Latest news with #KeithLane
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
A food writer takes their first cruise, and is pleasantly surprised
I'm standing alongside 10 or so people on the banks of an estuary just outside Hobart, cracking open and downing a Pacific oyster pulled from the water this morning, before adding my emptied shell to the others lining the shore. It's the kind of intimate food experience Tasmania is famous for, yet mine is happening as part of a 3000-person cruise. As idyllic as my morning of epicurean solitude was, it turns out it wasn't particularly unique. In fact, I'm told, these tailored, small-scale moments are a key part of cruising these days. 'Excursions are no longer a bus tour of the sites and back to the ship. We carefully craft authentic experiences in each destination,' says the senior vice president of hotel operations for Celebrity Cruises, Keith Lane. These escapades extend beyond the oyster farms, wineries, distilleries and other adventures me and my fellow cruisers have been shuttled off to on our day in Hobart. Cruise ships are shaking off their 'all-in' buffet reputations, and replacing them with varied dining options that cater to a vast range of taste, preference and appetite. Which raises the question for someone on their inaugural cruise trip: how do you cater to 3000 people three times a day without it feeling like you're throwing mince into a piranha tank? On board the Celebrity Edge, the answer is by offering 29 restaurants, bars, cafes and other spots to grab a bite.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
A food writer takes their first cruise, and is pleasantly surprised
I'm standing alongside 10 or so people on the banks of an estuary just outside Hobart, cracking open and downing a Pacific oyster pulled from the water this morning, before adding my emptied shell to the others lining the shore. It's the kind of intimate food experience Tasmania is famous for, yet mine is happening as part of a 3000-person cruise. As idyllic as my morning of epicurean solitude was, it turns out it wasn't particularly unique. In fact, I'm told, these tailored, small-scale moments are a key part of cruising these days. 'Excursions are no longer a bus tour of the sites and back to the ship. We carefully craft authentic experiences in each destination,' says the senior vice president of hotel operations for Celebrity Cruises, Keith Lane. These escapades extend beyond the oyster farms, wineries, distilleries and other adventures me and my fellow cruisers have been shuttled off to on our day in Hobart. Cruise ships are shaking off their 'all-in' buffet reputations, and replacing them with varied dining options that cater to a vast range of taste, preference and appetite. Which raises the question for someone on their inaugural cruise trip: how do you cater to 3000 people three times a day without it feeling like you're throwing mince into a piranha tank? On board the Celebrity Edge, the answer is by offering 29 restaurants, bars, cafes and other spots to grab a bite.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Officials enlist surprising helpers in effort to protect critical waterways — here's what's happening
Meet the newest team members working to protect Alabama's waterways: specially trained dogs with an incredible sense of smell. These canine detectives are part of an innovative program that turns man's best friend into environmental champions, NBC 15 reported. The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program launched an initiative to train dogs to detect human wastewater in local waters. These talented pups employ their superior noses — which contain 60 times more scent receptors than human noses — to solve a pressing environmental problem. The program recruits unexpected allies: combat veterans employed by the estuary program who once trained dogs to find dangerous explosives overseas. They're redirecting those skills toward keeping local waters clean and safe. Traditional methods for tracking wastewater contamination cost a lot of money and take too much time. These barriers often slow cleanup efforts in places such as the West Fowl River, Fly Creek, and Peterson Branch — all areas where high bacteria levels affect water quality and, in some cases, impact shellfish harvesting. The dogs are a faster, cheaper solution. Trainers create scent profiles using special polymer tubes called Getxent to help dogs learn to detect untreated wastewater. This technology makes training more effective and long-lasting. For residents and visitors who enjoy Mobile Bay for swimming or fishing, cleaner water leads to healthier communities and ecosystems. Shellfish harvesters also benefit from reduced bacterial contamination, which protects their livelihoods and consumers' safety. The program doesn't just help the environment — it saves money, too. As NBC 15 reporter Keith Lane notes, "The operating costs for canine tracking are estimated to be at least one order of magnitude lower than those for lab-based microbial source tracking initiatives." The dogs also find problems much faster, creating substantial savings in all areas of source tracking. Community education is another key component of this endeavor. Residents can learn about water health issues through public demonstrations and educational meetings while watching these impressive animals in action. Do you worry about the quality of the air inside your home? Yes — often Yes — but only sometimes Only when it's bad outside No — I never do Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. If successful, this pilot project could expand to other watersheds, offering a model for communities nationwide facing similar challenges. By turning furry friends into environmental protectors, this project shows how innovative thinking can create practical solutions that benefit both people and the planet without breaking the bank. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
