The Caribbean from “Kokomo”
When in the Caribbean To discover quintessential island life, take your cue from a classic tune. By JD Andrews Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I want to take you to Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama Key Largo, Montego, baby why don’t we go… Now that you’ll have that song bouncing around in your hea
Cruise Exec Spotlight: Jan Swartz
The Princess and the Sea Jan Swartz is not your typical soccer mom. Or is she? By Fran Golden Meet Jan Swartz, president of Los Angeles–based Princess Cruises, Harvard MBA, and… soccer mom. At work, she runs a cruise line with 18 ships and more than 25,000 employees around the world. At home, sh
Cruise Connection: Turner Classic Movies
That’s a Wrap! Turner Classic Movies cruise brings together film stars and fans. By Chris Owen Odds are increasing that if you have a special interest, there is a theme cruise that embraces it. Once the playground for rock concerts at sea, themed sailings bring together fans of everything from mot
Cruising Solo
Party of One Go it alone with today’s options for solo cruisers. By Theresa Norton Masek Sometimes it might seem like cruises are geared toward happy couples, who board hand-in-hand like a modern-day Noah’s Ark, oblivious to those sailing alone. Adding insult to injury are the dreaded single sup
See Alaska in style aboard Silversea Cruises
Landscapes and Luxury See Alaska in style aboard Silversea Cruises. By Judi Cuervo Click. “Darn.” Click. “Darn.” Click. “Darn!” Whales are not like people. They don’t assemble and pose. Even on the “sports” setting of my camera, an enviable shot of a whale’s fluke — that two-lo
Like a Local: Shanghai
Shanghai Surprises Close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By Lim Hui Sin I’ve lived in Shanghai for a dozen years and it still surprises me. While the city has changed so much since I first arrived — some parts becoming completely unrecognizable — other features remain exactly the
Cruise Wisdom: Crowds or Solitude?
Crowd Surfing Embrace the pack or search for solitude? By Cindy O’Neil Q: My wife and I want to take a Caribbean cruise in February or March. Is there anything we should consider about sailing during these months? — Greg A., San Diego, California A: You bet your bottom dollar! At this time of ye
Artisans of the World: Romero Britto
Canvas of Color Romero Britto spreads cheer through his artwork. By Jodi Ornstein I can’t remember the first time I encountered the fun, colorful artwork of Romero Britto. But I’ll definitely never forget having the opportunity to chat with the popular artist in his studio in Miami, where he tel
Cruise Ship Review: Quantum of the Seas
Smart Ship, Awesome Trip: Quantum of the Seas lives up to the hype. By Doug Parker The moment I made my way into Cape Liberty’s newly constructed cruise terminal to board Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas, I knew this experience was going to be one for the books. Embarkation,
Cruise Exec Spotlight: Edie Rodriguez
Girl Power Edie Rodriguez brings passion and drive to her life — and Crystal Cruises. By Fran Golden Edie Rodriguez (née Edie Bornstein), president and chief operating office of Los Angeles–based luxury line Crystal Cruises, is a 53-year-old Type-A personality who sleeps four hours a night, lik
Cruise Ship Review: Tauck Inspire
Tauck Inspire, the newest class of ships from Tauck, raises the bar in river cruising. By John and Sandra Nowlan As ocean cruise ships get bigger and bolder, various lines try to outdo each other with innovations such as giant atriums, poolside movie screens, skating rinks, and bumper cars. River cr
Join the Club: Top Chef at Sea
Get Cookin’ Celebrity Cruises’ Top Chef at Sea cruises get participants fired up. By Fran Golden Chef Angelo Sosa tried to pull my white chef’s hat over my eyes. The chef/owner of the Michelin-recommended Añejo in New York, and former contestant on the TV show Top Chef, was coaching a two
Like a Local: Auckland
City of Sails When cruising from Auckland, close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By Rosemary Neave Auckland has been my home since my 20s, when I came for a holiday, fell in love with New Zealand, and never left. As a web designer and passionate networker, I love sharing stories and [&h
Just Add Land: Train Journeys
Ride the Rails If a weeklong cruise just isn’t enough, combine it with a train adventure for a trip of a lifetime. By Sherry Laskin It’s not a new concept. Rail-and-sail vacations have been around for years. But lately, word is getting around about these unique extended adventures. When combined
Improve your Selfie
Improve Your Selfie Why not return from your next cruise an even better you? By Theresa Norton Masek Tell someone you’re going on a cruise and they might joke about the 10 pounds you’ll gain. Maybe that was true back in the day (heck, it’s still true for some of us!), but we also know [&hellip
Fantastic Voyage – Pilgrimages at Sea
Fantastic Voyage A family of 10 embarks on a 49-day spiritual journey. By Marcia Levin Theo Kaufman wanted to give his wife and children an opportunity to make their Roman Catholic religion come to life — to see what they believe in and experience their globe-spanning faith. And last summer, the L
Date Nights at Sea
Date Night Delights From candlelit tables for two to movies under the stars to stargazing strolls around deck, nothing’s more soothing than romance at sea. By Heidi Sarna and Matt Hannafin Matt: Oh, “romance”: one of the three or four nouns most commonly linked with “cruise.” And now you a
Cruise Wisdom: Deal Watch
Deal Watch When is the best time to book a cruise? By Cindy O’Neil Q: My sisters and I are planning a cruise for our next vacation. We have sailed before and it always seemed like other passengers snagged a better deal than we had. So when is the right time to book our cruise? […]
Blount Small Ship Adventures Explores the Atlantic Coast
A Coast with the Most Explore the Atlantic shoreline with Blount Small Ship Adventures. By Yvonne Yorke In 1949, shipbuilder and inventor Luther H. Blount founded a family-run company that built vessels ranging from dinner cruise ships to commercial fishing boats. Blount often spent his vacations on
World Artisan: Jo Diggs
A Stitch in Time Portland, Maine, quilter creates warmth in her artwork. By Emma Trelles Admirers of Jo Diggs’ quilts have insisted that what she’s making are really paintings. It’s easy to see why. The fabric artist’s inspired assemblages are miles away from the typical diamonds, shepherd g
