Royal Princess Preview for Writers

There are lots of times lots of us would like to be where Phil Reimer is, and this week is one of them. Phil is Canada's pre-eminent cruise writer and, after a short stop on the river in The Netherlands and on the edge of St. Mark's Square in Venice, he was off to see… Continue reading Royal Princess Preview for Writers

Cruise Ships: Venice Vixens or Victims?

  Good luck with this one… Environmentalists are urging Italian super star actress Sophia Loren to abandon ship, and disassociate herself with the MSC Divina, renounce her role as the ship's Godmother, in the name of conserving Venice's fragile ecosystem. And good luck with this one, too… Conservationists under the No Big Ships Venice Committee… Continue reading Cruise Ships: Venice Vixens or Victims?

Euros for Europe an Experience

LEAVING VENICE — If you're planning a cruise in Europe this year, or any year, one of the questions you're likely to have is: What do I do about euros? Prior to leaving to board the Oceania Riviera for nine days, sailing from Monte Carlo to Venice, we had the same question…and many different answers… Continue reading Euros for Europe an Experience

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

Alaska, about that head tax…

In Venice, the locals are talking about charging cruise passengers a head tax for visiting Italy’s pretty and most unique city. We realize it’s on the other side of the world but…have they heard of Alaska? Here’s the problem…or the first one anyway: The astounding growth of cruise ships visiting Venice is becoming an environmental… Continue reading Alaska, about that head tax…