The Victoria Clipper IV ferry has been returned to its port in Seattle, Wash., after being stolen from the city's Pier 69 on Dec. 1. The ferry was found drifting in Elliott Bay, and a SWAT team was able to arrest Samuel Kenneth McDonough seven hours after the ship's theft. In response to the situation, Clipper Vacations and port officials are reviewing security policies, with Clipper Vacations tightening arrangements at the port.
"We were very, very fortunate this individual did not run into a state ferry or grain ship out by the grain terminal," Clipper Vacations CEO Darrell Bryan told the Associated Press.
Oceania Cruises will be rechristening the Insignia in Istanbul on June 11, 2014, after the ship undergoes a multi-million dollar transformation to gift it with similar amenities to those found aboard the Marina and Riviera. This ceremony will indicate the ship's return to serive after taking a hiatus of two years. Virginia Watters, wife of the line's founding chairman, Joe Watters, will rechristen the ship. She was originally chose as the Godmother of the vessel during its first christening.
Immediately following the ceremony, Insignia will depart Istanbul on a 10-day celebration cruise that sails to Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Greece.
Pearl Seas Cruises' spring 2015 Caribbean schedule is now available for the new 210-passenger Pearl Mist. The line is now offering a selection of cruises to the Bahamas, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, St. Martin and Martinique. The voyages include a mix of seven-, 10- and 11-night Caribbean itineraries, which will run from February to May of 2015.
The line's Pearl Mist is currently undergoing final outfitting by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md. The new ship has oversized staterooms, all with private balconies.