So Glad This is NOT Celebrity, but I had to share it

[theawesome1]

Another amazing travel story from my friend Raoul in his German travel journal. It may shock you as it did me:

 

The recently founded Mesopotamian River Cruises (MRC) has announced that

its North American office, located in Axis, Alabama, opened today. Owned

by Iraqi entrepreneur Ahmad al Hadhita, who has been living in the

United States for more than 30 years, MRC plans to operate two five-star

river boats, "Pride of Baghdad" and "Babylon Dream". Built in Eastern

Germany in the late 1980s, both vessels are about to undergo an

extensive rejuvenation program, which considers of a thorough

refurbishment of the technical and nautical equipment as well as a

complete reconstruction of the passenger accommodations and public

spaces. The work will be carried out at a shipyard in Dubai, United Arab

Emirates.

 

"With our newly-refurbished deluxe vessels, it is our pleasure to

introduce enchanting river cruises on Iraq's two major rivers, Euphrates

and Tigris, to North American passengers, who are among the world's most

discerning travelers," says April Scherz, MRC's manager of sales for

North America.

 

"We plan to commence cruise operations a year from now, in April, 2005.

However, this might change as the safety and security of our guests are

of course most important to us. Past visitors to Iraq have been raving

about the friendliness of the Iraqi people, about the country's famed

historic sites and the beautiful countryside along the rivers," Scherz adds.

 

Attractive fly-and-cruise packages including Kuwait Airways flights from

the U.S. and Canada via Kuwait City are currently being finalized.

Cruises will depart from the Iraqi cities of Basra and Mosul, with the

"Babylon Dream" offering seven-night round-trip cruises from Basra and

the "Pride of Baghdad" being deployed on seven-night cruises between

Basra and Mosul and vice-versa.

 

The 86-passenger "Babylon Dream's" seven-night "Legacy of Mesopotamia"

cruise sails round-trip from Basra which is situated in Southeastern

Iraq on the Shatt al'Arab, the joint mouth of Euphrates and Tigris. At

Al Qurnah near the confluence of the two mighty rivers, passengers visit

a fenland village with its hospitable inhabitants and original reed huts

to enjoy a traditional lunch.

 

The "Babylon Dream" then turns westward on the Euphrates river and stops

at Nasiriyah for a visit to the ancient city of Ur, founded in the early

stone age and an important Sumerian metropolis from the third millennium

BC. According to the Old Testament, Ur was the original home of Abraham

and his ancestors.

 

Following a relaxing day cruising the Euphrates valley, the "Babylon

Dream" reaches Al Hindiyah, gateway to two of the most fascinating

places in Iraq, the remains of the famous Babylon and the holy city of

Karbala with the tomb of Hussain, Mohammed's grandson, who is venerated

as a martyr by the Shiites. Babylon, capital of Babylonia since 1,700

BC, was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and reached its greatest

splendour under Nebuchadnezzar, who ordered The Hanging Gardens of

Babylon, known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, to be

built. Excavations by German archeologists in the late 19th and early

20th century uncovered major parts of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon.

 

"Babylon Dream" then proceeds to Fallujah for an overnight stay. From

Fallujah, guests transfer to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, where a full

day of activities is planned. Following a fascinating tour of the city,

MRC's privileged passengers visit the Iraqi National Museum with its

unique exhibition of artifacts from the country's varied history. Guests

are then bussed to a former presidential palace outside of Baghdad where

they enjoy an authentic Arab gala dinner with high-class local

entertainment. Passengers rejoin the ship in Fallujah from where it

sails back towards Basra the next morning.

 

>From Samawah, guests take part in an excursion to Uruk, founded in the

fourth million BC and capital of Babylonia between 3,000 and 2,700 BC.

The famed Gilgamesh Epic extensively covers Uruk, which is surrounded by

a town wall almost six miles in length.

 

"Babylon Dream" returns to Basra on the morning of the eighth day of the

cruise.

 

The 104-passenger "Pride of Baghdad" operates seven-night "Facets of

Mesopotamia" cruises on the Tigris river between Basra and Mosul or

reverse. Ports of call (still subject to change) include Al Qurnah, Kut,

two days in Baghdad, Tikrit, Khanuqah (Assur shore excursion) and Mosul

(Nimrud and Ninive shore excursions). The final itinerary will be

published in the near future.

 

Built in Eastern Germany, "Pride of Baghdad" and "Babylon Dream" were

originally commissioned by the former Iraqi government. Acquired by

Ahmad al Hadhita in 2003, both riverboats are to be turned into floating

Arab palaces through investments of US$ 20 million. Spacious all-outside

accommodations with french balconies are featured. Guest staterooms have

king-size beds, a seating area and bathrooms with a bathtub and shower.

Direct-dial phones, hair dryer, a satellite TV/VCR combination, radio,

mini-bar, and individual air conditioning make sure that guests feel

truly pampered while their elegant river boat takes them to Iraq's most

fascinating ports of call. Both vessels have large, open-seating

restaurants, a forward-facing observation lounge, a well-equipped

fitness center and spa and a huge sundeck with its own bar, teak

furniture and jacuzzis. "Pride of Baghdad" also features an indoor

swimming pool.

 

Offering a true luxury product, MRC provides guests with a virtually

all-inclusive experience. All meals, soft drinks, a huge selection of

alcoholic drinks, gratuities and shore excursions are included in the

cruise package.

 

My logo: When we disembark, I just have to book another!

[smudge's mom]

Happy April Fool's to you, too.

[catmand]

..................................????????? Gee, I guess I am typeless.....almost!

 

Where do I get in line for the former presidential palace outside of Bagdad? I only wish I could print what my dear wife AkaWanda and I were talking about last night!

 

Star Princess 9/03 Alaska

Celebrity Mercury 3/04 Mexico

Next: Sapphire Princess 10/2/04

Mercury Cruise Pic's 3/13/04

http://community.webshots.com/user/catmand100

[bryanwal]

I read that instead of a life jacket drill, they have a flak jacket drill.

 

- Bryan W

Oct 2000 Disney Magic - Eastern Caribbean

Jun 2002 Disney Magic - Western Caribbean

Jul 2004 HAL Oosterdam - Alaska

Feb 2005 Celebrity Mercury - Mexican Riviera

 

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