INSIDER
Cruise will dispatch some of its trouble-ridden robotaxis to join Uber's ride-hailing service
Read full article: Cruise will dispatch some of its trouble-ridden robotaxis to join Uber's ride-hailing serviceCruise’s trouble-ridden robotaxis are on the road to joining Uber’s ride-hailing service next year as part of a multiyear partnership bringing together two companies that once appeared poised to compete for passengers.
GM brings in new CEO to steer troubled Cruise robotaxi service while Waymo ramps up in San Francisco
Read full article: GM brings in new CEO to steer troubled Cruise robotaxi service while Waymo ramps up in San FranciscoGeneral Motors has named a veteran technology executive with roots in the video game industry to steer its troubled robotaxi service Cruise.
‘Robotaxi’ hitting the streets of Houston for second time. Why were the brakes pumped?
Read full article: ‘Robotaxi’ hitting the streets of Houston for second time. Why were the brakes pumped?Cruise, the self-driving car company owned by General Motors, has resumed its operations in Houston after a seven-month break.
GM board approves another $6 billion share repurchase as the automaker gains momentum
Read full article: GM board approves another $6 billion share repurchase as the automaker gains momentumThe board of General Motors has approved another $6 billion share repurchase as the Detroit automaker adds to its 2024 momentum.
Dozens of United Airlines passengers headed to Houston fall ill after international cruise
Read full article: Dozens of United Airlines passengers headed to Houston fall ill after international cruiseAccording to Houston firefighters, at least 25 people on the flight reported feeling sick due to a cruise they were on.
GM's Cruise to start testing robotaxis in Phoenix area with human safety drivers on board
Read full article: GM's Cruise to start testing robotaxis in Phoenix area with human safety drivers on boardGeneral Motors’ troubled Cruise autonomous vehicle unit says it will start testing robotaxis in Arizona this week with human safety drivers on board.
GM's troubled robotaxi service faces another round of public ridicule in regulatoryhearing
Read full article: GM's troubled robotaxi service faces another round of public ridicule in regulatoryhearingGeneral Motors’ troubled robotaxi service Cruise has endured a public lashing from a California judge.
GM's Cruise robotaxi service targeted in Justice Department inquiry into San Francisco collision
Read full article: GM's Cruise robotaxi service targeted in Justice Department inquiry into San Francisco collisionGeneral Motors is facing a U.S. Justice Department investigation into a gruesome collision that critically injured a pedestrian and derailed its self-driving car ambitions.
GM's Cruise robotaxi service faces fine in alleged cover-up of San Francisco accident's severity
Read full article: GM's Cruise robotaxi service faces fine in alleged cover-up of San Francisco accident's severityCalifornia regulators are alleging a San Francisco robotaxi service owned by General Motors covered up the severity of an accident involving one of its driverless cars, raising the specter they may add a fine to the recent suspension of its California license.
General Motors' autonomous vehicle unit recalls cars for software update after dragging a pedestrian
Read full article: General Motors' autonomous vehicle unit recalls cars for software update after dragging a pedestrianGM's Cruise autonomous vehicle unit is recalling all 950 of its cars to update its software after one dragged a pedestrian to the side of a San Francisco street last month.
Cruise, GM's robotaxi service, suspends all driverless operations nationwide
Read full article: Cruise, GM's robotaxi service, suspends all driverless operations nationwideGeneral Motors’ Cruise says it's suspending its driverless operations nationwide as the robotaxi service works to rebuild public trust.
Self-driving car company Cruise halts fleets in Houston, elsewhere in bid to ‘rebuild public trust’ amid feds’ probe
Read full article: Self-driving car company Cruise halts fleets in Houston, elsewhere in bid to ‘rebuild public trust’ amid feds’ probeThe self-driving car and driverless rides company Cruise said Thursday that it is halting its driverless operations across its fleets -- including in Houston -- as it said on Twitter that it is taking steps to “rebuild public trust,” though it added that the decision “isn’t related to any new on-road incident.”
Driverless cars are multiplying on Texas roads. Here’s what you should know.
Read full article: Driverless cars are multiplying on Texas roads. Here’s what you should know.Autonomous vehicles, or AVs, are here. Tribune journalists took a ride in one recently and answer the biggest questions about who’s driving the driverless trend and how the state regulates them.
Two rival robotaxi services win approval to operate throughout San Francisco despite safety concerns
Read full article: Two rival robotaxi services win approval to operate throughout San Francisco despite safety concernsCalifornia regulators have approved an expansion that will allow two rival robotaxi service to operate throughout San Francisco at all hours.
Recalling a wild ride with a robotaxi named Peaches as regulators mull San Francisco expansion plan
Read full article: Recalling a wild ride with a robotaxi named Peaches as regulators mull San Francisco expansion planAn Associated Press reporter recalls the first time he took a ride in a car without sitting in the driver’s seat.
Hallmark launches Christmas Cruise for devoted fans of their holiday movies
Read full article: Hallmark launches Christmas Cruise for devoted fans of their holiday moviesThe Hallmark channel announced its first ever Christmas-themed cruise set to take sail next fall. The Christmas cruise will begin its journey in Miami and travel to Nassau, Bahamas from Nov. 5-9, 2024.
Support the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s mission to help all Houstonians learn to read
Read full article: Support the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s mission to help all Houstonians learn to readThe Foundation is celebrating 10 years of carrying out Barbara Bush’s mission to ensure all adults and children are given the opportunities needed to learn to read. You can help by supporting their many outreach programs including My Home Library, the UH Cougar Tutor program, Camp Adventure, the Curiosity Cruiser, Success Through Adult Reading, and George and Barbara Bush Family Places. To help, go to www.barbarabushhouston.org
More than 300 passengers became sick after possibly contracting Norovirus on Galveston-based cruise ship
Read full article: More than 300 passengers became sick after possibly contracting Norovirus on Galveston-based cruise shipMore than 300 passengers who set sail aboard the Ruby Princess late last month became sick after possibly contracting Norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ruby Princess departs on inaugural voyage from Galveston, marking Princess’ first cruise from Texas in 6 years
Read full article: Ruby Princess departs on inaugural voyage from Galveston, marking Princess’ first cruise from Texas in 6 yearsThe Ruby Princess departed Galveston Sunday afternoon on an 11-day sail to Mexico and the Caribbean, marking Princess Cruises’ first voyage from Texas in six years.
US opens probe of Cruise robotaxi braking, clogging traffic
Read full article: US opens probe of Cruise robotaxi braking, clogging trafficUS safety regulators are investigating reports that autonomous robotaxis run by General Motors’ Cruise can unexpectedly come to a halt, potentially stranding passengers.
Sail away with Kesha and a bunch of drag queens on the Kesha Cruise in 2022
Read full article: Sail away with Kesha and a bunch of drag queens on the Kesha Cruise in 2022Just like Kesha said in her hit song “Tik Tok,” well, “the party don’t start till I walk in,” and that goes for her Kesha Cruise that is setting sail in 2022.
Carnival Vista implements new mask policy after cruise ship reports ‘small number’ of COVID-19 cases
Read full article: Carnival Vista implements new mask policy after cruise ship reports ‘small number’ of COVID-19 casesCarnival Vista said they have implemented a fleetwide mask policy following a “small number” of COVID-19 cases that were reported on board a cruise ship Wednesday.
Passengers prepare to sail as cruises resume out of Galveston this weekend
Read full article: Passengers prepare to sail as cruises resume out of Galveston this weekendIt’s a big weekend on Galveston as the first Carnival Cruise Line ship prepares to set sail from the island since the pandemic brought cruises to a halt in March of 2020.
‘It is quite a euphoric moment:’ First cruise sets sail from US port in more than a year
Read full article: ‘It is quite a euphoric moment:’ First cruise sets sail from US port in more than a yearThe cruise line industry is making a comeback after the first ship with paying passengers on board set sail from a U.S. port in more than a year.
The one where they set sail: ‘Friends’-themed cruise is now available for booking
Read full article: The one where they set sail: ‘Friends’-themed cruise is now available for bookingFor “Friends” fans everywhere, being able to witness Monica, Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe reunite felt like a real blessing.
Hundreds of cruise ship crew members get vaccinated in Galveston ahead of anticipated cruising ban lift
Read full article: Hundreds of cruise ship crew members get vaccinated in Galveston ahead of anticipated cruising ban liftThere are 300 crew members between the two carnival cruise ships, the Carnival Vista and the Carnival Breeze currently docked at the Port of Galveston, all agreed to be vaccinated. Carnival officials say it’s an important part of the process to get sailing again.
Man sentenced for trying to strangle girlfriend while on a cruise off Galveston coast
Read full article: Man sentenced for trying to strangle girlfriend while on a cruise off Galveston coastGALVESTON, Texas – A North Dakota man has been sentenced to prison after he was convicted of assault for trying to strangle his girlfriend while on a cruise ship off the coast of Galveston. Hector Fernando Blanco pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan 17 and on Tuesday was sentenced to three years in prison followed by two years of supervised release, according to a news release. Officials said the 41-year-old man and the woman he had been dating were on a cruise ship 45 miles from Galveston when the assault happened. According to the release, Blanco tripped and his girlfriend was able to escape the cabin and alert security personnel on the ship. AdBlanco was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined soon.
GM teams up with Microsoft on driverless cars
Read full article: GM teams up with Microsoft on driverless carsThis image provided by General Motors shows the new company logo. (General Motors via AP)DETROIT – General Motors is teaming up with Microsoft to accelerate its rollout of electric, self-driving cars. “Microsoft is a great addition to the team as we drive toward a future world of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. It wants to be seen as a clean vehicle company, rather than a builder of cloud-spewing gas-powered pickups and SUVs. GM scrapped its old square blue logo for a lower case gm surrounded by rounded corners and an ‘m’ that looks like an electrical plug.
Carnival cancels cruises through April -- or later -- due to COVID-19
Read full article: Carnival cancels cruises through April -- or later -- due to COVID-19HOUSTON – Carnival has canceled all cruises from U.S. ports through April 30, 2021, the cruise line said. The cruise line said travelers should look for an email or check with their travel agent for more details. “As we confer with industry partners and regulators on the protocols and procedures that will guide our operations when we resume sailing, we will continue to make information available (here),” the post reads. “Thank you for your continued understanding and support.”Carnival has repeatedly pushed back sail dates locally and across the U.S. as the COVID-19 pandemic has continued. MORE ON CARNIVAL CRUISES AND THE PANDEMIC.
GM's Cruise to deploy fully driverless cars in San Francisco
Read full article: GM's Cruise to deploy fully driverless cars in San FranciscoThe move announced Wednesday by GM-owned Cruise come two months after the company received California's permission to fully driverless cars in the state. “You’re seeing fully driverless technology out of the (research and development) phase and into the beginning of the journey to being a real commercial product," Cruise CEO Dan Ammann said Wednesday. California regulators also recently approved new rules allowing ride-hailing services to pick up passengers in self-driving cars, but Cruise isn't going down that road yet. Instead, Ammann pledged the company will move cautiously while dispatching up to five fully driverless cars into parts of San Francisco initially. Ammann declined to provide a timeline when asked if Cruise planned to use its driverless cars in ride-hailing service within San Francisco next year.
GM to run robot cars in San Francisco without human backups
Read full article: GM to run robot cars in San Francisco without human backupsGeneral Motors' Cruise autonomous vehicle unit says it will pull the human backup drivers from its vehicles in San Francisco by the end of the year. Cruise will go neighborhood-by-neighborhood in San Francisco and launch the driverless vehicles slowly before spreading to the entire city, he said. Progress toward autonomous vehicles slowed markedly after an Uber autonomous test SUV ran down a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona, in 2018. Both Cruise and Waymo program their vehicles to drive more conservatively than humans, but still need to progress safely, Shladover said. He noted that Cruise will tackle easier areas in San Francisco first before venturing into more complex traffic situations.
Carnival Cruise Line cancels all cruises set to sail out of Galveston for 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns
Read full article: Carnival Cruise Line cancels all cruises set to sail out of Galveston for 2020 due to COVID-19 concernsGALVESTON – If you were looking to catch a Carnival cruise out of Galveston soon, you’ll have to wait. On Thursday, Carnival Cruise Line stated that some of its cruises from all U.S. homeports, except Miami and Port Canaveral, are canceled for November and December due to COVID-19 concerns. The cancellation applies to all cruises that were planned to sail out of the Port of Galveston. “Losing a cruise line is big for the Galveston industry,” Newman said. And while we are not making any presumptions, once cruising is allowed, we will center our initial start-up from the homeports of Miami and Port Canaveral,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Disney Cruise Line cancels all sailings through end of July
Read full article: Disney Cruise Line cancels all sailings through end of JulyORLANDO – Disney Cruise Line announced Wednesday that all cruises that were set to sail through July 28 have now been canceled. According to a news release, the decision to cancel future trips was made with direction from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to the coronavirus outbreak. Guests who were currently booked on one of the affected sailings will be offered the choice of a cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 15 months of their original sail date, or a full refund. Guests and travel agents will receive an email from Disney Cruise Line outlining details and next steps. Those who booked with Disney Cruise Line and have questions after receiving the email should call contact Disney by calling (866) 325-6685 or (407) 566-7797.
Carnival inundated with bookings after announcing August departures; these are cruises slated to set sail from Galveston
Read full article: Carnival inundated with bookings after announcing August departures; these are cruises slated to set sail from GalvestonHOUSTON – Bookings for Carnival Cruise Line shot up 600 percent after announcing cruises would begin on August 1, according to Cruise Planners, a cruise booking company. A check of Carnival’s website shows a Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Dream is scheduled to set sail from Galveston as soon as August 8, with several subsequent cruises to depart through the month and into next year. However, plans are just plans, as Carnival noted on social media, saying in part:Update on important information regarding our service pause extension. Posted by Carnival Cruise Line on Monday, May 4, 2020“Any resumption of cruise operations – whenever that may be – is fully dependent on our continued efforts in cooperation with federal, state, local and international government officials,” a news release said. “In our continued support of public health efforts, any return to service will also include whatever enhanced operational protocols and social gathering guidelines that are in place at the time of the resumption of cruise operations.
Local couple worried $1,900 refund from Carnival cruise could be months away
Read full article: Local couple worried $1,900 refund from Carnival cruise could be months awayGALVESTON – One local couple booked what they hope would be a fun cruise. However, they did not expect an adventure to get answers from the Carnival cruise line. On March 30, the couple learned that Carnival was canceling the trip on Facebook than they received an email. To try to get more information on their refunds, they turned to Facebook and were shocked at what they read. "Carnival was responding, telling some people it could be 3-6 months, telling others well it could be 6-9 months," Debbie said.
‘Golden Girls’-themed cruise to set sail from Miami next year
Read full article: ‘Golden Girls’-themed cruise to set sail from Miami next yearMIAMI – Sure, they have traveled down a road and back again, but next winter, the Golden Girls will be headed out to sea. WJXT reports an events company is planning a cruise for fans of the beloved 1980s sitcom departing from Rose, Blanche, Dorothy and Sofia’s home base of Miami in 2021. The company also offered this in 2020, but it sold out quickly! The five-night themed cruise sets sail April 5, 2021- April 10, 2021 with various stops on its itinerary, including Key West and Cozumel, Mexico. "Join other 'Golden Girls' fans for a once-in-a-lifetime gathering," the organizers' website says.