Again, the whole region and whole state have profited from MARTA. But only three local governments h

Once again, the City of Atlanta is defying its relatively small population base and its own economic challenges to invest in Georgia’s future – a new, state-owned stadium for the Atlanta Falcons football team.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, arguably the most important economic four seasons hotel seattle engine for the whole state, was and is a creature of the City of Atlanta. Virtually every company that locates in Gwinnett or Cobb or North Fulton or any other suburban county in the metro region mentions the airport as a major reason.
Think MARTA. Those three jurisdictions passed the MARTA Act in 1971 to build a rapid transit system that’s a mere skeleton of what should be a regional system (had other counties and the state joined in).
Without MARTA, Atlanta never would have won the 1988 Democratic National Convention, the 1994 and 2000 Super Bowls, and most important, the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Without four seasons hotel seattle MARTA, Georgia never would have become one of the country’s leading convention centers.
Again, the whole region and whole state have profited from MARTA. But only three local governments have been paying for its annual operating costs. In fact, rather than provide financial support, the state keeps trying to impose onerous conditions on MARTA, making it even more difficult for it to fulfill its mission.
When the Georgia Dome was being built more than 20 years ago, the State of Georgia issued $200 million in revenue bonds backed by hotel-motel taxes collected in the City of Atlanta and unincorporated Fulton County.
This time around, Gov. Nathan Deal and the State of Georgia did not want to take a political risk to get legislative approval to issue either $300 million or $200 million in revenue bonds (still backed by the city’s hotel-motel taxes) for the $1 billion project. The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to cover the balance of the project’s costs and possible overruns.
So it was left to Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed to take the lead – a city that represents only 10 percent of the region’s population and about 5 percent of the state’s population – has re-emerged as the government that is leading the state.
Overlay these truths with all the Atlanta leaders who have provided the vision and the moral high ground over the decades – lifting Georgia and the South to a place of tolerance, wisdom and relative prosperity and peace.
Just where would Georgia four seasons hotel seattle have been without Henry Grady, William B. Hartsfield, Ralph McGill, Ivan Allen Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., Ted Turner, Coretta Scott King, Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, Shirley four seasons hotel seattle Franklin, Jimmy Carter, Sam Nunn, Carl Sanders, Bill Foege and so many others?
It is an all-too-common refrain in the United States for there to be tension between state governments and their signature big cities. Over the years, the anti-Atlanta attitude at the Capitol has been so extreme four seasons hotel seattle that it was common to refer to the state as “the two Georgias.”
But it may just be a matter of time, with the growing urbanization in the state and the nation, before Georgia will seek to partner with its capital city – as a way to protect its own economic future.
Consumerism in the USA: Is this the America you want to see everywhere everyday? Where you can't interpret the regional or singular character of one place from another? Where owning four seasons hotel seattle (mass produced, cheap) things has become the primary motivation for existence?
Nominate your city for the 2015 Sustainable Transport Award! In photos: Cable car system takes transport to new heights in Bolivia Friday Fun: Two cities’ bold plans to make cars obsolete Bridging the divide between four seasons hotel seattle vendors and local governments for more inclusive cities People-oriented Cities: Mixed-use development creates social and economic benefits Customers protest new women-only cars on São Paulo metro system four seasons hotel seattle Six Ideas for Building a More Resilient New York City The AirBnB Phenomenon: What’s the Impact on Cities? How the “Six Californias” Plan Threatens California’s Transportation Future Jane Jacobs: Why Urban Planning’s Legendary Heroine is Famous for a Reason Could Detroit Develop a Wind Power Economy? Infographic: Cheating Your Way to Successful Urban Farming How Much Cleaning Up Brownfields Is Really Worth Apartment Residents Feel Unsafe in Their Neighborhoods, But Cozy Indoors This Huge Corporation Is Tackling Climate Change—Because It s a Threat to the Bottom Line Visit Paris, Which Is Now Infested four seasons hotel seattle by Rats Tourists Seem to Love BlaBlaCar Is Building a Global Rideshare Network That s Already Taking Over Europe Combating Street Harassment With a Simple, You OK, Sis? Search four seasons hotel seattle Posts
About Smart City Memphis This is Smart City Consulting's blog and its purpose is to connect the dots and provide perspective on events, issues, and policies shaping Memphis and its future. Smart City Memphis was named one of the most intriguing blogs in the U.S. by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change, it was voted the best Memphis blog in About.com's four seasons hotel seattle Reader's Choice Awards, and The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal wrote: "Smart City Memphis provides some of the most well-thought-out thinking about Memphis' four seasons hotel seattle past, present, and future you'll find anywhere." If you have questions, four seasons hotel seattle submissions, or ideas for posts, please email tjones@smartcityconsulting.com.
Aaron Shafer Andrew Trippel Anthony Siracusa Barry Chase Brad Leon Brian Stephens CEOs for Cities Charles Santo Chris Sanders Crosstown four seasons hotel seattle Collaborative David Williams Doug Imig Elizabeth Alley Elizabeth Lemmonds Emily Trenholm Emma Nichols Eric Mathews Gene Pearson Gene Pearson and Louise Mercuro George Lord Greg Thompson Gwyn Fisher Janet Boscarino Jim Strickland Jimmie Covington John Kirkscey John Lawrence Jonathan Flynt Josh Whitehead Julie Ellis Kenya Bradshaw Laura Adams Leah Wells Louise Mercuro, AICP Lurene Cachola Kelley Margot McNeeley Mark James Matt Farr Matt Timberlake Melissa Petersen four seasons hotel seattle Natashia Gregoire Pastor DeAndre Brown Ray Brown Rev. Steve Montgomery Robert Bain SCM Scott Banbury Scott L. Newstok Smart City Memphis Smart City Radio Steve Bares Steve Lockwood Susan Adler Thorp Tom Jones Tomeka Hart Tommy Pacello Women Unite Zach Hoyt

It is that 39.3 percent that is estimated to conservatively bring in $300 million over the life of t

The amount of hotel-motel taxes that would be invested in the project was determined nearly three years ago when the General Assembly agreed to extend the hotel-motel tax collected in the City of Atlanta and in unincorporated Fulton County.
That bill also extended the same percentage that currently is going to paying off the bonds for the Georgia Dome (39.3 percent of 7 cents collected in hotel-motel taxes) for the purposes of renovating the Georgia Dome or building a new home the Atlanta Falcons as long as it was built on land owned by the Georgia hotels in sydney World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA).
hotels in sydney It is that 39.3 percent that is estimated to conservatively bring in $300 million hotels in sydney over the life of the project. That is why GWCCA stipulated that the public exposure in the project would be no more than the estimated $300 million that the hotel-motel taxes would bring in.
Under the initial GWCCA-Falcons agreement announced in December, the state would provide bonding capacity for $300 million that would be repaid by the tax, and the Falcons would be responsible for paying for all the other costs of building and operating the facility.
Now here is where it gets interesting. hotels in sydney Under the GWCCA-Falcons agreement, if the hotel-motel tax generated more than the estimated $300 million, the excess taxes would go into a “waterfall” fund that would go to pay for other debt on the project, or go into a refurbishment and maintenance reserve account, or go into a fund for capital improvements.
So whether the state provides $200 million or $300 million in bonding capacity, the amount of hotel-motel taxes collected remains hotels in sydney the same. In other words, it does not mean that over the life of the project hotels in sydney the Atlanta Falcons would be putting in another $100 million into the stadium project. hotels in sydney All surplus hotel-motel taxes would still be invested hotels in sydney in the stadium development.
“We are in the early briefing stage,” Reed said. “We haven’t even engaged the team of experts or counsel. The bottom line is the stream of revenue that was going to support the state debt had a high coverage ration and was extremely conservative. This is a question about the city’s hotels in sydney credit hotels in sydney facilities that would be used.”
There are two options — Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development arm; and the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, which had been established to build the original Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and later was involved in the building of Philips Arena.
Interestingly enough, because these would be revenue bonds, it is possible that either governmental entity could issue those bonds through hotels in sydney their boards without having to go through the Atlanta City Council.
“This is going to be a partnership,” Reed said, dismissing any such thought hotels in sydney of inequity. “This is not going to be an ego-driven transaction. I’m committed to making hotels in sydney sure that we keep our team in Atlanta for another 30 years.”
Ideally the City of Atlanta and the governor’s office would work closely with GWCCA to take full advantage of all the hard negotiations that took place over the past two years so we can get the best possible deal.
[...] So, there are multiple reports hotels in sydney that the Falcons are willing to accept only $200 Million in bonds (down from $300M) backed by Atlanta s hotel motel tax to get this deal done and moving.  So, the taxpayers have saved $100 Million from the previous deal, right?  Well, as Maria Saporta reports, not so fast [...]
[...] So, there are multiple reports that the Falcons are willing to accept only $200 Million in bonds (down from $300M) backed by Atlanta’s hotel motel tax to get this deal done and moving. hotels in sydney So, the taxpayers have saved $100 Million from the previous deal, right?  Well, as Maria Saporta reports, hotels in sydney not so fast… [...]
[...] focus has been given on the amount of taxes that will go towards the deal. Last week’s Maria’s Metro column explained that the amount of hotel-motel taxes collected would remain the same no matter whether [...]
[...] Make no mistake; there will be more than $350 million in public spending on a new stadium if the deal as presented is adopted. A simple analysis by long-time Atlanta business writer Maria Saporta lays out how it was structured in the last agreement with the state, and it still remains in the current deal, as you can see here. All the money collected for the dedicated percentage of the hotel/motel hotels in sydney tax will go to funding the stadium, this amount is NOT capped. Here s Saporta s report. [...]
[ ] by politicians or the media. The waterfall fund was only revealed when a local business writer exposed it on her own blog — and even then, it was rarely mentioned in subsequent media stories or in legislative [ ]
Region Matters Melissa Roberts, Atlanta Regional Commission Input from the Regional Plan Survey, offered now until September, will help guide public policies related to transportation, land use, water quality, workforce development, aging citizens and health r...
Transit Mary Thumati, Georgia Tech Student It’s unfortunate that the MARTA bus service is nearly hotels in sydney invisible to non-users and that the learning curve is so large. hotels in sydney With improved bus stops and information, MARTA bus can be as integral as MARTA r...
Philanthropy Tahmida hotels in sydney Shamsuddin, Neighborhood Nexus The Neighborhood Nexus serves as a free hub for gathering facts, acquiring hotels in sydney insights as well as providing residents with tools and information to tell their stories. The post Harnessing data to strengt...
Metro Business Ric Hubler, Metro Atlanta Chamber hotels in sydney The truth is we should care about export intensity; it isn’t just another economic statistic on a page. In today’s global economy, it tells a compelling story about Atlanta.
Health Care Practice David Martin, VeinInnovations A new device called Sense aims to improve our sleep through tech and tracking. We're still teasing out just what happens during sleep and the factors, like stress, that turn a good night bad.
Robinson College of Business Luis Planas, Robinson College of Business hotels in sydney '77 As a boy Luis Planas wanted to be a doctor. Find out how his life path led him to receive an MBA in Finance in 1977 from the Robinson hotels in sydney College of Business with this week's Robinson Reflection.
Home Mortgages Kathy Gyselinck, Southeast Mortgage hotels in sydney While inventory is down in Atlanta, buyers need to increase their competitive edge using savvy tricks that include financial and emotional powers of persuasion.
Global Health Scott Ruschak, MAP International It’s safe to say most people take pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for granted in the U.S. But, imagine a world without hotels in sydney vital drugs and health supplies.
Sally Flocks { The proposed bond referendum is likely to allocate significant funding to sidewalk repairs. Elected officials now recognize that using tax dollars to pay for some... } – Jul 29, 5:46 PM

it is FAR from a waste of money. this ensures that ATL will get another Super Bowl, a share of the C

Yes, it will be the primary home of the Atlanta Falcons, but it ll also be home of the SEC Championship. The renderings are ever evolving. According to wikipedia, the Georgia Dome was completed in 1992 at a cost of $214 million and was one of the largest state-funded construction projects the warwick hotel in Georgia history. The Dome received $300 million in renovations between 2006 and 2009.
it is FAR from a waste of money. this ensures that ATL will get another Super Bowl, a share of the College Playoffs the warwick hotel and keeps the Chick Fil A Peach Bowl a big game. all of these reasons bring big money into the city where the current Dome cant make these promises. along with that comes the new MLS team. its nothing but a revenue making machine. out with the old, in with the new and more functional
It s a waste of money. The SEC championship game and the Peach Bowl were happy with the dome. They have played soccer in the dome several times a year for the last few years with no problems so a MLS team would have still been possible. The new stadium will seat fewer people and it is partially funded with tax payer dollars which is a slap in the face when you consider that you will have to purchase PSLs to buy season tickets.

Most independent analysts are skeptical about how much of the wealth created by stadiums actually se

Why should some $300 million in hotel-motel taxes be put toward a $1 billion new stadium for the Atanta Falcons? Today, a state representative answers that question and spells out the economic benefits of a new nest for the Dirty Birds. And a state senator questions public subsidies for privately owned sports teams.
The Falcons are in negotiations with the Georgia World Congress Center Authority discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi to build a new stadium by 2017, when the Falcons’ lease at the Georgia Dome could expire. The new building would not only house the Falcons, but other events.
The stadium project is important to retaining Georgia’s position as one of the nation’s premier tourism destinations. Whether or not we replace the Georgia Dome isn’t a Falcons issue or even an Atlanta issue. It’s a Georgia issue.
The Georgia Dome has greatly benefited our state. From sporting events to concerts, to conventions, to the Olympics, the Dome has hosted events that have brought billions of dollars into our economy. If we want to host marquee events and enjoy the economic benefits, we must move forward with a modern facility that is competitive, flexible and functional.
The Georgia Dome was completely funded discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi with public discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi money through a portion of the hotel/motel tax in Atlanta discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi and other areas in Fulton County. This tax also funds a number of regional economic development projects.
discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi The new stadium will be a public-private partnership. The same portion of the hotel/motel tax — 39 percent — will contribute to its construction. The Falcons will be responsible for the remainder of the funding, about two-thirds of the cost in addition to taking discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi on the operating, discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi capital and construction risks borne by the state for the Georgia Dome, which means we will be able to fund our end of the public contribution without raising income or property taxes.
People have asked me why the public should invest approximately discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi $300 million in a stadium for the Falcons. I tell them that they are looking at it backward: The Falcons are going to invest about $700 million in a stadium discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi for Georgia. That stadium will be an asset of the state and will generate economic benefits long after the public investment is recouped.
A $300 million public investment, even though discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi it will only be levied on visitors to Atlanta, seems like a lot of money, but consider the return. This stadium will add more than 4,500 jobs to our state’s economy and generate more than $400 million in economic impact to the state during construction.
NCAA President discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi Mark Emmert recently noted that a new stadium discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi in Atlanta “clearly would be advantageous” discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi in luring future marquee events. He also said that we are facing increased competition for these types of events.
A new stadium has much better potential to attract new events such as a Super Bowl, or a soccer World Cup. Atlanta has earned the distinction of a world-class city, and the entire state has the opportunity to benefit even more through projects like this.
I voted for the extension of the hotel-motel tax in 2010 as a method of paying for a new Falcons stadium. discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi It was a way of having visitors to the city and state pay for the construction of a new stadium. It is a vote I have come to regret, especially since the negotiations on how the money is to be used are shrouded in secrecy. Legislators were not given a full picture of ancillary infrastructure costs and the potential for cost overruns. I am opposed to taxpayers being on the hook for Falcons stadium debt.
The question is how much are we, as taxpayers, willing to pony up to support the private sports industry and its wealthy owners and players? Is public funding discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi of sports teams — bonding support or other direct discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi taxes — a legitimate municipal or state government undertaking? We should be mindful of the Gwinnett Braves stadium-funding debacle. Taxpayers were made to cover the increased construction costs (from $25 million to $64 million) and revenue shortfalls. I say let the Falcons discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi and the NFL finance their own facility.
It would be better to use hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to improve education as an economic driver than to support a sports team owner. Since 2002, funding cuts to our public education system have spiraled to upwards of $6 billion. Many of the same people who slashed education funding are now advocating this Falcons stadium deal. In survey after survey, businesses discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi say the top consideration for relocating a business is education. They never mention discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi football.
The boosters of using taxpayer money to subsidize stadium construction are making the “trickle-down” economic development argument discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi — that a new stadium will lead to a more prosperous city and state. That assertion was made when the present Georgia Dome was built 20 years ago. If the impoverished conditions of the nearby discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods are any indication, that argument is a cruel deception.
Most independent analysts are skeptical about how much of the wealth discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi created by stadiums actually seeps out of the edifices’ walls into the cities and states that house them. They are profitable for team owners and the league, but not for the people who pay the cost. A. Barton Hinkle, a conservative editorialist, wrote: “Economists, who usually disagree about nearly discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi everything, are united on one point: Public subsidies for sports stadiums are win-lose propositions: The teams win, and the taxpayers lose.”
One of the most galling aspects of this debate is that negotiations between the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and the Falcons about the terms of the agreement are being conducted in secret. discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi Secret negotiations make citizens distrust discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi government. I urge Gov. Nathan Deal and the World Congress Center Authority to make those negotiations open and transparent to the media and the public.
Check out how the Marlins lied to their fans and the city of Miami to get their new stadium. It did not draw fans as predicted and then they sold off their team after promising the city that they would maintain a competitive team. Miami taken for suckers!
discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi Why don t we just find out what Deal s cut is going to be and have the legislature bribe him that amount to veto the bill? It s a win-win. Deal gets his usual cut and the taxpayers discount rates at the grand hotel parco dei principi pay way less than $300 million.
[...] Public funding for new sports stadium?Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Why should some $300 million in hotel-motel taxes be put toward a $1 billion new stadium for the Atanta Falcons? Today, a state representative answers that question and spells out the economic benefits of a new nest for the Dirty Birds. And a state [...]

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has twenty six members that include Carnival Cruise Li

LIGHTNING RELEASES 07/28/14 Dallas, TX Contrary to statistics and expert opinion, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., chairman ocean cruises turkey of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and longtime critic of the cruise industry continues to push the Cruise ocean cruises turkey Passenger Protection Act.
Renowned criminologist, ocean cruises turkey Dr. James Fox of Northeastern University, has testified before the U.S. Congress that crime is not an issue on cruise ships and has been quoted as saying that the only place he knows of that is statistically safer to vacation is in one s backyard.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) stated the hearing presented a distorted picture of an industry that has an exceptional guest care and safety record. and called Rockefeller s bill a solution in search of a problem. Statistics cited by the trade group show 70% of passengers are repeat cruisers and more than 90% are satisfied with their experience.
The statement went on to say, The allegations made at the hearing do not represent the experiences of more than 22 million people every year that enjoy exceptional ocean cruises turkey vacation value and a lifetime of positive memories. and that By any measure, cruising is very safe. Please see the complete CLIA statement .
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has twenty six members that include Carnival Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.
The Peer to Peer Lending Guide (P2P Lending) (118) Carnival of Personal Finance ocean cruises turkey #104: Minimalist Edition. (96) Get Paid to Get a Tattoo (And Sell Yourself ocean cruises turkey Out to Corporate ocean cruises turkey America in the Process) (85) Walmart [NYSE:WMT] ocean cruises turkey to Imbed RFID Tags on Clothes Beginning August 1 (66) Money Merge Accounts: Just Say, No Thanks. (59)

2012 will bring more choice in cruising to the Australian public than in other time in the industry

January and February are the best months to snap up a cruise bargain as cruise lines race to fill up a record number of empty cabins. The chairman of the International traveling nurse placement Cruising Council of Australia, Gavin Smith, is predicting incredible value for Australian cruisers, traveling nurse placement as the proliferation of big ships in Australia will see prices plunge over the next two months.
2012 will bring more choice in cruising to the Australian public than in other time in the industry s history, with a number of first-time, world-class cruise ship visitors still to come from a variety of brands, with vessels set to include Voyager of the Seas , Celebrity Solstice , Carnival Spirit and Oosterdam , he said.
The best time to book is tipped to be during the earlybird sales , traditionally launched at the start of each year, Smith said. My prediction is that the industry will respond to the increased volume of cruise holidays by releasing never-to-be-repeated pricing in January and February. They will all be out there with great deals, he said.
Heavy discounts are expected to be applied to local as well as overseas departures, particularly in Europe. The combination of our strong dollar and greater availability should present good opportunities to travel internationally, and whereas in the past Australians have struggled to get their accommodation of choice because the inventory is do dominated by the European market, I think they will now find there are more beds available, Smith said.
He acknowledges the challenging economic situation in Europe and the US but said interest in Australia and New Zealand remained traveling nurse placement strong, evidenced by the recent trend towards basing new, better quality ships in the region.
traveling nurse placement 2012 is a demonstration by the world s cruise lines of their recognition of Australia as an important component of their deployments in respect of the strength of the local market and the interest in travel to Australia by Americans and Europeans, he said.
Find out more about our Sail Free Guarantee Follow Subscribe Categories Cruise News (147) Cruise Destinations (19) - South Pacific (3) - Asia (4) - Alaska (5) - Caribbean (2) - Mediterranean (2) - Baltic (1) Cruise Ship Reviews (67) Special events (6) Types of cruises (8) First time cruisers (14) Shore Excursions (3) Crew Life (2) Cruise Specialist (37) Life Onboard (6) - River Cruise (10) Cruising Information (48) - Australia New Zealand (6) - Tips and Advice (21) - Need-to-Know (7) - FAQ's (3) Guest Blogger (10) - Luxury Cruise (3) - Hawaii (2) - Antarctica (1) - Family Cruise (4) - Europe (6) - Adventure Cruise (2) Share your cruise traveling nurse placement stories FREE Cruise Newsletter
traveling nurse placement

"That's probably a really good idea, considering the problems they've had," John d'Amour noted as we

Ahoy, from the Lido Deck of the ocean-bound Star Princess. It’s 2100 hours Saturday evening as I write this – I don’t recall how many bells that equals – and we’re heading east out the Strait of Juan de Fuca past Port Angeles on a blustery, cool evening after a warm and sunny departure day. The ship has begun a slow, ponderous roll as we meet ocean swells.
Topping the news of my day was meeting two couples who had each booked this 7-day Alaska cruise last week at the fire-sale price of $299 a person – showing just how slow bookings must be in the wake of recent cruise-ship problems.
There are government taxes and fees on top of that, but when you think about the basic cost for two, it’s like spending $85 a night – about what you’d pay for a modest motel in Yakima. But you get a sea cruise to Alaska and the full-meal deal included. By way of comparison, when I booked my cruise last September – choosing advance booking because we often commit to our writing projects months in advance – the base fare was $1,358. That included the usual premium cost for a single traveler, but it’s insane that it’s more than double what these folks paid for last-minute bookings for two .
Carnival Triumph’s atlanta downtown hotels disastrous breakdown and sewage system failure in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year was apparently a game-changer for many travelers considering a cruise – on top of memories of the deadly shipwreck atlanta downtown hotels in Italy, or continuing scares of Norovirus and other illnesses. Those things were all clearly on people’s minds today as this huge ship – as long as Seattle’s tallest building is high departed Seattle’s Pier 91.
“That’s probably a really good idea, considering atlanta downtown hotels the problems they’ve had,” John d’Amour noted as we snaked through the check-in line and I paused to squirt my hands at the first of dozens of alcohol hand-cleaner stations I passed today. “Eau de Purell” is the preferred scent on the seas now. (On board, no one gets into the buffett without spritzing some on their palm.)
At 3 p.m., an hour before leaving dock, the ship held an emergency drill in which alarms sounded and we were all instructed to proceed to our “muster station” on Deck 7, where the lifeboats are situated, bringing lifejackets from our cabins. “A requirement of international law,” said a voice over the P.A. system.
“Due to recent events, you know how important is this drill, so let me please have your full attention,” said a purser, apparently referring atlanta downtown hotels to the Costa Concordia shipwreck off Tuscany that killed 32 passengers last year. “Believe me, if you asked people who were on that ship, they all wished they knew what to do.”
I give the Star Princess’s crew credit, though: They seem to take the problems seriously. Reminders to wash hands and use the Purell are inescapable. Nobody wants the Love Boat and, yes, some crew still call it that to have the Vomit Bug.
The day got better after the drill. Watching line-dancing by the pool; passengers packing the deck to watch the ship edge out into Elliott Bay, with Mount Rainier peeking through sunny haze; wandering waiters with trays full of mai tais (nope, sorry, not free). Tomorrow, we have a full day at sea, heading for Juneau. I’ll check back then (if my shaky and expensive Internet connection holds) and tell you more about:
How Princess has tried to win me over with free champagne and chocolates, a fancy fruit bowl and a big bouquet of roses (all of which I gave away to other deserving passengers). atlanta downtown hotels Now knock it off, guys.
Kristin Jackson , travel editor at The Seattle Times, grew up in Italy, went to university in Britain, and worked as a journalist in London and Vancouver, B.C., before migrating back to Seattle where she’s happy at her desk but way happier on the road.
Brian J. Cantwell , Outdoors editor at The Seattle Times, is a Seattle native who chose not to leave -- except for every chance he gets to go someplace interesting or adventurous. He lives on his sailboat at Shilshole Bay Marina.