Early Inhabitants of Florida
There were an estimated 350,000 Native Americans in what is now Florida when Europeans first arrived early in the 16th century. They belonged to three major nations, the Calusa along the southwestern coast, the Timucua in the northern half of the peninsula, and the Apalachee where the peninsula joins the panhandle. Peoples dominated by the Calusa lived along the southeastern coast. All were settled agricultural peoples, as skilled with the hoe as they were with canoes or with bows and arrows. They lived in villages, where they cultivated corn, beans, and other crops. Noted warriors, they fiercely resisted early attempts to bring them under submission, but coexisted peacefully with the Spaniards for most of the first 198 years of Spanish occupation. Diseases introduced by the European explorers drastically reduced the populations of these Native Americans. They had no resistance to pathogens such as measles, smallpox, and typhoid fever that Europeans normally survived. The Native Americans also lost ground because of slaving raids by English forces from South Carolina and Georgia. By mid-18th century these nations no longer existed. The modern Native Americans of Florida are the Seminole, originally Creek from the Georgia-Alabama border, who entered Florida in the period 1716 to 1767. Today they have five reservations in the state.
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The Climate of the Atlantic Ocean
The climate of the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent land areas is influenced by the temperatures of the surface waters and water currents as well as the winds blowing across the waters. Because of the ocean’s great capacity for retaining heat, maritime climates are more moderate and have fewer tendencies toward extreme seasonal variations than inland climates. Precipitation can be approximated from coastal weather data and air temperature from the water temperatures. The oceans are the major source of the atmospheric moisture that is obtained through evaporation. Climatic zones vary with latitude; the warmest climatic zones stretch across the Atlantic north of the equator. The coldest zones are in the high latitudes, with the coldest regions corresponding to the areas covered by sea ice. Ocean currents contribute to climatic control by transporting warm and cold waters to other regions. Adjacent land areas are affected by the winds that are cooled or warmed when blowing over these currents. The Gulf Stream and its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, for example, warms the atmosphere of the British Isles and north-western Europe, and the cold water currents contribute to heavy fog off the coast of eastern Canada (the Grand Banks area) and the north-western coast of Africa. In general, winds tend to transport moisture and warm or cool air over land areas.
Atlantic Ocean History
• In 1858, the first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid by Cyrus Field.
• In 1919, the American NC-4 became the first airplane to cross the Atlantic (though it made a couple of landings on islands along the way).
• Later in 1919, a British airplane piloted by Alcock and Brown made the first non-stop transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Ireland.
• In 1921, the British were the first to cross the North Atlantic in an airship.
• In 1922, the Portuguese were the first to cross the South Atlantic in an airship.
• The first transatlantic telephone call was made on January 7, 1927.
• In 1927, Charles Lindbergh made the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight in an airplane (between New York City and Paris).
• After rowing for 81 days and 2,962 miles, on December 3, 1999, Tori Murden became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by rowboat alone when she reached Guadeloupe from the Canary Islands.
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Welcome to New York City, New York
New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the largest city in the United States by population and one of the world’s major global cities. Located in the state of New York, the city has a population of 8.2 million within an area of 321 square miles (830 square kilometers), making it the most densely populated city in North America. With a population of over 22.1 million, the New York Metropolitan Area is one of the largest urban areas in the world. New York City is an international center for business, finance, fashion, medicine, entertainment, media and culture, with an extraordinary array of museums, art galleries, performance venues, media outlets, international corporations, and financial markets. The city is also home to the United Nations and to many of the world’s most famous skyscrapers. Popularly known as the “Big Apple,” and the “City That Never Sleeps,” it attracts people from all over the globe who come for its economic opportunity, culture and fast-paced cosmopolitan lifestyle. The city’s geography is characterized by its coastal position at the meeting of the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean in a naturally sheltered harbor. This position helped the city grow in significance as a trading city. The city’s land has been altered considerably by human intervention, with substantial land reclamation along the waterfronts since Dutch colonial times. Reclamation is most notable in Lower Manhattan with modern developments like Battery Park City. Much of the natural variations in topography have been evened out, particularly in Manhattan.
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Dreams Do Come True…
When the great explorers of the past set out to sea to discover new lands, they did so in vessels not much larger than the size of three of our lifeboats, end to end. Food was scarce, the accommodations were spare and the hope of a safe return was only that – a hope, not a guarantee. How things have changed! We set sail on January 15 to circumnavigate the globe with the hope that we might discover something new. Unlike those explorers of the past, we set sail in a beautiful ship designed to navigate the 7 seas. The food was plentiful and delicious, with different menus every day. The accommodations plush and sumptuous, brimming with exquisite art, antiques and fragrant flowers. The vessel was manned with hand-selected and well-trained crew ready to cater to every need and guarantee a safe return after our circumnavigation of the globe. The navigators of yore set out with a fervent “dream of discovery” and for some, the dream never became a reality. On the ms Amsterdam, over six hundred and fifty crew members went to work every day with just one goal in mind – to make your dream of discovery come true. The months of intense preparation and planning all come down to these 105 days and the hope that at some point every day, something we offered you, or somewhere we sailed, or someone you met put a smile on your face. Perhaps the most significant discovery is what we discover inside ourselves as an adventure of this magnitude unfolds. A true discovery should change you. How can we not be changed by the generous hospitality of fellow citizens of the world in over three dozen ports of call, greeting us in their native language? How can we not be changed by the heartwarming smiles of the world’s children, eager to see and be seen with you? How can we not be changed by walking the same path where extraordinary history was made? How can we not be changed by our participation in On Deck for the Cure or the Gifts of Love program? Our hope is that your own personal discoveries will bring you warm and lasting memories of this unique experience. Dreams do come true when we discover a new blessing every day. All we need is the open mind and heart of an explorer to find it. It has been a privilege to be your Cruise Director on this “Dream of Discovery” voyage. Until we meet again…
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Welcome to King’s Wharf, Ireland Island, Bermuda
King’s Wharf, better known as the Royal Naval Dockyard, is located on Ireland Island, on the western most tip of Bermuda. Work began on this massive complex in 1809, shortly after the Napoleonic War. Built by slave and convict labor, it was to be a strategic British military outpost, but closed its gates in 1951 when the US military established a military presence on the island with two bases. Since then, the 75 acre site has been renovated to accommodate shops, restaurants, museums, a movie theatre, The Arts Center and the Bermuda Craft Market. In 1989, the Bermuda Government decided that, owing to the increasing size of cruise ships, they required a deep water facility for visiting cruise ships to come alongside rather than lie off in the harbor. They also needed to upgrade their ferry terminal facilities for the ferry route from the capital, Hamilton, to the west end of the island. As a result, the West End Development Corporation (WEDCO) was formed to develop the historic Royal Naval Dockyard into a cruise ship terminal, a ferry terminal and a destination tourist attraction encompassing the historic dockyard buildings.
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Welcome to Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Funchal is the capital of the Madeira Islands of Portugal and is also the largest city on the island. It was founded by Gonsalves Zarco in 1421 and was elevated to city by King Manuel I in 1508. The city is named after fennel, which grows on the island. Funchal is passed with a main road linking to both parts of the island and another road linking north to Faial and Santana. Part of Funchal Municipality is Ilhas Selvagens (Savage Islands and Desertas Islands), two beautiful nature reserve islands south of the city. In the early 1400s, Alvaro Fernandes was the commander of Funchal. And, in the 16th century, Funchal was important as a stopping place between the Indies and the New World, and was known as a wealthy place. Portugal, located in southwest Europe on the western Iberian Peninsula, includes the Madeira Islands and the Azores in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Originally inhabited by the Lusitanians, a Celtiberian people, the mainland area was subjugated by the Romans in the 2nd century BC and was later conquered by the Visigoths and Moors. Spain recognized Portugal as an independent kingdom in 1143, and it soon flourished as a maritime and colonial power with holdings stretching from Africa to the Far East and Brazil in the New World. Much of its empire was lost to the British and the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the remaining colonies in Africa became independent in the 20th century.
Madeira Archipelago
Madeira is one of the autonomous regions of Portugal, with Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island being the only inhabited islands. Although it is part of the African Plate, some 400 miles (650 kilometers) off the coast of Africa, it belongs politically and culturally to Europe, some 535 miles (860 kilometers) from the mainland. Madeira, known originally to the Romans as the Purple Islands, was rediscovered, possibly accidentally, by Portuguese sailors some time between 1418 and 1420. The archipelago is considered to be the first discovery of the exploratory period initiated by Henry the Navigator of Portugal. It is a popular year-round resort, noted for its Madeira wine, flowers, and embroidery artisans.
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Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal. The metropolitan area in total has around 2.8 million inhabitants, and 3.34 million people live in the broader area of the Lisbon Metropolitan Region. Due to its economic output, standard of living, and market size, the Grande Lisboa (Greater Lisbon) subregion is considered the second most important financial and economic center of the Iberian Peninsula. The Lisbon region is the wealthiest region in Portugal and it is well above the European Union's GDP per capita average – it produces 45% of the Portuguese GDP. It is also the political center of the country as seat of government and residence of the Head of State. Lisbon was under Roman rule from 205 BCE; Julius Caesar made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia, adding to the name Olissipo. Ruled by a series of Germanic tribes from the 5th century, it was captured by Moors in the 8th century. In 1147, the Crusaders under Afonso Henriques reconquered the city for the Christians and since then it has been a major political, economic and cultural center of Portugal. Unlike most capital cities, Lisbon’s status as the capital of Portugal has never been granted or confirmed officially by statute or in written form. Its position as the capital has formed through constitutional convention, making its position as de facto capital a part of the Constitution of Portugal.
Say it in Portuguese
Yes Sim
No Não
Thank you Obrigado
Please Por favor
Goodbye Adeus
How are you? Como está?
Where is the restroom? Onde é a casa de banho?
How much is it? Quanto
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Welcome to Gibraltar, British Territory
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar and shares a border with Spain to the north. Gibraltar has historically been an important base for the British Armed Forces and is the site of a Royal Navy base. The name of the territory is derived from the Arabic name Jabal Tāriq, meaning “mountain of Tariq”, or from Gibel Tāriq, meaning “rock of Tariq”. It refers to the geological formation, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Berber Umayyad general Tariq ibn-Ziyad, under the orders of Caliph Al-Walid I who led the initial incursion into Iberia in advance of the main Moorish force in 711 CE. Earlier, it was known as Mons Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as Gib or The Rock. A one-year investigation and analysis of 235 countries and territories by Jane’s Country Risk listed Gibraltar as the top stable and prosperous British Territory, in 5th position overall. The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major issue of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations. Spain requests the return of sovereignty, ceded by Spain in perpetuity in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht. The overwhelming majority of Gibraltarians strongly oppose this, along with any proposal of shared sovereignty.
Early Gibraltar History
There is evidence of human habitation in Gibraltar going as far back as the Neanderthals. The first historical people known to have settled there were the Phoenicians around 950 BCE. Semi-permanent settlements were later established by the Carthaginians and Romans. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gibraltar came briefly under the control of the Vandals, and would later form part of the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania until its collapse due to the Muslim conquest in 711 CE. At that time, Gibraltar was named as one of the Pillars of Hercules, after the legend of the creation of the Straits of Gibraltar.
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Welcome to Valletta, Malta
Valletta is the capital city of Malta with a population of 6,315 and is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, where Scebberras Hill juts out into the surrounding harbors. The city is Baroque in character; however, it has elements of Mannerism, Neo-Classical with hints of Modern architecture located in selected areas. In 1980 the City of Valletta was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The population of Valletta has steadily decreased over the years, and is now reduced to about a third of its peak. This process was heavily accelerated after World War II as new development in outlying suburbs marked a shift of the population away from the capital city, but it continues as the centre of Malta’s commercial and administrative activity. The city contains several buildings of historic importance, amongst which are St John’s Co-Cathedral, formerly the Conventual Church of the Knights of Malta and home to the largest single work by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, his only signed work, and a priceless collection of 17th century Flemish tapestries; the Auberge de Castille et Leon, formerly the official seat of the Knights of Malta of the Langue of Castille, Léon and Portugal, now the office of the Prime Minister of Malta; the Magisterial Palace, built between 1571 and 1574, formerly the seat of the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, now housing the Maltese Parliament and the offices of the President of Malta; and the National Museum of Fine Arts.
What’s in a Name
The official name the Order of Saint John gave to the city was Humilissima Civitas Valletta (“The Most Humble City of Valletta”); however, with the building of bastions, curtains and ravelins, along with the beauty of the baroque buildings along its streets, it became known as Superbissima (“Most Proud”), amongst the ruling houses of Europe. In Maltese it is colloquially known as Il-Belt, simply meaning “The City”.
Etymology of Malta
The origin of the term Malta is uncertain, though the modern day variation is from the Maltese language. One commonly stated point of origin (although now proven false) is that the name can be traced back to the Phoenician word Maleth meaning “a haven”; however, even earlier than Phoenician influence on the island, Malta had a period of Greek influence dating back to 700 BCE. The Greeks called the island Melita meaning “honey” or “honey-sweet”. Malta has long been known for its unique production of honey, due to an endemic species of bee which lives on the island.
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Early History of Valletta
The foundation stone of Valletta was laid by the Grandmaster of the Order of Saint John, Jean Parisot de la Valette, on March 28, 1566; The Order, which was the long-time ruler of the city and the island, decided to found a new city on the Xiberras Peninsula just after the end of the Siege of Malta in 1565, so as to fortify the Order’s position in Malta, effectively binding the Knights to the island. Valletta, hence, is an urban area which boasts many buildings from the 16th century and onwards, but most of them were built during the time of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (the Knights Hospitaller, or Knights of Malta). The city's plan was somewhat new to the Maltese Islands, as while other towns and cities had irregular winding streets and alleys; the new city had a rectangular design, without any Collacchio (an area restricted for important buildings). The streets were to be wide and straight, with the one in the middle starting from the City Gate and ending up at Fort Saint Elmo on the other end. Some of the bastions were to be 153 feet (47 meters) tall. After the Knights and the brief French interlude, the next building boom in Valletta occurred during the British rule. Gates were widened, buildings demolished and rebuilt, houses widened and civic projects installed; however, the whole city and its infrastructure were damaged by air raids in World War II, notably losing its majestic opera house constructed at the city entrance in the 19th century.
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Welcome to Split, Croatia
Split is the largest city in Dalmatia, the administrative center of Croatia's Split-Dalmatia County, and the country's second-largest city. It is a Mediterranean city, situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea. Since 1979, the historic center of Split has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Split is also known as one of the centers of Croatian culture. Its literary tradition can be traced to medieval times, and includes names like Marko Marulić, while in more modern times Split produced authors famous for their sense of humor. Split's economy has slowly emerged from the recession caused by the transfer to a market economy and privatization. During this privatization process and the breakup of SFR Yugoslavia, a large number of the city's prosperous companies were ruined as people enjoying the new government's support scrambled to make as much money as possible by dismantling the industry and selling off its property. However, in the Yugoslav era the city had been a highly significant economic center with a modern and diverse industrial and economic base including shipbuilding, food, chemical, plastics, textile, and paper industry. Today most of the factories are out of business (or are far below pre-civil war production and employment capacity) and the city has been trying to concentrate on commerce and services. It has nevertheless managed to maintain its position as an important transportation, commercial, and administrative center of Dalmatia, ensuring stable, though lethargic economic growth.
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A City on Water
The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced wood piles, which penetrate alternating layers of clay and sand. Wood for piles was cut in the most western part of today's Slovenia, resulting in the barren land in a region today called Kras, and in two regions of Croatia, Lika and Gorski Kotar. Most of these piles are still intact after centuries of submersion. The foundations rest on the piles, and buildings of brick or stone sit above these footings. The buildings are often threatened by flood tides pushing in from the Adriatic between autumn and early spring. Six hundred years ago, Venetians protected themselves from land-based attacks by diverting all the major rivers flowing into the lagoon and thus preventing sediment from filling the area around the city. This created an ever-deeper lagoon environment. During the 20th century, when many artesian wells were sunk into the periphery of the lagoon to draw water for local industry, Venice began to subside. It was realized that extraction of the aquifer was the cause. This sinking process has slowed since artesian wells were banned in the 1960s. However, the city is still threatened by more frequent low-level floods (so-called acqua alta, “high water”) that creep to a height of several centimeters over its quays, regularly following certain tides. In many old houses the former staircases used by people to unload goods are now flooded, rendering the former ground floor uninhabitable. Many Venetians have resorted to moving up to the upper floors and continuing with their lives.
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Welcome to Venice, Italy
Venice is the capital of the Veneto region of northern Italy, with a population of 271,251, and has been known as the “Queen of the Adriatic”, “City of Water”, “City of Bridges”, and “The City of Light”. The city stretches across 110 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po (south) and the Piave (north) Rivers. The Venetian Republic was a major maritime power and a staging area for the Fourth Crusade, as well as a very important center of commerce (especially silk, grain and spice trade) and art in the Renaissance and up to the end of the 17th century. In 1604, to defray the cost of flood relief Venice introduced what could be considered the first example of what became elsewhere a ‘stamp tax’. When the revenue fell short of expectations in 1608 Venice introduced paper with the superscription ‘AQ’ and imprinted instructions that were to be used for ‘letters to officials’. Initially this was to be a temporary tax but in fact remained in effect to the fall of the Republic in 1797. Shortly after the introduction of the tax, Spain produced similar paper for more general taxation purposes and the practice spread to other countries.
What’s in a Name
The word “Italy” possibly derives from a Homeric word that means “calf.” The first Greek settlers, who arrived in Southern Italy from Euboea Island in the 8th century BCE, named their new land Vitulia, meaning “land of calves.” The area indicated by this name spread later to the north, but it was only under Augustus that this denomination was applied to the whole peninsula.
Venetian Culture
In the 14th century, many young Venetian men began wearing tight-fitting multicolored hose, the designs on which indicated the Compagnie della Calza (“Trouser Club”) to which they belonged. The Senate passed sumptuary laws, but these merely resulted in changes in fashion in order to circumvent the law. Dull garments were worn over colorful ones, which then were cut to show the hidden colors – resulting in the wide spread of men's "slashed" fashions in the 15th century.
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Welcome to Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 124 miles (200 kilometers) southeast from Greece’s mainland. It forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 28 square miles (73 square kilometers) and a population of 13,670 in 2001. It is comprised of the Municipality of Thíra and the Community of Oía, which have a total land area of 35 square miles (90 square kilometers) and includes the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiani (all part of the Municipality of Thira). Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera. Its spectacular physical beauty, along with a dynamic nightlife, has made the island one of Europe’s tourist hot spots. It is the most active volcanic center in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, though what remains today is chiefly a water-filled caldera. The name Santorini was given it by the Latin empire in the 13th century, and is a reference to Saint Irene. Before then it was named Kallistē (“the most beautiful one”), Strongylē (“the circular one”), and Thera.
Ancient History of Greece
The shores of Greece’s Aegean Sea saw the emergence of the first advanced civilizations in Europe whose impact is inseparable from today’s western institutions, cultural and political development. Home first to the Minoan and Mycenean worlds and the Classical civilization and its Hellenistic inheritor, Greece was then subject to Roman governance and in the process transformed Rome itself. Although the establishment of Roman rule did not break the continuity of Hellenistic society and culture, which remained essentially unchanged until the advent of Christianity, it did mark the end of Greek political independence. The Greek peninsula became a province of Rome, while Greek culture continued to dominate the eastern Mediterranean. When the Roman Empire finally split in two, the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, centered around Constantinople and remained Greek in nature, encompassing Greece itself.
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The Bosporus
The Bosporus, also known as the Istanbul Strait, forms the boundary between the European part of Turkey and its Asian part. The world's narrowest strait used for international navigation, it connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea (which is connected by the Dardanelles to the Aegean Sea, and thereby to the Mediterranean Sea). The strategic importance of the Bosporus remains high, and control over it has been an objective of a number of hostilities in modern history, notably the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-1878, as well as of the attack of the Allied Powers on the Dardanelles in 1915 in the course of the First World War. In the conferences during World War II, Soviet leader Josef Stalin openly requested the concession of Soviet military bases on the Turkish Straits, even though Turkey was not involved in the war.
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SPECIAL EDITION e-Nieuws
Monday, March 31, 2008
ms Amsterdam Hosts Grand World Voyage Signature Event
Stein Kruse, president and CEO, along with his wife Linda, joined the ms Amsterdam in Istanbul to host a very special Grand World Voyage Signature Event.
The evening began at the historic Binbirdirek Cistern which was built in 330 AD and is the oldest cistern in the city. The vaulted space was dramatically lit and the event featured a wide variety of Turkish delicacies, three stages for entertainment and much, much more.
Among the special guests who helped us thank our loyal guests were the Honorable Ross Wilson, US Ambassador to Turkey and Sharon Wiener, US Counsel General in Istanbul and Paul Korff de Gidts, Counsel General from the Netherlands.
Following the event at the Cistern, guests returned to the Amsterdam to find a Turkish Bazaar Dessert Extravaganza surrounding the Lido Pool. The ship’s staff decorated the area with ottoman tents transforming the entire venue. Suspended over the pool was Aladdin on his magic carpet, and even the bear sculptures by the pool were converted into camels. Congratulations to the officers and crew of the Amsterdam for creating such an incredible event for our World Cruise guests. Stein Kruse commented, “The displays and the foods were simply outstanding. What the ship did onboard will be talked about among the world cruise guests for a long time. The entire evening, both at the Cistern and on the ship was a once in a lifetime experience for our guests.”
For the grand finale, as the ship was about to sail, a fireworks display over the Bosphorus lit up the sky and ended the evening with a bang!
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Welcome to Sevastopol, Ukraine
Sevastopol, formerly known as Sebastopol, is located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea peninsula with a population of 342,451. The city, formerly the home of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet, is now a Ukrainian naval base mutually used by the Ukrainian Navy and Russian Navy. The unique geographic location and navigation conditions of the city’s harbors make Sevastopol a strategic important naval point. The trade and shipbuilding importance of Sevastopol’s port has been growing since the fall of the Soviet Union despite the difficulties that arise from the joint military control over its harbors and piers. It is also an important center of marine biology research. In particular, the studying and training of dolphins has been conducted in the city since the end of World War II, initially as a secret naval program to use these animals for special undersea operations. Sevastopol (together with Kronstadt and Gibraltar) is one of the most famous naval citadels in Europe. It was founded in 1783, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, soon becoming an important naval base and later a commercial port. In 1797 under an edict issued by Emperor Pavel I, the military stronghold was renamed Akhtiar after a small Tatar settlement on the north shore of the inlet. Finally, on April 29, 1826, the city was returned to its original name of Sevastopol.
What’s in a Name
The name of Sevastopolis, or currently Sevastopol, was originally chosen in the same etymology trend as other cities in the Crimean peninsula that was intended to reflect its ancient Greek origins. It is a compound of two Greek nouns: sevastós meaning “venerable, reverend” and polis meaning “city.” Despite its Greek origin, the name is not old. The city was probably named after the Empress Catherine II of Russia who founded Sevastopol in 1783. She visited the city in 1787 accompanied by Joseph II, the Emperor of Austria, and other foreign dignitaries. In the west of the city there are well-preserved ruins of an ancient Greek port city Chersonesos founded in the 5th century BCE. The name means “peninsula” reflecting its location and is not related to the ancient Greek name for the Crimean Peninsula
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Welcome to Sochi, Russia
Sochi is a Russian resort city, situated in Krasnodar Krai just north of the southern Russian border. It sprawls along the shores of the Black Sea against the background of the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. At 90 miles (145 kilometers), Greater Sochi is claimed to be the longest city in Europe. As of the 2002 Census, it had a population 328,809, down from 336,514 recorded in the 1989 Census; however, in 2006, the population was estimated to be 395,012. The city has been selected to host the XXII Olympic Winter Games in 2014. Sochi almost alone of larger Russian cities has the aspect of a subtropical resort. Apart from the scenic Caucasus Mountains, pebbly and sand beaches, the city attracts vacation-goers with its subtropical vegetation, numerous parks, monuments, and extravagant Stalinist architecture. About two million people visit Greater Sochi each summer, when the city is home to the annual film festival Kinotavr and a getaway for Russia’s elite. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 1,142 square miles (2,957 square kilometers) Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, lies just north from the city. Sochi also has Europe's most northerly tea plantations.
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Grand World Voyage Signature Event at the Binbirdirek Cistern
This evening Mr. Stein Kruse, President and CEO and Mrs. Linda Kruse will host a Grand World Voyage Signature Event in the oldest cistern in Istanbul. The Byzantine Emperor Constantinus built the historic Binbirdirek Cistern in 330 CE to hold water for the Lavsus Palace. Special guest Ambassador Ross Wilson, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, and local dignitaries will attend the Grand World Voyage Signature Event. A wide and plentiful selection of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, representing the many geographical flavors of Turkey, will be served continuously throughout the evening. The venue will feature a variety of seating options – bistro with bar stools, couches as well as more traditional tables and chairs – with plenty of seating for all guests. We encourage you to explore the Cistern during the event and marvel at the majestic architecture. You will discover some special treats and interactive experiences ranging from Turkish fortune tellers and taffee-like ice cream to shoe shiners and doner kebab kiosks. Attire: Informal, non-heeled footwear recommended. After the reception at the Cistern, Mr. and Mrs. Kruse invite you to join them at the Dessert Extravaganza Bazaar, in the Lido midships area onboard the ms Amsterdam.
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Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is Europe’s most populous city (the world's 4th largest city proper and 20th largest urban area) and Turkey’s cultural and financial center. The city covers 27 districts of the Istanbul province. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330-395), the Byzantine Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 as the city has many architecturally significant entities. Throughout its long history, Istanbul has acquired a reputation for being a cultural and ethnic melting pot. As a result, there are many historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers to visit in the city.
The Many Names of Istanbul
The modern Turkish name İstanbul can be attested, in a range of different variants, from as far back as the 10th century; it has been the common name for the city in normal Turkish speech since before the conquest of 1453. Etymologically, it derives from a Greek phrase that translates to “in the city” or “to the city.” Byzantium is the first known name of the city. When Roman emperor Constantine I made the city the new eastern capital of the Roman Empire on May 11, 330, he conferred on it the name Nova Roma (“New Rome”). Constantinople (“City of Constantine”) was the name by which the city became instead more widely known. It remained the principal official name of the city throughout the Byzantine period, and the most common name used for it in the West until the early 20th century. The city has also been nicknamed “The City on Seven Hills” because the historic peninsula, the oldest part of the city, was built on seven hills, each of which bears an historical mosque. The hills are represented in the city's emblem with seven triangles, above which rise four minarets. Two of many other old nicknames of Istanbul are Vasilevousa Polis (“the Queen of Cities”), which rose from the city's importance and wealth throughout the Middle Ages; and Dersaadet, originally Der-i Saadet (“the Door to Happiness”), which was first used towards the end of 19th century and is still remembered today. With the Turkish Postal Service Law of March 28, 1930, the Turkish authorities officially requested foreigners to adopt Istanbul as the sole name also in their own languages
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