Caymans Plan Stiff Fines for Cruise Ship Dumping

In response to the continued growth of cruising in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands may begin levying fines of up to $625,000 on cruise lines found guilty of dumping garbage and otherwise polluting waters within the 12-mile limit of the British Crown Colony. It would be the highest such penalty in the Caribbean, although most Caribbean islands impose some modest fines, according to a spokesman for the Caribbean Tourism Organization in Barbados. The current maximum fine imposed by the Cayman Islands courts is $6,250. The proposal for heavier fines, which could be implemented as soon as next month if the legislature approves it, was prompted, according to a spokesman for the Cayman Islands’ tourism department, by several recent incidents of garbage-dumping by cruise ships. The action would also be taken as a preventive measure--to ensure the continued purity of the waters, on which the Cayman’s successful tourism so depends, he said. An average of 13 cruise ships--some carrying as many as 2,600 people--dock weekly at the port city of George Town. That’s 16,000 weekly visitors and their accompanying garbage, an increase of more than 14% in the past year. The potential impact of this growth has caused great concern in the region, particularly in the “dive” community. The Caymans host more than 75,000 divers annually.

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Travel Quiz: Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula separates Green Bay from the waters of what lake?

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Sign Language at O’Hare: Finally, there’s an international airport terminal that speaks our language and 16 others. Computerized signs, programmed in 17 languages, are among the high-tech features at the new international terminal opening Thursday at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. The signs change languages according to the origination point of the most recent incoming flights, welcoming and guiding visitors using letters and characters. Also new in Terminal 5: a recheck lobby, just beyond customs, from which incoming international passengers can check baggage to connecting domestic flights, rather than having to hand-carry it to other terminals; a people-mover service connecting Terminal 5 with other terminals and public transportation and restrooms situated on the way to customs--before the traveler reaches what are sometimes long lines there.

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These Non-Refundable Fares Are Sleepers: For the third summer, Amtrak is offering discounted, non-refundable fares--but this year, for the first time, they will apply to first-class sleeping accommodations, as well as to coach. Priced 11%-23% lower than standard fares, the non-refundable tickets--which allow for 45 days of travel and up to three stopovers--are ideal for long-distance trips and can be used in conjunction with sleeping car accommodations. Called the Special All Aboard America fare, they are divided into two rate classifications for peak travel June 18 through Aug. 22, and for off-season travel now through June 17 and Aug. 23.-Dec. 16. Although fares vary depending on time and length of travel, All Aboard America fares will generally save travelers between $20 and $50 off full-fare tickets. Reservations must be made by June 17; tickets must be purchased within seven days of making a reservation, and all trips must be completed by Dec. 16. Non-refundable tickets will not be available for Metroliners and a few other routes, primarily in the East.

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Bugged Near Philly: The Twiddlebug Sesame Street characters--so popular with the under-three-foot-tall set--now have their own theme park home at Sesame Place near Philadelphia. At Twiddlebug Land, a new Sesame Place section that opened last week, the Twiddlebugs, tiny residents of Bert and Ernie’s window box, live to recycle and show visitors how by taking lost and discarded items and creating new uses for them in their own, miniature world. Here, children can hear the Sesame Brass Band on a stage made from a giant “discarded” turntable, propel themselves down a “Mix-N-Match Twiddle Tracks” railroad or float in a 10,000-square-foot wave pool. One-day admission to the theme park in Langhorne, Pa., is $19.95 for adults and kids, $16.95 for those 55 and over and free for children under 3. For information: (215) 752-7070.

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Nonstop to the South Pacific: Polynesian Airlines this Friday will begin offering the first and only nonstop service between Los Angeles and Apia, Western Samoa. On Sunday it will begin service between Honolulu and Apia. The new twice-weekly nonstop services will connect with other destinations in the South Pacific, including the Kingdom of Tonga, the Cook Islands, Tahiti and Fiji. To celebrate the new flights, Polynesian is offering low introductory round-trip economy fares, beginning at $469 for Honolulu-Apia and $669 for Los Angeles-Apia, for travel by June 30. For information: (800) 592-7100.

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What to do in Australia: “Destination Australia,” a new guide to travel in Australia, is available free from the Australian Tourist Commission. The 136-page publication contains feature articles on various aspects of that country, listings of accommodations, sightseeing and activity options, such as free things to do in Sydney. Copies can be obtained by calling (800) 888-5116.

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A Taxing Affair for Riviera Yachts: The marinas around the Riviera--usually packed with multimillion-dollar yachts during peak summer months--may be flying vacancy flags this summer. Thousands of yacht owners are expected to boycott ports in European Community waters to avoid a new value-added tax (VAT) that goes into effect July 1. One of the hardest-hit areas is expected to be the French Riviera, where, traditionally, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia’s 48O-foot “Abdul Aziz” rubs shoulders with Steven Spielberg’s “My Lin III” or the former “Trump Princess” once owned by American millionaire Donald Trump and now named “Kingdom” by its new Arab owner. Where will the super yachts head instead? Harbor facilities are being built or renovated in Malta, Turkey and Morocco, and agents already are prospecting among long-standing clients. The new EC directive would require owners of boats registered after 1985 in any of the 12 EC countries to pay a tax based on their boat’s current value if they tie up in an EC port. In France, the tax rate is 18.6%--a hefty sum for some of the floating palaces, which are worth up to $20.5 million each.

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Quiz Answer: Lake Michigan.