PRINCESS TO CRUISE FROM HOUSTON

This is a big day for the Port of Houston. Along with the earlier announcement from Norwegian, Princess Cruises also will launch new service from there beginning in 2013 when it starts sailing from the state-of-the-art Bayport Cruise Terminal. The details:

"Princess Cruises and the Port of Houston Authority confirmed an agreement Nov. 15 for the line to make passenger cruise calls during the 2013-2014 cruise season at the port’s cruise facility. The new service is scheduled to begin in November of 2013. A total of 26 departures are planned for the season.

"The inaugural cruise is an unprecedented sailing aboard the Caribbean Princess to support U.S. veterans. The historic cruise, which will sail between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, is expected to raise $1 million for two U.S. veterans organizations, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) and Operation Homefront." -- Gerry