From a Glassblower to a Godmother

The last time we were on a Celebrity ship — the Eclipse — on a cold and windy day somewhere in the Atlantic, we witnessed the amazing artists from the Corning Museum of Glass at work. The next time we'll be on a Celebrity ship — the Reflection — we will again see the Hot… Continue reading From a Glassblower to a Godmother

Reflecting on the Solstice Class

  Cruising's nostalgia buffs will be tracking the path of the Celebrity Reflection over the next few weeks. It's ship No. 5 in the Solstice Class, which many consider the finest class of ships in the business. Joining the Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse and Silhouette — in that order — the Reflection was delivered to Celebrity… Continue reading Reflecting on the Solstice Class

Godmother Breakaway from Tradition

Long known for its ability to change the culture of cruising, Norwegian Cruise Line is now leading the change in the culture of cruise ship godmothers, who until now have been largely celebrities, dignitaries and famous women willing to serve as figureheads…or all of the above. Their responsibilities begin with smashing bottles of bubbly against… Continue reading Godmother Breakaway from Tradition

A Royal Princess and Her Ship

  If we didn't know better, we'd say Princess Cruises makes up this stuff… The story starts with the fact that the cruise line's long-time spokesman is Gavin MacLeod of The Love Boat TV show. Princess finds one of its officers in training, on the way to  being a captain, is named Gavin MacLeod. Now… Continue reading A Royal Princess and Her Ship

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?