A Little Something Extra – Navigating the etiquette of tipping can be tricky.
Monday Mantra A Few Tips … A Few Tips … A Few Tips … A Little Something Extra Navigating the etiquette of tipping can be tricky. You can’t spend nearly 20 years married to a man whose entire career was in the restaurant business and not be left with a profound appreciation for tipping. M
Home Is Where the Ship Is
Monday Mantra I’m movin’ in … I’m movin’ in … I’m movin’ in … Home Is Where the Ship Is Why not cruise full time? Every so often, you’ll see a news story about an old woman who decides to sell her home and all of her possessions and move, permanently, on to a cruise […]
Mysteries of the Sea: The best parts of a cruise can’t be planned – only enjoyed as they happen.
Monday Mantra A private performance … A private performance … A private performance … Mysteries of the Sea The best parts of a cruise can’t be planned – only enjoyed as they happen. If I had to pick the most magical moment of my nearly 40 years of cruising, it would have nothing to do [&he
A Tender Subject – Well, you’ve got to get to port somehow….
Monday Mantra Tender-ness …Tender-ness …Tender-ness … A Tender Subject Well, you’ve got to get to port somehow…. “YAY! We get to tender ashore!” said no cruise passenger ever. It just goes to show how spoiled and pampered we are on board when a 15-minute boat ride into port becomes suc
Buddy On Board – We’ve been friends for 40 years. Our first cruise together should be just fine … right?
Monday Mantra A New Shipmate!…A New Shipmate!…A New Shipmate! Buddy On Board We’ve been friends for 40 years. Our first cruise together should be just fine … right? “Will there be fat people on the ship?” “Are you bringing pantyhose?” “Is there somewhere I can go and read a
Bee Afraid – Melissophobia (the fear of stinging insects) can turn even the sweetest excursion a little sour.
Monday Mantra A honey of a tour … A honey of a tour … A honey of a tour … Bee Afraid Melissophobia — the fear of stinging insects — can turn even the sweetest excursion a little sour Thassos, a lush landscape of mountain and sea. At this verdant island in Northern Greece, I […]
So You Wanna Be A Cruise Writer? – If there’s one thing those muster drills teach us, it’s to always be ready.
Monday Mantra The Write Stuff…The Write Stuff…The Write Stuff… So You Wanna Be A Cruise Writer? If there’s one thing those muster drills teach us, it’s to always be ready. A lot of people ask me how I got into freelance cruise writing. In my case, I simply answered the phone. And it was a
Code Dread – Informally, there’s nothing “smart” about “casual.”
Monday Mantra Whatever Shall I Wear?… Whatever Shall I Wear?… Whatever Shall I Wear?… Code Dread! Informally, there’s nothing “smart” about “casual.” Okay, I give up. What exactly is “smart casual” dress? I picture a rather untidy person in jeans and a T-shirt carrying the latest
Full Uptight Position – The worst thing about a luxury cruise? The flight to get there.
Monday Mantra Prepare for Takeoff…Prepare for Takeoff…Prepare for Takeoff… Full Uptight Position The worst thing about a luxury cruise? The flight to get there. Countdown! A week from tomorrow, I’m off to Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa 2, rated the world’s best cruise ship by Berlitz. And already,
Top Shelf – Cover to cover and stem to stern, there’s no better friend on board.
Porthole’s Monday Mantra BYOB…BYOB…BYOB! Top Shelf Cover to cover and stem to stern, there’s no better friend on board. I’m bringing my own. And I don’t care how heavy it is and I don’t care if I don’t finish it, I refuse to board a ship to find a limited or lackluster selection. Wai
The World Is My Oyster! – Flights of fancy are fine, and trains of thought will get you there eventually … but what can beat a cruise around the world?
Porthole’s Monday Mantra Let’s Pretend … Let’s Pretend … Let’s Pretend … The World Is My Oyster! Flights of fancy are fine, and trains of thought will get you there eventually … but what can beat a cruise around the world? I’m going on a World Cruise! Actually, I’m not, but I wan
A Virgin Wish List – Mr. Branson … Richard … we’re ready to be shaken up.
Porthole’s Monday Mantra Virgin thoughts…Virgin thoughts…Virgin thoughts… A Virgin Wish List Mr. Branson … Richard … we’re ready to be shaken up. It’s an amazing time for us cruise nuts! In the coming years, we’ll see exciting new ships from Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Li
Here Comes the Cruise! The best cure for what ails you is full steam ahead!
Porthole’s Monday Mantra Cruise for the Blues…Cruise for the Blues…Cruise for the Blues… Here Comes the Cruise! The best cure for what ails you is full steam ahead! I have not one, not two, but three cruises on the horizon! I usually roll my eyes when braggarts bend my ear with details of th
Coming Clean – One of the greatest resources on board is a well-equipped laundry.
Monday Mantra A Clothes Call….A Clothes Call…A Clothes Call… Coming Clean One of the greatest resources on board is a well-equipped laundry. When I design a cruise ship, it may not have a water park, a myriad of alternative dining venues, all-suite accommodations, or butler service, but it wil
Luck, Be a Cruiser Tonight! – Hot streaks happen — whether we want them or not.
Monday Mantra Gambling! Sort of …. Gambling! Sort of … Gambling! Sort of … Luck, Be a Cruiser Tonight! Hot streaks happen — whether we want them or not. “Wait! I’ll go with you! Just let me get rid of this,” I say to Rosemary as she’s headed for the ship’s piano bar. What I’m [&h
Roll of the Dinner Dice. – You can pick your cruise mates — but not necessarily your tablemates
Monday Mantra Ode to the open seating… Ode to the open seating… Ode to the open seating…. Roll of the Dinner Dice You can pick your cruise mates — but not necessarily your tablemates. “Would you like to join others for dinner?” Wouldn’t it be great if you get the lowdown on
The Swizzle’s Secret: Bermuda Falernum
Monday Mantra Sun, Sand, and Swizzles…Sun, Sand, and Swizzles…Sun, Sand, and Swizzles The Swizzle’s Secret If it doesn’t have Bermuda falernum — and a Bermuda bar — it’s just not right. Ahhh… Bermuda. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some far-flung and exotic places in my life b
Don’t Show Me the Money! – Foreign bills can be fun… maybe… for some people.…
Monday Mantra Cashless cruising!… Cashless cruising!… Cashless cruising! Don’t Show Me the Money! Foreign bills can be fun… maybe… for some people.… Nothing’s better than entering your cabin on embarkation day and ditching your wallet in the safe knowing your signature is all y
There Goes the Sun – What do you do when the tropical rain soaks your ship?
Monday Mantra Rainy Days and Sea Days… Rainy Days and Sea Days… Rainy Days and Sea Days… There Goes the Sun What do you do when the tropical rain soaks your ship? Yay! We’re at sea! You wake and imagine a full day lazing in the sun, sipping cool drinks and reading, listening to music, [&hell
Going Home to Holland America Line – A familiar ship can feel like an old friend.
Monday Mantra I’m coming back!… I’m coming back!… I’m coming back! Going Home to Holland America Line A familiar ship can feel like an old friend. It’s been quite a while since I sailed Holland America Line but I’ll be returning to the line on July 4 when my friend Rosemary and I sail
