Peruvian Navy tall ship spotted on Thames near Southend for first time
Peruvian Navy tall ship Bap Union has been visiting ports around the UK for the first time this summer, and was seen moored on the Thames Estuary near Mulberry Harbour on Saturday.
The vessel is primarily used for training naval cadets, but also plays the role of ambassador, promoting Peru during voyages around the world.
Camera club member Simon Murdoch hailed it a "rare sight" on the Thames near Southend.
Bap Union is the first sail training ship of the Peruvian Navy and was launched in 2015 after a three year building project that took place in Spain.
Its visit came as Nao Santa Maria, an authentic replica of Christopher Columbus' famous flagship from his 1492 voyage, was docked at Southend Pier last week welcoming visitors aboard for a tour of the iconic vessel.
Sadly, the decision was taken for the ship to leave Southend ahead of schedule on Saturday, prioritising the safety of both crew and visitors due to challenging weather conditions at the end of the pier.
The early departure disappointed many ticket holders who had planned to visit the historic ship during its stay in the city, however a spokesman insisted safety must always come first when dealing with maritime conditions.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Football comes home: Jubilant fans greet Lionesses on return to England
The Lionesses have returned to the UK after triumphing at the Euros, as hundreds of jubilant fans waited to greet the team. The team landed back in the country on Monday afternoon after defending their Euros title in a penalty shootout win over Spain in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend Airport in Essex to greet the Lionesses. Among them were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, from Benfleet, Essex, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo. Poppy said: 'We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it. 'They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well.' Daisy admitted she struggled to watch the penalty shootout, adding: 'I couldn't watch, I was very nervous, but very happy that they won.' In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. The team will be welcomed to a celebratory reception at Downing Street later on Monday, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Team captain Leah Williamson was seen smiling and holding the Euros trophy as the team left their hotel in Zurich and began their journey home in the rain. Other team members, wearing their medals, smiled as they high-fived supporters waiting outside the building and signed autographs. Lauren Hemp was seen carrying a Beauty and the Beast castle made out of Lego on her journey home. Other players have discussed hobbies outside of football which they have used to help unwind during the tournament, with star striker Michelle Agyemang revealing she had brought a piano with her to Switzerland. Tuesday will see the team enjoy an open-top bus procession along The Mall and a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace. However, the Lionesses began their celebrations in Switzerland and can be seen cheering, raising a glass and dancing with Reggie, the dog, in a video posted on the team's official social media accounts. The team can be seen wearing their gold medals, chanting the white Cavapoo's name and waving his paw after the match. Reggie belongs to Cheals on Wheels, a barista company that travelled with the team to the tournament. Posting on Instagram, the company wrote that Reggie had 'gone international' and was 'soaking up all the love (and sneaky treats) from the team' in Switzerland. After the game, the King said the team had the royal family's 'warmest appreciation and admiration' in a post on X, adding: 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can'. A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the team's triumph, saying the Lionesses had 'once again captured the hearts of the nation' and were 'an inspiration for young people across the country'. Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute. The Lionesses went on to triumph 3-1 on penalties. A picture of the Prince of Wales with his arm around his daughter Princess Charlotte was posted to X, with the caption 'champions of Europe'. At the presentation ceremony, William congratulated Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done' at the presentation ceremony. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible On Monday, a mural at Russo's first grassroots club, Bearsted FC, was unveiled to mark the victory and celebrate National Lottery funding for the game. The red, white and blue image depicts the player alongside a St George's cross and a roaring lioness at the club in Maidstone, Kent. To celebrate the win, the Royal Mail will mark the occasion with a congratulatory postmark – which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday. Fans can attend the homecoming celebrations in London for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky.


Forbes
22-07-2025
- Forbes
What Content Creators Can Expect On A Brand Trip
Jenny Roso Photography Whether you follow your favorite influencers and brands on TikTok or watch their YouTube channels, you may have seen them go on brand trips. Brand trips are when a brand invites a content creator or group of influencers to experience a place and/or products. Brand trips can span two days or last several weeks. Brands have different objectives for hosting trips. From increasing brand awareness through storytelling to accessing specific creators' audiences and building relationships with them, there are plenty of reasons why brands invest in inviting creators on a trip. As a full-time creator, I've been on three brand trips in the last two months. I spent nine days in Peru with Intrepid as part of a tour group, one week in Tokyo with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines with a group of influencers, and a solo weekend with Travel Portland. Here are some key insights on what happens behind the scenes of a brand trip: Paid vs. Gifted Brand Trips In 2025, brands are offering both paid and gifted brand trips. Content creators and influencers may receive payment in the form of the experience itself, as brands offer to cover expenses such as flights, lodging, transportation, and meals. Brands are also paying influencers to participate in brand trips, as many of these trips come with a required statement of work. Influencers may be necessary to create and post a set of deliverables within a specified timeframe. What Brands Expect On A Brand Trip: Timeline & Deliverables In my last three brand trips, all my brand partners have requested short-form video content. Most brands are still prioritizing short-form videos (Reels on Instagram or TikTok videos). However, depending on the creators' channels and platforms, brands may still request that photos. Brands may also ask influencers to create multiple flights of content. Emma's Edition In addition to agreeing to the required deliverables, content creators and influencers still must work towards a timeline. During my nine-day trip to Peru with Intrepid, I submitted Instagram story content daily for approval. I also created multiple flights of content. If you have content going live each day, you're balancing the daily itinerary with capturing content, editing, writing copy, and sending in the content. Staying organized with your content during a brand trip is also helpful. For my brand campaigns and trips, I use Google Drive to store each brand campaign, creating a separate folder for each deliverable. That way, a brand knows exactly where each required asset is located. What's Covered On A Brand Trip Depending on the brand's budget and the length of the brand trip, brands may cover flights, transportation, food, activities, and lodging. Brands may or may not cover the cost of a plus-one. If you're a content creator invited on a brand trip, it's helpful to ask what will be covered by the brand. For example, for my partnership with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, I was allowed to bring a plus-one to help me shoot content. We had a jam-packed schedule exploring Tokyo, and it made a world of difference having my photographer help me shoot short-form videos and photos at each location. Where Do Brand Trip Opportunities Come From Brand trips may occur due to a product launch, a new flight route, a new partnership with another business, or a city or region seeking to build awareness and increase tourism. Brands may reach out directly or via their public relations agencies. For my partnership with Travel Portland, their objective is to promote their current partnership and weekend giveaway with the Little Free Library. As a Seattle-based content creator, I encouraged my audience to look for the golden bookmarks in Little Free Library locations around Seattle to win a weekend getaway in Portland. Brand Itineraries Brand itineraries vary greatly. Some brands may have every meal, activity, and transportation planned out daily. Other brands may provide a recommended list of things to do in their city or region, leaving it up to the creator's discretion to determine what to experience, film, and share. For my nine-day trip to Peru with Intrepid, I was the only content creator in the tour group. My sister and I accompanied our tour group throughout the entire trip. While we had a few free afternoons and evenings, we experienced Machu Picchu, wandered around Lima, and explored Lake Titicaca as a tour group. Emma's Edition @emmasedition The Brands Point of View: I spoke with Travel Portland, Alaska Airlines, and Intrepid Travel to offer both the creator and brand perspectives. Here's what I learned from both sides of the itinerary. The Decision To Host An Influencer Trip Travel Portland Created its "Golden Bookmark to Portland" campaign to elevate a part of the city's culture that is often overlooked: its literary scene. MORE FOR YOU "We wanted to showcase Portland's vibrant spirit, diverse culture, and particularly our literary scene," said Sylvia Choi from Travel Portland. "We created space for broader storytelling—inviting creators to connect with the city through their lens, whether that was books, neighborhoods, or food." Alaska Airlines saw the launch of its first international route from Seattle to Tokyo as a milestone worth amplifying. "Influencers help us reach audiences in a non-traditional, authentic way," said April Johnson, Senior Manager of Brand Marketing at Alaska Airlines. "It's not just about the experience in the air — it's about making people want to travel to a destination like Tokyo and hopefully fly Alaska to get there." Intrepid Travel has been exploring influencer marketing for a decade, but now approaches it with more structure and global strategy. "We see influencer marketing as part of a broader storytelling ecosystem — one that helps us grow, strengthen, and protect the brand," said Mikey Sadowski, VP of Global Communications. "It's about trust, relevance, and long-term value." Jenny Roso Photography Creator Selection Process Across the board, brand partners emphasized the alignment of values over vanity metrics. Travel Portland takes a holistic approach: "We're looking for alignment — creators who naturally fit Portland's culture," Sylvia said. "That could be a book lover, a plant parent, a thrifting enthusiast, or a foodie." Alaska Airlines considers a mix of audience, geography, and professionalism. "We look at everything from location and reach to content style and brand fit," said April. "For Tokyo, we prioritized creators tied to Seattle or the Pacific Northwest. But being easy to work with also matters — that kind of professionalism goes a long way." Intrepid Travel integrates its brand values into every trip: "We select creators based on how well they reflect our values: impactful, real, together," said Mikey. "We aim for representation across our six traveler personas and prioritize inclusive storytelling, with at least 50% BIPOC participation in influencer campaigns." Goals & Metrics Of A Brand Trip How do brands know a trip is successful? All three brands measure both traditional and deeper engagement metrics as well as impact and reach. Travel Portland tracks reach, saves, and shares—but also values how well content tells the city's story and sparks ongoing creator advocacy. Alaska Airlines looks at earned media value, watch time, and how creator content performs in paid ads. Intrepid focuses on both brand lift and how content supports the full customer journey—from discovery to word-of-mouth referrals. Pitching Advice For Creators All three brands encourage creators to pitch with intention and strategy. Travel Portland recommends a personalized approach: "Keep your media kit to 1–2 pages. Show you've done your homework," said Sylvia. "Highlight past content that aligns with our city, and suggest how your story fits with Portland." Alaska Airlines echoes that sentiment: "Tell us what campaign you're interested in and share an idea. Even something like, 'I saw you launched a new route to Seoul, and I'd love to create beauty content there' — that stands out," said April. Intrepid emphasized value-driven storytelling: "Be intentional. Be clear about what you want to create and why it benefits our audience," said Mikey. "We're already planning 2026, but we're always open to great pitches that fit the brand." Whether you're preparing for your first brand trip or looking to pitch for the next one, understanding how brands think is essential. Brand trips are more than bucket-list experiences — they're strategic partnerships rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and the power of storytelling.

Travel Weekly
22-07-2025
- Travel Weekly
Residential cruise line Crescent Seas chooses a CEO
Thatcher Brown has been named CEO of Crescent Seas. Brown, who most recently was Virtuoso's senior vice president of global products, will take the helm at the new residential cruise company on Aug. 1. Thatcher Brown Photo Credit: Crescent Seas Brown has worked in luxury hospitality and cruise for more than 25 years, including at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, Four Seasons Yachts, MSC Cruises, Dream Cruises and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Russell Galbut launched Crescent Seas in March. Its first ship, the Navigator Residence at Sea, is expected to begin sailing in December 2026, the company said. • Related: Do residential cruises present an opportunity for travel advisors? "I look forward to building on the robust launch and cultivating a community while redefining what it means to live and travel at sea," Brown said.