Wedding guests are often sent to a Tiffany registry but this is the first time I've seen a registry for a Navy ship. The NY Times City Room blog reports that the the U.S.S. New York, which will be commissioned on November 7 has its own Tiffany registry. The U.S. S. New York includes more than seven tons of salvaged steel from the World Trade Center and it has some pretty pricey tastes. On the list are the sterling silver Chippendale tray ( $2,868.75) shown at right, a Queen Anne tea pot and a commemorative Riedel ice bucket as well as a full flatware service.

Why the registry? Naval ships often have "ship's silver" that is brought out for special and diplomatic occasions and usually a ship's silver is donated by a state or a corporation or a large entity. But for this ship, which is so much a part of New York City, the U.S.S. New York commissioning committee wanted to involve the people. Purchasers can engrave the name of a loved one on the silver pieces they buy. The newest U.S.S. New York will inherit some Tiffany pieces from the last U.S.S. New York battleship, which was built in 1911 and retired after World War II and from other previous ships that bore the name. These days state names refer to submarines, but former New York Governor George E. Pataki asked that the U.S.S. New York name be revived in 2002. The motto for the ship is "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget."

The registry was set up back in July but only around 20 of the more than 200 pieces have been purchased. The ship is an amphibious assault ship which will carry Marines. It will be based in Norfolk, Virginia. On November 2, the ship will arrive in New York City and it will stop in water near Ground Zero, lower its flag to half mast and fire a 21-gun salute. Some crew members who are from New York requested to be part of the first crew of the ship.

USA Today's Cruise Blog recently reported on the fact that Princess Cruises is adding 300-square-foot screens on the top decks of seven more of its Princess ships over the next three years (it already has the screens on the top decks of seven ships already). The giant LED screens can show movies day and night as well as broadcasting sporting events such as the Super Bowl and concerts and plans to broadcast an exclusive-to-the-cruise-industry concert by top-selling recording artist Josh Groban. Personally I'm no fan of the giant screens but some of the hard-core cruisers seem to really like them. Other lines including MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruises offer movie screens on deck on some of their ships.

People who have money and taste are ever looking for different and more exotic ways to relax and entertain themselves, and the world of cruises is no exception. Trips to the Caribbean and the Bahamas are all but mainstream, so luxury cruises are moving towards smaller more personal ships and less common locations. And the world's most expensive luxury cruises are no exception, with popular locations ranging from the Baltic to Africa to Antarctica, and prices soaring upwards of $2,000 per person per day in some cases. Money like that will get you the best rooms, interesting adventure options (like kayaking in the Antarctic), upscale shore excursions with exclusive perks and privileges, and of course travel at the peak of the sometimes short seasons. Where do you want to go? I don't think I could decide!

Some boat owners choose a new name for their vessel every time they upsize. Others stick with one name and just numeral up. The Van Dam Nordia Shipyard has announced the completion of the 80' Nordia Traditional Ketch, Ophira V which is the third yacht that they have built for the same owner. The Ophira V is a joint effort by the owner's family and is designed to be both a racer and a family cruiser. The yacht includes details such as an integrated treadmill in the starboard guest cabin floor with its own DVD system, an Arcam/Linn onboard entertainment system with separate IPod stations in every guestroom, a fully acclimatised wine cellar, wireless satellite internet and retractable LCD screens.

If you are interested in the old Ophira, the Ophira IV, a 62' Nordia World Cruising Sloop the family bought in 1992, is currently for sale.

Now going on a luxury cruise doesn't mean getting sad puppy eyes as you book a boarding house for your favorite pet -- the Atlantic cruise liner Queen Mary 2 gives you the option of bringing them along! The amenities of their "Pets on Deck" program include fresh-baked biscuits at turn-down, a variety of bedding and blanket options, and even a little coat with the QM2 logo. All pet guests also receive a complimentary gift pack with a mix of essentials and fun stuff, such as a food dish with scoop, a name tag, a frisbee, and a complimentary portrait with their owners.

As a dog owner I think it's great when vacations are pet-friendly, but in this case I can't help but wonder: do people's pets ever get seasick? That would not be pleasant!

The Formula 45 Yacht might not be the biggest boat in the marina, but the 45-ft luxury yacht certainly has a lot to recommend it. The shape and profile of the boat are stunning, topped with a sunroof to get the most of a day at sea, and the cabin is outfitted with just about everything you could want, with Ralph Lauren fabrics, American Cherry wood-finish flooring, air conditioning and a 37" widescreen theater system. On the slightly more practical side, the boat has a Raymarine GPS system, Sirious Satellite Radio Marine Weather service and can be outfitted with a remote-controlled platform for lifting swimmers (or personal watercraft) in and out of the water. Prices start around $850,000, but expect to pay more to get it fully outfitted.

[via Travelizmo]

We talk quite a lot about yachts here, as they are one of the most luxurious things that money can buy. This week, the Wall Street Journal took a look at some of our favorite ships, dubbing them McYachts(subscription req'd), due to the constant competition among enthusiasts for the biggest and best boats with the most luxury features. They also put together a convenient pricing guide, defining how much you can get for the amount you're willing to pay. Keep in mind this is just a ballpark, but it's a good place to start if you're thinking of getting into the game.

• $2 million - 60-ft yacht with two staterooms, a salon and a dining area
• $20 million - 140-ft yacht with 3 decks above water, 5 staterooms and an aft deck
• $50 million: 190-ft yacht with 4 decks above water, a sky lounge and an elevator
• $75 million - 250-ft yacht with a gym, pool, helicopter pad and garage (helicopter may or may not be included; pilot extra)
• $194 million - 450-ft yacht with a theater, spa, salon and a wood burning fireplace, in addition to everything listed above and a good deal more.

A deck chair from the Titanic is up for auction at Bonhams & Butterfields. The beech wood chair is one of only six surviving in the world and has the five-pointed star that was White Star's trademark emblazoned onto the headboard. The chair was not snatched off the deck during the last moments of the ship, but was taken as a souvenir by a newspaper photographer, Mr. Thomas Barker, when he did a piece about the ship at its last docking point on April 11, 1912. After the shop sank, Barker wanted nothing to do with the chair and it changed hands several times over the years. It is offered by a private collector. Nothing special in and of itself, as a relic of the Titanic, it is estimated to be worth $75,000 to $100,000.

[Image Bonhams]