The Queen is to officially name Cunards new £400m Queen Elizabeth cruise liner in Southampton on 11th October 2010 before the ship sails on its maiden voyage, to the Canary Islands, the next day. The Queen Elizabeth's maiden voyage is a 13-night cruise to the Canaries, with fares ranging from £1,489 to £15,799 per person.

The Queen will attend the ceremony in Southampton on 11 October, The QE is seen as the successor to the QE2 which ended its life as an ocean liner in 2008 and was sold to Dubai-based property developers Nakheel. The new ship means that Cunard's fleet will again have three Queens, along with the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

The Queen named the QE2 on the Clyde in 1967 and was at Southampton in 2004 to name the Queen Mary 2. Her Majesty was also present in 1938 when her mother, then Queen Elizabeth, launched the first Queen Elizabeth liner, also on the Clyde.

Peter Shanks, Cunard president and managing director, said: "We are both honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner Queen Elizabeth."

The 90,000-tonne vessel has been built at the Fincantieri shipyard near Trieste in Italy.

Queen Elizabeth - or just QE as the ship is already being called - is one foot longer and one foot wider than the QE2. But with 16 decks, it is much taller, view the BBC news clip of the new ship.

http://www.worldmarineguide.com

Divers have discovered and have begun salvaging bottles of what could be the world's oldest champagne from a shipwreck off the coast of Finland near the Aland Islands


It was found in almost perfect conditions for champagne at a near constant temperature of four degrees centigrade, and out of direct sunlight. It was discovered in July and found to be drinkable!  If a bottle is sent to World Marine Guide we would be happy to authenticate this claim

According to the BBC, the champagne was heading for Russian imperial court when the ship sank and if it is proven that the bottles were produced before 1825, it would be considered the world's oldest champagne and could make over £40,000 per bottle at auction.

Source BBC

http://www.worldmarineguide.com 

Puerto Colon marina is situated right in the middle of the busy tourist town of Playa de las Americas. With its many bars, clubs, restaurants and shops this marina has everything the visiting yachtsman could want except space! Both the town and the marina are often full to bursting providing an exciting and lively atmosphere.

It would be as well to call ahead to enquire about free berths.This port would make an ideal crew change destination with the proximity of the international airport and the numerous hotels and apartments. The marina is holds a Spanish "blue flag" and can provide the visiting yacht with most facilities including lift out, hard standing, chandlers, engineers and yacht club. Yacht Charter is also available from the marina. Road communication is good with a highway that runs around the island.

Bus services are frequent, efficient and reasonably priced. Several car hire firms can be found in the town, and taxis are numerous. The southern airport, Reina Sofia, is about 16km to the east of the town and the northern airport is about an hour's drive away. From nearby Los Cristianos ferry's operating to Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro can be found. Numerous excursion trips by coach to different parts of the island are available.

http://www.worldmarineguide.com