More tales from the Carnival Cruise ship, Splendor, which is currently being tugged to San Diego, four days after an engine room fire knocked out power to the 113,000-ton luxury ship: The San Diego Tribune reports, "The casino and bars, where free drinks were offered, remained open, and a piano man played. But many passengers chose to sleep in hallways, where the ventilation was best, in the aftermath of the fire that knocked out propulsion as well as air conditioning, food refrigeration and other small conveniences." And the Coast Guard says what people really want is coffee. more ›

Break out the monocles and tiny violins: a wealthy Manhattan octogenarian and her nonagenarian husband claim they were booted off the Queen Mary 2 luxury liner because of an argument with a fellow passenger that descended into an anti-semitic rant. Broadway producer Gloria Sher, 82, says that she and her husband's lives are ruined forevermore. No really, look: "I've been sick ever since. It has ruined our lives. It's changed us forever." more ›

A party aboard the cruise ship "The Temptress" turned deadly early Saturday morning as five men were injured in a brawl. Witnesses said that there was a minor dispute within the party of 400 as they boarded the boat at 12:30 a.m., but it cooled down after everybody started drinking. But as they disembarked at 4 a.m., another fight broke out, this time with weapons. One ship employee told the Daily News, "I think [it was] a fight about a girlfriend. But it just sounded like drunk stupid stuff." The five wounded men are expected to survive, and police have three men in custody. Last August, a man was killed after attending a party cruise at the South Street Seaport. more ›

Later this month some special twilight tours will be running to Ellis and Liberty Islands (on the 24th and 25th, respectively). They're being touted as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity, so here's your heads up! "For the first time in the history of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, both attractions will be open on select nights during National Park Week to the general public for tours. This historic undertaking will offer guests not only the tour, but also a first glimpse of Ken Burns' major new documentary on the history of National Parks of the United States." Park Rangers will also be available for a Q&A and dinner (which includes one beverage) is part of the $29 price. This will sell out soon, so get movin'. Just don't accidentally get locked inside Lady Liberty overnight, like these two girls did in 1904! more ›

Feeling lucky? Following the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic (which took place yesterday, 97 years ago) the NY Post reports that people "are lining up to reserve a spot on a cruise ship that will follow the Titanic's ill-fated route in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the liner's trip to the bottom of the Atlantic." The ship will depart in April of 2012, and is expected to make it all the way to New York this time (fingers crossed!). How much does a spot on the ship cost this time around? $3,000. Quite a deal considering that if they followed the original prices today, it would cost anywhere from $172 (third class) to $69,600 (first class)! The ticket price includes food served to "match the sumptuous menus on the original voyage; the entertainment will include music and dancing in the style featured in those glorious times and there will be a chance to hear first hand from historians who have studied the Titanic story." Let's hope they have enough life boats this time around. more ›

Yesterday, a group of Somali pirates seized control of the American container ship Maersk Alabama off the coast of Africa. Though the crew managed to regain control of the ship (hence today's Post cover), the NY Times reports, "the pirates were still holding the ship’s captain as they fled the ship in an unpowered lifeboat." more ›

The Polar Bears are trying to save the zoos in their own special way, with what they are calling a Naked Cruise (provided by Circle Line). Proceeds will go to the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium, who are currently facing massive budget cutbacks, so get out that swimsuit! Yes, apparently by "naked" they mean "wear a swimsuit," but unless your one-piece is made of fauxlar bear fur, it isn't going to keep you warm on a chilly February morning. Still willing to bare it all for a good cause? Save the date, the cruise departs on on a three one hour tour on February 28th, shoving off from Pier 83 and heading to the Statue of Liberty. More details on the Polar Bear website, including this helpful cheat: "When polar bears passengers need a break from the cold, they can bundle up inside the vessel and receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate." And by all means, tag your photos on Flickr with "Gothamist"! more ›

Yay, another massive cruise ship to fill our oceans with sewage and sludge so that bored pensioners can distract themselves from their impending deaths is being built in Finland, and this one's going to be the biggest one yet! Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas has a 1,200-foot-long hull that rises 213 feet above the waterline and displaces 220,000 gross register tons. That's 42 percent grosser than the Independence of the Seas, which was the largest when it was christened two years ago, and five times the displacement of the Titanic, according to the Post. more ›

Today will be the last time the ocean liner the Queen Elizabeth 2 leaves New York (she is destined to be part of a "permanently moored hotel and entertainment complex" in Dubai). She arrived this morning with the Queen Mary 2, under the Verrazano, and they sailed by the Statue of Liberty. You can see the QE 2 and Queen Mary 2 depart their berths at 5 p.m. from a number of locations, like Battery Park, Robert Wagner, Jr Park, and Hudson River Park--here are details from Cunard. The ships will "rendezvous" near the Statue of Liberty--and there will be fireworks! more ›

Delayed spoiler alert: This photo reveals what the upcoming East River waterfalls will most likely look like. Although artist Olafur Eliasson’s ambitious art project doesn't officially start until June 26th, apparently they do need practice turning the spigot. One eagle-eyed Curbed reader caught them in the act late last night and snapped this photo, which depicts the waterfall at Pier 35 by the Manhattan Bridge. more ›

There are more answers and questions regarding the disappearance of a NJ woman from a cruise ship. The Norwegian Cruise Line company said surveillance videos show 46-year-old Mindy Jordan alone in her room and falling from her cabin's balcony, and the FBI said, "The information that we have acquired does not suggest a crime, but that is not definitive," and said it would continue with the investigation (the FBI did seize the cruise's railings). more ›

The Norwegian Cruise line issued a statement about the New Jersey woman who went missing from the Norwegian Dawn ship on Sunday night: "Initial reports indicate that the 46-year-old woman was attempting to climb from one exterior balcony on deck nine to the adjoining balcony (on deck nine) and subsequently fell overboard. NCL is cooperating fully with authorities who are investigating the cause of the incident." more ›

While bad weather stopped the search for a New Jersey woman who disappeared from a Norwegian Dawn cruise ship off the coast of Atlantic City, the FBI is now investigating her disappearance. more ›

When Olafur Eliasson's NYC Waterfalls start roaring on the East River and New York Harbor this June, cruises like Circle Line will be bringing passengers so close to the spray they’ll need to stock ponchos on board. Sure, you could just look at the falls from any number of points on the shore, but tour boat companies are betting that plenty of people will gladly pay for the Man-Made of the Mist experience. more ›