Cruising's roots back to White Star

  Time for a little history lesson. Cruise ships cross the oceans of the world with seamless regularity now. Their origins are largely forgotten, yet most of us are descendants of immigrants who came from European countries a century ago or longer. That started with the White Star Line. If White Star wasn't the first… Continue reading Cruising's roots back to White Star

Cruise Things To Do and Not Do

Yesterday was the final round of the U.S. Open. It was also Father's Day. In other words, the right thing to do was give Bob the day off. So I did. That made it a good time to go into my notebook and extract some "do's" and "don'ts" about cruising… Do arrive early enough for… Continue reading Cruise Things To Do and Not Do

Oceania Entertainer Man of Many Talents

I want to live, not merely survive And I won't give up this dream Of life that keeps me alive I gotta be me, I gotta be me The dream that I see makes me what I am Those lyrics from a signature song by Sammy Davis Jr. are often part of the narrative when… Continue reading Oceania Entertainer Man of Many Talents

Italy's Tarnished Jewel Struggling

  We missed the boat on this one, and people who write about cruising should never miss a boat… After an Oceania cruise that ended in Venice, we embarked on a nine-day driving adventure of Italy. If you've never been on a nine-day driving adventure of Italy, do it. You get lost. You make friends… Continue reading Italy's Tarnished Jewel Struggling

Would the Grandkids Like This Cruise?

  So you're having trouble getting the attention of your grandchildren. The eldest is a teenager and has discovered, among other things, girls. The second-eldest thinks grandparents only show up on birthdays and at Christmas, bearing gifts. The youngest is having trouble communicating with you. There's a good reason. She hasn't learned how to talk… Continue reading Would the Grandkids Like This Cruise?