All Aboard Already!
Monday Mantra I want to sail…on time! ….I want to sail…on time! I want to sail…on time! All Aboard Already! If you’re late to the ship, we’re all late. It’s 5:45 p.m. and right now we should be sailing toward St. Thomas. Instead, the ship is still tied up at the pier, a few officers [&
Home Makers – Cabin stewards are the unsung heroes of every cruise.
Monday Mantra I love my cabin steward…I love my cabin steward…I love my cabin steward… Home Makers Cabin stewards are the unsung heroes of every cruise. I have never had a cabin steward who sucked. Ever. That could be today’s entire Monday Mantra right there if not for those pesky little wor
Show me the way. Sometimes, it’s not the destination, but the guide who really makes the journey.
Monday Mantra I want a great guide…I want a great guide…I want a great guide… Show me the way Sometimes, it’s not the destination, but the guide who really makes the journey. The cruise lines have this whole shore excursion thing all wrong. I already know that places like The Vatican, The Lo
Cruise Companions
Monday Mantra I miss Svein and Lars…I miss Svein and Lars…I miss Svein and Lars… Cruise Companions No matter the miles in between, some onboard friendships endure long after debarkation. Just when I was beginning to think most cruises were packed to the pool deck with a predictable combination
Till Death Do We Debark
Monday Mantra I DO love cruising…I DO love cruising…I DO love cruising… Till Death Do We Debark Cruise with me, my love… on the sea, the sea of love…. My husband, Michael, and I have been married 17 years, but it could have been a lot longer if only the gods that controlled our respective
See the world … from the deck of your cruise ship!
Monday Mantra I want to stay on board…I want to stay on board…I want to stay on board See the world… from the deck of your cruise ship! Sometimes, a lounge chair and a cold drink is all you need. Sometimes you meet some nutty people on a cruise, and I’d written Larry off as […]
The Post-Cruise Inbox Blues
Monday Mantra I will stay connected…I will stay connected…I will stay connected… The Post-Cruise Inbox Blues Disconnecting is great, but you have to come back sometime. Last week, a coworker of mine returned to the office after a 7-day cruise to find 1,400 emails in her inbox. FOURTEEN HUN
Heart and Sole – A trip to the ship’s spa changes a person … or at least their cuticles.
Monday Mantra I’ll be relaxed and gorgeous…I’ll be relaxed and gorgeous…I’ll be relaxed and gorgeous… Heart and Sole A trip to the ship’s spa changes a person … or at least their cuticles. There I was in the oh-so-serene reception area of the cruise ship spa while the piped-in sitar
Cruise Lines… Long Lines? – Suitcase ready, passport ready, now get me on the ship!
Monday Mantra I just want to be on board…I just want to be on board…I just want to be on board… Cruise Lines… Long Lines? Suitcase ready, passport ready, now get me on the ship! Before days of lazing in a deck chair beneath sunny skies, before sumptuous meals in enchanting dining rooms, befo
Cabin Fever – Cruising can push the buddy system past the breaking point.
Monday Mantra Cabin Fever Cruising can push the buddy system past the breaking point. I will find the ideal cabinmate… I will find the ideal cabinmate…I will find the ideal cabinmate “Now, for the first problem. Which bed do you want?” That was my first clue that the friend I would be cruisi
Remembering the Black Dress – Worn – and worn out – on the best of cruises
Monday Mantra Ode to The Black Dress Worn – and worn out – on the best of cruises. I need a new dress…I need a new dress…I need a new dress… It was black. It was elegant. And it seemed to have a magical ability to expand or contract in order to perfectly fit my body […]
Why Not Stay?
Monday Mantra Why Not Stay? Home is where we drop anchor. (Some day….) I want to move here…I want to move here…I want to move here… Whenever I think about ditching the crowds and chaos of New York City and relocating, I can never decide on a destination. Florida is too hot, upstate New Yor
Nothing to Declare but Décor
Monday Mantra Nothing to Declare but Décor Pack light on the way out … so you can pack heavy coming home! I will bring my cruise home with me…I will bring my cruise home with me…I will bring my cruise home with me…. “Do you have any alcohol or cigarettes?” the customs officer barked. At
Cruising the World Cup? Goooal!
Monday Mantra Cruising the World Cup? Goooal! Soccer fans have plenty to shout about at sea today. We get a kick out of cruising…. We get a kick out of cruising…. We get a kick out of cruising…. Some people are surprised by the interest and excitement that this year’s World Cup generated in
All Good Things…
Monday Mantra All Good Things… There is no Monday like the Monday after a cruise. I must book my next cruise… I must book my next cruise… I must book my next cruise… Boom. I knock the bedside phone to the floor and yet that shrill tone continues. My God! Maybe it’s an emergency! I’m [&he
Out on the rails
Monday Mantra Out on the rails The White Pass & Yukon Route opens Alaska I want to remain on track…I want to remain on track…I want to remain on track… “Look! There’s the sun!” It was my husband Michael’s exclamation as we stood on deck aboard Silver Shadow docked in Skagway. “
Hot Rocks, Cool Vacation
Monday Mantra I want gloves…I want gloves…I want gloves… Hot Rocks, Cool Vacation Alaska is still Alaska, even on a luxury cruise. If I ever say I plan to leave for a cruise directly from the office, just slap me. A full work day, a rush hour commute to JFK, and a 6-hour flight to […]
In the Bag
Monday Mantra In the Bag A luxury cruise to Alaska stretches packing strategies to the limit. I will begin packing…I will begin packing…I will begin packing… In just two days, I’ll be off to Vancouver to board Silver Shadow for an 11-day Alaska cruise. I’ll be combining two of the
All Things Grape and Small
Monday Mantra All Things Grape and Small On a luxury cruise, nothing (and we mean nothing) is overlooked. I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… Allow me to set the scene. My husband, Michael, and
Wine Not?
Monday Mantra Wine Not? The Virgin Islands offer great deals — and good cheer — in unexpected places…. I want to drink in an alley…I want to drink in an alley…I want to drink in an alley… Duty-free shopping in St. Thomas is like a reunion with old friends. Shops like The Belgian Chocolat
