Orient queen
(Based on reports by cybercruises.com, Reuters and AP)
Year Entered Service: 1968
Nationality of crew: Officers; Austrian, English and international crew
No. of crew:350
No. of passengers: 750
Passenger/crew ration: 2.1
Passenger/space ration: 17.9
Cruise Line website: www.aboumerhicruises.com
Almost 40 years old, this ship is aimed at the Middle Eastern market and
operates out of Beirut. The passenger-space ratio is limited.
A commercial ship escorted by an American destroyer will start evacuating
Americans from war-torn Lebanon today, and more military helicopters will
be used to fly others directly to Cyprus.
Suitable for people who want a cut-price cruise around the Middle East, who
are prepared to forgo the comfort of the newer cruise ships.
The food is Arabic in style.
Arabic passengers are heavy smokers and it is hard to escape them.
Cabins are noisy and there are lots of announcements.
The ship has 8 decks.
A Pentagon spokesman, Bryan Whitman, said the ship, the Orient Queen,
which can carry up to 750, will be escorted by U.S. Navy destroyer the USS
Gonzalez and the USS Iwo Jima
Fortune Deck comprises the Queen’s Casino level 1, Jetski Hall and car lot-
tery area. The second level of the Queen’s Casino and Crew Gym are found
on the Cedars Deck. Phoenician Deck holds Helli-Pad, Crew Bar, balcony,
reception area & duty free shops. Mermaid Restaurant, Reflections Lounge,
Stars Lounge, Aquarium Restaurant, piano bar, business centre and arcade
are located on the Merry Deck.
There are about 25,000 Americans in Lebanon, and the American Embassy
has already advised those who wish to leave that they should prepare their
bags and be ready for announcements.
Boat Deck contains Horizon Café, jogging area, spa, massage, hospital,
beauty salon and captain’s salon. Swimming pools are situated on the Sun
Deck and Boat Deck.

Jacuzzi, fitness centre, icecream parlour, beauty parlour, cosmetic shop and
sauna are available on the Sun Deck. Sunbathing, Venus Bar level 1 and mini
golf are available on the Compass Deck. The second level of the Venus Bar is
located on the Panoramic Deck.
Press reports indicate that Orient Queen left Beirut today with approximately
1,000 U.S. citizens onboard. If this figure is correct, it is more than her
number of berths; however, as this is not an overnight voyage, it would be
possible to fill the ship to her maximum legal capacity irrespective of how
many cabins and berths there are.
Leisure facilities comprises of 3 restaurants, 3 bars, casino, internet centre,
business centre, 2 swimming pools and Jacuzzi. For sports activities guests
can use the water skies, gymnasium, fitness centre, mini golf and jogging
track. The Spa contains a sauna, massage parlour and beauty centre.
There is a video arcade for children.
Orient Queen has 414 cabins. They range from Royal Suite to Standard
Stateroom cabins. There are 51 suites and 5 Royal Suites. The cabins have fa-
cilities such as shower, toilet, radio, TV and telephone. All the suites are airy
and contain a spacious living room, flat screen TV, internet access, telephone
with international dialing, free pay TV, larger bathroom, queen size beds,
individual shower, refrigerator and safe.
She will transport these evacuees to Cyprus, about an eight-hour voyage from
Beirut. She will then return to Beirut and continue to assist in evacuating
Americans. According to the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, the evacuation
effort will continue until all Americans who wish to leave Lebanon have been
evacuated.
The most luxurious suite is the Royal Suite. It offers additional facilities such
as personal butler service, king size beds and master bath with Jacuzzi.
The 2 main restaurants are the Mermaid Restaurant and Aquarium Restaurant.
Mermaid Restaurant offers buffet breakfast and serves a variety of food items
ranging from
Oriental dishes to Middle Eastern Mezza and from European Continental
Cuisine to delicious American snacks.
The á la carte Aquarium Restaurant has a 2 sitting arrangement, some tables
have ocean view. The indoor/outdoor Horizon Café, is comfortable, and
provides buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also serves snacks and
drinks. Room service is provided round-the-clock.
There is a main show lounge and Star Lounge which offers European, Brazil-
ian and Lebanese shows, there is also a late night disco.

Reports also indicate that passenger ships are being chartered by other
countries’ governments to evacuate their citizens. The French and Norwegian
Governments are reported to have jointly chartered the Greek Lane Lines
ferry Ierapetra L and Louis Cruise Lines’ Cypriot-based cruise ship Serenade
has reportedly been chartered by the Australian Government to evacuate their
citizens.
The cruisers can enjoy a karaoke night in the Reflection Lounge. Both the
lounges can accommodate 300 guests. Water skiing can be arranged from the
Jetski Hall. Cruisers can also enjoy the 2 level casino, entertainment club and
bars. There are slot machines in the Queen Casino. The games available here
range from blackjack to roulette and poker.
The Video Arcade provides a wide variety of games for children.
Orient Queen, the perfect choice for guests wishing to embark directly from
Beirut!
NBC’s Kerry Sanders reports: “As I stood at the port in Beirut on Wednesday
watching the desperation on so many faces as they waited to board the Orient
Queen cruise liner, I couldn’t help but have a smile on my face for one fleet-
ing moment.
The reason? I had just met one young boy who reached into his bag and
showed me who he was bringing out of Lebanon to the safety of Cyprus: a
pet frog named “Spitfire.””
Prices do not include the (Much recommended – according to the Nakhal
travel agency website) travel cancellation insurance of 25 US Dollars.
“Love won’t hurt anymore
It’s an open smile on a friendly shore.
Yes LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! It’s LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!
(hey-ah!)” (Love boat lyrics)