SeaDream Yacht Club Completes First Cruise Back
SeaDream Yacht Club has resumed sailing on SeaDream I, embarking this week on the first of a schedule of 7-day and 12-day Norwegian sailings with itineraries selected by SeaDream founder Atle Brynestad…and, on Saturday, SeaDream 2 joins in the fun! But don’t get too excited yet…these no-doubt
Josh Leibowitz Named President of Seabourn
Seabourn Cruise Line made a major announcement yesterday when they named Josh Leibowitz the new president of the company. Leibowitz joined Carnival Corporation in 2013 as chief strategy officer and was also named senior vice president, Cunard North America in December 2016. In May, lo
Choose Your Cruise – June 26, 2020
Throughout the COVID-19 situation, we’ve been adamant that there’s never been a better time to book a future cruise. With talk of a vaccine coming later this year, life in 2021 or 2022 is going to be business as usual for cruise lines and the world at large. Rather than wait to book your
A Healthy Scarlet Lady Heads Back to Europe
It was a beautiful March morning in Miami when Virgin Voyages’ first ship Scarlet Lady slid gracefully into her berth at PortMiami. The excitement was palpable as the sleek grey and red vessel arrived, despite a warning from the State Department against cruising as COVID-19 was spreading the world
“Cruising” California By Land
What appeared to be a brief pause in cruising at the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown has turned into a wanderlust nightmare. For three months we’ve had our bags packed with fingers crossed, desperately scanning the news for a sign from the travel gods blessing us with an end to the grueling absence
REPORT: Europe to Reopen, But Not For Americans
According to a breaking news report from the New York Times this afternoon, Americans could be barred from entering European Union countries as they begin to reopen due to rising infection rates in several major states. NY Times journalist Matina Stevis-Gridneff reported that along with the United S
American Queen Steamboat Company Partners with Uniworld
When Uniworld Boutique River Cruises cancelled their summer itineraries due to COVID-19, many passengers were left frustrated that their upcoming cruise was no longer. Many had the trip booked long before the global pandemic and were left high and dry when travel restrictions kicked in across the gl
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
Virgin Voyages Releases ‘Voyage Well’ Plan
We’re inching closer and closer to cruising again and another well-known cruise line has released a health and wellness program designed to give guests and crew confidence in the safety of a cruise vacation. Virgin Voyages has introduced their new ‘Voyage Well’ plan for the soft opening of Sca
Take a Summertime Road Trip to Find Utah’s Best Milkshakes
Utah may be known for having some of the best skiing in the country, but it has a little secret. The state transforms into hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking paradise during the summer months. With five national parks (Zion’s, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef) a
Bali Resort Looks to Entice Guests with Extended Stays
The Indonesian island of Bali takes up a spot on most bucket lists and one resort on the island is offering extended stay options for people looking for an isolated vacation away from the crowds. Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana has a new “Extended Stay for Greater Value” package in which gues
Vacationing in Porto Back Yarda
As the return of cruising seems to be within reach, it’s time to mitigate lockdown loneliness. My brother Nick Leland sets it up perfectly in the song he wrote and recorded, Porto Back Yarda, a domesticated ode to travel wanderlust when travel isn’t possible. The song serves as a roadmap t
Caribbean Icon Robert Hamaty Passes Away
The cruise and travel industry lost a familiar face over the weekend as Robert Hamaty, founder of the Tortuga Rum Company, passed away at the age of 72. The company’s famous rum flavored treats and souvenirs have been a staple of the Caribbean since they first began back in 1984. Hamaty was origin
River Cruising Returning to Australia
Australian cruise operator Captain Cook Cruises is returning their river cruise operations back to normal starting June 23rd on Australia’s Murray River. The 7-night ‘Welcome Back’ cruise on board the beautiful paddlewheel river ship PS Murray Princess from Renmark to Mannum in the Australian
Choose Your Cruise – June 12, 2020
One of the most amazing things about cruising these days is what the ships look like compared to just a decade or two ago. Cruising has grown from a leisure activity to one which has certain ships cater to a younger demographic of fun-seekers. There’s still plenty of relaxation to be found, bu
Cruising Will Return…But When is the Question
I’m not one to moan about inconveniences, but take away my life’s passion and I’m likely to go off the deep end. Take away the ability to cruise to the four corners of the earth and you will definitely hear from me. Not to cast blame on anyone in particular or throw caution to the […]
10 Boutique Oregon Wineries That Need Exploring
Oregon wine industry has evolved in recent decades from an agricultural afterthought to a major player on the worldwide viticulture stage. The state now has 18 American Viticultural Areas (AVA). Among the oldest AVAs are the Willamette Valley, the Columbia Valley, the Walla Walla Valley, and the Ump
CRUISE RECIPE: MSC Cruises’ Neapolitan Pizza
I’m Hungry to Sail Again… When it comes to MSC’s pizza, I’m something of an expert since that’s pretty much all I consumed during the 2013 and 2014 Moody Blues Cruises aboard Poesia and Divina, respectively. Unlike the typical sailing where leisurely meals in the ship’s dining room or sp
Choose Your Cruise – June 5, 2020
Thanks for checking out the most popular hypothetical vacation guessing game on the internet! We’re all about river cruises in today’s installment of ‘Choose Your Cruise’. It’s looking more and more like river ships will be the first to sail and their estimated ret
CRUISE RECIPE: Disney Cruise Lines’ Chocolate Fudge Brownie Milkshake
When you cruise with Disney, you can expect there will be some sweet treats along the way. In honor of National Donut Day, we’ve got a recipe for a milkshake served with a donut on top! You can find this delicious treat at Sweet on You on board Disney Fantasy. It’s a popular spot fo
