Friday File: Some Ships of Carnival

It’s only fitting that the biggest cruise line in the world has the most recognizable funnel in the world. Carnival does. The unmistakable fire-engine red funnel can be seen far and wide on the oceans and in ports, and often more than one at a time. Carnival currently has 23 ships — No. 24, the… Continue reading Friday File: Some Ships of Carnival

Friday File: Women Of The Sea

This week, Kate McCue was chosen to become the first American woman to captain a cruise ship for one of the mainstream lines. Next month, she’ll slide behind the wheel (or joystick) of the Celebrity Summit to break yet another gender barrier. That is the ultimate position for a woman on a cruise ship, of… Continue reading Friday File: Women Of The Sea

The Death Of A Sea Salesman

The Orator of the Seas is silent. John Maxtone-Graham, who entertained cruisers with ship stories on whatever line would hire him, died of old age last week. He was 85. We met him once, on the Celebrity Eclipse. It was both our good fortuneand our misfortune … to have met him at all, and to… Continue reading The Death Of A Sea Salesman

Friday File: Food More Than A Thought

Food is such a focal point of cruising, for at least two reasons. One is that the quality and/or amount of food consumed justifies the cost of the cruise. The other is that cruise lines traditionally have special events for food lovers — sometimes at an extra cost (specialty restaurants) and sometimes free. The photos… Continue reading Friday File: Food More Than A Thought

Photo Essay: Captains of the Seas

We’ve only met, over the years of cruising, one ship’s captain we didn’t like — and that's likely because he never gave us the chance to like him (“I don’t do interviews”). This is a colony of mostly men who are all personable, often funny, always accommodating and forever fascinating. These are our top ten,… Continue reading Photo Essay: Captains of the Seas