Cruising Barefoot
Monday Mantra Cruising Barefoot When novice packing mistakes seem to carry on. I will not make novice cruise mistakes…I will not make novice cruise mistakes…I will not make novice cruise mistakes… More than 35 years have passed since then and I now think of myself as a cruise veteran. I know h
Five Faves: Belly Up!
Cheers to these five favorite onboard spots to grab a drink. There’s no denying that the themed bars, chic lounges, and bustling nightclubs found on today’s cruise ships rival any on land. The options are endless for cruisers seeking unique spots to enjoy their favorite drinks. So far, here are
The Monday Mantra…
The Monday Mantra Your Weekly Dose of Cruise Humor Join me each week for a different mystical chant that will transport you from your ho-hum existence to the glorious world of cruising. Lest you think I’m getting all “Kumbaya” on you, let me assure you that my mantras will invoke the realities
Princess Cruises Plans Anniversary Cruise
Princess Cruises Plans Anniversary Cruise Back in the late 1970s, the TV show The Love Boat introduced many of us to the very idea of cruising. With a fictional crew helmed by Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod), big-name guest stars, an endless array of episodes depicting happy cruise vacations, as w
Culinary Adventures aboard Oceania Cruises
For cruisers who want to bring more back from their vacation than just great memories, Oceania Cruises has Bon Appétit Culinary Centers aboard the 1,250-passenger Marina and Riviera where you can actually learn some cooking skills. Bon Appétit Culinary Centers You slice and dice along with pr
Just Desserts and Cocktail Culture
Brand-new treats on both Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are geared toward an adults-only audience. On Disney, the indulgence is desserts. Exclusively on Disney Fantasy, a new experience for grownups is a five-course dessert tasting in the fancy French restaurant Remy. “Remy Fea
Holland America Line Adds Signature Burgers to New Terrace Grill Menu
I’m one of those people who enjoy being pampered with multiple courses served by armies of waiters in cruise ship dining rooms. But at some point on every cruise I find myself craving something simple — like a good burger. Apparently, I am not alone. New Cruise Ship Burgers Celebrity chef Gu
Carnival Brings the Sea to New Kid’s Program
Kids on Carnival ships will soon be making penguins out of Oreos, playing marine animal trivia, crafting their own sailboats, and designing their own aquariums in Camp Ocean, the line’s new marine-themed kids’ program. Launching in May on Carnival Freedom, Camp Ocean will replace Camp
Quantum of the Seas Moving to China
In a move that came as a shock to many, Royal Caribbean announced this week that after an initial season in the New York market the line would send its newest (and presumably greatest) ship, the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas, to China – permanently. The ship, which debuts in November, has
Crystal gets creative with Game of Thrones excursion, new bike tours
We love when the creative minds at cruise lines get going. The latest example: Crystal Cruises’ new shore excursions. Passengers can find adventure on Europe cruises on a tour based on the hit HBO show Game of Thrones and on a bunch of new, get-active bike excursions. First to the Seven Kin
New Cruise Line to Sail Great Lakes, Canada, New England, and Caribbean
The Great Lakes may not immediately spring to mind when you think of cruise destinations, but a rare start-up line called Pearl Seas Cruises is hoping to change that. Launching in June, the U.S.-flagged, small-ship line will debut 10- to 14-day itineraries that include the Great Lakes and S
Stop and Smell the Flowers and Fromage of France
Sometimes the best travel experiences are those that are improvised. Four of us off the river ship Viking Forseti proved that on a sunny day in the city of Bordeaux. With a map in hand, some advice from a local and, okay, a travel writer leading the pack, we four women, ages 40 to 72, headed off [
Rollin’ on the River in French (Wine) Style
Sipping Bordeaux wine, visiting a historic chateau, viewing the green French countryside with plenty of time to pause to appreciate the good life – this is the experience on the new Chateaux, Rivers and Wine itinerary aboard Viking River Cruises’ 190-passenger Viking Forseti. The one-week cr
Take Me to the River – in the Pacific Northwest
Competition is heating up on the rivers of the Pacific Northwest, to places once visited by Lewis and Clark. The American Queen Steamboat Company just christened its American Empress in Portland, for new service on the Columbia and Snake rivers. At the same time Un-Cruise Ad
Oceania launches top-notch entertainment
Oceania is launching a series of top-notch concerts and lectures, beginning with a shipboard program featuring Andrea McArdle, the original Annie on Broadway, that passengers can attend for a fee. I smell trend: You’ll remember Carnival recently announced its’ Carnival Live Concert
Silversea Cruises Launches New Expedition Ship to Sail Exotic Itineraries
Cruise passengers looking to explore the remote corners of the world have a new expedition option. Silversea’s latest expedition ship, Silver Discoverer, set sail this week on a cruise to the jaw-dropping Kimberly coast of Western Australia. The 120-passenger ship is the 20-year-old, ultra-l
Uniworld Launches S.S. Catherine in Lyon
Another day, another river ship christening. Seriously, it’s beginning to feel like that as the market, especially in Europe, keeps booming with no signs of slowing down any time soon. Oo la la Last week, on what was a beautiful sunny day in Lyon, France, Uniworld launched its new 159-passenge
Royal Caribbean goes with “Dynamic Dining” for Quantum-class ships
In a bold move, Royal Caribbean International is shaking up the dining scene on its Quantum-class ships, eliminating main dining rooms and shipwide formal nights in favor of what the line is calling “Dynamic Dining.” Passengers on Quantum of the Seas (debuting in November) and sister
Disney Cruise Line Heads to “Frozen” Norway & Iceland
It’s time to picture Mickey Mouse in his cute Viking-horns outfit. That’s because Disney Cruise Line has announced its newest destination: the Norwegian fjords. Cruises to the Land of the Midnight Sun will set sail in June 2015 when the recently revamped Disney Magic, with its AquaDunk thri
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Explores Further
The cruise itinerary map keeps expanding, and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, the king of soft adventure itineraries, seems destined to prove the world is indeed your oyster. The line will launch four new expeditions in Africa, the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean next year on its newly ac
