Historic cruise ship to be given a new life

by Chris Owen on

It was and still is the largest ocean liner constructed entirely in the U.S. The 53,330 ton SS United States that ran transatlantic sailings until 1969, setting speed records that have still not been broken today. Still, the ships fate seemed doomed with her next stop being the scrap yard.

Built from 1950-52, the SS United States operated uninterrupted transatlantic passenger service until 1969. But the ship was withdrawn from service and bounced around from one idea to another. At one point there was talk of making it into a floating time share-like ship. Later it was stripped of its fittings that that would become furniture in a North Carolina restaurant. Most recently the ship was slated to become part of Norwegian Cruise Lines American-flagged Hawaii fleet.

The SS United States Conservancy announced Tuesday it has purchased the legendary ocean liner, berthed in Philadelphia since 1996, from Norwegian Cruise Line and its parent company for $3 million and hopes to restore the ship to its original glory in an extreme makeover the likes of which has never been seen.

They have a long way to go though.

The annual costs of upkeep tops $800,000, the ship is full of toxic PCB’s, fire-resistant chemicals once commonly used in paint which must be removed, and the refitting price tag is high at $200 million.

“While we’ve already been talking with a number of investors, municipal officials and developers, we can take these conservations to the next level because we now hold title to the vessel,” said Susan Gibbs, conservancy board president and the granddaughter of William Francis Gibbs, the ship’s Philadelphia-born designer. “Our doors are open and we’re ready for business.”

Why bother?

This is a ship that carried President John F. Kennedy and actress Grace Kelly. Prince Rainier of Monaco, England’s King Edward VIII and former Rhodes scholar Bill Clinton were on board. This is a piece of history that once gone, we will never get back. Today’s cruise ships are built in a totally different manner in foreign shipyards. This one, the one that still holds the transatlantic speed record, was built in America. How many things can you say that about these days?

While private backers are being sought to fund the enterprise, donations are being accepted via the Conservatory’s website.

Flickr photo by Mihai Bjorn

Spring Break deal: $100 off any Lufthansa flight from the US

by Scott Carmichael on

Bored with the usual Spring Break destinations? You could consider checking out 5 tips for alternative destinations from our friends at AOL Travel, or if you’d like to get really creative, head to Europe for a bit. Thanks to a promotion from Lufthansa, you can now book a flight on one of their routes for $100 off.

The promotion requires you to enter your name and email address, and minutes later, you’ll have a unique promo code in your inbox.

The fine print is pretty simple – book and redeem between now and February 21 for travel between now and March 31. Promo codes can only be used on Lufthansa flights (so no codeshares) and only on flights that depart in the US. According to the terms and conditions, the promo can be applied to any ticket code! Promotions like this don’t last long – so snag yourself a code as soon as possible.

Found yourself a flight for a nice price? Share it in the comments section!

[Photo: AFP/Getty Images]

Budget eats in Amsterdam

by Alex Robertson Textor on

Amsterdam isn’t known as a dirt cheap place to dine. There are plenty of places to find decent food at affordable prices, however, and not just at those stands churning out cones of frites doused in mayonnaise. (For the record frites topped with mayonnaise are delicious. Eat them at least once. You won’t regret it.)

For visitors renting a room through a booking service like airbnb or an entire apartment, stocking an Amsterdam refrigerator for a week’s stay can be a disarmingly inexpensive activity. Here are two suggestions for finding budget eats in Amsterdam.

1. Albert Cuyp Markt. This open-air market runs Monday through Saturday along several blocks of the Albertcuypstraat in the neighborhood of De Pijp. It is a crazy hub of activity, with vendors selling produce, fish, prepared food items, and all manner of other things–clothes, electronics, toys, beauty supplies, and so on.

De Pijp is a diverse neighborhood, and three of Amsterdam’s main immigrant groups (Turks, Surinamese, and Moroccans) are well represented at the market. This translates into the availability of all sorts of goods, including some edibles, that you probably won’t see at home. Two recommendations: herring, delicious and very very Dutch, and the no less Dutch stroopwafels, pressed on the spot. Unlike the packaged stroopwafels on sale at US supermarkets, these are thick and chewy enough to count as a real snack.

2. Albert Heijn supermarkets. This supermarket chain is surprisingly affordable. During my most Amsterdam visit, I stocked up on eggs, juice, lox, cold cuts, yogurt, tomatoes, milk, and crackers for just €28 ($39). That yield took care of the breakfast and lunch needs for four hungry people for five days.

It’s also worth noting that Albert Heijn is not a discount chain in the Netherlands. You’ll be able to find even better deals at chains like Aldi, Lidl, and Supercoop.

On a tight travel budget and suddenly in an Amsterdam mood? Check out Gadling’s bang-up 2009 budget Amsterdam overview.

[Image: Flickr|alui000]

5 German drinking destinations other than Oktoberfest

by Gadling Staff on

As the towering, stumbling behemoth of German drinking destinations, Oktoberfest overshadows the many rich traditions of beverage consumption throughout the rest of the country.

While Oktoberfest resembles an overpriced frat party to my discerning eyes, these destinations promise beautiful settings, affordable prices and plenty of friendly locals ready to raise a glass and say Prost!

1. Palatinate Wine Festivals

While Germany’s premier wine region is best known for its world-class white wines, it’s quantity over quality at the region’s many wine festivals, and that’s no negative. Germans pack the streets in rural wine country to gulp down Weinschorle, a mixture of wine and sparkling water served in .5L glasses. Live music and lots of pretzels complete the scene.

2. Bamberg Rauchbier

Bamberg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, and home to the highest density of breweries in the world. Their most famous brew is Rauchbier; a smoked beer that tastes like delicious beer bacon. Add that to the bizarrely low prices for everything in this bustling university town and you’ve got a winner.

3. Hessen Apfelwein

Hessen, a central state that includes Frankfurt is well known to Germans for its Apfelwein (apple wine). Similar to the American or British hard ciders you may be used to, Apfelwein is typically more tart and sour. It’s best experienced in Hessen Apfelwein taverns where they usually pair this wine with a massive plate of meat.

4. Stuttgarter Wasen

Cannstatter Wasen, also known as the Cannstatter Volksfest, takes place in Stuttgart at the end of September or beginning of October. It’s not that different from Munich’s Oktoberfest –you’ll find tents filled with top-notch German beer, loud drunk people and all the grilled bratwurst you could ever desire. But you can throw back that Ma� (liter glass) of Hefeweizen without the feeling that you’re in a tourist trap.

5. Oberkirch Schnapps

Oberkirch, a small town perched on the outskirts of the Black Forest, boasts 891 schnapps distilleries in the nearby vicinity. Try some pear schnapps, blackberry, raspberry, apple … the list goes on. Bonus: the entirety of the Black Forest is stunningly gorgeous with lots of outdoor activities.

Video of the day: Reykjavik, Iceland

by Elizabeth Seward on

So there’s this guy I met while living in New York, Dave Pinke. He’s one of those really cool guys with a really cool taste in music and things that look good. He even has a really cool taste in where to go when he travels. When Dave started compiling video footage from his journeys and making fun music-themed videos for me, and, well, everyone else, I was excited. And I’m still excited. I’ll share his videos with you when I get the chance. Here’s one of my favorites from his trip to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Reykjavik from Dave Pinke on Vimeo.