An Epic Man Called Slam

For Harrison Allen, Jr., his journey to packing a blues club on a cruise ship started in a wrestling ring. "I wanted to be a pro wrestler," laughs the personable star of the Norwegian Epic's Fat Cats Jazz & Blues Club. "I trained for wrestling but I found out it's too hard. It's a rough,… Continue reading An Epic Man Called Slam

New Ship: Royal Princess

  There will be four new cruise ships launched this year, fewer than usual. This week, we're giving you a snapshot of all four, and the Royal Princess is number four… Launch date: June 10 Capacity: 3,600 Staterooms: 1,780 Decks: 17 Sister ship: Regal Princess (2014) Home Port: Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale Where it's sailing: Mediterranean… Continue reading New Ship: Royal Princess

New Ship: MSC Preziosa

  There will be four new cruise ships launched this year, fewer than usual. This week, we're giving you a snapshot of all four, and the MSC Preziosa is number three… Launch date: March Capacity: 3,959 Staterooms: 1,637 Decks: 18 Sister ship: Divina (identical), Splendida, Fantasia Home Port: Genoa (Italy), Santos (Brazil) Where it's sailing:… Continue reading New Ship: MSC Preziosa

Economy Moves Carnival in Europe

With all the reports about Europe's economy over the past couple of years, it was only a matter of time before it showed up in cruising. Cruise lines can run from the facts but they can't hide…and not just because their revenue generators weigh thousands of tons and carry around whole towns of people. Enter… Continue reading Economy Moves Carnival in Europe

Friday: The Love Boat's Captain

For people who remember the start of the cruise boom, there's really only one ship captain whose name will stand forever. Merrill Stubing is his name and he wasn't really a captain at all…just a man who played the role on The Love Boat, the 30-minute TV show that did something special for cruising. So… Continue reading Friday: The Love Boat's Captain