Friday File: Some Ships of Carnival

It’s only fitting that the biggest cruise line in the world has the most recognizable funnel in the world. Carnival does. The unmistakable fire-engine red funnel can be seen far and wide on the oceans and in ports, and often more than one at a time. Carnival currently has 23 ships — No. 24, the… Continue reading Friday File: Some Ships of Carnival

Carnival Commits to Mobile

Carnival was first celebrated in Mobile 312 years ago, before there were cruise ships bearing the name. There is a Carnival season in the Alabama seaport, the state’s third-largest city. It starts in November and runs through February or sometimes March, depend on the date of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Carnival arrived… Continue reading Carnival Commits to Mobile

Norwegian Gratuities Claim Change

In all our cruises, the attention of crew members has been such that we’ve never felt inclined to protest paying the accepted daily gratuities charged to our account. We’ve seen passengers who have, because they felt attention from room stewards or waiters was below the accepted standard. As you know, daily gratuities are about $12… Continue reading Norwegian Gratuities Claim Change

Quantum of the Seas — SO Special

When Quantum of the Seas was introduced to the world, at a press conference in New York two and a half years ago, everybody in the room that day quickly realized that “revolutionary” would not be an exaggeration, nor a buzzword to be flaunted by public relations people trying to find a word that bordered… Continue reading Quantum of the Seas — SO Special

Friday File: All Cruisers On Deck

In case you think a pool deck is a pool deck is a pool deck…well, it’s not true. Cruise aficionados who spend a lot of time soaking up the rays or jumping into pools large and small — or both — believe part of the appeal of a cruise ship is its pool deck. While… Continue reading Friday File: All Cruisers On Deck