Change of Attire for Meeting a Queen

I think Cunard is getting ready for me. A product of the sixties — well, just in some ways — I've never really been a dress-up kind of guy. I've never owned a tuxedo. At our wedding, I wore a royal blue jacket and striped pants…or trousers, as they would say in Cunard speak. I… Continue reading Change of Attire for Meeting a Queen

Cruise Bill of Rights for Passengers?

This week, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) proposed a Cruise Ship Passenger Bill of Rights, in part as a response to problems passengers have experienced, most notably on Carnival ships. Let us say up front that we think a bill of rights is a good idea for cruise passengers. But…well, before we get to the "buts"… Continue reading Cruise Bill of Rights for Passengers?

A Royal Princess 'you don't know' yet

One of our favorite cruise lines, Princess, has 20 things "you don't know" about the Royal Princess.  Select media people (such as our colleague Phil Reimer of Ports and Bows) will get a sneak preview of the new ship next week in Italy. The world will see it in June. In the interests of brevity,… Continue reading A Royal Princess 'you don't know' yet

Carnival in Hot Cruise Waters Again

The latest problems for Carnival make one thing abundantly clear — the cruise line must do something. Fast. The breakdown of the four-year-old Dream in the Eastern Caribbean this week is the latest in a series of mishaps, and it's turning Carnival into a bad joke. By extension, to cynics it's making a bad joke… Continue reading Carnival in Hot Cruise Waters Again

Quick disembarkation billion-dollar answer?

  In June, two Royal Caribbean ships will be the first to dock at a $1 billion terminal (that's right, one BILLION) in Hong Kong. The new structure is called the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, and the ships will be Mariner of the Seas (June 12) and Voyager of the Seas (October 15). One hour… Continue reading Quick disembarkation billion-dollar answer?