Princess To Name Its Top Entertainer

Without much fanfare and no politicking, voters are casting ballots this week for one of four candidates. This is “Election Week” on the Crown Princess, where passengers will be selecting the cruise line’s annual Entertainer of the Year. There are four finalists: two comedians (Ben Seidman, Steve Caouette), one singer (Lovena Fox) and one violinist/entertainer… Continue reading Princess To Name Its Top Entertainer

Getting To Know Vincent Van Gogh

ARLES, France — For most of our lives, the name Vincent Van Gogh was little more than that, a name. We knew he was a painter, perhaps because of jokes connected to his famous last name, perhaps because it had been buried in textbooks we tried hard to ignore. We knew he was a favorite… Continue reading Getting To Know Vincent Van Gogh

Cruise And Cancer An Unlikely Tandem

In Canada today it’s National Wear Pink Day, a chance for the whole country to “Get Pink’d” in support of breast cancer. In Canada, we have a niece who is fighting breast cancer. She just returned from a cruise, which is why today’s subject is the dreaded disease. For her, the battle is almost two… Continue reading Cruise And Cancer An Unlikely Tandem

Vroom! Grand Prix On The Diadema

  ON THE COSTA DIADEMA — Several years ago, we spent almost three weeks driving around Italy. From Tuscany to Turin and back. From Tuscany to Naples to Venice and back to Rome. About 3,000 kilometers in 19 days. By the time it ended, Bob had turned into Roberto. If you’ve ever driven a car in… Continue reading Vroom! Grand Prix On The Diadema

How To Enjoy Getting To Europe

NAPLES, Italy — Anybody who has flown to Europe or back knows there’s no such thing as the perfect day (or two), even if you fly business class. Our trip to this southern Italian city was as good as it gets. If you leave from the West Coast, as we did, figure on being in… Continue reading How To Enjoy Getting To Europe