Premier Cruise Lines , a subsidiary of Premier Cruises , is a cruise line that is headquartered in Cape Canaveral , Florida . From 1985 to 1993, it is licensed as the official cruise line of Walt Disney World and uses the trademark "The Big Red Boat" based on the color scheme of some of its ships.
96-1749: Viad Corp provides experiential leisure travel and face-to-face events in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Iceland, and the United Arab Emirates via two divisions: GES and Pursuit. Pursuit (formed in 2017) includes travel attractions and hotels in and around Banff , Denali , Glacier , Jasper , Kenai Fjords , and Waterton Lakes National Parks in Canada and the United States. Properties that Pursuit operates under its Glacier Park Collection include Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish , Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier , St. Mary Lodge and Resort in St. Mary , Stewart Hotel near Lake McDonald Lodge , Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, Alberta . Pursuit's Alaska Collection includes Denali Backcountry Lodge, Denali Backcountry Adventure, Denali Cabins, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Seward Windsong Lodge, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, Kenai Fjords Tours. GES partners with show organizers, exhibitors, and brand marketers to create face-to-face events. The company handles design and production, material handling, rigging, electrical, and other on-site event services. The company evolved from The Greyhound Corporation , which established Greyhound Lines and later became
192-589: A National Youth Council , which is represented in the UAE cabinet by the Minister of Youth. The UAE legislative body is the Federal National Council which convenes nationwide elections every four years. The FNC consists of 40 members drawn from all the emirates. Each emirate is allocated specific seats to ensure full representation. Half are appointed by the rulers of the constituent emirates, and
288-702: A 13,000-foot-deep (4,000-metre) bore hole taking a year to drill and turning out dry, at the tremendous cost at the time of £1 million. The British set up a development office that helped in some small developments in the emirates. The seven sheikhs of the emirates then decided to form a council to coordinate matters between them and took over the development office. In 1952, they formed the Trucial States Council, and appointed Adi Al Bitar , Dubai's Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum 's legal advisor, as secretary general and legal advisor to
384-539: A 24-hour curfew, and suspending all Emirates passenger flights. This resulted in a major economic downturn, which eventually led to the merger of more than 50% of the UAE's federal agencies . On 29 August 2020, the UAE established normal diplomatic relations with Israel and with the help of the United States , they signed the Abraham Accords with Bahrain . On 9 February 2021, the UAE achieved
480-952: A 40-member consultative body appointed by the seven rulers. The UAE joined the Arab League on 6 December 1971 and the United Nations on 9 December. It was a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council in May 1981, with Abu Dhabi hosting the first GCC summit . The UAE supported military operations by the US and other coalition states engaged in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan (2001) and Saddam Hussein in Ba'athist Iraq (2003) as well as operations supporting
576-718: A Big Red Boat brand; the MexiCruises brand with the Seawind Crown and planned charter of the Triton and Odysseus s , and the "‘transitional’ blue-ship brand, which was intended to be the new-ship brand that would temporarily include the SeaBreeze . It was announced by president Bruce Nierenberg that new blue-hulled “new-ship” brand, was to have first newbuilding delivered by the end of 2002 with an order of or at least five ships. In March 1999, Premier bid on acquiring
672-471: A conservation program on Sir Bani Yas Island initiated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the 1970s, resulting in the survival of, for example, Arabian Oryx , Arabian camel , and leopards . Coastal fish and mammals consist mainly of mackerel , perch , and tuna , as well as sharks and whales. The climate of the UAE is subtropical-arid with hot summers and warm winters. The climate
768-638: A democracy. According to the 2023 V-Dem Democracy indices , the United Arab Emirates is the third least electoral democratic country in the Middle East . The United Arab Emirates comprises seven emirates. The Emirate of Dubai is the most populous emirate with 35.6% of the UAE population. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has 31.2%, meaning that over two-thirds of the UAE population lives in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Abu Dhabi has an area of 67,340 square kilometres (26,000 square miles), which
864-518: A dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation . Human rights organisations consider the UAE substandard on human rights, ranking only 6.06 in the human freedom index , citing reports of government critics being imprisoned and tortured, families harassed by the state security apparatus, and cases of forced disappearances . Individual rights such as the freedoms of assembly , association , expression , and
960-441: A diversified conglomerate between the 1960s and the 1990s. Viad Corp was founded in 1926 as Motor Transit Corporation after intercity bus operators Eric Wickman and Orville Caesar joined forces and consolidated several bus operations . By 1930, more than 100 bus lines had been consolidated and recognizing the need for a more memorable name, the company was renamed The Greyhound Corporation . The Greyhound name had its origins in
1056-412: A federation of seven hereditary tribal monarchy -styled political units called Sheikhdoms . It is governed by a Federal Supreme Council made up of the ruling Sheikhs of Abu Dhabi , Ajman , Fujairah , Sharjah , Dubai , Ras Al Khaimah , and Umm Al Quwain . All responsibilities not granted to the federal government are reserved to the individual emirate. A percentage of revenues from each emirate
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#17327765098901152-583: A historic milestone when its probe, named Hope , successfully reached Mars 's orbit. The UAE became the first country in the Arab world to reach Mars, the fifth country to successfully reach Mars, and the second country, after an Indian probe , to orbit Mars on its maiden attempt. On 14 May 2022, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as the UAE's new president after the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan . The United Arab Emirates
1248-444: A humid southeastern wind known as Sharqi (i.e. "Easterner") makes the coastal region especially unpleasant. The average annual rainfall in the coastal area is less than 120 mm (4.7 in), but in some mountainous areas annual rainfall often reaches 350 mm (13.8 in). Rain in the coastal region falls in short, torrential bursts during the winter months, sometimes resulting in floods in ordinarily dry wadi beds. The region
1344-614: A number of their ships back to the United States. In 1999, Premier would again rebrand, and revert back to the Premier "P" logo in red on a white funnel and introduced "Seven Star Service". The line would again plan to rebrand their primary fleet as "Big Red Boats". However, plans for the Rembrandt , to be named Big Red Boat IV , were canceled after public outcry of ruining the former Holland America flagship. The line announced they intended to be reorganized Premier Cruises Corp. with
1440-533: A one-for-four reverse stock split. Between 1981 and 2013, Glacier Park Inc. was also the concessionaire for Lake McDonald Lodge, Apgar Village Inn, Rising Sun Auto Camp , Swiftcurrent Inn, Many Glacier Hotel , Two Medicine Store , and the Red Jammers within Glacier National Park. The National Park Service awarded this concession to Xanterra Parks and Resorts starting in 2014. In 2010,
1536-623: A permanent military base in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The UAE joined international military operations in Libya in March 2011. On 2 November 2004, the UAE's first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , died. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as the president of the UAE . Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan succeeded Sheikh Khalifa as crown prince of Abu Dhabi. In January 2006, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum ,
1632-467: Is 86.7% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. It has a coastline extending for more than 400 km (250 mi) and is divided for administrative purposes into three major regions. The Emirate of Dubai extends along the Persian Gulf coast of the UAE for approximately 72 km (45 mi). Dubai has an area of 3,885 square kilometres (1,500 square miles), which is equivalent to 5% of
1728-434: Is allocated to the UAE's central budget. The UAE uses the title Sheikh instead of Emir to refer to the rulers of individual emirates. The title is used due to the sheikhdom styled governing system in adherence to the culture of tribes of Arabia , where Sheikh means leader, elder, or the tribal chief of the clan who partakes in shared decision making with his followers. The president and vice president are elected by
1824-541: Is annually ranked as "Not Free" in Freedom House 's annual Freedom in the World report, which measures civil liberties and political rights. The UAE also ranks poorly in the annual Reporters without Borders ' Press Freedom Index . The Bertelsmann Transformation Index describes the UAE as a "moderate monarchy". The country was ranked 91 out of 137 states and is far below the average scoring for development towards
1920-429: Is at Dubai, although other ports have been dredged at Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and elsewhere. Numerous islands are found in the Persian Gulf, and the ownership of some of them has been the subject of international disputes with both Iran and Qatar . The smaller islands, as well as many coral reefs and shifting sandbars, are a menace to navigation. Strong tides and occasional windstorms further complicate ship movements near
2016-519: Is categorized as desert climate. The hottest months are July and August, when average maximum temperatures reach above 45 °C (113 °F) on the coastal plain . In the Hajar Mountains, temperatures are considerably lower, a result of increased elevation. Average minimum temperatures in January and February are between 10 and 14 °C (50 and 57 °F). During the late summer months,
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#17327765098902112-585: Is in the south near the undefined border with Saudi Arabia. About 100 km (62 mi) to the northeast of Liwa is the Al-Buraimi oasis, which extends on both sides of the Abu Dhabi-Oman border. Lake Zakher in Al Ain is a human-made lake near the border with Oman that was created from treated waste water. Prior to withdrawing from the area in 1971, Britain delineated the internal borders among
2208-518: Is jointly controlled by Oman and Ajman, the other by Fujairah and Sharjah. There is an Omani exclave surrounded by UAE territory, known as Wadi Madha . It is located halfway between the Musandam peninsula and the rest of Oman in the Emirate of Sharjah . It covers approximately 75 square kilometres (29 square miles) and the boundary was settled in 1969. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to
2304-553: Is prone to occasional, violent dust storms , which can severely reduce visibility. On 28 December 2004, snow was recorded in the UAE for the first time, in the Jebel Jais mountain cluster in Ras al-Khaimah. A few years later, there were more sightings of snow and hail. The Jebel Jais mountain cluster has experienced snow only twice since records began. The United Arab Emirates is a federal constitutional monarchy made up from
2400-627: Is situated in the Middle East , bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf , between Oman and Saudi Arabia ; it is in a strategic location slightly south of the Strait of Hormuz , a vital transit point for world crude oil . The UAE lies between 22°30' and 26°10' north latitude and between 51° and 56°25′ east longitude. It shares a 530-kilometre (330 mi) border with Saudi Arabia on
2496-501: Is the chief executive branch of the government presided over by the prime minister. The prime minister, who is appointed by the Federal Supreme Council , appoints the ministers. The Council of Ministers is made up of 22 members and manages all internal and foreign affairs of the federation under its constitutional and federal law. In December 2019, the UAE became the only Arab country, and one of only five countries in
2592-762: The Federal Supreme Council . Usually, the Head of the Al Nahyan family, who are based in Abu Dhabi, holds the presidency and the Head of the Al Maktoum family, based in Dubai, the prime ministership. All prime ministers but one have served concurrently as vice president. The federal government is composed of three branches: The UAE e-Government is the extension of the UAE federal government in its electronic form. The UAE's Council of Ministers ( Arabic : مجلس الوزراء )
2688-779: The Jasper SkyTram . United Arab Emirates in the Arabian Peninsula The United Arab Emirates ( UAE ), or simply the Emirates , is a country in West Asia , in the Middle East , at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula . It is a federal , elective monarchy composed of seven emirates , with Abu Dhabi as its capital. It shares land borders with Oman to the east and northeast, and with Saudi Arabia to
2784-532: The Royal Navy to defend the sheikhdoms . On 24 January 1968, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson announced the government's decision, reaffirmed in March 1971 by Prime Minister Edward Heath , to end the treaty relationships with the seven trucial sheikhdoms. Days after the announcement, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , fearing vulnerability, tried to persuade the British to honour
2880-648: The United Kingdom represented Abu Dhabi and Oman in their dispute with Saudi Arabia over the Buraimi Oasis . A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia seemed to have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudi border dispute , but this has not been ratified. The UAE's border with Oman was ratified in 2008. PDTC continued its onshore exploration away from the disputed area, drilling five more bore holes that were also dry. However, on 27 October 1960,
2976-631: The Wadi Suq culture from 2,000 to 1,300 BCE. From 1,200 BCE to the advent of Islam in Eastern Arabia, through three distinctive Iron Ages and the Mleiha period, the area was variously occupied by the Achaemenids and other forces, and saw the construction of fortified settlements and extensive husbandry thanks to the development of the falaj irrigation system. The spread of Islam to
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3072-718: The Arabian Peninsula under the newly emerging Rashidun Caliphate . In 637, Julfar (in the area of today's Ras Al Khaimah ) was an important port that was used as a staging post for the Islamic invasion of the Sasanian Empire . The area of the Al Ain / Buraimi Oasis was known as Tu'am and was an important trading post for camel routes between the coast and the Arabian interior. The earliest Christian site in
3168-610: The Banff Gondola. In 2017, the company established its Pursuit division and acquired FlyOver Canada , a 60-seat flight simulation experience in Canada Place , Vancouver, British Columbia which features various Canadian landmarks. In 2021, Pursuit acquired the Golden Skybridge attraction. In 2022, Pursuit acquired Glacier Raft Company and related lodging, land, and other assets. In 2024, Pursuit acquired
3264-528: The British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack. British maritime policing meant that pearling fleets could operate in relative security. However, the British prohibition of the slave trade meant an important source of income was lost to some sheikhs and merchants. In 1869, the Qubaisat tribe settled at Khor Al Adaid and tried to enlist
3360-535: The British treaty relationship was to expire in December of that year. Fears of vulnerability were realised the day before independence. An Iranian destroyer group broke formation from an exercise in the lower Gulf, sailing to the Tunb islands . The islands were taken by force, civilians and Arab defenders alike allowed to flee. A British warship stood idle during the course of the invasion. A destroyer group approached
3456-479: The British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired on 1 December 1971, both emirates became fully independent. On 2 December 1971, six of the emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain) agreed to enter into a union named the United Arab Emirates. Ras al-Khaimah joined later, on 10 January 1972. In February 1972, the Federal National Council (FNC) was created; it was
3552-518: The Global War on Terror for the Horn of Africa at Al Dhafra Air Base located outside of Abu Dhabi. The air base also supported Allied operations during the 1991 Persian Gulf War and Operation Northern Watch . The country had already signed a military defence agreement with the U.S. in 1994 and one with France in 1995. In January 2008, France and the UAE signed a deal allowing France to set up
3648-624: The Greater and the Lesser Tunbs, when Iran captured them during the British rule, resulting in disputes with Iran that remain unresolved. The UAE also disputes claim on other islands against the neighboring state of Qatar. The largest emirate, Abu Dhabi , accounts for 87% of the UAE's total area, 67,340 square kilometres (26,000 sq mi). The smallest emirate, Ajman , encompasses only 259 km (100 sq mi). The UAE coast stretches for nearly 650 km (404 mi) along
3744-487: The Gulf . British expeditions to protect their Indian trade routes led to campaigns against Ras Al Khaimah and other harbours along the coast, including the Persian Gulf campaign of 1809 and the more successful campaign of 1819 . The following year, Britain and a number of local rulers signed a maritime truce , giving rise to the term Trucial States , which came to define the status of the coastal emirates. A further treaty
3840-683: The Khor Fakkan-Fujairah road, barely 10 metres (33 feet) away. Within the Omani exclave of Madha, is a UAE exclave called Nahwa , also belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is about eight kilometres (5.0 miles) on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange. Premier Cruise Lines Premier Cruise Line was formed in 1983 by A.E. "Ed" Merhige (Florida Export Warehouse/International Cruise Shops) and Bruce Nierenberg (NCL), two cruise veterans. The lines first ship
3936-641: The Persian Gulf region. By the 18th century, the Bani Yas confederation was the dominant force in most of the area now known as Abu Dhabi, while the Northern Al Qawasim (Al Qasimi) dominated maritime commerce. The Portuguese maintained an influence over the coastal settlements, building forts in the wake of the bloody 16th-century conquests of coastal communities by Albuquerque and the Portuguese commanders who followed him – particularly on
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4032-412: The Trucial States. In 1922, the British government secured undertakings from the rulers of the Trucial States not to sign concessions with foreign companies without their consent. Aware of the potential for the development of natural resources such as oil, following finds in Persia (from 1908) and Mesopotamia (from 1927), a British-led oil company, the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC), showed an interest in
4128-443: The UAE was first discovered in the 1990s, an extensive monastic complex on what is now known as Sir Bani Yas Island and which dates back to the seventh century. Thought to be Nestorian and built in 600 CE, the church appears to have been abandoned peacefully in 750 CE. It forms a rare physical link to a legacy of Christianity, which is thought to have spread across the peninsula from 50 to 350 CE following trade routes. Certainly, by
4224-419: The Upper Thamama rock formation. This was the first commercial discovery of the Trucial Coast, leading to the first exports of oil in 1962. ADMA made further offshore discoveries at Zakum and elsewhere, and other companies made commercial finds such as the Fateh oilfield off Dubai and the Mubarak field off Sharjah (shared with Iran). Meanwhile, onshore exploration was hindered by territorial disputes. In 1955,
4320-471: The attempt of the establishment of an Islamist state in the UAE. Mindful of the protests in nearby Bahrain, in November 2012 the UAE outlawed online mockery of its government or attempts to organise public protests through social media. On 29 January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the UAE . Two months later, in March, the government announced the closure of shopping malls, schools, and places of worship, in addition to imposing
4416-415: The businesses were sold except for Travelers Express, Glacier Park, GES Exposition Services, and Exhibitgroup/Giltspur. In 2003, Viad began the process of engineering a reverse tax-free spinoff of Travelers Express. Thus, a new subsidiary was formed, MoneyGram International, Inc., which early in 2004 received the payment services business and its stock was distributed to Viad stockholders. Viad then conducted
4512-422: The company after posting profits for 1995, 1996, and 1997. New owners and new leadership followed, with Larry Magnan as president in 1998. After the acquisition, three different operations; i.e. Premier Cruise Line , Dolphin Cruise Line , SeaWind Cruises and Direct Cruises fleets were merged. Premier would rebrand themselves as Premier Cruises with a new ship profile logo, with blue funnels and blue hulls for all
4608-795: The company announced the splitting of its businesses into two entities. The Dial consumer products business was spun-off as the new Dial Corporation. After the split, the company was renamed Viad Corp and consisted of companies involved in airline catering (Dobbs International Service); airplane fueling and ground handling (Aircraft Service International); convention and exhibit services (GES Exposition Services and Exhibitgroup/Giltspur); concession operations (Glacier Park, Inc.); contract food services (Restaura, Inc.); ocean cruises ( Premier Cruise Lines ); airport and cruise ship duty-free concessions (Greyhound Leisure Services); travel services (Brewster Transport, Jetsave, and Crystal Holidays); and payment services ( Travelers Express ). By early 21st century, most of
4704-412: The company discovered oil in commercial quantities at the Murban No. 3 well on the coast near Tarif. In 1962, PDTC became the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company . As oil revenues increased, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , undertook a massive construction program, building schools, housing, hospitals, and roads. When Dubai's oil exports commenced in 1969, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum ,
4800-478: The company established GES (Global Experience Specialists, Inc., formerly GES Exposition Services, Inc.) by merging GES Exposition Services, Inc., Exhibitgroup/Giltspur, and Becker Group. In 2012, Pursuit acquired the 162-room Banff International Hotel. Pursuit also operates other Banff and Jasper area attractions under the Brewster Travel Canada brand, including Banff's 133-room Mount Royal Hotel, Jasper National Park's 32-room Glacier View Lodge, Banff Lake Cruises and
4896-407: The company. The line was later bought by Dial Corporation (of Dial soap fame), which then also owned the Greyhound Bus Company . From the company's inception, Mr. Stensby grew Premier Cruises from one to six ships, operating on itineraries in the United States, Bahamas, South America, the Caribbean and Europe. Mr. Stensby resigned as chairman and chief executive officer of Premier Cruises in
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#17327765098904992-437: The council. The council was terminated once the United Arab Emirates was formed. The tribal nature of society and the lack of definition of borders between emirates frequently led to disputes, settled either through mediation or, more rarely, force. The Trucial Oman Scouts was a small military force used by the British to keep the peace. In 1953, a subsidiary of BP , D'Arcy Exploration Ltd, obtained an offshore concession from
5088-426: The country's total area, excluding the islands. The Emirate of Sharjah extends along approximately 16 km (10 mi) of the UAE's Persian Gulf coastline and for more than 80 km (50 mi) into the interior. The northern emirates which include Fujairah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Qaiwain all have a total area of 3,881 square kilometres (1,498 square miles). There are two areas under joint control. One
5184-434: The east coast at Muscat , Sohar , and Khor Fakkan . The southern coast of the Persian Gulf was known to the British as the " Pirate Coast ", as boats of the Al Qawasim federation harassed British-flagged shipping from the 17th century into the 19th. The charge of piracy is disputed by modern Emirati historians, including the current ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi , in his 1986 book The Myth of Arab Piracy in
5280-512: The emirates contested jurisdiction over more than a dozen enclaves. The UAE contains the following terrestrial ecoregions: Al Hajar montane woodlands and shrublands, Gulf of Oman desert and semi-desert , and Al-Hajar foothill xeric woodlands and shrublands . The oases grow date palms , acacia , and eucalyptus trees. In the desert, the flora is very sparse and consists of grasses and thorn bushes. The indigenous fauna had come close to extinction because of intensive hunting, which has led to
5376-485: The establishment of seasonal and semi-seasonal settlements and centres. These formed tribal groupings whose names are still carried by modern Emiratis, including the Bani Yas and Al Bu Falah of Abu Dhabi , Al Ain, Liwa , and the west coast; the Dhawahir , Awamir, Al Ali , and Manasir of the interior; the Sharqiyin of the east coast; and the Qawasim to the north. With the expansion of European colonial empires , Portuguese, English, and Dutch forces appeared in
5472-436: The fall of 1997 after growing the company to annualized revenues in excess of $ 200 million, an operating profit in excess of 20% and more than 3,000 employees, making Premier Cruises, with its 5,500 lower berths, the largest privately-held cruise line in the world at the time. Following new ownership of Premier Cruises in 1997, the Atlantic was sold to the newly expanding MSC Cruises . Premier's parent company, Dial, sold
5568-405: The fifth century, Oman had a bishop named John – the last bishop of Oman being Etienne, in 676 CE. The harsh desert environment led to the emergence of the "versatile tribesman", nomadic groups who subsisted due to a variety of economic activities, including animal husbandry, agriculture, and hunting. The seasonal movements of these groups led not only to frequent clashes between groups but also to
5664-418: The financial services industry in 1992 with the sale of GFC Financial Corporation (including Greyhound Financial Corporation, Greyhound European Financial Group and Verex Corporation). In 1995, GFC Financial Corporation changed its name to The FINOVA Group, Inc. and Greyhound Financial Corporation to FINOVA Capital Corporation. The FINOVA Group filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and was dissolved in 2009. In 1996,
5760-424: The former Eugenio C , with a costly refit of $ 25million and renamed Big Red Boat II. Towards the end of 1999, the Oceanbreeze was chartered to Imperial Majesty Cruises , who would later purchased her in May 2000. In December 1999 Premier Cruises launched new round-trip Mexico cruises from Cancun chartering Royal Olympic Cruises Triton . The charter was canceled after one month due to low interested, with
5856-470: The freedom of the press are severely repressed. Stone tools recovered reveal a settlement of people from Africa some 127,000 years ago and a stone tool used for butchering animals discovered on the Arabian coast suggests an even older habitation from 130,000 years ago. In time, lively trading links developed with civilisations in Mesopotamia , Iran, and the Harappan culture of the Indus Valley. This contact persisted and became wider, probably motivated by
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#17327765098905952-402: The inaugural run of a bus route from Superior, Wisconsin , to Wausau, Wisconsin . While passing through a small town, Ed Stone, the route's operator, saw the reflection of his bus in a store window. The reflection reminded him of a greyhound and he adopted that name for that segment of the Blue Goose Lines. The Greyhound name became popular, and was applied to the entire bus network as well as
6048-405: The island of Abu Musa as well. But there, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi had already negotiated with the Iranian shah, and the island was quickly leased to Iran for $ 3 million a year. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia laid claim to swathes of Abu Dhabi. Originally intended to be part of the proposed Federation of Arab Emirates, Bahrain became independent in August, and Qatar in September 1971. When
6144-400: The language of business. The United Arab Emirates' oil and natural gas reserves are the world's seventh and seventh-largest , respectively. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , ruler of Abu Dhabi and the country's first president, oversaw the development of the Emirates by investing oil revenues into healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The country has the most diversified economy among
6240-524: The lines marketing. The cruise line typically operated three- and four-day Bahamas trips out of Port Canaveral, Florida . The company earned over $ 20 million annually on a gross revenue of $ 100 million during the 1980s. The successful niche that Premier served was the family cruise line, especially attractive to grandparents sailing with their children and grandchildren. Starting in 1985, Premier partnered with Walt Disney World , providing seven-night land and sea vacations on The Big Red Boat . Premier
6336-404: The members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In the 21st century, the UAE has become less reliant on oil and gas and is economically focusing on tourism and business. The UAE is considered a middle power . It is also a member of the United Nations , Arab League , Organisation of Islamic Cooperation , OPEC , Non-Aligned Movement , World Trade Organization , and BRICS . The UAE is also
6432-406: The new Islamic communities south of the Persian Gulf threatened to disintegrate, with insurrections against the Muslim leaders . Caliph Abu Bakr sent an army from the capital Medina which completed its reconquest of the territory ( the Ridda Wars ) with the Battle of Dibba in which 10,000 lives are thought to have been lost. This assured the integrity of the Caliphate and the unification of
6528-402: The northeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula is thought to have followed directly from a letter sent by the Islamic prophet Muhammad to the rulers of Oman in 630 CE. This led to a group of rulers travelling to Medina , converting to Islam, and subsequently driving a successful uprising against the unpopular Sassanids , who dominated the coast at the time. Following the death of Muhammad,
6624-407: The other half are elected. By law, the council members have to be equally divided between males and females. The FNC is restricted to a largely consultative role. The United Arab Emirates is an authoritarian federal monarchy . According to the New York Times , the UAE is "an autocracy with the sheen of a progressive, modern state". The UAE has been described as a "tribal autocracy" where
6720-736: The parent company. Wickman retired as president of Greyhound in 1946 and was succeeded by Caesar. Wickman died at the age of 66 in 1954. Caesar died on May 19, 1965, a day before his 75th birthday. In 1954, Greyhound established Greyhound Financial Corporation, the captive finance operation of the bus line. During the 1960s, Greyhound began its transformation into a conglomerate by diversifying into other industries: financial services ( Travelers Express ); food and consumer products ( Armour and Company ); food service (Prophet Company); restaurants ( Horne's ); airport services (Aircraft Services International); and ocean cruises ( Premier Cruise Line ). Greyhound acquired Glacier Park, Inc. in 1981. Greyhound exited
6816-484: The people of the Persian Gulf. The First World War had a severe impact on the industry, but it was the economic depression of the late 1920s and early 1930s, coupled with the invention of the cultured pearl , that wiped out the trade. The remnants of the trade eventually faded away shortly after the Second World War , when the newly independent Government of India imposed heavy taxation on imported pearls. The decline of pearling resulted in extreme economic hardship in
6912-568: The port of Laem Chabang , Thailand, leaking oil into the Gulf of Thailand . The Big Red Boat III , formerly Carnival Cruise Line 's Festivale , was also sold for scrap. The former Frederico C (called the Seabreeze I ) was to be scrapped at India but instead sank in a storm 220 nautical miles (407 km) off the Virginia coast. Lastly, the Rembrandt , formerly the Rotterdam ,
7008-511: The prime minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai, died, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assumed both roles. The first ever national elections were held on 16 December 2006. A number of voters chose half of the members of the Federal National Council . The UAE has largely escaped the Arab Spring , which other countries have experienced; however, 60 Emirati activists from Al Islah were apprehended for an alleged coup attempt and
7104-538: The protection treaties by offering to pay the full costs of keeping the British Armed Forces in the Emirates. The British Labour government rejected the offer. After Labour MP Goronwy Roberts informed Sheikh Zayed of the news of British withdrawal, the nine Persian Gulf sheikhdoms attempted to form a union of Arab emirates, but by mid-1971 they were still unable to agree on terms of union even though
7200-613: The region. The Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC, later to become British Petroleum , or BP) had a 23.75% share in IPC. From 1935, onshore concessions to explore for oil were granted by local rulers, with APOC signing the first one on behalf of Petroleum Concessions Ltd (PCL), an associate company of IPC. APOC was prevented from developing the region alone because of the restrictions of the Red Line Agreement , which required it to operate through IPC. A number of options between PCL and
7296-551: The ruler of Abu Dhabi. BP joined with Compagnie Française des Pétroles (later Total ) to form operating companies, Abu Dhabi Marine Areas Ltd (ADMA) and Dubai Marine Areas Ltd (DUMA). A number of undersea oil surveys were carried out, including one led by the famous marine explorer Jacques Cousteau . In 1958, a floating platform rig was towed from Hamburg , Germany , and positioned over the Umm Shaif pearl bed, in Abu Dhabi waters, where drilling began. In March, it struck oil in
7392-469: The ruler of Dubai, was able to invest the revenues from the limited reserves found to spark the diversification drive that would create the modern global city of Dubai. By 1966, it had become clear that the British government could no longer afford to administer and protect the Trucial States , what is now the United Arab Emirates. British Members of Parliament (MPs) debated the preparedness of
7488-445: The seven constituent monarchies are led by tribal rulers in an autocratic fashion. There are no democratically elected institutions, and there is no formal commitment to free speech. According to human rights organisations, there are systematic human rights violations, including the torture and forced disappearance of government critics. The UAE ranks poorly in freedom indices measuring civil liberties and political rights . The UAE
7584-517: The seven emirates in order to preempt territorial disputes that might hamper formation of the federation. In general, the rulers of the emirates accepted the British interventions, but in the case of boundary disputes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and also between Dubai and Sharjah, conflicting claims were not resolved until after the UAE became independent. The most complicated borders were in the Western Hajar Mountains , where five of
7680-402: The ship being returned to Royal Olympic on January 2 ,2000. Premier Cruises would file for bankruptcy and cease all operations on September 14, 2000, with passengers on the still-running cruises being docked and given flights home on a first-come, first-served basis; the company's primary lender had seized its existing fleet, which had been put up for collateral. The ship seizures disrupted
7776-785: The ships except the Oceanic , which would retain her red hull. Premier would also acquire the former SS Rotterdam , and renaming her Rembrandt . Premier Cruise Lines first ship the former Royale , now the Seabreeze that had been part of the Dolphin Cruise Line fleet, would return to Premier after almost 10 years. Premier Cruises (under new ownership and management led by Bruce Nierenberg) changed their business strategies and decided to cancel their marketing agreements with international marketing partners such as Thomson Holidays , Pullmantur and others and decided to reposition
7872-650: The shore. The UAE also has a stretch of the Al Bāţinah coast of the Gulf of Oman. The Musandam Peninsula , the very tip of Arabia by the Strait of Hormuz, and Madha are exclaves of Oman separated by the UAE. South and west of Abu Dhabi, vast, rolling sand dunes merge into the Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) of Saudi Arabia. The desert area of Abu Dhabi includes two important oases with adequate underground water for permanent settlements and cultivation. The extensive Liwa Oasis
7968-455: The southern shore of the Persian Gulf , briefly interrupted by an isolated outcrop of the Sultanate of Oman. Six of the emirates are situated along the Persian Gulf, and the seventh, Fujairah, is on the eastern coast of the peninsula with direct access to the Gulf of Oman. Most of the coast consists of salt pans that extend 8–10 km (5.0–6.2 mi) inland. The largest natural harbor
8064-409: The southwest; as well as maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran , and with Oman in the Gulf of Oman . As of 2024 , the UAE has an estimated population of over 10 million, of which 11% are Emiratis; Dubai is the most populous city and is an international hub. Islam is the official religion and Arabic is the official language, while English is the most spoken language and
8160-688: The support of the Ottomans. Khor Al Adaid was claimed by Abu Dhabi at that time, a claim supported by the British. In 1906, the British Political Resident, Percy Cox , confirmed in writing to the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan ('Zayed the Great'), that Khor Al Adaid belonged to his sheikhdom. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the pearling industry thrived, providing both income and employment to
8256-637: The trade in copper from the Hajar Mountains , which commenced around 3,000 BCE. Sumerian sources talk of the Magan civilisation, which has been identified as encompassing the modern UAE and Oman. There are six periods of human settlement with distinctive behaviours in the region before Islam, which include the Hafit period from 3,200 to 2,600 BCE, the Umm Al Nar culture from 2,600 to 2,000 BCE, and
8352-496: The transportation industry with the sale of Greyhound Lines in 1987. By then, The Dial Corporation (formerly, Armour-Dial, Inc., established in 1967 as a subsidiary of Armour and Company) was its largest subsidiary. Greyhound was renamed Greyhound Dial Corporation in 1990 and as The Dial Corp the following year. After the renaming, the Dial consumer business became known as The Dial Corp Consumer Products Group. The company exited
8448-410: The trucial rulers were signed, providing useful revenue for communities experiencing poverty following the collapse of the pearl trade. However, the wealth of oil which the rulers could see from the revenues accruing to surrounding countries remained elusive. The first bore holes in Abu Dhabi were drilled by IPC's operating company, Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Ltd (PDTC) at Ras Sadr in 1950, with
8544-812: The vacations of about 2,800 passengers. Creditors seized Premier's Big Red Boat I in Nassau, Bahamas; Big Red Boat III in Cozumel, Mexico, and the Rembrandt and SeaBreeze in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Premier's Seawind Crown , under charter to Spanish tour operator Pullmantur Cruises , continued to operate in the Mediterranean. Most of the 1,700 passengers who disembarked Rembrandt and Sea Breeze in Halifax were flown back to their points of origin, but several hundred were allowed to board Premier's Big Red Boat II for its return voyage to New York, where it
8640-498: The west, south, and southeast, and a 450-kilometre (280 mi) border with Oman on the southeast and northeast. The land border with Qatar in the Khor Al Adaid area is about nineteen kilometres (12 miles) in the northwest; however, it is a source of ongoing dispute . Following Britain's military departure from the UAE in 1971, and its establishment as a new state, the UAE laid claim to Iranian-occupied islands of Abu Musa and
8736-481: The world, to attain gender parity in a national legislative body, with its lower house 50 per cent women. The UAE is the only country in the world that has a Ministry of Tolerance , a Ministry of Happiness , and a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence. The UAE also has a virtual ministry called the Ministry of Possibilities, designed to find solutions to challenges and improve quality of life. The UAE also has
8832-629: Was laid up in Freeport, Bahamas . She had no potential buyers and remained there until 2005, eventually being sold to the breakers and was scrapped in Alang, India in late 2005. The former Starship Majestic , now known as the Ocean Dream , was sailing out of Asia. In 2016, the Ocean Dream , which had changed hands and names multiple times and been abandoned by its owner, capsized and sank off
8928-622: Was licensed to provide Disney characters on its ships, until the relationship ended in 1993. Disney then proceeded to start its own cruise ship line in 1995. After the Disney contract ended, Premier then affiliated itself with Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes characters to maintain its family-friendly image, and was returned to profitability under the direction of 20-year cruise veteran Jim Naik. The company had an aging fleet of Italian-designed ships competing with newer and larger liners. Mr. Naik brought Premier to profitability in his first quarter with
9024-410: Was reclaimed by Ocean Marine. "The shutdown cost about 270 shoreside employees their jobs at the company's Port Canaveral headquarters. Employees were informed of the shutdown upon arriving at work on Sept. 14." The SS Oceanic ( Big Red Boat I ) was still sailing until 2012 when she was sailed to Yokohama for scrapping. The Big Red Boat II , formerly Eugenio Costa , was put up for sale and
9120-496: Was signed in 1843 and in 1853, the Perpetual Maritime Truce was agreed. To this was added the 'Exclusive Agreements', signed in 1892, which made the Trucial States a British protectorate. Under the 1892 treaty, the trucial sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the British and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the British without their consent. In return,
9216-648: Was the former Federico C from Costa Cruises , and renamed Royale . In 1985 the line would purchase their second ship the Oceanic from Home Lines , and in 1988, the Atlantic replacing the Royale . Also in 1988 the line would also expand further purchasing the Sun Princess from Princess Cruises , renaming the ship the Majestic . All the ships would later have the "Starship" prefix added to their names in
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