Friday file: Cruise Port Entertainers

In many ports, especially in the Caribbean, locals provide entertainment for passengers as they disembark. There’s always a bucket nearby for anybody who wants to make a donation to these buskers by the sea but there is, of course, no obligation — and the reality is they provide a musical preview of their country’s customs.… Continue reading Friday file: Cruise Port Entertainers

The City Many Canadians Hate To Love

Vancouver has this reputation among many Canadians. They’re envious or jealous or just plain angry about their western countrymen. It starts with the weather the far-westerners enjoy when the rest of the country is in a deep freeze. And now this. There will be cruise ships in Vancouver in December. This will be the latest… Continue reading The City Many Canadians Hate To Love

The Business of Ship Godmothers

Is the whole Godmother thing wearing a little thin in the cruise world, are people getting tired of celebrities, or is there a shortage of “acceptable” celebrities? The Godmother of Anthem of the Seas, the new Royal Caribbean ship that’s being christened in Southampton in two weeks, is Emma Wilby. Emma Wilby? She’s from the… Continue reading The Business of Ship Godmothers

How To Treat Travel Passengers

Here’s an interesting travel comparison for you to digest: Last week, the P&O ship Oriana had to stay at sea and delay its arrival in Southampton for more than 12 hours, because of high winds. While the passengers waited, the bars stayed open, an entertainment program was resurrected, complimentary wine was served with dinner and… Continue reading How To Treat Travel Passengers

Cruising to Cuba: It’s Personal

The day we met Frank Del Rio, he was the founder of Oceania Cruises. Three years later, he is the head of the Norwegian cruise conglomerate. And any day or week or month now, he is poised to take a cruise ship to Cuba. It’s inevitable that mainstream cruise ships will be taking passengers to… Continue reading Cruising to Cuba: It’s Personal