Juneau Gearing Up For Big Cruise Season
Juneau, Alaska is gearing up for its biggest cruise season ever. Last year, 1.15 million cruise passengers visited the city, and this year 1.5 million are slated to arrive.
The last full Alaska cruise season prior to the pandemic saw 1.3 million cruise guests arrive in Juneau.
To help with overcrowding, starting in 2024 the city will begin limiting the number of large cruise ships that dock per day to five.
STORY: All Hands On Deck: Juneau Prepares For Its Busiest Cruise Season In History
American Cruise Lines Celebrates Two Ship Christenings
American Cruise Lines celebrated the christenings of two riverboats on opposite sides of the country last week. American Serenade was christened in Vidalia, Louisiana on the Mississippi River, while American Jazz was christened on the Snake River in Clarkston, Washington.
The American river boats accommodate 180 guests each and feature the largest staterooms on any river boat in the world. The vessels were built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland.
The line has four additional ships under construction, two of which will debut later this year.
STORY: U.S. Cruise Line Celebrates Two Christenings on Opposite Sides of the Country
Yacht Security Guards Mistake Coast Guard For Pirates
Armed security guards on a luxury yacht opened fire on the Yemeni Coast Guard late last month after mistaking the officials for pirates.
The superyacht was previously owned by actors Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
The incident happened in the Gulf of Aden after the Coast Guard approached the vessel because it hadn’t been responding to radio calls. The Coast Guard returned fire and chased the yacht for about an hour until the misunderstanding could be resolved.
Though unconfirmed, it is reported that one coast guard crew member was killed in the exchange.
