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Port Everglades prepares party for new ocean liner fit for a queen



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 23rd, 2004, 01:57 AM
fishman
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Default Port Everglades prepares party for new ocean liner fit for a queen

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business...,0,4946519.sto
ry?coll=sfla-business-front

By Tom Stieghorst
Business Writer
Posted January 22 2004


Queen Mary 2, the first new trans-Atlantic liner built in 35 years, debuts
next week in Fort Lauderdale, and South Florida is greeting her in style.

A Coast Guard cutter and a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS
Carney, are expected to escort the world's largest cruise ship to the mouth
of Port Everglades when she arrives on her trans-Atlantic voyage Jan. 26.

The ship is expected to tie up at Berth 21 shortly after 7 a.m. to disgorge
its complement of 2,500 passengers and 1,200 crew.

Officials have been preparing for months to ensure the ship is properly
celebrated before its inaugural Caribbean voyage Jan. 31.

Tugboats will salute the ship with 100-foot plumes of colored water. Condo
towers that line the entrance to the port will be festooned with welcome
banners. "Fort Lauderdale Welcomes the QM2" will be spelled out in
10-foot-high red and blue letters on the beach, visible to helicopters
broadcasting the ship's arrival.

Dillard High School's marching band has been picked to entertain passengers
before they disembark the ship. Overhead, a plane hired by the Greater Fort
Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau will tow an aerial welcome banner.

Even Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will be on hand, personally accepting the Royal
Mail in a pilot boat before QM2 makes landfall.

"We've been talking about this for two years now," said Francine Mason,
spokeswoman for the visitors bureau.

Under construction in France since 2001, QM2 is now on the final leg of its
14-day maiden voyage from England. At 150,000 gross tons, it is the world's
largest cruise ship. Port Everglades will be its winter home and base for
Caribbean and South American cruises.

Positioned as a successor to the famous Queen Elizabeth 2, the $800 million
ship is expected to draw a crowd when it arrives.

Port Everglades officials stress that the ship isn't open for public tours.
Because of security concerns, the port is closed to sightseers.

"The general public cannot come in just to see the ship," said port
spokeswoman Ellen Kennedy, although cars will be admitted to pick up
passengers.

Good views of the ship's arrival may be hard to get. Depending on the
timing, they may be available at John U. Lloyd State Park in Hollywood. The
park opens at 8 a.m., but the ship may enter the port anytime after 7 a.m.

North of the inlet, there is a strip of city-owned property. Viewers could
reach the beach via public access at the Point of the Americas condominium
and walk below the high water line on the beach to the rocky area near the
inlet. There is scant public parking within walking distance of this site.

Once the ship makes the port, perhaps the best view is beneath the bridge on
the 17th Street Causeway. There is public parking under the bridge.

Lucky residents of Point of the Americas and Sky Harbor 2 condos can simply
look out their windows to see the 1,131-foot ship glide in.

Another option is to tune into ABC's Good Morning America, which will be
broadcasting live from the ship.

Unlike older ocean liners, Queen Mary 2 won't need a flotilla of tugs to
dock. She is equipped with bow thrusters and new-style pod propellers that
can swivel 360 degrees for improved maneuverability. But at least one tug
from Tugz International is expected to guide the bow of the ship into the
1,200-foot-long berth 21.

Once the ship docks, and passengers disembark, Coast Guard and public health
inspectors will board to check whether the new ship meets U.S. standards.

The ship's eight scheduled calls at Port Everglades in 2004 are expected to
generate $440,000 in direct port revenue.

Fort Lauderdale hotels also stand to gain about $2.5 million in pre- and
post-cruise business, said Nicki Grossman, president of the visitors bureau,
as well as a bonanza in free publicity for Fort Lauderdale at large.

"Every time you hear Queen Mary, you hear Fort Lauderdale and it is a great
association for us," Grossman said.

Media and travel agents will board Jan. 28 for a lunch and tour. Later that
day QM2 will put out to sea for a two-night promotional cruise to nowhere.

On Jan. 30, another lunch will give local politicians a chance to see the
ship and present Cunard officials with keys to the city. That night, a
charity gala will benefit Winterfest, the New World Symphony and the Miami
City Ballet.

Among the items to be auctioned is a $20,000 commemorative pendant from
jeweler J.R. Dunn with 108 white and 144 black diamonds. The design
represents the long, sleek prow of the black, red and white ship.

The next day, Queen Mary 2 will board passengers for its inaugural Caribbean
cruise, an 11-night voyage. It is expected to leave around 6 p.m.,
accompanied by a flotilla of small boats, which are allowed as long as they
stay 100 yards from the ship.

There may be a fireworks show, although the exact details are still being
worked out.

"We're encouraging all to come out and see her off," Cunard spokesman Gary
Gerbino said.

Tom Stieghorst can be reached at or
305-810-5008.


  #2  
Old January 23rd, 2004, 03:10 AM
OcnGypZ
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Default Port Everglades prepares party for new ocean liner fit for a queen

Subject: Port Everglades prepares party for new ocean liner fit for a queen

"DISGORGE"??????????????????????

Well.....so much for the queen bit!!!!!!

Babette
 




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