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK. $29.95
Great Atlantic Liners of the 20th Century in Color (co-authored with Anton Logvinenko; Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK. $29.95
 Ile de France And Liberte - France's Premier Post War Liners The latest in the Classic Liners series evokes the glamour and ambience of two of the most beloved liners of the 1950s Île de France, completed in 1927, was a hugely famous prewar liner, a ship with unique style and character. She was said to offer "the cheeriest way to cross the Atlantic." After wartime service as a valiant troopship, she was restored with what Paris fashion calls a "new look," relaunched in 1949. The Liberté was built in 1930, originally the German Europa, but ceded to France as reparations in 1946. She was de-Germanized and restyled in French Line luxury as the Liberté, recommissioned in 1950. The Île de France sailed until 1958; the Liberté until 1961, and this illustrated book concentrates on their heydays in the glorious, post-World War II years, when they were the largest and grandest liners under the French flag. Both ships were famed for their service and onboard ambience, but most especially for their cooking, and they were said to be the best-fed liners on the Atlantic...$25.00
 Along the Hudson - luxury Liner Row in the 50's & 60's
In the 1950s and '60s, countless passenger liners called at New York and usually berthed at Luxury Liner Row along the City's West Side. The cast includes the Cunard Queens, the Ile de France & Liberte, United States, Independence, Gripsholm & Queen of Bermuda. It is a grand assemblage of great ships -- both large & small. $29.95
Great American Passenger Ships 
The story of American passenger ships over the 20th century -- from the Leviathan to the Lurline, Santa Rosa & America to the brilliant United States. Interesting text accompanied by lots of black & white photos as well as color. $29.95.
Great Liners Story
A fascinating "little book" about the great liners, those floating palaces, of the 20th century -- from the grand German four-stackers to the age of the Oasis of the Seas. Mostly color in this hardcover book. $15.00.
Great Passenger Ships 1910-1920
It was an age of evolution, when size and speed were almost the ultimate considerations. 'Bigger was said to be better' and ship owners were not exempted from the prevailing mood. While the German four-stackers of 1897-06 and then Cunard's brilliant Mauretania & Lusitania of 1907 led the way to larger and grander liners. White Star Line countered by 1911 with the Olympic, her sister Titanic and a near-sister, the Britannic. The French added the France while Cunard took delivery of the beloved Aquitania. But the Germans won out -- they produced the 52,000-ton Imperator and a near-sister, the Vaterland, the last word in shipbuilding and engineering prior to the First World War. They and their sister, the Bismarck, remained the biggest ships in the world until 1935.
But other passenger ships appear in this decade --- other Atlantic liners, but also ships serving on more diverse routes: Union Castle to Africa, P&O to India and beyond, the Empress liners on the trans-Pacific run. We look at a grand age of maritime creation, ocean-going superlative, but also sad destruction in the dark days of the First War. It was, in all ways, a fascinating period.
Last Atlantic Liners: Getting There is Half the Fun (Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, 2011
RMS Caronia: Cunard's Green Goddess
(co-authored with Brian Hawley) The History Press Ltd, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, 2011
Floating Palaces: The Great Atlantic Liners(Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, 2011
Great British Passenger Ships (The History Press Ltd, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, 2010)
SS Nieuw Amsterdam: The Darling of the Dutch (Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, 2010)
Cunard's Three Queens: A Celebration (Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, 2009)
Under the Red Ensign: British Passenger Liners of the '50s & '60s (The History Press, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, 2009)
SS United States: Speed Queen of the Seas (Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, 2009)
And yet to come.....
I Was Born in Hoboken: Memories of the 1950s & '60s (Hoboken Historical Museum, Hoboken, NJ, due fall 2011)
The Last Great Dynasty: The Royal House of Windsor (Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK, due 2012)
The Cunard Yanks (co-authored with Ian Wright; pending but due 2012)
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