SPECIAL MESSAGE TO OUR READERS

To our readers: After over three years and 900-plus posts, Cruising Squared is taking a break. You may see us on one of those beautiful Florida beaches, like the one below, teaching Cate how to throw a shell into the sea. Stay safe and to paraphrase one of our favorite British comedies, "CRUISE ON!"

SINGER ISLAND MARRIOTT FACEBOOK CONTEST

One of Cruising Squared's favorite happy hour haunts -- Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa -- has launched the Singer Island Discover Scuba Sweepstakes on Facebook. The winner and a guest will spend four days "dining, sunbathing and discovering sunken treasure at Singer Island, where spectacular shipwrecks and lush coral reefs attract divers year-round." Here are the details:

"The trip includes a four-day, three-night stay for two in a luxury suite, a personalized dinner at the hotel’s on-property restaurant 3800 Ocean, massage treatments at the resort spa, and an underwater day trip in the Atlantic to swim with reef life all around the island. Jim Abernathy Scuba Adventures, Palm Beach’s leading diving shop, will provide full equipment and an instructor-led dive excursion for those just getting their flippers wet, or arrange a two-tank dive for certified divers."

You can enter through July 17 by visiting the “Discover Scuba” tab on Palm Beach Marriott’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PalmBeachMarriott. You can earn a bonus entry by sharing on Twitter. And by sharing the sweepstakes with their Facebook network, they will receive a bonus entry for every friend that enters as well.

The travel prize is good through July 31, 2016, and subject to availability and blackout dates. Prize does not include transportation and entrants must be over the age of 21. Scuba participants must be at least 10 years of age.

And if drop by the bar at 3800, say hello to Jay and Holly. They have it going on. -- Gerry and Pam

HISTORY OF CUNARD: 'AQUITANIA'

Here is another chapter in the history of Cunard, cdelebrating its 175th year in 2015.

From Cunard

In 1915 the British Government War Office requested that Mauretania and Aquitania be made available to transport three divisions of troops to the Mediterranean where the Allied armies were heavily involved in the ill-fated Gallipoli expedition.

Painted black (including her funnels) Aquitania left Liverpool on 18 May 1915 for Mudros with over 5,000 troops of the 13th Division. She left Liverpool again on 3 July, again with over 5,000 troops, including much of the 11th (Northern Division) and two days out Aquitania was fired upon by a submarine, possibly Austrian, but fortunately the torpedo missed by some fifty feet astern. Aquitania reached Mudros on 10 July. During the next three months she made a number of trooping voyages between Liverpool and Mudros and conveyed around 30,000 troops. The troops delighted in the “ample accommodations” found on Aquitania and recalled adequate breakfasts of porridge, eggs and bacon and a whole pint of coffee as well as sports and parades on deck being the order of the day.

CARNIVAL LAUNCHES fATHOM: SOCIAL IMPACT TRAVEL

This week Carnival added a new brand to its portfolio: fathom -- a new category they describe as "social impact travel." You might call it the "Peace Corps of the waves."

It will offer consumers "authentic, meaningful impact travel experiences to work alongside locals as they tackle community needs." The first destination will be the Dominican Republic, where "the average household income is approximately $6,000 a year and more than two million Dominicans do not have access to piped water."

Beginning in April 2016, fathom will embark on seven-day voyages from PortMiami aboard the MV Adonia, a 710-passenger vessel. "Depending on their passions, interests and skills, travelers will have the opportunity to choose from a range of social impact activities and experiences both onboard and onshore."

Here are more details from Carnival:

AZAMARA SHIPS GETTING MAJOR UPGRADE

One of our favorite cruise lines -- Azamara -- is giving their two ships a major upgrade.

Here's the announcement:

"Azamara Club Cruises announced that its two ships – Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest – will undergo 'major upgrades' while in dry dock in early 2016, reinvigorating the onboard guest experience. The mid-size ships that accommodate up to 686 guests will be outfitted with new venues, public spaces and technologies to bring fresh services and amenities to guests. From bow to stern, there is no area on the line's ships that will be untouched. The upgrades include all staterooms and suites, dining, spa and entertainment.

The Azamara Journey will enter dry dock in January 2016 in the Bahamas, and the Azamara Quest in April 2016 in Singapore.

You can read about our trip on the Azamara Quest here.

'ANTHEM'S' COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTER