Royal Caribbean’s fleet “Amplification” project continues. Next up is the 5,400 passenger Allure of the Seas refurbishment scheduled during a nearly-two month dry dock event in Barcelona next spring. The Allure of the Seas refurbishment is scheduled over a 58-day drydock to the tune of $165 million dollars. Allure of the Seas Refurbishment Includes… You’ll […] Read more…
It’s been a long time since I packed for my first cruise. You’d think I packed for an around-the-world cruise rather than a 7-night Caribbean cruise. Read more…
The tiny territory of Monaco, first ruled by the House of Grimaldi in 1297, continues to be a mecca for the rich and famous.
If you’re like me and most American tourists, the difference between Monaco and Monte-Carlo isn’t clear. To begin, the Principality of Monaco consists of four districts. Who knew? Read more…
From bubbling thermal baths to eerie reminders of Hungary’s Nazi and Communist past, you’ll find incredibly diverse things to see in Budapest. This was my fourth visit to Budapest on a Danube river cruise. Each time, my river ship has docked in a different location so I’ve had to learn to get around from various […] Read more…
I’m asked this question quite a bit. How do I take an Amtrak train between Seattle and Vancouver? I’ve crossed the Canadian border with Amtrak four times in the last two months for four different cruises to and from Vancouver. Now would be a good time to explain how to cross the US and Canada […] Read more…
Less than six months until the Norwegian Encore debuts in Miami and Norwegian Cruise Line revealed details on the Norwegian Encore’s line-up of restaurants, bars and lounges. The new ship will be Norwegian’s fourth Breakaway Plus class ship. In the past weeks, Norwegian Cruise Line released a preview of their high-energy attractions like the top-deck race […] Read more…
In case you missed last week’s cruise news, maybe out having too much fun over the Fourth of July long weekend, here are the latest happenings in the world of cruising. Carnival Panorama heads out to sea Carnival Panorama left the shipyard in Italy last weekend for a brief trip out to the ocean. In […] Read more…
Holland America bid farewell to Prinsendam, their smallest ship that carried only 835-guests. After 17 years with the fleet, this much-loved ship was sold to Phoenix Reisen, a German cruise line. The name has also been changed to Amera. Though the sale of Prinsendam was finalized nearly this same time last year, the ship was […] Read more…
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the world’s leading luxury ocean cruise line, will introduce an extensive menu with more than 200 gourmet plant-based dishes across its fleet beginning October 1, 2019. The new plant-based cuisine will be offered at breakfast, lunch and dinner to meet the evolving tastes of luxury travelers who are following vegan or […] Read more…
Amtrak trains reach every cruise port in the USA. If you don’t live near a cruise ship port, your choices on how to get there are limited. Endure a long-distance car ride or for even more stress, cram yourself and your family into an airplane. Some people simply refuse to fly, which seriously can limit […] Read more…
Chichagof Dream Cruise on Alaska’s Inside Passage I’m not a stranger to small ship cruising. This was my first time aboard Chichagof Dream on what I would call a “soft” expedition cruise. Accommodating up to 76 passengers in 38 staterooms, this is truly a small ship. Alaskan Dream Cruises is owned by the well-known-in-Alaska Allen […] Read more…
Executives from Norwegian Cruise Line traveled to Hoonah and broke ground on a second cruise pier at Icy Strait Point. If you’re curious where all this is located, it’s on Chicagof Island on the Inside Passage. More about Hoonah, Alaska Hoonah is the largest Tlingit community in Alaska. Icy Strait Point is a cruise ship […] Read more…