Athens 'ship hotels' deals becalmed

Organisers of the 2004 Olympics say they have not yet signed contracts for 10 of the 11 cruise ships they plan to use as floating hotels to alleviate a shortage of rooms during the Athens Games.

They have so far signed a deal for just one ship that will be docked in the port of Piraeus, said the accommodation director for the 2004 Games, Spyros Pappas. "The agreements have not been signed," but the rest of the agreements will be finalised in coming days," Pappas said.

The deal already signed is for the Queen Mary II – now under construction in France. More than 13,000 visitors will be housed on the Queen Mary II and 10 other cruise ships.

Athens is facing a huge challenge to find space for spectators and others who will attend the world's biggest sporting event. Nearly all of Athens' prime hotel rooms are already assigned to the International Olympic Committee, sponsors and other dignitaries.

Hoping to control Athens' notorious traffic chaos, Olympic planners say that they aim to educate motorists about driving etiquette – including laws about parking on sidewalks.

"It's difficult to change overnight the habits and culture of people," said Panos Protopsaltis, transport director for the 2004 Games. "It will be a combination of communication and law enforcement."