Why Cruise? A Guide for the First-Time Cruiser
There’s something exciting about a cruise. The movies of the 1930s, showing Henry Fonda dressing up for dinner in a fancy tuxedo and being formally seated at a table with starched tablecloths, are mercifully a thing of the past. Today’s cruise is a glorious, fun-filled trip to anywhere: Bermud
In Brief: Carnival adds 20 Havana trips, Viking combines ocean and river cruises, and more…
Apr. 6, 2018 Carnival Cruise Line has added another 20 voyages to Cuba on Carnival Paradise from Tampa in 2019. The 5-day trips will include day-long or overnight stays in Havana. These come in addition to the 17 Cuba cruises on Carnival Sensation from Miami in 2019. Viking Cruises announced its 201
Cruise Deal of the Week
Norwegian Cruise Line is holding a Tax-Free Spree through April 17, offering guests who book an ocean-view or better stateroom on 3-day or longer voyages a waiver for all government taxes, fees and port expenses. The deal is available on 430 cruises and can be combined with the Free at Sea on
MSC Cruises Introduces Vinotherapy Spa Treatments
MSC Cruises has launched a signature collection of vinotherapy spa treatments, created with LAJATICA vinotherapy products from Bocelli Wines. Exclusive to the MSC Aurea Spa, the treatments have debuted on the Miami-based MSC Seaside, and will soon be introduced on MSC Cruises ships fleetwide. Wh
Grape Destinations: Working the Mosel Vines
Have you ever gone to a small vineyard? Did you like their wines? I did. Over 20 years ago, I visited a small winemakers’ wine-tasting in Kröv, situated on the Mosel River. My family and I were on a week’s holiday in a bungalow park near Kröv. On the list of activities was the wine-tasting [&h
American Duchess to participate in her first Great Steamboat Race
American Queen Steamboat Company, operator of the most opulent riverboats in the world, will participate in the 2018 Great Steamboat Race in Louisville on May 2, 2018. The U.S.-flagged American Duchess, the first all-suite paddlewheeler on U.S. waters, will race alongside Belle of Louisville and
TRAVEL TIPS: Port Mooloolaba – A New Kid on the Block
Port Mooloolaba, a jewel of Australia’s Sunshine Coast, has long been a getaway for local Aussies. For the last few years (since 2014), cruise travelers have also begun to experience what this bustling port town has to offer. Popular excursions include visiting the Australia zoo, trying local ging
The Great Wall: Made In China
“Build the wall!” One of the first times a politician ever issued those controversial words was when the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang decreed the creation of the Great Wall of China. The initial construction of his Wan Li Chang Cheng, or “10,000-Li-Long Wall,” began in 220 B.C.E. and the fu
My Head’s in the (Sea) Clouds
The Monthly Mantra My Head’s in a Sea Cloud…My Head’s in a Sea Cloud…My Head’s in a Sea Cloud… A pair of Christian Louboutin red-soled stilettos A quilted black leather CHANEL drawstring hobo with chain straps A sailing with the uber-exclusive Sea Cloud Cruises Those are really the only
Virgin Voyages Tech Breakthrough: Underwater Wi-Fi
Cruise News – Apr. 1, 2018 Virgin Voyages’ founder Richard Branson has opened a new frontier of technical innovation by extending Internet service to the one place most people have never had access: under the water. If successful, the new “Wa-Fi” service promises guests full connectivity eve
In Brief: Horizon Delivered, Baseball Team-Up, and more…
Mar. 30, 2018 In a traditional maritime ceremony at Fincantieri shipyard, Carnival Cruise Line officially took delivery of Carnival Horizon this week. The 3,954-passenger vessel is the 26th ship in the fleet, and is en route to Barcelona to sail four cruises before crossing the Atlantic for New York
Cruise Deal of the Week
Adventure line Lindblad Expeditions is offering two reasons to explore: free roundtrip air from Miami to Guayaquil, Ecuador, for select, 10-day expeditions on National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II through Dec. 2018, and, on Galápagos voyages in 2019, complimentary
Princess Cruises Unveils New Features and Upgrades on Sapphire Princess
Cruise News – Mar. 28, 2018 Sapphire Princess has emerged from an extensive two-week dry dock in Singapore now displaying Princess Cruises’ signature logo on her bow. The ship has also been upgraded with enhanced onboard spaces and product innovations. “Sapphire Princess is the latest sh
Grape Destinations: Napa’s Renaissance after the California Fires
As soon as I boarded the airplane to Newark on my way to San Francisco, I was wondering: How was the Valley after last year’s fires? Some vineyards, houses, and structures were burned. Well, I was coming from the longest hurricane aftermath in Puerto Rico. If we managed, I figured, then California
TRAVEL TIPS: Rappel, Climb, Swim and Zip-line in San Juan
You COULD spend a few hours walking around historic Old San Juan…or you could step outside of your comfort zone and climb, rappel, swim, jump and zip-line through caves below the earth’s surface. With Aventuras Tierra Adentro you’ll explore Angeles’ Cave, which is truly a once in a
Carnival Paradise Resumes Cruises After Extensive Makeover
Carnival Paradise has returned to year-round cruise service from Port Tampa Bay following an extensive month-long dry dock that added a variety of spaces and innovations, including a water park, 38 new staterooms, 98 balconies added to existing accommodations, and an array of food and beve
Country Artist Camille Rae to Perform Aboard Norwegian Bliss
Country singer-songwriter and recording artist, Camille Rae, has committed to a three-month residency aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship Norwegian Bliss, which is set to debut in April. Accompanied by her four-piece band, Rae will be seen performing country music’s hottest hi
In Brief: Michelin-starred meals on MSC, and more….
Mar. 23, 2018 MSC Cruises has partnered with Michelin-starred Spanish chef Ramón Freixa. From this April, Chef Freixa will introduce exceptional main dishes and tapas across the fleet and will complete in-depth, interactive training, passing on his skill and expertise to enable all MSC Cruises’ c
Cruise Deal of the Week
Italian line Costa Cruises is making it easier for families save on Mediterranean cruises with “Kids Sail Free” and “Senior Fare” specials. Seniors have $100 deducted from Comfort Classic, Comfort Premium, or Deluxe fares on Costa Pacifica, Costa neoRomantica, Costa neoRiviera and Costa Vict
