Fireworks on Deck at Disney

  It's on days like today that Disney can be happy it's Disney. No other cruise line is able to have fireworks displays at sea, and today is the Fourth of July, if you hadn't noticed. Disney Cruise Line wanted — and received — permission for fireworks to tie in with its Pirate Night, a… Continue reading Fireworks on Deck at Disney

Deep Impact of Costa Concordia

  The word "terrorism" would never be associated with the Costa Concordia, yet the impact of that disaster on cruising is somewhat similar to what 9/11 did to flying. Security has been continually accelerated at airports over the last decade, often to the point of annoyance. In cruising, it's just the beginning. Tomorrow at 8… Continue reading Deep Impact of Costa Concordia

Cruise-Cruise Rockin' the News

  Google "Rock of Ages" and "Cruise" and you'll get all kinds of stories about Tom Cruise and his newest movie. In fact, you'll probably first get stories about Mrs. Cruise (Katie Holmes), who gave back her "rock of ages" to her ex-husband to be. That news broke on Thursday. Can it be a co-incidence… Continue reading Cruise-Cruise Rockin' the News

Cruise Voluntourism Crystal Clear

  Cruise ships attract poverty. Because passengers are considered affluent, rightly or wrongly, poor people in ports flock to wherever cruise people go, sometimes to sell wares, often to beg. For passengers, this can be a help-or-not-help dilemma, just as it is on the streets of major cities in North America. Many cruise lines have… Continue reading Cruise Voluntourism Crystal Clear

Sampler Cruises in Faraway Places

  Last week, we wrote about "sampler" cruises on the West Coast of North America. It also applies on other coasts. If you happen to be going to London after the Olympics are done and you're not sure how you feel about cruising, or you want to take somebody who is a reluctant cruiser, here's… Continue reading Sampler Cruises in Faraway Places