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
Hit the Deck – Chair Hogs
Monday Mantra Hit the Deck-Chair Hogs! If reserved seats get you hopping mad…. I will get revenge on deck-chair hogs…I will get revenge on deck-chair hogs… Don’t get me started. It was still early morning as my husband and I made our way to the pool for a glorious, sun-drenched day at sea. O
Those Freestyle Pretzel Rolls
Monday Mantra Those Freestyle Pretzel Rolls Take a taste of Norwegian Cruise Line’s bread heaven home with you. I must have a pretzel roll…. I must have a pretzel roll…. I must have a pretzel roll…. Mention Norwegian Cruise Line to most cruisers and you’ll hear tales about the line’s
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
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
Twiggy to be Godmother of Emerald Waterways River Ships
Those thinking they are having a 1960s flashback on the new river ships Emerald Star and Emerald Sky may be right. Serving as godmother at the christening ceremony for the first “Star-Ships” of new river cruise line Emerald Waterways will be 1960s fashion icon Twiggy (Lesley Horn
What’s New in Luxury Travel: Free Wi-Fi, Bigger Ships
As top luxury lines make tweaks and plan for the future, some interesting trends are emerging. Free Wi-Fi All-inclusive line Crystal Cruises recently announced that members of its Crystal Society (repeat guests) would get the perk of 60 minutes of complimentary Wi-Fi each day of their cruise, begi
That’s Entertainment! Aboard MSC Divina
Entertainment Aboard MSC Divina from MSC CRUISES on Vimeo. This week I’m cruising aboard MSC Divina, the newest ship to sail year-round cruises out of Miami. The big attraction of the 3,600-passenger, 1-year-old MSC Divina is that it’s not your typical American-style cruise ship. It
Gemstones of the Mexican Riviera
Gemstones of the Mexican Riviera Discover the unique and native gemological finds (from Chiapas amber to fire opal and agate) found south of the border By Clare Emmett The Mexican Riviera stretches for more than 990 miles along the coast of Mexico, from Baja California all the way to the ancient sta
Join the Club: Astronomy
JOIN THE CLUB ASTRONOMY Sea-ing Stars A cruise ship is a perfect vantage point to study the sky. By Clark Norton During a 1998 cruise to Alaska, Neil Bauman — a self-described geek — recalls sitting on his verandah, alternately gazing at the glacial scenery and reading a technical manual about c
Romance in Italy
ROMANCE IN ITALY That’s Amore! Italy offers opportunities for romance at every turn. By Germaine Stafford With its millennial history, magnificent countryside, and unparalleled culture, Italy has few competitors for the title of world’s most romantic country. From the heroic folly that is Venice
Extreme Makeovers
Extreme Makeover: Cruise Edition Crystal Serenity takes on a chic new look. By John and Sandra Nowlan Extreme Makeover without the annoying host who screams through a bullhorn? Now that’s serenity. Crystal Serenity, in fact. Following a $25 million refurbishment in May, Crystal Cruises’ classic
Food for Thought
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Table Talk Chow down with the chef? Now that’s cruising! By Chris Cognac You liked the midnight buffet. You loved the specialty restaurants. Now get ready for the ultimate culinary coma — otherwise known as dining at the Chef’s Table. Food, as everybody knows, lo
Carnival Magic: Magic Spell!
Cruise Ship Review: Carnival Magic Spell! Get drawn into the newest member of Carnival’s fleet. By Lynn and Cele Seldon When the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic sailed out of Venice on its maiden Mediterranean voyage this year, guests discovered why Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship is much more
Cruising in Film
Hollywood on the High Seas Cruise ships play a starring role in some of the most romantic movies ever made. . By Jill McGuire Since the 1930s, filmmakers have found the cruise ship to be a perfect vehicle for telling stories packed with romance and intrigue. Many a cinematic classic revolves around
Travel Tech/ Meet On Cruise
Protecting Your Pictures Website and app allows cruisers to make shipmates before they even come aboard. By Rico Bronte For cruisers, meeting someone on your ship with similar interests can seem downright daunting; your dining table number may as well be a Lotto number for all the luck involved. Ent
Disney Dream
Ship Review: DISNEY DREAM Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship grants all cruising wishes. By Jodi Ornstein If you’ve never seen a cruise ship christening, this is pretty much how it goes: Band plays. President of cruise line makes speech. Godmother releases bottle of champagne. Bottle breaks. Crowd
