Getting the Costa Concordia Upright Attracts Attention Around the World

Mercifully, the Costa Concordia is en route to its final destination, which is a scrapyard somewhere in Italy. It's not going to happen overnight, which is what did happen yesterday when miraculously, engineers right the 4,000-passenger cruise ship that had been lying on its  side, on the rocks, since 32 of its passengers perished off… Continue reading Getting the Costa Concordia Upright Attracts Attention Around the World

Noordam Passes on Israel

  When it comes to cruising in the Middle East, clearly some things will never change. On Monday, Holland America directed the Noordam past a scheduled stop in Haifa, Israel. On Tuesday, the same thing in Jerusalem. Cruising to Middle Eastern countries is as predictable as talks between the Palestinians and Israelis…as what Syria might… Continue reading Noordam Passes on Israel

Cruise Schedules Sometimes 'Mobile'

Life is anything but a Carnival for the world's biggest cruise line. In fact, it's getting to be a joke… On Sunday, a tugboat sinks in the Mississippi River. The waterway is closed for 10 miles, starting at the mouth. Fifteen ships line up, waiting to go up the river. Carnival, which has had lots… Continue reading Cruise Schedules Sometimes 'Mobile'

A Way To Monitor 'Lowest Fare'

You may have been teased by cruise lines that give you a chance to re-book your fare at a lower rate without penalty, if one becomes available. You may have then tried to find out if it happened, in a market where figures jump around like they're on the Dow Jones or the Nasdaq. You… Continue reading A Way To Monitor 'Lowest Fare'

Princess Expanding Japan Market

Frankly, there was a time when Japan was never on our radar. There was also a time when it wasn't on the radar for most cruise lines, and now Princess is doubling the number of ships it has based there, from one to two, as the industry continues to grow in Asia. Next year, the… Continue reading Princess Expanding Japan Market