SEABOURN
CRUISES said its passengers and crew on the Seabourn
Spirit were safe following an attack on the ship as it sailed in
the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia. Seabourn said that
around 5:30 a.m. the Spirit was approached by two small, armed
boats, whose occupants tried to board the Spirit. Seabourn said the
Spirits crew initiated a trained response and that as a result of
protective and evasive measures the attackers were unable to board
the Spirit. The ship was carrying 151 passengers and 161 crew.
THE
SPIRIT, which is docked in Victoria, Seychelles, will turn
around Nov. 8 in Victoria instead of Mombasa, Kenya, and will
resume its published schedule after the turnaround. Bruce Good, a
Seabourn spokesman, said it was not known who the pirates were;
Seabourn said it was in contact with U.S. and U.K. authorities
about the incident.
CUNARD
LINE has a new president and managing director: Carol
Marlow, the former managing director for Cunard in Europe, the
Middle East and Africa and a former U.K. managing director for
Princess Cruises. Marlow will continue to be based in the U.K. and
split her time between the U.K. and the U.S.; shell report to Peter
Ratcliffe, the CEO of Carnival Corp.s P&O Princess Cruises
International division. The top Cunard post has been empty since
former President and COO Pamela Conover moved to an internal
position at Carnival Corp.
MELANIA
TRUMP, the wife of Donald, christened the Norwegian Jewel
Nov. 3 during a ceremony in Miami. Said the godmother: At 93,502
gross tons, she is by far the largest, most luxurious jewel I have
ever seen.
SPEAKING OF
LARGEST, Royal Caribbean International is looking for a
godmother for the 160,000-ton Freedom of the Seas in an unusual
manner: By launching a national search. The line admitted that the
godmother role is historically an honor reserved for heads of
state, politicians and celebrities. But, for this time at least, it
said it will conduct a search through NBCs Today show for an
outstanding individual someone who has demonstrated exceptional
spirit, courage and integrity.