Cruise ship extends stay in port for more cleaning

The Celebrity Mercury cruise ship returned to Charleston a day early at the recommendation of federal health officials after passengers became ill with a stomach bug on the vessel's third consecutive sailing. Ship owner Royal Caribbean Cruises, announced that 342 out of 1,829 passengers became ill with what appeared to be the norovirus. That follows 207 sick passengers on the previous voyage and 419 on the trip before that.

The latest sailing had to skip one stop so crew members could continue 'enhanced cleaning' in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ship said it would adhere to a 'no-sail recommendation' for four days as officials try to find the source of the outbreaks. The Mercury was to set sail again on Sunday. Celebrity offered refunds to anyone who canceled that voyage.

Call me Al

The S.C. Aquarium introduced its newest resident in the renovated Blackwater Swamp exhibit, and the public got its first chance to see him Saturday. The 7-foot, 100-pound reptile is one of only 50 translucent alligators worldwide. The aquarium, with funding from MeadWestvaco Corp., purchased the gator from a zoo in Tampa, Fla., for $10,000. He arrived without a name — for now, staffers call him 'Al' — but that they plan to narrow down the options and give the public a chance to vote.

Word of caution

Container business at the State Ports Authority climbed more than 7 percent in February compared with the same period last year, marking the first back-to-back monthly increases since fall 2006. While volume remains well off its peak, the latest figures provided one of the first signals that a turnaround on the waterfront might be under way. 'One or two months does not make a trend, but I am cautiously optimistic,' said Jim Newsome, the SPA's chief executive.

Market report

City Market vendors returned to work to find that the first phase of the $5 million restoration of the historic buildings had finished on time and within budget. The two-month undertaking included brick repointing, roof upgrades, security installations and lighting improvements on the two sheds between Church and State streets. Crews have now moved on to the third and largest shed at East Bay Street, and they should finish that phase in May.

Succession plan

The region's only Super Kmart is losing its grocery section and its 'superstore' status. The Rivers Avenue store is clearing out its food section after a nearly 16-year run, one of five nationwide that are losing their 'Super' designation under an effort by the chain to operate more efficiently.

Kmart said it chose to do away with the North Charleston food section 'to give the store the best chance to succeed.'