GENOA - In just a few days, the port of Genoa, from which Christopher Columbus set sail, is to play host to the leaders of the richest countries in the world, at a time of great questioning of the policies being exercised by the G8 and other economically powerful countries.

Genoa's 'fortress'

Greece is far from being close to joining the G8 club, but it appears that the eight leaders, led by US President George W. Bush, will be exchanging their views aboard a ship that is 100 percent Greek-owned, but bearing French and Italian flags.

The European Vision, as well as the Mistral, are owned by Festival Cruises (Poulidis-Sarantitis). The European Vision" was christened last Wednesday in Genoa, under the Italian flag, by Cardinal Tatamanzi of Liguria, who exercised some caution in his references to the G8 summit. The cardinal blessed the ship with the usual prayers, but asked the powers that be on this earth to "try to find a solution that would decrease inequalities and give hope, love and food to the peoples who are suffering from hunger and want."


The leaders' suites

Festival Cruises, in an agreement with the Italian government, has given its two ships to the Italian State, as of July 15, until the end of the summit. Festival's G. Poulidis reached an agreement about a year ago with the the minister responsible for the summit, Achille Vinci Giacci. The national elections subsequently brought in a new government, but Berlusconi left the minister in his post, in consideration of the importance of the event he was organizing. Both ships, of course, are fully insured, but are also assured of wide free publicity.

According to sources, another cruise ship from the Costa Crociere line will also be used. One of the three ships is for the exclusive use of the US president and his entourage, who will not be staying with the other leaders. The meetings will take place on the Vision and the Mistral.

"For our region, the G8 meeting is a first-class opportunity to put ourselves in the world spotlight," said Sandro Biasotti, Liguria's prefect. "Liguria has not received the attention it deserves and now is our chance to do something about it," he said, praising Poulidis, whose ships have given Genoa the boost it was waiting for.

As for the captain of the brand new European Vision, Francesco Bruzzone, he considers it a great honor to host such distinguished guests.

The Greeks would prefer to see the ships bearing Greek flags, but globalization has wrought its own changes, making other European flags more attractive.


SHIP SPECS:

 http://www.festivalcruises.com/english/default.htm

European Vision

Length 251 m

Cruising speed 20,8 knots

Cabins 783, of which 132 suites with balcony

Swimming pools 4, of which 2 children's splash pools

Building Chantiers de l'Atlantique

Tonnage 58.600 tons

Breadth 28,8 m

Number of crew 711 people

Passengers capacity 1500 cruisers on double cabins base 553/653 further places

Open-air hydromassage 2

Good, they are sailing on a Greek ship! My experience of Greek ferries has included seeing visions of my life flash by as the rusty boats churn from island to island. I'd say that 90 per cent of Greek boats are dangerous - let's hope the G8 is sunk by Hellenic boat-building incompetance. That'll teach them to close down our docks!
If not, perhaps a few of our Greek communist comrades could do a civil war re-enactment and blow the bastards sky high.

I love greece and the greeks I've met are cool, but I only hope they sail the same way they drive cos if they do, the G8 leaders don't stand a chance.

it would be nice to sing these song and watch such a $$$ boat go down in the mediterranean, for it would mean problens to the G8 meeting in genova and it would be a nice blow agaisnt big money turism in the seas of Greece.