Author: Cruiser Evan
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Shipwreck on the Yangtze River Likely the Worst in Chinese History
The shipwreck on the Yangtze River is as bad as initially feared. At this point, four days after the Eastern Star sank on a stretch of the river that winds through the Hubei province after encountering severe weather, it is all but impossible that more survivors will be found. Of the 456 passengers who were on board the Eastern Star, which has also been translated as the “Oriental Star,” only 14 survived, the same number we reported the day after the shipwreck occurred. Read more […] -
Hundreds Missing after Shipwreck on Yangtze River in China
A cruise ship sailing down the Yangtze River from Nanjing to Chongqing capsized Monday night after encountering a violent storm consisting of heavy rain, high winds, and potentially a tornado. The Eastern Star or Oriental Star, depending on how the ship’s name is translated, was carrying 456 passengers, and now, approximately 43 hours after the vessel first flipped, there are only 14 known survivors. Seven passengers have been confirmed dead, leaving 437 people unaccounted for, most of whom are senior citizens. Read more […] -
Whale Watching Cruises in Valdez, Alaska: A Guide
Valdez is one of the many small coastal towns in Alaska that has whale watching cruises. The cruises that depart from Valdez all take place in Prince William Sound, which is spectacular even by Alaskan standards, and where a number of different kinds of whales and other marine life can be spotted. Perhaps because whales are only one of the draws of Prince William Sound, the ships that depart from Valdez aren’t actually offering whale watching cruises specifically, but rather broader nature and wildlife tours. Below we have compiled information about the major tours out of Valdez that feature a whale watching component of one sort or another. Read more […] -
Whale Watching Cruises in Seward, Alaska: A Guide
Seward is something of hub for whale watching cruises in south central Alaska. Several companies offer whale watching cruises or wildlife cruises that include whale watching, and if you are engaged in some sea-based activity that isn’t directly connected to viewing wildlife, you still might see whales. Basically, Seward is a really good place to whale watch, and if you have any interest in doing so, you shouldn’t have any trouble arranging a tour. As is frequently the case, though, it’s not easy to find and compare all the relevant opportunities, so we’ve done our best to impose some order on the whale watching cruises that are available. We have, in short, created a guide to whale watching cruises in Seward that will help you pick the right tour for you. Read more […] -
Whale Watching Cruises in Kodiak, Alaska: A Guide
Simply because of its location, it should come as no surprise that there are several ways to whale watch on Kodiak Island in Alaska. (Kodiak is a town on Kodiak Island, so the name “Kodiak” could refer to the specific town or the whole island.) In fact, there are many places you can simply stand on the shore and observe whales in the distance. However, if you want to get the best possible view of a whale, you’ll have head out to sea, and fortunately there are a couple of different companies that offer whale watching cruises, or at least cruises that feature whale watching as a major component of the tour. There are also ways to combine whale watching with another ocean activity, like fishing and sea kayaking. Since the companies that operate out of Kodiak don’t necessarily advertise “whale watching cruises” per se, we’ve compiled the following guide to help you find a tour that will allow you to see whales at sea. Read more […] -
Whale Watching Cruises in Homer, Alaska: A Guide
Homer, Alaska is a small town on the coast of the Kenai Peninsula. The town overlooks Kachemak Bay, which is teaming with wildlife, including a few different kinds of whales. The whale watching opportunities are limited, and in fact there really isn’t a specific whale watching cruise you can book, but there are wildlife tours and charter boat companies, so there are ways to see whales while visiting Homer. Since the options are limited, we explored the topic in some depth and compiled our findings in a concise guide to whale watching in Homer, Alaska. Read more […]
