In the Pursuit of Relaxing on Cruises

This being the week of National Relaxation Day — of course you knew it was August 15, didn't you? — Princess Cruises annually gets in the spirit of the occasion with a survey about what makes a vacation relaxing. Well, it's sort of about relaxing. More like about things that accompany relaxing. Like sex. Now… Continue reading In the Pursuit of Relaxing on Cruises

Change in Plans in Northern Ireland

With the number of places cruise ships visit, there's always a possibility one of them will be a trouble spot. Places like Northern Ireland. Specifically, Belfast. This week, passengers on the Caribbean Princess had their shore plans altered to avoid trouble (or possible trouble)  between Irish nationalists and the police. When the dust settled, there… Continue reading Change in Plans in Northern Ireland

Does Nobody Love The Love Boat?

By today's grandiose standards for cruise ships, the old "Love Boat" of TV fame might well be called a bucket of bolts. But the fact it's being reduced to that is, well, kind of sad. This year, she is bound for Turkey. Her final hours will take place in a shipyard not far from the… Continue reading Does Nobody Love The Love Boat?

Ports a World Apart Shaping Up

We've been to San Juan, Puerto Rico twice. We've been to Liverpool, England once. At the risk of sounding like glass-half-full tourists, we enjoyed both places and, despite that, we haven't been in either as often as we'd like. These days, a lot of our travel involves cruising. Duh! Anything that by whatever means returned… Continue reading Ports a World Apart Shaping Up

From '57 Chevs to Formula One

Three things you might not have heard from the cruise world… 1. Star Clippers, which has a fleet of three ships, offers passengers a look at diametrically opposed worlds. Its flagship Royal Clipper regularly makes runs to and from Cuba, with either Panama or St. Maarten at the other end. Its Star Flyer next year will take… Continue reading From '57 Chevs to Formula One