NCL Philanthropic Giant in Miami

A cynic might think that making a very public donation to a worthy cause is a photo op for the donator and the price you pay for the donate. If that was the case yesterday in Miami, somebody has a $5-million ego! That’s how Norwegian Cruise Line stepped into the world of philanthropy, and it… Continue reading NCL Philanthropic Giant in Miami

Cruising to Chile — Past and Future

We stopped for lunch yesterday at a restaurant that specializes in soups. It’s owned by a man from Chile. “We had a great bottle of wine from Chile last night,” we told him. “You didn’t get sick?” he deadpanned. He knows better, of course, but often when we see him his native country is discussed.… Continue reading Cruising to Chile — Past and Future

Misery Magnified for Mazatlan

Mazatlan is being treated more and more like a leper colony for tourists. Yesterday’s news was that the latest cruise-ship company to take a pass on the Pacific Coast resort is Carnival. It all comes from the perception — real or magnified — that Mazatlan is not a safe place to be, for anyone. Okay,… Continue reading Misery Magnified for Mazatlan

So Who's Really in the Fog in Texas?

News item: A blanket of fog kept 60 vessels from moving in or out of the Houston Ship Channel… If you haven’t heard, the vessels included cruise ships. If you haven’t heard, some passengers were livid. And if you haven’t heard, the only time fog is generated by anything or anyone but Mother Nature it’s… Continue reading So Who's Really in the Fog in Texas?

New Ways to Fill Cruise Bucket

For Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, a Bucket List meant things like riding motorcycles on China’s Great Wall, laughing till they cried and kissing the most beautiful girl in the world (it turned out to be Nicholson’s on-screen granddaughter in the movie). For country singer Tim McGraw, it meant — in a song — riding… Continue reading New Ways to Fill Cruise Bucket