Over one million people sailed from New York’s three ports (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty, Bayonne, NJ) in 2007, according to the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and that number is expected to increase in 2008.

Since 9/11 the number of ships and passengers increased to the point that additional berthing facilities were opened in Red Hook, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey. Today every major cruise line has several ships that home port in New York for extended seasons of voyages ranging from a one-day party cruise to a 100+-day circumnavigation of the globe.

Four cruise lines (Cunard Line, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line) have year-round service from New York. Itineraries range from one-day party cruises to a 99-day full circumnavigation of the globe. Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 continues the tradition of regularly scheduled transatlantic service between New York and Southampton.

Picks for the best Ships and Itineraries of 2008/09:

BEST CRUISE LINES AND SHIPS

The New York Star: Queen Mary 2. Ballroom dancing to a live orchestra, high tea perfectly served, scholarly guest lecturers, a dog kennel and the ultimate in creature comforts keep the British maritime heritage alive and well.

Best Ships for Families: Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas. A big kid pleaser due to her rock climbing wall, roller blading, ice-skating and private teen club, Explorer of the Seas is hugely popular with cruisers of all ages.

Top Luxury Ship: Crystal Symphony (Crystal Cruises) Boasting the top levels of food and service, penthouse suites with private butlers and onboard enrichment programs, Crystal Symphony steals the show in luxury cruising.

Best Itineraries: Princess Cruises’ Caribbean and Canada/New England cruises from Brooklyn.

Best Ships For Laid-back People: Norwegian Cruise Line. this cruise line’s popular Freestyle Cruising program means you may opt to dine in numerous restaurants when and with whom you please. and, no tuxes required.

Best Onboard Dining Program: Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess. Princess offers the choice of single open seating dining or traditional two seating dining plus a Lido Restaurant that serves great food 24 hours per day.

BEST ITINERARIES OF 2008/09

Caribbean: (Princess) Caribbean Princess sails on nine-day Eastern Caribbean voyages round-trip from Brooklyn to Bermuda, Grand Turk, San Juan and St. Thomas

Bermuda: (Royal Caribbean & NCL Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas sails on six-day Bermuda cruises from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ and Norwegian Cruise Line’ Norwegian Dawn makes seven-day Bermuda voyages from Manhattan

Canada/New England: (Princess) Princess’s Sea Princess sails on ten-night cruises between Brooklyn and Quebec City (with an overnight stay aboard the ship). Ports of call are Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown

Europe: Six-night transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton aboard Queen Mary 2

Short Cruise: Aug. 29, 2008 three-night cruise to nowhere aboard Holland America’s brand new Eurodam sailing from Manhattan.

Best Long Cruise: Sea Princess’ 14-day Iceland & Greenland voyage from Southampton, U.k., to Brooklyn Aug. 30, 2008. Bergen, Norway; Shetland Islands, Scotland; Faroe Islands, Denmark; Iceland; Nanortalik, Greenland; St. Johns, Nova Scotia.

World Cruise: Queen Victoria sails from New York to Barcelona on a 99-day World Cruise departing Jan. 10, 2009. the ship visits Curacao; Guatemala; Cabo San Lucas; Los Angeles; Honolulu; Tonga; New Zealand; Australia; New Guinea; Japan; China; Hong Kong; Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore; India; Dubai; Jordan; Egypt; Turkey; Greece; Rome; Barcelona.

New York Cruises – Best Ships & Itineraries of 2008 – 2009

David Gonski is expected to be named within hours by the federal government as the new chairman of the $70 billion Future Fund.

The name Gonski has been synonymous with power and influence in Sydney for three decades. many of Australia’s power circles in business, arts and society intersect with the South African immigrant.

He has been an advisor and had the ear of the richest men in the country, including Westfield founder Frank Lowy, the late Kerry Packer, Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Stokes.

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He is the chairman of the Sydney Theatre Company and the University of NSW and counts Cate Blanchett as his admirers. It’s estimated that Gonski sits on more than 40 boards.

Most recently, Gonski was the author of the long-running review of school funding, delivered earlier this month to the Government.

In a 2010 profile, author Malcolm Knox described Gonski as ‘‘a quiet man, in some ways invisible, and cleaves to the shadows. If he were to draw a self-portrait, Gonski would get more use out of an eraser than a pencil’’.

But Gonski’s clinging to the shadows has also attracted controversy.

At the 2010 announcement of the Singapore Stock Exchange’s takeover of the Australian Stock Exchange, the ASX chairman was nowhere to be seen at the most historic day in the national bourse’s history.

It was noteworthy because of Gonski’s links to Singapore, including sitting as a director on the board of Singapore Airlines, owned 25 per cent by the Singapore government.

Gonski was seven when his family moved from Cape Town South Africa to Sydney in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre. he attended Sydney Grammar School, a year ahead of Malcolm Turnbull, and is now chairman of the college.

He set up boutique corporate advisory business Wentworth Capital which was bought by South African giant Investec.

He had one stint at running a business, when Frank Lowy lured him to help invest in assets such as Ten Network.

While it was a disaster for Lowy, Gonski survived with few scars. Lowy was one of his principal investors when he set up Wentworth.

His appointment to the board of the Future Fund raises questions about his position on the boards of several blue chip companies including the ASX.

Sydney bigwig to head Future Fund

The Greens have accused the Queensland government and Gladstone Ports Corporation of playing down dredging impacts in Gladstone harbour.

An interim report, by fisheries veterinarian and Sydney University lecturer Matt Landos, says the government has underestimated turtle deaths and failed to conduct proper monitoring in the harbour.

The report was commissioned by the Gladstone Fishing Research Fund and paid for by public donations and fishermen after marine life began falling ill in the harbour.

Australian Greens environment spokeswoman Larissa Waters says the first report to be released by a body other than the Queensland government or Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) backs up what the central Queensland town’s residents and fishermen have long suspected.

‘There is still an ecological crisis in Gladstone harbour,’ Senator Waters told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

‘We’ve still got sick fish, sick crabs, a sick turtle, various different sick sharks.

‘There’s still something going terribly wrong in Gladstone harbour and yet the Queensland government is still trying to say that everything’s fine.’

Senator Waters hit out at the federal government for not doing anything to halt the dredging, despite the harbour being in a World Heritage area.

One protester took matters into his own hands on Wednesday to stop the port’s dredging work, chaining himself to a dredge in the harbour.

Friends of the Earth activist Mark ‘Potts’ Driscoll’s protest coincided with the last day of a visit by a delegation from the United Nations environmental arm UNESCO.

It’s here to look at threats to the reef and, based on its recommendations, the World Heritage Committee will decide in June whether to list the reef as a World Heritage Site in Danger.

Friends of the Earth spokesman Drew Hutton said the action was necessary to remind Queensland election voters, ahead of the March 24 poll, of the importance of preserving the great Barrier Reef.

‘The dredging activities in Gladstone are a crime against the environment,’ Mr Hutton said in a statement.

‘The LNG (liquefied natural gas) facilities in Gladstone are another part in the destructive coal seam gas industry in Queensland.

‘This industry is destroying our farmland, polluting our water systems, and killing the great Barrier Reef.’

A ports spokeswoman told AAP the protest did not severely impact on or halt operations.

The protest came as a Galaxy Poll, released on Wednesday, showed 91 per cent of Australians oppose federal government plans to charge for the right to dump dredge spoil in the great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke is considering a proposal to charge between $5 and $15 for each cubic metre of spoil disposed of in the marine park.

Mr Burke says some spoils are already dumped within the marine park, but only as a last resort and under strict conditions, and those doing it should have to pay.

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Qld govt blasted over dredging

Six different players notched kills and five came up with at least one ace Thursday for the Norris City-Omaha Elementary volleyball team in a 25-9, 25-19 victory at Wayne City.

the win raised coach Becky Tucker's Jr. Lady Cardinals to a sterling record of 19-1 on the season.

Emily Edwards, Sydney Tucker, Riley Cozart and Shealyn Healy had three kills each, Madison Roberson two and Savannah Simmons one.  Edwards also had a block.

Edwards racked up a team-high 13 points, including six aces.  S. Tucker had 11 (five aces), Simmons eight (three aces), Healy seven (four aces), Cozart seven (one ace) and Roberson four.

Coach Crystal Anderson's NCO jayvee team ran its record to 15-2 with a 25-23, 25-27, 15-11 victory Thursday.

Ashley Ellison put down three kills for the victors, while Ally Black had two, and Stormy Baker and Lixi Wheeler one each.

Baker finished with 13 total points (three aces), Black 11 (three aces), Ellison nine, Shelby Melendez eight (one ace), Lex'Cee Breen seven (one ace), Wheeler six (three aces), MacKenzie Melton five, Brooklyn Moore three (one ace) and Britt Peyton three.

NCO also won the "C" game.

the Jr. Lady Cardinals' varsity team will participate in the Little Greater Egyptian Conference tournament on Saturday in Crab Orchard, where they will face either Gallatin County or Galatia at 11 a.m.

Six different players notched kills and five came up with at least one ace Thursday for the Norris City-Omaha Elementary volleyball team in a 25-9, 25-19 victory at Wayne City.

the win raised coach Becky Tucker's Jr. Lady Cardinals to a sterling record of 19-1 on the season.

Emily Edwards, Sydney Tucker, Riley Cozart and Shealyn Healy had three kills each, Madison Roberson two and Savannah Simmons one.  Edwards also had a block.

Edwards racked up a team-high 13 points, including six aces.  S. Tucker had 11 (five aces), Simmons eight (three aces), Healy seven (four aces), Cozart seven (one ace) and Roberson four.

Coach Crystal Anderson's NCO jayvee team ran its record to 15-2 with a 25-23, 25-27, 15-11 victory Thursday.

Ashley Ellison put down three kills for the victors, while Ally Black had two, and Stormy Baker and Lixi Wheeler one each.

Baker finished with 13 total points (three aces), Black 11 (three aces), Ellison nine, Shelby Melendez eight (one ace), Lex'Cee Breen seven (one ace), Wheeler six (three aces), MacKenzie Melton five, Brooklyn Moore three (one ace) and Britt Peyton three.

NCO also won the "C" game.

the Jr. Lady Cardinals' varsity team will participate in the Little Greater Egyptian Conference tournament on Saturday in Crab Orchard, where they will face either Gallatin County or Galatia at 11 a.m.

Jr. Lady Cards cruise to win at Wayne City

One of Australia’s highest events spaces, the Harbour Room at InterContinental Sydney has undergone a major transformation into a stylish venue reminiscent of an intimate city lounge-bar.

Located on Level 31 of the hotel, the Harbour Room has a new look and feel incorporating rich upholstery, clusters of chrome LED light fittings and cosy lounge spaces overlooking the Botanic Gardens, Opera House and Sydney Harbour.

The venue’s two-tiered layout has been enhanced by the new design, with hanging lights, imported metallic flooring and a private bar on the elevated deck, and a rich olive green carpet and window seating with harbour views on the lower deck.

InterContinental Sydney has also introduced a new range of furnishings available for events which add to the lounge-bar atmosphere, including marble-top coffee tables, charcoal-coloured armchairs, black-and-white striped cushion, metallic side tables and a series of black-and-white photographic artworks.

The new Harbour Room was created by renowned Australian interior designers, Nic Graham + Associates, working to the concept of a sleek venue offering both space and intimacy, with unusual finishes and energy-efficient LED lighting, while making use of the abundance of natural light.

One of 15 character-filled events spaces at the hotel, the Harbour Room is available for meetings and dining experiences (including French-inspired degustation dinners with matching wines) for up to 40 guests and cocktail parties and receptions for up to 100 guests.

InterContinental Sydney’s other events and meetings venues range in size from recently-refurbished boardrooms to the spacious James Cook Ballroom in the heritage Treasury Building for events of up to 450 people cocktail-style.

Intercontinental Sydney Unveils New Harbour Room – ETBMICE

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THE registration of a sinking boat in Sydney Harbour was cancelled late last year because the vessel was not seaworthy, it can be revealed.

The Harbour Queen – previously a commercial charter vessel — began to sink last night at its berth on the eastern side in Blackwattle Bay.

It was tilting dramatically to its side, but is now resting is the shallows of the harbour.

Maritime Boating Safety Officers are on site inspecting the vessel and speaking to witnesses.

“the exact reasons for the sinking are unclear but the vessel’s bilge pump appears to have failed,” NSW Maritime spokesman Neil Patchett said.

“Maritime, a division of Roads and Maritime services, cancelled the survey and registration licences for this vessel on 23 December due to ongoing concerns about the safe and responsible management of the vessel.”

A number of incidents caused the cancellation of the registration, mr Patchett said.

Sources said the vessel may have hit rocks as it was being moved last night.

It could take a number of days to salvage the vessel.

“whilst there is no visible sign of pollution, an anti-pollution boom is being installed around the vessel as a precaution,” mr Patchett said.

“it is not a hazard to navigation.”

Maritime will closely monitor the situation and will liaise with the marina operator and vessel owner regarding salvage, he said.

The owner of the vessel has not returned calls this morning.

Commercial charter boat sinking in Sydney Harbour

Miss Country Lady AustraliaImage by Eva Rinaldi Superstar and Stay Songs PhotographerWoman’s Day miss Country Lady Australia on Sydney Harbour

Later tonight 30 spectacular finalists from across regional Australia will contend at the Countrywide last in the 2011 Woman’s Day miss Region Woman Australia to be held on Sydney Harbour on board the deluxe cruise ship, Bella Vista.

Woman’s Day and Channel Nine’s The Today Show have prolonged their assist for young place girls seeking options in the modelling and style industry with above 2000 aspiring younger types competing in a regional roadshow. The 30 finalists have been picked and will show up at this prestigious event with the hope to be transformed from nation woman to supermodel and be signed with Scoop Management (a subsidiary of Stylish Administration). The winner will also look on Channel Nine’s The right now Display the adhering to morning and appear in a four-webpage vogue unfold in Woman’s Day.

The cocktail fashion occasion will be hosted by Australia’s following Top Model mentor, Josh Flinn who will present the new faces of the 2012 Australian modelling sector to over 300 friends, celebs and media. The event will start with a fantastic forever New style parade vocally complimented by internationally signed McKenzie Comer. Regional models will then function in the swimwear parade sponsored by Seafolly Australia followed by a parade in evening gowns.

WHAT: WOMAN’S DAY Skip place Lady AUSTRALIA

WHO: Predicted friends consist of: Ursula Hufnagl (Stylish Management), Kerri Chow (Seafolly Australia), Grace Doyle (Woman’s Day), Leea Charleswood (Scoop Administration), Katie Jones (Woman’s Day miss Country Lady Australia), Josh Flynn (ANTM), McKenzie Comer, Jay Lyon (The Town), Sandor Earl (Penrith Panthers), Andrew Lawson (The X Issue), Troy Thompson (Elegance &amp The Geek), Samantha Brett (Sam in the Town), Mitchell Callaway (The X Aspect).

WHEN: MONDAY DECEMBER fiveRed carpet photograph opportunities – six:30pm – 7:00pmHarbour Cruise – seven:00pm – 10:30pmFinalists presented and forever New show starts – 7:20pm

The place: BELLA VISTA – DELUXE CRUISE BOATKing Avenue Wharf, Darling Harbour (in front of Cargo Bar)

Be viewing out for the Songs Information Australia and Eva Rinaldi Photography adhere to up reports later on tonight.

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Sea Follywww.seafolly.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickrwww.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

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Audio Information Australiawww.musicnewsaustralia.com

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Miss Nation Girl AustraliaImage by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Dwell Tunes PhotographerWoman’s Day miss Region Lady Australia on Sydney Harbour

Afterwards tonight thirty spectacular finalists from throughout regional Australia will compete at the Nationwide Ultimate in the 2011 Woman’s Day Skip place Woman Australia to be held on Sydney Harbour on board the deluxe cruise ship, Bella Vista.

Woman’s Day and Channel Nine’s The Nowadays Display have extended their support for young region females in search of possibilities in the modelling and fashion industry with above 2000 aspiring youthful types competing in a regional roadshow. The thirty finalists have been chosen and will go to this prestigious occasion with the hope to be transformed from place woman to supermodel and be signed with Scoop Management (a subsidiary of Chic Administration). The winner will also seem on Channel Nine’s The Today Demonstrate the adhering to morning and look in a four-page fashion spread in Woman’s Day.

The cocktail design celebration will be hosted by Australia’s following Leading Design mentor, Josh Flinn who will existing the refreshing faces of the 2012 Australian modelling business to above 300 pals, famous people and media. The celebration will commence with a amazing forever New vogue parade vocally complimented by internationally signed McKenzie Comer. Regional versions will then feature in the swimwear parade sponsored by Seafolly Australia followed by a parade in night gowns.

WHAT: WOMAN’S DAY Skip Country Woman AUSTRALIA

WHO: Expected guests incorporate: Ursula Hufnagl (Stylish Management), Kerri Chow (Seafolly Australia), Grace Doyle (Woman’s Day), Leea Charleswood (Scoop Management), Katie Jones (Woman’s Day miss Country Lady Australia), Josh Flynn (ANTM), McKenzie Comer, Jay Lyon (The City), Sandor Earl (Penrith Panthers), Andrew Lawson (The X Issue), Troy Thompson (Beauty &amp The Geek), Samantha Brett (Sam in the City), Mitchell Callaway (The X Issue).

WHEN: MONDAY DECEMBER fiveRed carpet picture options – 6:30pm – seven:00pmHarbour Cruise – 7:00pm – ten:30pmFinalists presented and forever New present commences – seven:20pm

The place: BELLA VISTA – DELUXE CRUISE BOATKing Street Wharf, Darling Harbour (in front of Cargo Bar)

Be observing out for the Music Information Australia and Eva Rinaldi Photography adhere to up studies afterwards tonight.

Woman’s Daywww.womansday.ninemsn.com.au

ACP Publicationswww.acpmagazines.com.au

Chic Managementwww.chicmanagement.com.au

Scoop Managementwww.scoopmanagement.com.au

Sea Follywww.seafolly.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickrwww.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photographywww.evarinaldi.com

Media Guy Newswww.mediamannews.com

Music Information Australiawww.musicnewsaustralia.com

Splash Informationwww.splashnews.com

Hollywood Treatmentwww.hollywood-treatment.com

Katie JonesPicture by Eva Rinaldi Movie star and Live Tunes PhotographerWoman’s Day Skip Country Lady Australia on Sydney Harbour

Later on tonight thirty beautiful finalists from throughout regional Australia will compete at the National Ultimate in the 2011 Woman’s Day Skip place Girl Australia to be held on Sydney Harbour on board the deluxe cruise ship, Bella Vista.

Woman’s Day and Channel Nine’s The These days Display have extended their help for youthful nation women looking for options in the modelling and vogue sector with above 2000 aspiring younger types competing in a regional roadshow. The thirty finalists have been selected and will show up at this prestigious function with the hope to be transformed from country girl to supermodel and be signed with Scoop Management (a subsidiary of Chic Management). The winner will also seem on Channel Nine’s The Today Demonstrate the following early morning and seem in a four-web page trend unfold in Woman’s Day.

The cocktail design celebration will be hosted by Australia’s up coming Top Model mentor, Josh Flinn who will present the fresh faces of the 2012 Australian modelling business to above 300 friends, celebs and media. The function will start off with a fantastic forever New trend parade vocally complimented by internationally signed McKenzie Comer. Regional models will then attribute in the swimwear parade sponsored by Seafolly Australia followed by a parade in night gowns.

WHAT: WOMAN’S DAY Skip Nation Woman AUSTRALIA

WHO: Expected guests incorporate: Ursula Hufnagl (Chic Management), Kerri Chow (Seafolly Australia), Grace Doyle (Woman’s Day), Leea Charleswood (Scoop Management), Katie Jones (Woman’s Day miss Nation Girl Australia), Josh Flynn (ANTM), McKenzie Comer, Jay Lyon (The Metropolis), Sandor Earl (Penrith Panthers), Andrew Lawson (The X Issue), Troy Thompson (Beauty &amp The Geek), Samantha Brett (Sam in the Town), Mitchell Callaway (The X Element).

WHEN: MONDAY DECEMBER fiveRed carpet picture opportunities – 6:30pm – 7:00pmHarbour Cruise – 7:00pm – 10:30pmFinalists presented and Eternally New display begins – 7:20pm

Exactly where: BELLA VISTA – DELUXE CRUISE BOATKing Avenue Wharf, Darling Harbour (in entrance of Cargo Bar)

Be seeing out for the Audio News Australia and Eva Rinaldi Photography stick to up reports later on tonight.

Woman’s Daywww.womansday.ninemsn.com.au

ACP Publicationswww.acpmagazines.com.au

Chic Managementwww.chicmanagement.com.au

Scoop Managementwww.scoopmanagement.com.au

Sea Follywww.seafolly.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickrwww.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photographywww.evarinaldi.com

Media Guy Newswww.mediamannews.com

Tunes Information Australiawww.musicnewsaustralia.com

Splash Newswww.splashnews.com

Hollywood Treatmentwww.hollywood-treatment.com

Miss Country Girl Australia

AHMED RACHID stepped aboard a P&O cruise ship in the Caribbean last month with a suitcase in hand.

But when the 28-year-old Australian stepped off at a port in San Francisco, he was in US police custody.

Police allegedly found mr Rachid’s suitcase stuffed with cocaine.

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The holidaymaker was charged on January 25 with smuggling 7.9 kilograms of cocaine on board the luxury cruiser, Aurora.

Two New Zealanders, Tony Earl Wilkinson, 42, and Kirsty Harris, 25, were also arrested after 5.8 kilograms of cocaine was allegedly found in their cabin.

An altercation between mr Rachid and Ms Harris led to the discovery of the drugs, said special agent Craig Hyatt, of the US Homeland Security investigations, Fairfax Media’s website stuff.co.nz reported.

Mr Rachid reportedly told agents that while sightseeing in Curacao on January 16, he was approached by a Hispanic man who arranged for him to transport cocaine to Australia.

The plan had been that on his arrival in Sydney, mr Rachid would be paid after contacting an associate of the Hispanic man.

He allegedly said he had smuggled seven bundles of cocaine to his cabin. he appeared in San Francisco’s Federal Court on January 31. his next court appearance is in May.

Australian’s cruise ship drug arrest