www.CRUISESHIPODYSSEY.com

Home page

                 Since December 1st. 2003       

Last update September 2012

Website by Paul Timmerman

Contact me at paul.timmerman@quicknet.nl

Largest update ever, 15 cruiseships covered in over 2800 interior photographs! (see below....)

                    NEW BOOK                                                              

Onboard Canberra, on the final leg of her world cruise 1982, crew members listen to the radio in suspense as the tension grows between Britain and Argentina concerrning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, ending in an invasion of the islands by Argentine armed forces.

No one onboard Canberra could have imagined that they would play a key role in the war that was to follow between these nations, as upon their return, the British Government takes control of Canberra and has her immediately refitted as a troop ship.

Together with the QE2 and the ferry Norland she is sent to the war zone where she finds herself in acute danger amidst the hostilities.

Andrew Vine describes the atmosphere onboard in great detail, one would almost forget that this is in fact an account of events that took place in reality opposed to reading a war novel.
At once, we are captured by suspense as Canberra is readied for her temprorary role as a troop ship, carries troops to the Falklands, where she finds herself under attack from Argentine fighter planes and has a narrow escape. Then, she has a rendez-vous with QE2 from which troops are transferred to Canberra and a second visit to the war zone follows. She survives it all and ferries a ship load of prisoners of war to Puerto Madryn, Argentina.

When the rust stricken Canberra returns home she is welcomed by huge crowds and a cable of Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward: "Well done, bon voyage Great White Whale".

This emotional and fascinating story covers the most dramatic period in the life of Canberra in great detail comprising 304 pages of text, with only a small section of 16 pages of photographs included.

It proves most difficult not to read this book from cover to cover in one go......

For everybody interested in this thrilling part of one of Britain's most famous and popular (cruise) liners this most captivating book is obligatory reading.....highly recommended!

Published by Aurum Press, London, GBP 20

Word about the still uncertain fate of the former speed queen SS UNITED STATES continues to circulate, after 40 years in lay up. She is not in immediate danger to be sent to the scrappers anymore after being purchased from former owners NCL which had abandoned their plans to operate her as a cruise ship in American waters. The United States Conservancy is working desperately to save this historic ocean liner. developing plams to operate the United states as a hotel/ conference/ leusure center docked in one of the larger cities on the east coast of the US. The Conservancy is constantly working on making americans aware how unique their iconic flagship really is. They are continiously encouraging individuals and organizations to sign on to the cause.  Everyone is encouraged to continue spreading the word about both the historic significance and current peril facing the US's national flagship if current plans to save her fail to materialize.

Of course cruiseshipodyssey supports their efforts!   

The Conservancy's website:

And please follow this link to learn how you can explore the ship and contribute to this noble cause:

From May till September 2012, the Forbes galleries in New York has kindly hosted a marvellous exhibition about the ss United States, organized by the United States Conservancy. Here are a couple of pictures of it:

                        SPECIAL EVENTS

February 20th 2009

Aidaluna the day before she left Meyer Werft for her journey down the river Ems. Click on picture to go to the Aidaluna photo series.

September 27th, 2008

Celebrity Cruises new Celebrity Solstice at her builders yard the day before she left for outfitting in Eemshaven, the Netherlands. Click on picture to view more....... 

August 4th, 2008

   Click on picture to go the Rotterdam homecoming photopage.

                           Site Contents (to choose, click underlined option)

The history of cruising from the first cruise in 1867 until the present day

 In chronological order, some high- & lowlights in the cruise industry since 1960

It is now possible to view video-clips of cruise ship interiors. Have a look on board Black Watch, Flamenco, Kristina Regina and Nordnorge

Others will follow....                                

Interior photographs of classic cruise ships no longer in service

Photo galleries of Albatros, Assedo, Canberra, Estonia, Fedor Shalyapin, Oriana, Regina Maris, Stefan Batory, Winston Churchill etc

 Go to the overview page "Classic Photo Page" or   Choose vessel Alexandr Pushkin Albatros Assedo Anastasis Amerikanis Canberra Ellinis Estonia Fedor Shalyapin Oriana Regina Maris Romanza Stefan Batory Winston Churchill Atlas from list

                pictures added of Epirotiki Cruises tss Atlas   click picture

Interior photographs of cruise ships still in active service

Photo galleries of over 60 ships,

Largest update ever, 14 cruiseships covered in over 2800 interior photographs!

Photographs added of  RCCL ships Adventure of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and Vision of the Seas,  Costa's Costa Deliziosa, Costa Magica, Costa Luminosa , Costa neoRomantica and Costa Pacifica. Als o Aida ruises aidaBella, Celebrity Constellation of Celebrity Cruises, Cunards'famous Queen Mary 2 , NCL´s Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Sun , MSC Cruises'  MSC Opera, and finally Princess Cruises'Ocean Princess are included in this update.

        More galleries will be added regularly.......

                Short histories of classic cruise ships taken into service before 1975

Included are: Stella Polaris, Irpinia, Princesa Victoria, Romantica, Orpheus, Andes, Prince George, Independence, Baltic Star, Regent Star, Canberra, Funchal, Oceanbreeze, The Empress, Queen Elizabeth 2, The Azur  etc 

                        Descriptions of modern cruise ships built after 1975

Ships included: Melody, Royal Princess, Majesty o/t Seas, Seabourn Pride, Crystal Harmony, Statendam, Norwegian Dream & Wind,  Fascination, Splendour o/t Seas, Superstar Leo, Carnnival Triumph, Norwegian Sky, Costa Atlantica, Millennium, Sun Bay I, The World  

  A description of the development of several cruise lines

Included are Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Int., Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Costa Cruises.

 A listing of all principal cruise lines and their ships

 An overview of cruise ships which entered service in 2004 - 2010

 Ships that will enter service in the coming years                       

  An overview of vessels retired, laid up, sunk or a victim of fire

  Some special cruises are covered in this chapter, like day cruises to various destinations or cruises/ express services to places off the beaten track.

Stories about the day cruise from Bremerhaven/ Cuxhaven to the German isle of Helgoland and the majestic sailing ship Stad Amsterdam are included presently.

At the end of their active lives, some ships are lucky enough to escape the breakers yard. They start a new career in a static role: student accomodation ship Rochdale One, museum ship Cap San Diego, hotel/ restaurant vessel Diamond Princess and the former Royal Yacht Britannia are fine examples hereof.

                            Former Ancerville/ Minghua now in use as the completely landlocked hotel and leisure centre Seaworld in Shenzhen, China                    

 Some interesting links to cruise lines; those concerning de luxe cruising, sail and expedition cruising and special interest cruising listed separately

Copyright of all text and photographs (unless stated otherwise):  ©  Paul Timmerman

End