Regulars:
waterfront - News of Norwegian Getaway making her debut in Southampton, ice breakers trapped 1n the ice; fire evacuation from the ferry King Seaways and Tallink veteran sold to Albania.
Ferry - Red Falcon upgraded, Brittany Ferries' LNG power vessel project, new link with France and Spanish service increase. Russell Plummer
Cruise - New role for Melody, the former Cunard Adventurer goes for breaking, first RCI ship scrapped, and four MSC Cruises ships to be lengthened. William Mayes
Naval - News of the RN's future nudear-powered submarine, the Royal Australian Navy's Landing Helicopter Dock project and new type of frigate for the German Navy. Gary Davies
Cargo - New container ships delivered to MSC, fire and collision off Korea and a gearless bulk carrier arrives on the Great Lakes.
Tugs - World's first LNG tug takes to the water, more new tugs for Multraship and last of the ETvs sold by J. p. Knight. Jack Caston
Adventure of the Seas - Behind the scenes on Royal Caribbean's cruise ship Adventure of the Seas, which has been operating out of Southampton during the past year. Andrew Cooke
Ships pictorial - A selection of ships pictured around the world.
View from the Bridge - Captain Christopher Rynd, master of Queen Mary 2, talks about his career and the ship he now commands. Byron Clayton
Chartroom:
Ships mail - A selection of letters from readers.
Ships library - Reviews and details of new maritime books.
Ports of call - Cruise ship calls around the UK in March. Edwin Wilmshurst
Mystery ship - Can you cast any light on this mystery ship?
Features:
Preserving the life-savers - Following on from the preservation files covering submarines and tugs, this time we look at some of the many preserved lifeboats found in the UK and Europe. Nicholas Leach
Cruising down the river - A river trip with Pandaw River Cruises, which harks back to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. Ted Scull
Unremarkable little ship - How the small coaster Greenisland waged an amateur war in the Clyde and North Channel during World War I. Dohald Johnstoh
Exploring the world - A look at the world of expedition and adventure cruising, which has seen a significant expansion in recent years. Steve Newman
The thick of the action - Profile of the Illustrious class, the Royal Navy's most potent aircraft carriers of World War II. Paul Brown
Capital port for Scotland - Recollection of some of the ships seen at the port of Leith since the 1970s. Malcolm Fife
Maritime Mosaic - Photographs of some of the ships operated by British Columbia Ferry Services, better known as BC Ferries, which serves the west coast of Canada. David Fairclough
Windfarm supporters - Exclusive aerial photos of the wide variety of service ships that support the booming windfarm construction industry
Cover - The new ncl cruise ship Norwegian Getaway arrives in Southampton in January for a couple of nights before crossing the Atlantic.
These stark differences reflect the changes in the cruise business in the four decades that separate the building of these ships. No longer is the destination what matters - now the ship itself is the destination, and passengers on Norwegian Getaway need never leave what is in effect a resort.They have everything to hand for their comfort and entertainment. Norwegian Getaway provides everything that is expected from a modern cruise ship in terms of facilities and accommodation and more, but it is unlikely she will match the notable longevity achieved by Vistafjord/Saga Ruby. And as Gateway prepares for a Miami career, Saga Ruby goes into retirement and brings to an end the era of British-built cruise ships.