Escape into the Holiday Spirit. Cruising the Danube can re-awaken your childlike joy of the season.
Monday Mantra DECK the halls…DECK the halls…DECK the halls… Escape into the Holiday Spirit Cruising the Danube can reawaken your childlike joy of the season. They say Christmas is a magical time filled with family, friends, warmth, and wonder. And it certainly is, if you’re abo
Cabin Fever. From poky inside staterooms to the luxury of a doorbell, there’s no place like your home on board.…
Monday Mantra Cabin sweet cabin…Cabin sweet cabin….Cabin sweet cabin… Cabin Fever From poky inside staterooms to the luxury of a doorbell, there’s no place like your home on board.… From yesteryear’s humble inside upper and lower, I have risen phoenix-like to the extravagance of spacious
The Long and Short of It – There are hidden bonuses to cruising with less.
Monday Mantra I’m thinking small… I’m thinking small … I’m thinking small … The Long and Short of It There are hidden bonuses to cruising with less. “I know what you mean about small ships,” the lady next to me at the bar said. “We sailed Holland America Line’s Westerdam last yea
Jost van Dyke’s Hidden Heaven: One little paradise can make an early wake-up call worth the pain.
Monday Mantra I have no pain to kill… I have no pain to kill… I have no pain to kill… Hidden Heaven One little paradise can make an early wake-up call worth the pain. San Juan. St. Thomas. St. Maarten. Jost van Dyke. Jost van what??? Unless you own a private yacht or have cruised […]
Home, sweet Gem- Even after a few changes, it’s good to be aboard a friend.
Monday Mantra I’m at home on Norwegian Gem…I’m at home on Norwegian Gem…I’m at home on Norwegian Gem… Home, sweet Gem Even after a few changes, it’s good to be aboard a friend. I like to think I have my finger on the pulse of the cruise industry but lately IR
Should I Stay or Should I Go? – When emergencies come up at home, nothing matters like family matters.
Monday Mantra I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … Should I Stay or Should I Go? When emergencies come up at home, nothing matters like family matters. I’m going on a cruise this Saturday! Maybe. That’s right: “Maybe.” He
Cultured Cruisers – This expedition cruise ain’t no ship of fools.
Monday Mantra I want to go on an expedition…I want to go on an expedition…I want to go on an expedition… Cultured Cruisers This expedition cruise ain’t no ship of fools. Who would think an SPF-toting, rum punch–slugging, limbo-dancin’ gal like me would love an expedition ship? Unlike the
Thinking Big
Monday Mantra Diet on a cruise? Fat chance!… Diet on a cruise? Fat chance!… Diet on a cruise? Fat chance! Thinking Big On your next cruise, why not just embrace the calories? I slipped into my white pants, fastened the button on the waistband and – boinnnnng! – off it flew, arcing ac
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
