The fall foliage along the great rivers of Europe is wonderful. This photos was taken on a cruise on the Viking River Cruises' Viking Spirit.

Bamberg Photo (c) Linda Garrison

If you are in New York City on Thursday, October 16, you might want to head down to the Westside Terminal about 5:00 pm to say goodbye to the classic ocean liner the QE2. The historic occasion will mark the ship's 706th and final call to New York before her retirement next month.

Escorted by FDNY fireboats and flotilla of pleasure craft, the QE2 will depart the Westside Terminal at 5 p.m. to meet her sister ship, Queen Mary 2, for a rendezvous at the Statue of Liberty as both ocean liners embark on a tandem voyage to Southampton, England - marking QE2's 806th and final Transatlantic Crossing.
Cunard's QE2 Bids Farewell to America

QE2 Photo Courtesy of Cunard Line

Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to a number of cabins on three ships during upcoming dry docks over the next few months. Staterooms on the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty that currently feature floor-to-ceiling windows will be retrofitted with private balconies, creating a total of 48 additional 230-square-foot verandah staterooms on these vessels.

Additionally, two new 750-square-foot "deluxe penthouse suites" – nearly double the size of the largest staterooms in the fleet – will be added to the Carnival Liberty.
New Balcony Staterooms to Be Added on Three Carnival Ships

Carnival Liberty Photo (c) Linda Garrison

Holland America Line will reflect the glamor and history of New York City in the interior design of its 15th ship, which will be delivered in 2010. The 86,000-ton, 2,106-passenger ship will be named the Nieuw Amsterdam, the former name of New York City. The Nieuw Amsterdam will be built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard.

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