Cruise Transport Tips in Venice

  VENICE — This can be one intimidating city to find yourself in either before or after a cruise. It's a real shock if it follows the amazing arrival that comes with a cruise ship carefully negotiating its path through the islands that make up what is known as Venezia. The first jolt comes when… Continue reading Cruise Transport Tips in Venice

Cruise Home Port A Changed City

  BARCELONA — This is our recollection of the first time we enjoyed Barcelona, four years ago… Drive in from a beautiful seaside resort. Pay a small fortune to park the car, somewhere near the tourist haven known as La Rambla. Wander the narrow streets. Get lost. Stumble across a church that's been in a… Continue reading Cruise Home Port A Changed City

Valencia Inspires an 'F' Word

  VALENCIA, Spain — As we departed this port stop during the Oceania Riviera's Christening Cruise, one word seemed to cover the experience of visiting Valencia. Fascinating. When the America's Cup came to the city in 2007, the port had to be re-built. There was some controversy and, in the end, an "open vote" of… Continue reading Valencia Inspires an 'F' Word

Marseilles: Two Ports Busier Than Ever

  MARSEILLE, France — We loved this first-ever Mediterranean seaport the last time we were here. Then we remembered why. We'd been travelling the roads of France with two teenagers and a pre-teen, squishing five people in hotel rooms built for four (or less), and when we arrived in Marseille, the people at the Novotel… Continue reading Marseilles: Two Ports Busier Than Ever

Royal Caribbean Keeps Helping Haiti

  Now here's a novel way to help the stricken people of Haiti, still devastated by that 7.0 earthquake more than two years ago. Send a party to explore Haiti's rich history on its northern shore, where the cruise ships land, to see if shore excursions can contribute to rebuilding the country's equally devastated tourism… Continue reading Royal Caribbean Keeps Helping Haiti