SEA WORTHY

Posted on 12/18/2015

A brief compilation of articles on what's happening on the water this week.  

• Few details are known about an unidentified British senior citizen who is missing and believed to have fallen overboard early last Sunday morning on the Saga Sapphire cruise ship. The vessel was on a 35-day voyage from Southampton to the Caribbean for Christmas and New Year. A Saga spokesman said, "During the morning of Sunday 13th December, whilst the Saga Sapphire was crossing the Atlantic, a passenger was reported missing by her travelling companion. Following a comprehensive search of the ship, she could not be found.” The ship was turned around to conduct a grid search of the area with the assistance of marine authorities, but was called off on Monday.

• Passengers from Explorer of the Seas had transportation trouble last week on a tour of Dunedin, New Zealand. The bus they were on collapsed at a traffic intersection with the corner of the bus becoming grounded; forcing people to abandon the vehicle and endure gentle teasing from locals in the area.  

• An engine room fire on the Queen Mary II was quickly extinguished last week but the incident caused pod malfunction and loss of propulsion power near Lisbon, Portugal. This resulted in a one-day delay to the schedule but an inspection showed that the ship was seaworthy. No one was injured and the cruise line will start an investigation to determine the cause and if all safety regulations were followed.  

• Visitors to the UK can opt for a one night on board mini cruise with Cruise & Maritime Voyages. The packages include a five-course dinner, cabaret and late disco from ports in UK such as Hull, Newcastle or Tilbury. It is a one-way trip so busses are provided for those who want to go back to the original starting point.

P & O Cruises offer a two night return trip to Southampton or a cruise that crosses the channel at night, allowing for full day visits in Bruges. Even the Cunard Cruise Line offers mini cruises between 2 to 5 days to Le Havre, Zeebrugge, Amsterdam, St Peter Port or Hamburg.  

• Those who want to get in to the loop, can celebrate National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day with a cruise of Toronto harbour. Mariposa Cruises is offering a two hour cocktail cruise tonight at 6 and 9 pm so passengers can be spared from looking at each other’s offensive knitwear with beautiful city skyline views. Passengers must be over 18 and bring ID.