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E L L I O T T ' S TRAVEL NOTES
Travel news, opinion and analysis

December 8, 2004

Cruise Line Fined $200K For Dumping
One of the largest tourism companies in Alaska has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges resulting from an illegal discharge of some 20,000 gallons of sewage in downtown Juneau by its cruise ship Ryndam in August 2002. The case against Holland America Line marks the first time a cruise ship company has been prosecuted under a 2000 federal law that prohibits dumping of untreated waste in Alaska waters by vessels with more than 500 passengers, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis, who handled the government's case. Seattle-based Holland America will pay a fine of $200,000 to the federal government and $65,000 to the state, according to a plea agreement unveiled Tuesday. (Anchorage Daily News) Posted 6:35 a.m.
• Holland America Will Spend $1.3M For Prevention (AP)
• Earlier: Concerns About Florida Dumping (FS)

It's about time the law caught up with these polluters. But it's also good to see that the cruise lines finally seem to be getting it.

Dolphin Pleads Not Guilty to Assault
Miami Dolphins wide receiver David Boston pleaded innocent Tuesday to striking a ticket agent at the Burlington International Airport. Boston, 26, who was charged with simple assault, did not appear in court. His lawyer entered his plea on his behalf. The player, who has missed the entire season with a knee injury, is reportedly appealing a four-game suspension by the NFL after testing positive for steroids. He is accused of striking US Airways employee Ed Gorchinski, 50, in the face on Oct. 19 after he refused to let him to board a plane. Boston claimed Gorchinski caused him to miss his flight and had spit in his face. (AP) Posted 6:45 a.m.

Want to Travel Safe? Go Canadian
Ready to trade that Yo for an Eh? There are those who insist that smart American travelers should stow their Yankee identity and simply pretend they're Canadians to ensure safe passage overseas. New Mexico-based T-Shirt King, in fact, is offering a "Going Canadian" kit for $25 that includes a T-shirt emblazoned with the Canadian flag and the phrase "O Canada," a matching maple leaf patch for luggage, a window sticker, lapel pin and a little guide called "How to Speak Canadian, Eh?" (Washington Times) Posted 6:50 a.m.

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The Real Danger
The recent dust-up over humiliating and invasive body searches by the Transportation Security Administration has fixated our collective attention on the wrong issue. Of course patting down a woman's bra - a knee-jerk reaction to the two Chechen women who were thought to have carried nonmetallic explosives on two Russian airlines that were bombed - is a bandage solution to the security threat from terrorists. Where's the real danger? Don't look for it in the main cabin. (Travelcomment.com) Posted 6:55 a.m.

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Mystery of Woman Overboard Intensifies
Federal agents were probing for clues Tuesday into the disappearance of a Waukesha woman who apparently went over the side of a cruise ship about 30 miles off the coast of Mexico. Annette Mizener, 37, apparently went over the side of a cruise ship about 30 miles off the coast of Mexico. (JS) Posted 7:05 a.m.

Passenger Jailed in Sexual Assault Case
An Oregon man must serve three months in federal prison for sexually molesting a sleeping woman aboard a commercial airlines flight. Federal Magistrate Michael J. Watanabe found Alexander Vladimirovich Kolotov, 29, of Portland, guilty of abusive sexual contact and simple assault during a United Airlines flight from Miami to Denver on October 14, 2003. (Gazette) Posted 7:10 a.m.

Cypress Gardens Reopens
Cypress Gardens, Florida's oldest theme park, reopens this week after an arduous restoration. The new owner had planned to revive the park after low attendance forced it to close, but he did not plan on the three hurricanes that struck during renovation. (NPR) Posted 7:15 a.m.

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