Every once in a while, it’s worth re-visiting what it means to a port when a cruise line decides to use it as a home port. The latest example is Carnival, Port Canaveral and the Ecstasy. When the world’s largest cruise line — now 23 ships strong — sent the Ecstasy to Florida, it gave… Continue reading Florida Space Coast 'Ecsta…tic'
Category: Ports
Star Re-Born on Mexican Coast
Maybe we’ve just been fortunate, but in many years of visiting many places in Mexico, we’ve never had a problem. In fact, quite the opposite. So it’s understandable that we would have a soft spot for Mexican cruise ports, most of which we have visited at least once. That, of course, includes the beleaguered Mazatlan,… Continue reading Star Re-Born on Mexican Coast
When There's Shore Time in L.A.
This isn’t exactly a blog about cruising, but it is about a “shore excursion” that you could take when in Los Angeles, as we did this week. The Grammy Museum. Okay, first you have to be interested in music, of course. Right now, it also helps if you’re interested in The Beatles…or at least in… Continue reading When There's Shore Time in L.A.
Alaska, about that head tax…
In Venice, the locals are talking about charging cruise passengers a head tax for visiting Italy’s pretty and most unique city. We realize it’s on the other side of the world but…have they heard of Alaska? Here’s the problem…or the first one anyway: The astounding growth of cruise ships visiting Venice is becoming an environmental… Continue reading Alaska, about that head tax…
Alaska Cruise Race Heating Up
The first All-Alaska Sweepstakes was over 100 years ago. It was a dog race, not to be confused with Alaska’s famous Iditarod. Its home is in Nome, a place you probably don’t want to go at this time of year, on the far reaches of west Alaska. The race has been run only 12 times, … Continue reading Alaska Cruise Race Heating Up