Holland America’s Refined Dress Code

The word from Holland America that passengers can begin to dress down from formal wear is one more break from tradition that is, frankly, necessary for what has long been a traditional cruise line. Translation: There’s a whole group of people coming who won’t come. Think not? We have two sons and a son-in-law. Never… Continue reading Holland America’s Refined Dress Code

What It's Like To Captain A Cruise Ship

All cruise ship captains have stories to tell about life as a captain. Some tell, some don’t. Captain Stefano Ravera of the Star Princess has a few he’s willing to share… About what happened in Papeete, in the South Pacific: “We were supposed to receive the food for the first leg of the world cruise.… Continue reading What It's Like To Captain A Cruise Ship

Lessons From Star Princess ‘Master’

My father taught us this: “Be happy with what you achieve, wherever you are. Try to do your best and be honest.” The teaching of life when we grew up was integrity, honesty and be happy with what we have. If you keep chasing something you will never be happy. You have to have a… Continue reading Lessons From Star Princess ‘Master’

Google ‘Cruise’ And Be Careful

In this age, when people Google everything from a cure for cancer to buying castor oil (honest!), somebody who has never been on a cruise might be inclined to Google that. Be careful. In this age of words perpetually shortened at the expense of proper spelling or grammar, it’s import to spell correctly when searching.… Continue reading Google ‘Cruise’ And Be Careful

Cops, Airline Aid Missing Passenger

Sometimes, it’s just nice to be able to tell a nice story. Like the one that appeared this week in The Province, one of Vancouver’s two daily newspapers, about a passenger who went missing from Jewel of the Seas. The 65-year-old woman disembarked in Victoria, on Vancouver Island, in mid-morning earlier this month. When the… Continue reading Cops, Airline Aid Missing Passenger