Biscuits are Just the Beginning on American Queen Voyages
American Queen Voyages’ culinary ambassador, Chef Regina Charboneau, may be known as “The Biscuit Queen” — a title bestowed upon her by The New York Times when they reviewed her feather-light biscuits. But after a taste of her culinary genius during a Columbia and Snake River sailing aboard
Oceania Marina: Converted to Cruising
“That ship is enormous!” exclaims Sanja as the motorcoach delivers us to the Miami Passenger Ship Terminal to board the 66,084 grt and 1,250 passenger Oceania Marina. (Note to self: Do NOT suggest Sanja accompany you on a cruise aboard a ship like Wonder of the Seas or she might just pass ou
Cruising on Viking Venus: Just What the Doctor Ordered
Never say never, I suppose, but I’d be stunned if anyone even caught a cold aboard a Viking Ocean ship, much less contracted COVID-19. I just returned from a 12-night Mediterranean Odyssey voyage aboard Viking Venus, the latest addition to Viking’s gorgeous series of identical 930-passenger, 47,
Making Up for Lost Time: a Post-Pandemic World Cruise
They say that we make plans and God laughs. Well, God must have been doubled over in knee-slapping hysterics when last year’s lockdown coincided exactly with my retirement date. Gone were my lavish retirement party and, even more heartbreaking, two Caribbean cruises along with my ideal post-
SeaDream Yacht Club Webinar Offers Answers and Updates
Throughout my entire corporate career, nothing was more important to me than providing answers or, when definitive answers were elusive, regular updates that informed and enlightened my clients or colleagues. How refreshing to see that SeaDream Yacht Club adheres to these same business principles in
Silversea Silver Moon Completes Successful Sea Trials
Cruise news to cheer! Sailing suspensions. Cancelled cruises. Refund delays. Scrapped ships. Nasty comments from journalists who consider themselves qualified to slam the entire industry despite never having set food on a gangway. I tell you, these days I brace my
Testing the Waters: a 3-Day Getaway to St. Thomas
Sometimes—even during a pandemic—a girl needs to immerse herself in a turquoise sea, feel powder-soft sand between her toes and have some crispy, deep-fried conch fritters for lunch. And so I decided, with the Virgin Islands open to visitors, to plan a quick three-day getaway to St. Thomas—a m
ANTI-SOCIAL DISTANCING? Solo Cruising in the Covid-19 Era
When I think of cruising in the Covid-19 era, the chorus of Eric Carmen’s 1975 pop hit “All By Myself” wafts through my mind because, more often than not, I sail solo. People sail solo for a lot of reasons. Perhaps they’re single, divorced or widowed, or maybe they’re stressed-out bu
Introducing Silversea Origin
In these days of cancelled sailings, delayed inaugurals and postponed launches, it’s almost unheard of to hear of a new ship…but today we welcome the intimate Silver Origin, the latest addition to Silversea Cruises’ luxury fleet and, with just 100 passengers and remote and uncrowded destinatio
CRUISE RECIPE: Cunard Line Scones
I’m Hungry to Sail Again! Let’s give midday lockdown a decidedly British accent with Afternoon Tea, that serene and elegant shipboard ritual that so many of us have come to love! At 3:00 p.m., we’ll take out grandma’s china cups, brew fine coffees and teas (don’t even think about popping a
Back to Basics on Oceania Insignia
It seems that, almost overnight, the concept of “vacation” changed from one of relaxation, merriment, and luxury to an “experiential” adventure, often characterized by backbreaking physical work or a grueling life and death struggle. I’m sorry, but that sounds way too much like my daily li
CRUISE RECIPE: Star Clippers’ Crème Brûlée
Hungry to Sail Again There I was, thinking home-made crème brûlée would be an ambitious undertaking. I was a tad intimidated by all those accent marks and doodads in the name and then, if that wasn’t enough, I discover you’re supposed to attack the thing with a blowtorch before serving.
CRUISE RECIPE: Viking Cruises’ Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Hungry to Sail Again Before today’s lockdown, I’d open my fridge and find a bottle or two of wine, condiments representing every corner of the globe and maybe some sliced turkey or ham that I’d slap on a wrap when the dinner hour approached. Now, the shelves are groaning under the weight
CRUISE RECIPE: SeaDream Yacht Club’s Cream of Pumpkin Soup
Hungry to Sail Again Like everyone else, I’m just about up to HERE with lockdown. I want to whip off my mask, plan my next cruise, meet up with friends, go to the gym, the hairstylist, concerts and sporting events and stop worrying where my next roll of toilet paper will come from. But who [
Emerald Azzurra … What a Gem!
The Monthly Mantra Worth the Wait! … Worth the Wait! … Worth the Wait! There are lots and lots of big things coming our way this year — Virgin’s Scarlet Lady, Celebrity Apex, Carnival Mardi Gras, P&O’s Iona, Princess’ Enchanted Princess, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Sea
Floats My Boat: Saltwater Painter Stephen Card
Tucked away in Sandys, Bermuda, you’ll find the home and studio of maritime artist Stephen Card. It’s a yellow house with dark green shutters — “The color scheme,” Card explains, “of the old Rotterdam’s lifeboats.” And with that statement alone, you realize that for this 67-year-old
River, Ocean, And Now — Viking Expeditions!
On January 16, less than two weeks after the glittering Golden Globes took place at the historic Beverly Hills Hilton, the hotel’s spotlight was shining on another award winner: Viking Cruises. Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen, while no Ricky Gervais (thank God), hosted an evening that was a dazzlin
Sailing into a New Year!
The Monthly Mantra Cruise Year Resolutions…Cruise Year Resolutions…Cruise Year Resolutions…. It seems everyone’s making resolutions this month: Lose weight, stop smoking, stop drinking and rev up the fitness routine. As a cruise fanatic, my resolutions are a bit different.
Taking a Bow:Norwegian Encore
In 2015, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced Norwegian Escape, the first of its Breakaway Plus–class ships, packed with innovative dining, entertainment, and groundbreaking outdoor activities. Norwegian Joy (2017) and Norwegian Bliss (2018) added a go-kart race track, outdoor laser tag, expanded dini
The Judi’s Choice Awards 2019
The Monthly Mantra Judi’s Choice Awards … Judi’s Choice Awards … Judi’s Choice Awards … It’s time for the 2019 Judi’s Choice Awards! Unlike all those hum-drum “best-ofs” that tackle the obvious aspects of a cruise like dining, entertainment, and itineraries (anyone could do that)
