laatste nieuws

George geeft emotionele speech

2011-12-23T23:51:00.000-08:00

George geeft emotionele speech

George Michael heeft vrijdagmiddag voor zijn huis in Highgate zijn fans toegesproken. Het was een emotionele speech waarin hij zijn fans en artsen bedankt voor hun steun. Hij vertelt dat de artsen hem gered hebben van een levensbedreigende longontsteking.

De zanger werd donderdag uit het ziekenhuis ontslagen nadat hij vorige maand werd opgenomen in Wenen. George pakt thuis zijn rust en zal voorlopig geen optredens geven.

post van:http://www.shownieuws.tv/showflits/george-geeft-emotionele-speech/

HET LAB VAN AB

2011-12-23T23:50:00.000-08:00

HET LAB VAN AB

Door Toine Heijmans − 27/08/05, 00:00

REPORTAGE De deskundigen in Brussel zien nog geen groot vogelgriep-gevaar maar het Rotterdamse laboratorium van Ab Osterhaus staat op scherp....

Op de laptop van Ron Fouchier verschijnt een landkaart met interessant nieuws. Te zien zijn de brandhaarden van vogelgriep in het oosten. 'Kijk eens hier!', zegt Ron Fouchier tegen Ab Osterhaus. 'Die smienten zitten bijna in Mongolië!'

'Zie je wel!', zegt Ab Osterhaus, die morgen afreist naar Brussel om de Europese Unie te informeren over het gevaar. 'Zie je wel! Ik zet het meteen op m'n stick .'

'Ik heb 'm al gemaild naar je desktop', zegt Fouchier. 'Als dit geen bewijs is, dan weet ik het niet meer. Daar praat je ze in Brussel zo mee onder tafel.'

Osterhaus tikt met zijn wijsvinger op het bureau. Tik! 'Italië, Portugal, Denemarken – al die landen zijn aan de beurt als het zo ver komt. Ze denken dat daar geen trekvogels vliegen maar er is no way out.'

'Het virus komt hier naartoe', zegt Fouchier. 'Is het niet dit jaar, dan wel de volgende keer.'

Ab Osterhaus pakt de shag van Ron Fouchier, draait een sigaret, kijkt naar de laptop en tikt op het bureau. 'De smienten die nu binnenkomen, poepen de velden vol en straks gaan de wilde eenden er overheen. Dan kunnen de vogelbeschermers wel zeggen dat het onzin is, maar als we straks een miljoen kippen moeten doden – dat is toch ook animal welfare? Geef mij eens een vuurtje, Ron.'

Ze hebben een missie, de twee wetenschappers van faam, bijeen in hun laboratorium op zeventienhoog in het witte gebouw van de medische faculteit in Rotterdam. Ze zullen Europa overtuigen van een nakende griepvirusuitbraak, een variant met de naam H5N1. Het virus komt mee met de vogels, met de smienten, strandlopers, korhoenders en talingen die zich opmaken voor vertrek uit Rusland.

Die vogels vliegen helemaal niet naar Europa, zeggen vogelbeschermers en andere deskundigen, maar in dit laboratorium weten ze beter. De landkaart is het bewijs. H5N1 kan overspringen op pluimvee, en uiteindelijk op de mens, waarschuwden Ron Fouchier, Thijs Kuiken, Guus Rimmelzwaan en Albert (Ab) Osterhaus voor de zomer al in het wetenschappersblad Nature. 'Een menselijke grieppandemie kan twintig procent van de wereldbevolking ziek maken. Dertig miljoen mensen zouden binnen een paar maanden naar het ziekenhuis moeten, een kwart daarvan kan sterven.' Let dus op die wildlife, herhaalt professor Osterhaus maar weer. 'Wij dragen bij aan een veiliger wereld.'

Het lab van Ab zou een decor zijn voor een Hollywoodproductie, en niet vanwege de inventaris alleen. Natuurlijk: het is een donker gangenstelsel met oude, stalen klapdeuren. Met mensen in witte jassen. Met een glaswinkel aan reageerbuizen, pipetten en petri-schalen. Maar het is ook de sfeer van vrije jongens die er door de gangen dwaalt, van belangrijk werk, van het idee de mensheid voor een uitbraak van killervirussen te kunnen behoeden.

Lange dagen Hier worden lange dagen gemaakt. En als het gebeurt, zitten ze er 24 uur achtereen, zoals toen met Sars. Dan is het kleine kantoor van Osterhaus een war room geworden en trekken ze gezamenlijk ten strijde. Dagelijks tussen twee en half vier een conference call met laboratoria elders ter wereld: CDC in Atlanta, Institut Pasteur in Parijs, de University of Hongkong en het Public Health Agency in Londen. 'Allemaal willen we de eerste zijn, de strijd is hard. Maar als er echt een uitbraak is, gaan de boeken open. Dan komen alle data meteen op tafel op een beveiligde website.'

Dan laten ze alles uit hun handen vallen, zeggen vakanties op en gezinnen vaarwel.

Het is een laboratorium voor vrijdenkers. Die op een dossierkast een verzameling whisky- en champagneflessen bewaren, Feyenoordposters op de muur plakken en bewezen dat een Corona-virus Sars veroorzaakt – terwijl iedereen dacht dat het een vorm van vogelgriep zou zijn. 'Wij houden niet van dogma's', zegt Ab Osterhaus. 'Wij denken graag een andere kant op.'

Het lab van Ab heeft honderd man in dienst. Virologen, artsen, veterinairen, microbiologen, immunologen en straks een epidemioloog – 'een gewoon laboratorium', zegt Osterhaus, 'heeft alleen virologen. Wij hebben alle deskundigheid bij elkaar, zodat we bij een uitbraak meteen een strategie kunnen opzetten: van het molecuul tot de bestrijding van een virus.' Ze zijn, daarbij, nogal ambitieus. Ron Fouchier krijgt wekelijks vijf tot zes mailtjes van onderzoekers die op het lab willen werken. Ab Osterhaus krijgt er veel meer. 'Ik heb de beste mensen die er te krijgen zijn', zegt hij. 'Ja dat is gewoon zo. We scoren. Het is leuk om de te scoren. Ik ga niet voor de achtergronddingetjes, voor de me-too-onderzoeken. We hebben papers in de grote journalen: Nature en Science. Wij gaan voor de frontpage. Wij hebben laten zien dat vogelpest-uitbraken gelinkt zijn met trekvogels, die virussen mee kunnen nemen over grote afstanden. De ontdekking van het Sars-virus heeft overal nieuwe onderzoekslijnen in gang gezet. Als je niet de eerste bent, hoef je het nauwelijks meer te doen.'

Alles eigenwijs uit eigen budget voor elkaar gebokst. 'Toen we bijna tien jaar geleden begonnen met vogelgriepvirussen was er nauwelijks aandacht voor. En dus geen geld. Maar het is een goede keuze geweest. Nu de dreiging er echt is worden we constant gebeld.'

(Krijgt telefoon over de dood van een paar lepelaars, en vraagt zich af: gaan we erheen of niet.)

(Praat sneller dan het licht en elk vijfde woord is Engels.)

(' Ik heb ook nog een paar bedrijven opgezet onder de Erasmus MC Holding, en die winst gebruik ik dan weer om bij calamiteiten dingen voor te financieren.')

Als de vogelgriep landt in Nederland, is dit laboratorium als een van de eerste op de hoogte. Daarvoor

hebben ze de afgelopen tien jaar een early warning system opgezet, een uitgebreid netwerk van vogelaars, kooikers en ornitologen die hier en op het Zweedse Öland poep verzamelen van trekvogels. Ron Fouchier trekt een vrieskist open die twintigduizend stuks vogelpoep bewaart bij min zeventig graden Celsius: keurig bijeengepakt in plastic doosjes. Een serie apparaten controleert ze stuk voor stuk op virussen, nieuwe en potentieel gevaarlijke soorten kweken ze op in bevruchte eieren. Zo beschikken de virologen over een radarscherm, waarop elke binnenkomst van griep wordt gemeld.

Vogelpoep

Tot nu toe werd de vogelpoep jaarlijks verzameld. Op verzoek van minister Veerman – die de schrik voor een nieuwe uitbraak deelt met Osterhaus en een ophokplicht instelde – gebeurt dat nu wekelijks. 'Wij hebben de beste data van Europa', zegt Osterhaus. 'Bijna alle emerging infections komen uit de dierenwereld: ebola, nipah, hendra, aids, Sars. Dan weer komen de H5' en, dan weer de H7' ens – die kun je met vogelpoep goed in de gaten houden.'

De griepgebieden liggen vooral in het zuidelijke deel van Rusland – vogels die naar Nederland trekken komen uit het noorden. 'Maar er is een kans dat ze elkaar in het winterseizoen tegenkomen en infecteren', zegt Ron Fouchier, 'en er zijn dwaalgasten genoeg.'

Hij wandelt door zijn domein. Laat vrieskisten zien, broedstoven, een lokaal vol witte jassen, waar gasbranders branden en popmuziek schalt. Langs kamers achter gewapend glas en gele driehoekige stickers met BIO HAZARD erop. Die ruimten zijn bedoeld voor de echt linke virussen. BSL3+: Bio safety Level 3 plus. 'Dat is', zegt Ron Fouchier, 'de een na hoogste gevarenzone.' Maar de luchtdruk binnen is verlaagd, de lucht wordt dubbel hepa-gefilterd. Die virussen kunnen dus niet naar buiten. 'Eng is alleen het onbekende. Dat je monsters van aan Sars overleden mensen binnenkrijgt en je weet niet waarom ze dood zijn.'

Hij komt Ab Osterhaus tegen, die door het laboratorium fladdert en zich opmaakt voor vertrek naar Brussel. Hij reist eenderde van zijn tijd. 'Hij is onze spreekbuis hè', zegt Fouchier. 'Wij leveren de informatie die hij dan mooi kan vertellen, haha.'

Tegen Osterhaus: 'Heb je de landkaart?'

'Ik ga er dadelijk even lekker mee puzzelen.'

In Brussel krijgt hij een dag later geen gelijk; het gevaar van de trekvogels is niet groot genoeg om nu al massaal met ophokken te beginnen, vinden zijn collega-deskundigen. Straks weten ze beter, vindt Ab Osterhaus, de viroloog met energie van drie virologen tegelijk. 'Ik ben benieuwd wat ze gaan zeggen als het virus doorschuift naar Europa.' Zie ook Kennis

post van: http://www.volkskrant.nl/

Patricia Paay is homomoeder 2011

2011-12-23T23:32:00.000-08:00

23 december 2011, Vrijdag

Patricia Paay is door homowebsite Gay.nl uitgeroepen tot homomoeder van 2011. La Paay moest het opnemen tegen Rita Verdonk en Marijke Helwegen, maar wist met grote afstand te winnen.

De 62-jarige Paay is erg populair in de gayscene, mede door haar aanwezigheid bij de afgelopen Gay Pride. Ze voer mee tijdens de Canal Parade, was gastjurylid bij de Mister Gay-verkiezing en bracht een eigen single uit: Gay Sera Sera.

Peter van der Vorst werd door de website uitgeroepen tot TV-icoon van het jaar. Hoofdredacteur Kristiaan Schimmel is van mening dat beide sterren hun nieuw titel meer dan verdienen. "Het leuke aan Paay is dat ze oprecht plezier heeft tijdens de gay uitjes. Ze stond te stralen op de Gay Pride-boot en had de grootste lol met 'Gay Sera Sera'. Peter van der Vorst is al jaren op tv en is zonder in negatieve zin op te vallen een zeer vertrouwd gezicht geworden. Met zijn interviewstijl dwingt hij respect af, zowel van de kijker als van degene die hij interviewt. Het afgelopen jaar kwam hij publiekelijk op voor zijn principes en kreeg daarvoor veel waardering vanuit de gay community."

De prijzen worden vrijdagavond door Frits Huffnagel uitgereikt in de homobar Ludwig II in Amsterdam.

Door: Katy
Foto's: AllAccess/ANP
post van: http://www.showbiznewz.nl/artikel_17511_patricia-paay-is-homomoeder-2011.html

Paay uitgeroepen tot homomoeder

2011-12-23T23:29:00.000-08:00

Patricia Paay is door de site Gay.nl uitgeroepen tot homomoeder van het jaar. De diva won met grote afstand van de twee andere genomineerden: Rita Verdonk en Marijke Helwegen. Ruim 5000 mensen hebben gestemd. Peter van der Vorst ik ook in de prijzen gevallen. De RTL-presentator werd verkozen tot tv-icoon van het jaar.

“Het leuke aan Paay is dat ze oprecht plezier heeft tijdens de gay uitjes. Ze stond te stralen op de Gay Pride-boot en had de grootste lol met ‘Gay Sera Sera’. Peter van der Vorst is al jaren op tv en is zonder in negatieve zin op te vallen een zeer vertrouwd gezicht geworden. Met zijn interviewstijl dwingt hij respect af, zowel van de kijker als van degene die hij interviewt. Het afgelopen jaar kwam hij publiekelijk op voor zijn principes en kreeg daarvoor veel waardering vanuit de gay community”, aldus Gay.nl-hoofdredacteur Kristiaan Schimmel.

Patricia en Peter nemen de prijzen in vrijdagavond in ontvangst.

post van:

Results tagged “robots” from Short Sharp Science

2009-11-07T08:17:00.001-08:00

What better way to celebrate the London Science Museum's centenary than with a chorus of "Happy Birthday", here sung in a particularly eerie way by three robots.We've written before about these robots, from the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research at the University of Plymouth, which can evolve their own musical language.Two put together start singing randomly at one another. But soon start to repeat only the sections of their own song that are similar to those produced by their partner. Given enough time the two robots begin to properly duet. Although probably not as tunefully as those serenading the Science Museum in the video in after continue reading link.

Six Net Neutrality Principles Proposed

2009-11-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. voted last week to start a process to formulate rules that could force Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to uphold six principles that would preserve net neutrality, or what the FCC terms "open Internet".
FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, said rules on net neutrality are necessary to protect innovations on the Internet and to preserve the kind of openness that has allowed the Internet to flourish. He said there have been situations in which ISPs have degraded data streams or even blocked access to lawful applications, and fair rules are necessary to avoid the potentially damaging consequences of having the openness of the Internet diminished.

Opponents, on the other hand, say the Internet has grown so rapidly because of the lack of rules and regulations, and that rules are not needed. Some opponents have also suggested that introducing rules could set a precedent for other countries to introduce regulations covering Internet use.

The principles suggested are that ISPs should allow users to:

1. send and receive all lawful content
2. use all lawful services and applications
3. use all lawful devices that do not damage the network
4. access all network, service, content and application providers

The principles will also ensure ISPs:

5. do not discriminate against lawful content, services, applications, or devices
6. reveal any practices that could limit the previous five principles

The rules have been sought by many large Internet companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon.com, many consumer advocacy groups such as Free Press and Public Knowledge, many members of the FCC, and Internet pioneers like David Reed and Vint Cerf. Supporters say that without rules ISPs will change their price structures to tiered systems with the highest level services out of the financial reach of many entrepreneurs wishing to start their own Internet businesses. Those in favor of rules are also worried that without them some applications, such as VoIP, could become unaffordable or could even be banned for many people, thus reducing their voice call options.

Opponents to proposed net neutrality rules include Internet providers such as Verizon and AT & T, who say the rules would prevent them charging more for premium services, and the higher charges provide the incentive for the investment in network upgrades to boost performance. The result could be either more expensive rates across the board, or paying for Internet traffic by the byte.

The proposed FCC rules would also have effects on businesses, especially those with a well-developed Internet presence. Higher flat rates would push up Internet access costs for business and customers alike, and could result in a decrease in demand for online services because of their increased expense. This could have especially serious effects on businesses such as websites selling high definition video downloads.

If the FCC's six principles are adopted the effects on home users could be higher monthly charges or higher costs for downloads, but they would still be able to make phone calls using Internet services such as Skype, which would not be blocked. If the rules are not adopted, ISPs are likely to limit bandwidth and VoIP (especially as some large ISPs are also voice carriers, which are threatened by online phone services).

Republican Senator John McCain (Ariz), is opposed to the rules, and has introduced a bill to block them, while President Barack Obama has placed net neutrality rules as among his top priorities. A vote on the proposed rules will take place in 2010.

High-Energy Batteries Coming to Market

2009-11-07T08:15:00.002-08:00

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries can store three times the energy of a lithium-ion battery.

A Swiss company says it has developed rechargeable zinc-air batteries that can store three times the energy of lithium ion batteries, by volume, while costing only half as much. ReVolt, of Staefa, Switzerland, plans to sell small "button cell" batteries for hearing aids starting next year and to incorporate its technology into ever larger batteries, introducing cell-phone and electric bicycle batteries in the next few years. It is also starting to develop large-format batteries for electric vehicles.

The battery design is based on technology developed at SINTEF, a research institute in Trondheim, Norway. ReVolt was founded to bring it to market and so far has raised 24 million euros in investment. James McDougal, the company's CEO, says that the technology overcomes the main problem with zinc-air rechargeable batteries--that they typically stop working after relatively few charges. If the technology can be scaled up, zinc-air batteries could make electric vehicles more practical by lowering their costs and increasing their range.

Unlike conventional batteries, which contain all the reactants needed to generate electricity, zinc-air batteries rely on oxygen from the atmosphere to generate current. In the late 1980s they were considered one of the most promising battery technologies because of their high theoretical energy-storage capacity, says Gary Henriksen, manager of the electrochemical energy storage department at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. The battery chemistry is also relatively safe because it doesn't require volatile materials, so zinc-air batteries are not prone to catching fire like lithium-ion batteries.

Scubacraft explores surface and depths

2009-11-07T08:15:00.001-08:00

-- The vehicle shown above may be both yellow and submersible, but please don't call it a submarine. It's a Scubacraft, the first self-contained submersible that's also a capable surface watercraft.

The brainchild of engineers and entrepreneurs from Wales, Scubacraft uses an internal-combustion engine to reach a dive site where it can descend to a maximum depth of about 100 feet. "The experience is simply exhilarating," Scubacraft sales and marketing director James Browne told Wired.com. "Nothing else can compare to traveling to a dive site at 50 mph and then powering effortlessly under the water."

It's not a pressurized submarine, which means that those on board must wear scuba gear before submersion. With no cranes needed to lower the craft below water and no boat needed to carry it out to sea, a Scubacraft is significantly more versatile and less expensive than similarly sized submarines. Scubacraft won't say how much the craft costs, but other sources put the figure at $164,000.

That's a lot of cash, but Browne says you might recoup pretty quickly. While the company isn't ignoring the lucrative Dr. No-wannabe market, Browne says that Scubacraft ownership "presents a range of commercial applications, as well as the opportunity [to] offer people underwater adventure tours and generate revenue."

Beyond underwater tourism, Browne says film producers are especially interested. A future Scubacraft concept even features a dedicated filming platform that hopefully will be used for IMAX nature films, not Waterworld 2.

"We are actively engaged with a number of film producers who have expressed interest in using it as a filming platform due to the unique opportunities it presents in being able to track subjects on the surface and then enter underwater," Browne said. "This ability has never before been available in the film and television industry."

The company will eventually offer two models: the SC3, currently in prototype form, and a larger SC6 that has yet to be built. Both will use internal-combustion engines on the surface; batteries will power electric thrusters underwater. As a precaution against the bends, computerized "automatic depth control" ensures that the Scubacraft won't descend or climb too quickly.

Browne says that in the week Scubacraft has been on sale, "the response has been simply overwhelming. We are working our way through these inquiries and actively engaging with prospective customers to specify their requirements."

Protecting the World's Fresh Water

2009-11-07T08:14:00.002-08:00

If humanity can start the process of Earth restoration this year by agreeing to pursue aggressive pollution reduction targets for gaseous emissions like CO2 and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) when the U.N. Delegates meet in Bali in December, then another challenge will be the conservation of fresh water throughout the world.

Some of the best global water management technology companies comes out of the Netherlands as their engineers have been managing the flow, distribution, and the protection of their water resources for over 2000 years. The Frisians who settled in the Netherlands built the first dykes, which were called terpens.

Prince Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands Royal Family is working in conjunction with the United Nations to tackle the improvement of the global fresh water issues that exist today. Over 2.6 billion people in the world lack sanitation control of their water resources, and this represents 40% of the global population. On November 21, the United Nations launched 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation, with one of the goals being to reduce by 50% within 15 years the number of people in the world who lack water management resources.

Today, the Dutch are working hard to consolidate and export their water technology management processes to other parts of the world. The water industry is a big business and a very important aspect towards the conservation of global ecosystems. Water treatment plants are in poor condition or nonexistent in some heavily populated areas and this affects drinking water, and the local plant and animal species, when untreated sewage is allowed to flow into lakes, rivers, seas and oceans.

Water treatment will become a growth industry for the Dutch and at the same time they will be helping humanity throughout the world. This is just one example of the new Environmental Economy that is becoming part of 21st century economics.

Welcome to the Future of Human Spaceflight

2009-11-07T08:14:00.001-08:00

On April 28, 2001, Dennis Tito, a California-based multi-millionaire, became the first ever space tourist. Launched into space in a Russian Soyuz capsule, Tito proved that traveling beyond Earth's gravity was not just the province of a select few, but that anyone with drive, determination - and at this point in history, a lot of money - could become an astronaut.
Space tourism is a fledgling industry, born out of necessity, yet driven by the same curiosity and ambition that took humanity to the Moon; it appears to be here to stay. In Russia, Europe and the United States, private companies are already vying to become space tourism leaders. SPACE.com welcomes the next great Space Race.

Massive Gene Database Planned in California

2009-11-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

The data will be compared against electronic health records and patients' personal information.

Plans for genetic analyses of 100,000 older Californians--the first time genetic data will be generated for such a large and diverse group--will accelerate research into environmental and genetic causes of disease, researchers say.

"This is a force multiplier with respect to genome-wide association studies," says Cathy Schaefer, a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente, a health-care provider based in Oakland, CA, whose patients will be involved. Researchers will be able to study the data and seek insights into the interplay between genes, the environment, and disease, thanks to access to detailed electronic health records, patient surveys, and even records of environmental conditions where the patients live and work.

"The importance of this project is that it will, almost overnight--well, in two years--produce a very large amount of genetic and phenotypic data that a large number of investigators and scientists can begin asking questions of, rather than having to gather data first," Schaefer says.

The effort will make use of existing saliva samples taken from California patients, whose average age is 65. Their DNA will be analyzed for 700,000 genetic variations called single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, using array analysis technology from Affymetrix in Santa Clara, CA. Through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the resulting information will be available to other researchers, along with a trove of patient data including patients' Kaiser Permanente electronic health records, information about the air and water quality in their neighborhoods, and surveys about their lifestyles.

The result will be the largest genetic health research platform of its kind, says Schaefer, who directs Kaiser Permanente's research program on genes, the environment, and health. The study is being undertaken together with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with a $25 million, two-year NIH grant that tapped federal stimulus funds allocated earlier this year.

Norwegian Cruises

2009-09-08T17:56:00.001-07:00

Norwegian Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line is proud to present Freestyle Cruising to all its valued guests. For the first time ever, enjoy open seating dining where you can dine whenever and with whomever you wish. Don't want to pack formal wear on your vacation? With the new resort casual evening attire, you no longer have to

Princess Cruises

2009-09-08T17:55:00.002-07:00

Princess Cruises is one of the most, if not the most recognized cruise line in the world. Who can forget Issac the bartender, right? Today, Princess has raised cruising to a whole new level, with spacious and accommodating ships packed with amenities.

Cunard Cruises

2009-09-08T17:55:00.001-07:00

It was a more civilized era, the golden age of sea travel. Crossing the ocean was a grand event unto itself, the very embodiment of sophistication and privilege. And traveling Cunard was what one naturally chose for such a voyage. Cunard's glorious ocean liners were floating palaces of art deco splendor and Edwardian excess, surrounding guests with every comfort and luxury.

Crystal Cruises

2009-09-08T17:54:00.002-07:00

Think of the farthest corners of the world connected by a smooth and shining sea. Imagine that a floating luxury resort, filled with everything you ever could desire, is waiting to carry you on the journey of your dreams. Crystal Cruises takes pride in navigating that magical highway of the sea, transporting you to the best the world has to offer.

Costa Cruises

2009-09-08T17:54:00.001-07:00

Costa Cruises enjoys the reputation of being Europe's number one cruise line. The Italian company, with its North American headquarters in Miami, has been hosting passengers since 1948, when the line switched from its business of transporting olive oil to a passenger line.

2009-09-08T17:52:00.001-07:00

At age 15, Prinsendam has seen the world. More than once! Designed for upscale worldwide cruising as flagship of the now defunct Royal Viking Line, she was constructed at Wärtsilä Marine's Helsinki shipyard and entered service as the widely acclaimed Royal Viking Sun in December of 1989. At the time, the ship was the epitome of luxury with her huge single seating dining room, lap pool, large standard staterooms with walk-in closets and bath tubs, plus some of the most extravagant balconied suites afloat. In 1994, Royal Viking Line was taken over by Cunard. Once Cunard joined the Carnival family a few years later, a tonnage reshuffle brought Royal Viking Sun to the five-star Seabourn fleet as Seabourn Sun. That career move didn't really work out as the 37,845 ton, 793-guest vessel proved difficult to market amongst Seabourn 200-guest super yachts.

2009-09-08T17:50:00.004-07:00

She is big. She is bold. And whether she is beautiful remains to be seen as we travel to Southampton, England on a sunny day in May, 2001 to witness the birth of a new Princess. At 108,865 gross register tons, Golden Princess is not exactly a lightweight, but after getting to know Princess Cruises' new baby it seems she was well worth the 2 year pregnancy. Delivered well in time for her spring debut, Italian builders Fincantieri managed to create a stunning sister to the 1998-delivered Grand Princess. Costing an amazing US$ 450 million, Golden Princess spent her first summer in Mediterranean waters before heading to Florida for a winter in the warm Caribbean.

2009-09-08T17:50:00.003-07:00

Princess Cruises goes global! The wind-blown coiffure of the “sea witch” that became world-famous in the TV hit show “The Love Boat” can these days been seen on dozens of funnels in hundreds of far-flung ports around the world. And just as bold as Princess Cruises' global conquest is their ship design. When Grand Princess, first of the 100,000+ ton Grand Class vessels, entered service comparisons with a floating shopping cart were often made. Making good use of her futuristic looks Star Princess, the third in the series, was welcomed with open arms for a maiden call at the port of Rotterdam on May 12, 2005. A good opportunity for ShipParade.com to go "star gazing" on board!

2009-09-08T17:50:00.001-07:00

Amid huge fireworks displays and to Calypso beats, Oceana made her debut in the P&O Cruises fleet on Friday 1 November, 2002 as she set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Quite unusual for the British cruise line, Oceana debuted in the Americas rather than her traditional European home waters. But then, Oceana has a distinctively American background, having previously sailed for P&O subsidiary Princess Cruises as Ocean Princess. Today, her American legacy makes Oceana the most "buzzing" ship in the very British P&O Cruises fleet, catering to a largely British crowd looking for the ship that has it all. Oceana sure seems to fit the bill! She can be found sailing from Ft. Lauderdale this winter on attractive 14-day cruises before returning to Europe next spring to pick up her season of 6- to 17-dIn true P&O style, the 550 seat Footlights Theatre is being used as a fully fledged cinema during the day, so we tip-toe through the gently sloping room that offers all guests an uninterrupted view of the large stage. The cruise line is well known for offering good-quality production shows specifically aimed at their large UK following. Next door is the delightful Yacht & Compass, a watering hole in the true sense of the word. Done in an attractive old-fashioned maritime style with colorful carpeting and deep leather chairs, an inviting bar and lots of wood paneling, this room is arguably one of the most popular places on board. Across the atrium is the Le Club, the ship's disco.ay cruises from Southampton

2009-09-08T17:49:00.005-07:00

It was a memorable day at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard. On July 16, 2005 more than 2,000 invited guests flocked to the northern Italian town from all corners of the earth to board Carnival Cruise Lines' newest "Fun Ship", the 110,239 ton Carnival Liberty. That same afternoon, the giant vessel set off on a short pre-inaugural voyage to Dubrovnik and her summer home of Civitavecchia, signaling the starIn 33 years, Carnival Cruise Lines have grown from a one-ship budget operation to being the most popular cruise line on earth, strongly drawing on millions of die-hard Carnival fans in the Americas. So, what has made them so successful? First and foremost, Carnival has always managed to deliver what they promise: an upbeat cruise experience on well-designed ships that are a destination in themselves. Better call them "Fun Ships", a brilliant marketing slogan that has worked for decades and still says it all. t of a sell-out Mediterranean season.

2009-09-08T17:49:00.004-07:00

Choosing the right cruise vacation can be a little problematic. After all, what are you looking for? Is it the floating high rise hotel with its soaring atrium, ice skating rink or bowling alley? Or the cozy seagoing inn where you feel among family and where all these modern creature comforts suddenly seem less important?

Personally, I think both ways of cruising can be fun, but when discussing the possibility of going on a cruise to Norway with my good friend Lucy and my 81-year old father, choosing Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines seemed obvious. After all, the typical mix of Norwegian officers, Philippine service staff and a mature British clientele proved to be a winning combination on my
previous Fred. Olsen cruises. Cruising with older Brits is really a treat; in times where many people seem completely preoccupied with getting their money's worth, it is rather refreshing to see people relax and really enjoy the art of traveling.

2009-09-08T17:49:00.003-07:00

The second-ever cruise ship I visited back in 1980 was Royal Viking Sky, one of three ultra-deluxe sisters of Norwegian Royal Viking Line. Now, 28 years later, Royal Viking Sky has found a good new Norwegian home at family-owned Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. After a complete renovation, Fred. Olsen renamed her Boudicca. I visited the ship during an unexpected call at IJmuiden, Netherlands on May 31, 2008.

2009-09-08T17:49:00.001-07:00

The success story of MSC Cruises reads like a novel. In a world where cruise lines are multinational companies run by invisible boards of directors that have no apparent links to shipping, it is quite refreshing to see that MSC Cruises is very much a family affair. As Italian as Ferrari and cappuccino, the whole Aponte family turned up for the naming ceremony of their latest musical masterpiece MSC Orchestra at St. Nazaire on May 3, 2007.

2009-09-08T17:48:00.002-07:00

2009-09-08T17:48:00.001-07:00

In 1966, Norwegian ship owner Knut Kloster and Miami-based Arison family formed NCL and changed the face of the cruise industry by offering the first fly-cruises out of Miami. Now, 40 years later, Norwegian Cruise Line is back - stronger than ever. The line's new owners (Star Cruises of Malaysia) have invested heavily to once again make NCL one of the front runners in today's demanding cruise industry. And from what I have seen, they will certainly succeed.