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Mobile June 20, 2006 - Installation of the four MTU 8000 Series engines is now complete in the first of two, Austal Auto Express 107 meter vehicle-passenger ferries for Hawaii Superferry (HSF) currently under construction at Austal’s USA shipyard. Each 45 tonne engine has 20 cylinders, and produces 8,200 kW (10,995hp) at 1150 rpm.

The installation of all four engines was completed within three weeks, ahead of schedule, in what was a first for the Austal USA shipyard given the size and weight of the engines. The catamarans are the largest aluminum vessels ever built in the USA.

The first ferry is due for delivery in the first half of 2007. Construction has already started on the second ferry that is scheduled for introduction into service in the first half of 2009. Also under construction in the yard is the 127 meter trimaran Littoral Combat Ship for the United States Navy.

Following the completion of the design and commencement of construction, the HSF ferry owner was forced to make a change to the engine selection due to supply problems from their nominated engine manufacturer. In normal circumstances this could have been cause for difficulties in delivering the vessel however, commenting on the engine installation evolution, Hawaii Superferry Board Member, Bill Shirley said:

"The Austal design and production team adapted well to the necessary change in engines making it a seamless adjustment. The installation proceeded uneventfully which is a compliment to those who were involved in this complicated procedure."

Austal USA Chief Executive Officer, Greg Metcalf added:

"Now with 600 employees and growing we have developed a capable team, unrivalled in the USA, dedicated to high speed aluminum ship construction. The launch of the first Hawaii Superferry will be a proud day for the Austal USA shipyard as we demonstrate our ability to deliver large fast ships for US commercial and military operators."

Hawaii Superferry plans to use Austal fast ferry technology to establish Hawaii’s first high-speed vehicle-passenger service. Each catamaran will carry 866 passengers and 282 vehicles and provide services connecting Honolulu to Maui and Kauai in three hours and from Honolulu to the Big Island in four hours.

Miami June 20, 2006 - The ultra luxury Seabourn Pride will host its fourth annual Great American Food & Wine Festival this autumn as the intimate, all-suite ship sails from New England to the Caribbean. But this year, the recipe has been changed to include an overnight stay at Bermuda.

The 12-day cruise departs October 29, 2006 from the picturesque fishing port of Gloucester, MA, just a short way from Boston's Logan International Airport via a complimentary Seabourn transfer. Aside from Bermuda, ports of call include Norfolk, VA, Charleston, SC, and Amelia Island and Port Canaveral, FL. The cruise ends in Nassau, Bahamas on November 10.

Along the way, guests will enjoy tastings, cooking demonstrations and signature dishes by renowned chef and cookbook author Paulette Mitchell, as well as specially created culinary excursions in ports of call, wine tastings and culinary events on board.

The author of twelve cookbooks, Chef Mitchell is also a popular speaker and cooking instructor, whose two most recent books are "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup" and "The Spirited Vegetarian," the first vegetarian cookbook to use wine or spirits in every recipe.

Another special Dress Circle guest will be professional photographer Nancy Bundt, who has a particular interest in culinary subjects. She will present images of foods traditional to the Atlantic seaboard of the U.S., as well as giving guests tips on digital photography to enhance their photographic diaries of the voyage.

Famous for its pink sand beaches and genteel style, Bermuda is a culinary melting pot, strongly influenced by its British colonial past and trade with the distant Caribbean islands. Bermudian chef Judith Wadson (an alumna of Alice Waters' Chez Panisse) will demonstrate local delicacies and ingredients in an optional class at her restaurant, and tell you about her grandmother's childhood flirtations with Mark Twain.

In Norfolk, guests can travel to the village of Surry, Virginia, where the Edwards family has been curing award-winning, old-fashioned country hams for 80 years. Their tender country ham recently topped all others in a Gourmet magazine tasting. Guests will also enjoy a traditional luncheon and sightseeing in the picturesque and historic town of Smithfield.

At Charleston, Amanda Dew Manning leads a tour of "Lowcountry" culinary heritage, including a demonstration and luncheon. The free Exclusively Seabourn experience will be a ride by horsedrawn carriage to a traditional Southern tea in a 19th century Charleston home.

Amelia Island offers a luncheon at The Florida House Inn, Florida's oldest surviving hotel, in the Victorian-era Fernandina Beach Historic District.

From Port Canaveral, guests can visit the Kennedy Space center or "Follow the Wild Ocean Shrimp" on a boat tour of the Indian River Lagoon and a shrimp processor, then feast on local shrimp prepared in a variety of ways at the famous Dixie Crossroads.

Newport Beach CA June 20, 2006 - Ambassadors International, Inc., announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC, has combined its American river and coastal cruising companies -- American West Steamboat Company and Delta Queen Steamboat Company -- into one brand, Majestic America Line. The combined companies will begin operating under the new name later this year.

Majestic America Line will be comprised of a fleet of six U.S.-flagged, American-crewed cruise ships plying the coastal and inland waterways and rivers of America. The company's exceptional cruise experiences feature the great rivers of America, including the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Arkansas rivers of America's Heartland, and the Columbia, Snake and Willamette rivers of the Northwest. Majestic America Line also operates in-depth cruises of Alaska's Inside Passage including a visit to the dramatic Stikine River, one of the last truly wild rivers in North America.

The Majestic America Line fleet consists of the incomparable American Queen, recognized as the world's largest stern wheel cruise ship; the elegant Empress of the North, the first sternwheeler to cruise Alaska's Inside Passage in more than 100 years; the beautiful Queen of the West; the famous Mississippi Queen, which features the world's largest calliope; the quintessential Delta Queen, a National Historic Landmark; and the Executive Explorer, a deluxe, small cruise ship capable of visiting scenic areas and quaint communities beyond the reach of larger ships. In 2007, Majestic America Line will offer more than 215 departures and call at 70 port cities and communities in 19 different states, providing a truly authentic American travel experience.

Joe Ueberroth, President and CEO of Ambassadors International, Inc., stated, "We are excited to be introducing the Majestic America Line brand and making it synonymous with American river and coastal cruising. This new brand captures the best of America and will provide our customers with an experience they will never forget. By combining our terrific assets under one brand, we are creating the largest company in American river and coastal cruising and beginning our strategy of becoming a leader in the niche cruise category."

David Giersdorf, President and COO of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC, added, "While the acquisition of both the American West and Delta Queen brands were proud moments for us, we believe that the creation of Majestic America Line is a significant milestone for us. Our fleet of American-built cruise ships will provide guests with an unparalleled and truly unique way to see and experience the majesty, scenic beauty and grandeur of our nation at its finest. Given the combination of favorable demographic trends among affluent, mature travelers, continued growth and popularity of cruise vacations worldwide and the keen interest in experiencing America's vast scenery, rich history and cultural tapestry, we are very enthused to be introducing Majestic America Line and its unmatched offerings to market."

Los Angeles June 21, 2006 - For the first time this fall, luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises will feature four new cruises beginning or ending in Monte Carlo, allowing travelers more options to extend their travels in the South of France. Also new is an 11-day itinerary from Rome to Athens with a maiden call at Tripoli, Libya and an overnight stay in Alexandria, Egypt, as well as a maiden call at the pearl of the Adriatic -- Trieste, Italy -- on a September 21 itinerary.

From September through November, the award-winning Crystal Serenity offers six destination-rich 11-day itineraries visiting as many as five different countries on a single voyage. With late evening stays in several ports, guests enjoy the added luxury of time to explore the Amalfi and Dalmatian coasts, the Greek Isles, the French Riviera, the Canary Islands, the seaside towns of Turkey and the antiquities of Egypt.

As a special bonus, fares for Crystal Serenity's October 24 sailing from Athens to Monte Carlo have been reduced for better than 2-for-1 sailings, enabling travelers to enjoy plush outside staterooms for only $2,995 per person. With a range of itineraries and special savings fares for each sailing, Crystal Cruises is focusing on diversity and value for its fall 2006 collection.

"With fewer crowds and slightly cooler weather, the fall is an ideal time to visit the Mediterranean," says Bill Smith, Crystal's senior vice president, sales and marketing.

"Additionally, savvy travelers will appreciate the exceptional value of a Mediterranean cruise with Crystal, given the dollar's weak standing against the Euro and the resulting high prices of Europe's top luxury hotels. Crystal Serenity's unique combination of choices, quality, service, space and value is particularly compelling."

With an emphasis on destination enrichment, Crystal is offering more than 250 optional shoreside Crystal Adventures, plus an unlimited opportunity to customize one's Mediterranean experience through the luxury line's Crystal Private Adventures program.

Crystal Cruises' 2006 Fall Mediterranean Collection:

• Iberian Magic: September 10 - 21 London, England to Monte Carlo, Monaco (overnight). Visiting Honfleur and St. Tropez, France; Lisbon, Portugal; Cadiz/Seville and Barcelona, Spain.

• Renaissance Rendezvous: September 21 - October 2 Monte Carlo to Venice (overnight), Italy. Visiting Florence/Livorno, Portofino, Rome/Civitavecchia and Trieste (maiden call), Italy and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

• La Dolce Vita: October 2 - 13 Venice (overnight) to Rome. Visiting Dubrovnik; Corfu, Greece; Naples and Florence, Italy; and Monte Carlo (overnight).

• Phoenician Passage: October 13 - 24 Rome to Athens/Piraeus, Greece. Visiting Sorrento, Italy; Tripoli, Libya (maiden call); Alexandria (overnight), Egypt; Kusadasi, Turkey; and Santorini/Thira, Greece.

• Italian Splendors: October 24 - November 4 Athens to Monte Carlo (overnight). Visiting Split, Croatia Venice (overnight), Sorrento, Rome, and Florence, Italy.

• Iberian Adventure: November 4 - 15 Monte Carlo (overnight) to Lisbon. Visiting Barcelona, Cadiz, Canary Islands/Las Palmas and Canary Islands/Tenerife, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; and Madeira/Funchal, Portugal.

Art historians from Sotheby's; Michael Bess, professor of European History at Vanderbilt University; and Thomas W. Lippman, a former Middle East bureau chief of The Washington Post are among the noted scholars who will share their insights of the destinations on these port-intensive itineraries.

Washington June 23, 2006 - Lockheed Martin is developing and integrating new technologies that are enhancing transportation systems today, and promise to make them dramatically different tomorrow, said Judy Marks, president, Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security Solutions.

"We believe that a strong transportation infrastructure is critical to our nation's economic well-being and our citizens' way of life," Marks said today during a briefing at the National Press Club.

"As air travel surpasses pre- September 11th numbers and the price of jet fuel continues to climb, new technologies that satisfy the demand for efficiency, safety and security become all the more critical."

Currently composed of over 500 certified airports, 35,000 daily airline flights, 600,000 pilots, 300 sea ports, 2 million rail cars, and 11 million trucks, the U.S. transportation system must continuously evolve to safely meet the needs of more travel and trade. "What works today may not be effective tomorrow," said Marks. "For example, when you add micro-jets to the mix by 2025, you need to fundamentally change the National Airspace System and our airports. When it comes to transportation innovation, we must look with a long eye toward the future."

"Achieving security, safety and efficiency will always be the end game; we cannot pursue one of these priorities at the expense of the others. Instead, we need to stay ahead of new threats while increasing safety and looking for new ways to conserve energy," said Marks. "Yet at the same time, we can't stop or slow the system to change it -- we need to find ways to ensure that it evolves without detours, delays or disruptions for passengers, trade or commerce."

To do that, Lockheed Martin believes the future should focus on interoperability of current and future systems and information sharing among transportation stakeholders said Marks. "By integrating complex systems in a seamless way, we break down stovepipes to get the right information to the right people at the right time...to make informed decisions quickly."

To test these concepts of interoperability and information sharing, Lockheed Martin recently teamed with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to create the Airport of the Future, a technology test bed at Daytona Beach International Airport. This "teaching airport" will demonstrate how current and new technologies can be integrated to connect airport stakeholders, such as air traffic controllers, airport operators, security officials and airline dispatchers, with more comprehensive data.

"We will explore concepts such as how to make door-to-door travel more secure and faster for travelers," said Marks. "Even with increased efficiency in the sky, systems will be limited unless we effectively manage aircraft on runways. The question becomes how we can best use surface management technology to increase airport capacity -- without laying pavement for new runways."

Lockheed Martin's involvement in the nation's transportation infrastructure started in 1956, when its heritage companies began experimenting with the use of computers to track and automate air traffic. Currently, Lockheed Martin's systems guide more than 60 percent of the world's commercial air traffic. With the formation of the Transportation Security Administration, Lockheed Martin reconfigured checkpoints and trained more than 54,000 screeners for the nation's 429 airports -- within the congressionally- mandated six-month deadline. By leveraging proven technologies from the defense and law enforcement arenas, including biometric credentialing, high- level physical security, chemical and biological agent detection, and integrated domain awareness, the Corporation has brought significant technological sophistication to our nation's air, ground and sea transportation. More recent projects include:

New air traffic management technologies that are saving air carriers time in the sky and millions of dollars in fuel. Lockheed Martin's User Request and Evaluation Tool (URET) allows air traffic controllers to route aircraft safely and more efficiently -- and has already saved carriers an estimated $493.4 million in fuel and operational costs during its phased-in deployment at 20 FAA centers across the nation. Furthermore, the company is helping the FAA with managing oceanic air traffic, decreasing flight times and minimizing fuel costs through the agency's Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP) program.

The use of biometric credentialing to speed clearance through airport security screening lines and give secure access to our nation's transportation workers. As the systems integrator for Verified Identity Pass on the Registered Traveler program, Lockheed Martin has helped enhance customer service to frequent travelers via fast-lane access through standard security procedures.

The use of advanced integrated surveillance, command and control to secure the nation's largest transit system. Lockheed Martin is working to ensure that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's bus, subway and commuter rail lines operate safely and efficiently through deploying technology that will optimize prevention, response, reaction and recovery.

Miami June 22, 2006 - Cruising is oft cited as the idyllic vacation choice for complete relaxation and escape. The lifestyle of today’s consumer, however, often means that to truly relax and enjoy, people want an easy and convenient way to keep in touch with family, friends, or the office. What could be easier than using your own cell phone aboard ship the same as you can at home?

Through an exclusive agreement between Carnival Cruise Lines and Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Telecommunications Network, Carnival guests sailing aboard the "Fun Ships" can now enjoy a new communications option that allows them to stay in touch with people back home using their personal cell phones while in port or at sea.

"Consumers view cell phones as a necessity in today’s world. We’ve been exploring cellular phone service for some time and have developed a capability that provides unparalleled connectivity and convenience to allow guests to keep in touch with friends, family members and business associates back home," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

"WMS is excited to offer Carnival guests the opportunity to stay connected while cruising worldwide," said Leighton Carroll, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wireless Maritime Services. "Whether making a voice call, responding to email, sending a picture message, or accessing the Internet to check on local happenings back home, what a great convenience for Carnival guests to enjoy the same features of their wireless service at sea as they would roaming on land."

Utilizing WMS’ state-of-the-art high-bandwidth technology, the new fleetwide service is compatible with any cellular phone and enables guests sailing on Carnival to make and receive calls anywhere in the world from any cruising region. The technology is currently available aboard the Carnival Triumph, with the balance of the line’s 21-vessel fleet scheduled to be completed by early next year.

The new fleetwide cellular phone service requires no additional software or special dialing procedures – guests simply make and receive calls as well as transmit text and multimedia messages as they would on land using their personal cell phone. International roaming fees apply to all shipboard cell phone calls.

Consumer benefits to having wireless service while at sea:

• Connectivity – keep in touch with family, friends and business associates through voice calls, email or text messages. Guests can also share travel highlights while at sea through photo messaging.

• Convenience – no need to rent a local phone while at port; guests can be reached by the wireless number their friends and colleagues know.

In addition to being able to use their phones on Carnival "Fun Ships," Cingular customers can also enjoy competitive international roaming rates as well as a greater selection of quad-band devices than any other carrier.

Miami June 23, 2006 - The NBA definitely has global appeal. That will never be more evident than when the Miami HEAT's National Basketball Association (NBA) Larry O'Brien Championship trophy embarks on an international cruise-ship tour beginning this weekend.

Micky Arison, the Miami HEAT's managing general partner and chairman and CEO of global cruise operator Miami-based Carnival Corporation & plc will personally escort the coveted trophy to cruise ships operating from ports in South Florida, Italy and China.

The tour kicks off Sunday, June 25, when Arison will display the trophy to guests, officers and crew aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,794-passenger Carnival Valor while it is docked at the Port of Miami.

On Monday, June 26, Arison and the trophy will board a transatlantic flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Genoa, Italy, to tour Costa Cruises' new 3,000-passenger Costa Serena and Costa Concordia, and Carnival Cruise Lines' 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor, all in various stages of construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in nearby Sestri, Italy.

The next stop is Hong Kong for a two-day cruise to Shanghai aboard the 1,000-passenger Costa Allegra departing June 30, marking the debut of Carnival Corporation & plc's new Asian cruise venture, Costa Asia.

Arison and the trophy then return to Italy for Costa Concordia's inaugural celebration, which begins with a special one-night cruise from Genoa to Rome, July 4-5. The trophy will then be on display during a special benefit concert on board featuring world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, as well as during the ship's gala naming ceremony July 7 with international supermodel Eva Herzigova serving as godmother.

The whirlwind tour will continue to a number of other cruise-ship destinations to be determined. Eventually, the trophy will be placed on permanent display at the AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami.

On the first leg of this globetrotting tour, Arison and the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy will have traveled more than 18,000 miles across three continents.

Beijing June 23, 2006 (APP) - A Chinese company has offered to undertake ferry service along 1100 kilometers coastal region in Pakistan, bringing attraction for tourists.

The negotiation to this effect is in progress, to operate the ferry service between Givani and Gadani, said provincial Minister for tourism and Gwadar Development Authority Syed Sher Jan Baloch, in an interview with APP here Friday. The ferry service will provide a link between Karachi and the Gulf region including Iran.

This project will be highly significant to develop communication network with the Gwadar seaport and generate enormous socio-economic benefits for the local people. The Central government, he said is providing maximum possible financial support to the province, developing the highly rich coastal region.

About the Gwadar seaport, Sher Jan Baloch said that its first phase has almost been completed. It would become fully functional after the inauguration, hopefully within next three months. Several countries, including China, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore have shown interest in the port's operation. An oil refinery project at the port's site is also under negotiation with the Chinese government.

The port comprises three berths with lengths of 602m, 4.5 kilometers dredged to 11.5m to 12.5m as well as one 100m service birth and related port infrastructure and port handling equipment including pilot boat, tugs, survey vessel, etc.

The government also plans to establish a special economic zone to make Gwadar a hub of economic and industrial activities. About the 653 km-long Makran Coastal Highway, he said this project is of great significance that will provide direct approach to Gwadar and other small ports. 248km long Lyari-Ormara section of the Makran Coastal Highway and the work on Gwadar Pasni section have also been completed, he added.

About the Mirani dam, Sher Jan Baloch said it will be inaugurated for operation by September this year.

To a question regarding the second phase of Gwadar port, he said feasibility work to this effect has already been initiated. To be built on BOO/BOT basis, the estimated cost of the second phase is about $600 million. It will comprise nine additional berths.

This includes four container berths, one bulk cargo terminal to handle 100,000 DWT ships, one grain terminal, one Ro-Ro terminal and two oil terminals to handle 200,000 DWT ships.

He lauded the Chinese support for the development of the coastal region and said the Chinese engineers and workers are being provided complete security.

The Minister said that a small anti-development group in Balochistan has failed to cause any harm to the on-going projects. The development projects have turned the coastal areas into most prosperous parts in the country. President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz are taking personal interest to remove the economic deprivation and hardship that the people of the province have been facing for the 57 years, he added.

Princess Cruises Offers Lucky Passengers Million Dollar Memories on Crown Princess Sailings

Santa Clarita June 27, 2006 - When Crown Princess set sail for the first time on June 14, she was dripping in more than one million dollars in diamonds specially commissioned to commemorate her inaugural. An exclusive collection of diamond jewelry is showcased on board, the highlight of which is a showpiece, 100-carat matching set of four pieces, appropriately dubbed the "Crown Jewels." The pieces in this sparkling collection will be available for purchase aboard Crown Princess only for her first eight sailings, and during that time, four lucky women on each sailing will have the opportunity to "borrow" the Crown Jewels for a special portrait sitting on formal night. The entire million dollar collection will be on display for passengers to view (and purchase) in the ship's Facets jewelry salon.

The Crown Jewels made their debut among some very royal company. America's favorite pop princess Katharine McPhee, home and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart, and Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Kerry Close were all on hand for the ship's naming ceremony and helped unveil the jewels amidst a flutter of paparazzi flashes.

The elaborate ensemble features flawless diamonds and platinum, in settings reminiscent of the Victorian era and the Crown Jewels pieces include a necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring. Valued at $585,000 for the four-piece set, the Crown Jewels come with a diamond grading report from an independent gemological institute, authenticating the carat weight, color, cut, and value of the stones in each piece.

On each of the first eight sailings, Princess will offer a drawing to give four passengers the opportunity to wear the Crown Jewels pieces while sitting for a special keepsake portrait on formal night. "Diamonds are indeed a girl's best friend, and we are pleased to offer passengers the opportunity to truly feel like 'red carpet royalty' ... right down to the borrowed jewels," says Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president of customer service and sales. "It seems appropriate to offer our own Crown Jewels aboard this spectacular new ship."

The Crown Jewels' home, the 113,000-ton Crown Princess, introduces a number of new design innovations to the Princess fleet, including a dramatic new piazza-style atrium and new casual dining venues. Within the new street cafe environment of the atrium, passengers will find an International Cafe serving up fresh pastries and baked goods in the morning and assorted other offerings throughout the day, as well as a wine and seafood bar. Several signature Princess venues have been further enhanced, including an expanded Sabatini's Italian trattoria with a new piano lounge, and the Crown Grill, a new steak and seafood restaurant with an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare steamed shellfish and cooked-to-order steaks and chops.

The ship also showcases the many hallmark features that define the Princess experience, including the dramatic Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, multiple dining and entertainment options, a Lotus Spa fitness center, an extensive children and teen's center, a wedding chapel and nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies.

The inaugural 2006 summer season for Crown Princess features nine-day roundtrip voyages to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and marks the return of Princess visits to Bermuda, as well as the line's first-ever regular calls to Grand Turk. In the fall the ship will reposition to San Juan for winter Caribbean sailings.

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