NOTE TO EDITORS: Minister to attend Freedom of the Seaport Ceremony

Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Tom Hedderson will attend a Freedom of the Seaport Ceremony to mark the occasion of the inaugural port call of Royal Caribbean International�s Jewel of the Seas tomorrow (Tuesday, September 19). The event takes place at Pier 10/11, Harbour Apron in St. John�s at 3:30 p.m.

The Jewel of the Seas in on a transatlantic cruise that left Harwich, England on September 11 and will visit Le Harve, Plymouth, Dublin, Cork, St. John�s and Halifax before concluding its voyage in Boston on September 23. It is carrying 2,110 passengers and 859 crew. Considered one of the most technologically-advanced ships, its unique features include a 10-story glass centrum and glass elevators.

The Freedom of the Seaport Ceremony originated more than 500 years ago when St. John's welcomed sailors, pirates and fishing admirals to its seaport. During this ceremony, the Mayor of St. John's confers the Freedom of the Seaport upon the ship's captain, which is symbolic of the justice and control the city bestowed upon the first fishing admiral to enter the Narrows for the fishing season in earlier times.

The Signal Hill Tattoo will play a role in this ceremony with a fife and drum performance. Visitors will also be treated to the sounds of the Harbour Symphony, a piece of music written for the horns of the ships in St. John�s Harbour, as the cruise ship departs the oldest city in North America at the conclusion of the event.

The cruise ship sector is a growing market within the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism industry with 110 port calls booked for 2006. Celebrity Cruises' Constellation ship will visit St. John's Harbour Wednesday, September 20.

Media representatives wishing to attend the Freedom of the Seaport Ceremony must be placed on a security list. Please contact: Captain Henry Flight, Harbour Master, St. John's Port Authority, (709) 738-4778

Media contact: Susanne Hiller, Communications, (709) 729-0928, 728-7762, susannehiller@gov.nl.ca

2006 09 18                                     4:20 p.m.