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The camera's memory card revealed five photographs, including a woman posing on the deck of a ship, with the now out-of-service QE2 in the background on what turned out to be its final transatlantic crossing. 

It appeared the pictures were taken from the deck of the Queen Mary 2 and Cunard located the owners, a Mr. and Mrs. Gregory from South Africa, who were capturing the  QE2 as it sailed alongside when the camera was accidentally dropped into the Atlantic.

At the time, both ships were off the south coast of Ireland over the Continental Shelf. The Gregorys obviously thought their holiday snapshots had gone forever. 

“In all my years in the travel industry I have never heard of such a heart-warming stroke of luck and we at Cunard are delighted that Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have been reunited with their photos,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.

“The images are even more poignant as they depict the last transatlantic crossing of the great QE2 and can never be taken again.”

Guests cruising from Tampa on Norwegian Star will sail a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary beginning October 16, 2011 through April 8, 2012.  In Europe, Norwegian Jade will sail from Rome  on 11-day Mediterranean and Holy Land cruises, along with 10-day Eastern Mediterranean sailings, from October 15, 2011 to April 11, 2012. 

In the Caribbean, Norwegian Pearl's seven-day Western Caribbean cruise from Miami now includes Ocho Rios as a port of call.  The company also announced new sailing dates for Pride of America in Hawaii.

"Norwegian's 2011/2012 winter/spring cruise season will be one of our most exciting Freestyle Cruising seasons yet with opportunities to sail from three cities in the Sunshine State, including from Miami on our newest ship Norwegian Epic," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian's chief executive officer. 

"We've also added an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cruise to five countries in 11 days on Norwegian Jade, which includes a visit to the Holy Land, a first for Norwegian since 1999."

The new sailings are now on sale. As part of Norwegian's "Year of the Freestyle Vacation" promotion, all new reservations through March 14, will receive up to a six-category upgrade.  In addition, passengers booking any category suite including Penthouse, Deluxe Owners Suite, Courtyard Villa and Garden Villa from now through April 1, on a cruise departing at least nine months prior to sailing will receive up to $300 in on-board credits.

McCaig says his more than 2,000 travel agencies and 18,000 travel agent members, along with millions of Canadian consumers will be forced to pay more for security measures placed at Canadian airports.

He said he is worried that an increase in the air traveller security charge announced by Transport Minister John Baird last week is just the start of a round of industry-targeted taxes disguised as more politically palatable ‘fees’.

The ACTA head honcho maintains that extra security costs should be paid out of the government’s general revenues and not added onto a single industry.

“Air safety is just one part of what should be a comprehensive national security plan paid for by all taxpayers out of general funds.

“I don’t think the government has done any hard research to determine the best way of combining security with efficiency and the comfort of passengers,” he said.

McCaig has a very valid point.  On April 1, air security fees will rise by a hefty $8.91 per flight on top of the current $5 to $16 per passenger each way.

This means an international traveller will pay more than $50 in security charges on two way flights. “This is on top of a long list of taxes, fees, charges and surcharges that governments impose on air travel.” McCaig said.

“This is the way to kill a business.

“Government is nibbling to death one of Canada’s vital and best industries while hurting every family that wants to take a vacation, every student who wants to go to school away from home and every business traveller trying to feed his or her family.”

McCaig said federal cabinet ministers are “flat out wrong when they say airlines are in good fiscal positions and that the airline security fee is not a tax.

“Travel agencies are worried about constantly rising prices and a barrage of extra fees and taxes that make air travel, especially, too expensive for many families. This is a tax that will go up and up and on and on long after the body scanners are bought and paid for.

“Cabinet ministers fund their pet projects out of general revenues but load things they don’t understand onto the backs of consumers and businesses. They aren’t kidding anyone but themselves.”

The Typhoon fighters were scrambled from the RAF Coningsby base in central England on Tuesday morning. They were recalled after it was determined that the incident was not terrorism related.

The American Airlines Boeing 767 jet from Dallas/Fort Worth with 173 passengers and crew aboard members landed safely and a woman was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft.

The airline said the female passenger, whose name, age and nationality, were not released, "became distressed during the flight and reportedly attempted to gain access to the flight deck."

"She was calmed by flight attendants but, as a precaution, a priority approach to London was requested and police were asked to meet the aircraft," the airline said in a statement.

She was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft.

Top 10 cruise destinations

1 Alaska: “Watching black bears in their natural habitat, catching salmon as they made their way up river, is a moment I’m unlikely to capture again.” William Gibbons

2 The Galapagos: “These sequestered islands are unlike any other cruise destination anywhere on earth and you leave knowing you’ve visited a very special corner of our planet.” Gary Buchanan

3 Arctic: "Before the cruise, circumnavigating Spitsbergen, all I wanted was to see a Polar bear. We saw the first on day one. At 15 I gave up counting. Its desolate, dangerous, but a true once-in a lifetime experience." Jane Archer

4 Antarctic Peninsula: “There’s something awe-inspiring as icebergs the size of Belgium go by. And then there’s the noise of whole regiments of penguins and seals, and the spectacle of nature at its most unpredictable.” Douglas Ward

5 The Black Sea: “The Black Sea has seen civilisations come and go over the millennia and today the intriguing mix of Turkish, Ukrainian and Russian cultures make for an endlessly fascinating travel experience.” Andrew Cochrane

6 St Petersburg: “The magnificent Hermitage Museum and stunning art galleries must be seen to be believed. Peterhof with the amazing gravity-fed cascading fountains, and Catherine’s palaces are simply breathtaking.” Lol Nichols

7 Venice: “The Venetian Festa del Redentore, dating back to 1577, is a stunning time to stay. On July 17, hundreds of decorated boats line up to view fireworks light up the domes and bell towers of the city, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Saint Mark’s Basin.” Stephen Park

8 The Mediterranean: “The best cruise destination is right on our doorstep. You’re set to do a whole holiday brochure in one go as you tour the greatest cities in the world such as Barcelona, Venice, Rome and Nice.” Steve Read

9 The Corinth Canal: “At first sight it is hard to see the narrow entrance to the canal, then – guided by a tug – Minerva enters the narrow, steep-sided canal, with just a metre clearance on each side of the ship.” Colin Stone

10 Middle East: Offering a blend of countries of varying customs, cruising in the Middle East is a terrific and relatively hassle-free way to visit cities as disparate as Dubai, Muscat and Aqaba. The fact that the sun nearly always shines is another plus! Carolyn Spencer Brown