The canal will remain the best alternative regardless of the size of the ships.

Our most important natural resource is not the canal, but our geographic position.

There are ships sailing to many ports, but not a single one goes where life is not painful.

I am convinced, ... that if we get larger and larger ships in the industry, it will actually filter off a lot of passengers into the niche market ships of 100 to 200 passengers in the years to come.

They will have time to burn for the record. They will be rocket ships. The record will go. They could take between three to six hours off it.

The departure of the ships marks another step forward in the region's recovery. In the fall, the cruise ships will return with tourists who will help boost the local economy and help the great city of New Orleans continue to rebuild.