Panama Canal's 100th season underway in advance of delayed centennial party

If you've never seen it, the first thing you should know about the Panama Canal is that it's not a canal. Not in the sense of a perfectly sculpted channel that cuts the Isthmus of Panama in two neat halves, through which large ships pass. It's more of a series of waterways — canals, yes,… Continue reading Panama Canal's 100th season underway in advance of delayed centennial party

Impact of government shutdown possible glitch for cruise passengers this month

While you may already be weary of reading and hearing about the U.S. government shutdown, don't turn a blind eye or deaf ear to it if you're on a cruise ships in the next few weeks. It could — repeat, could — have an impact on your shore excursion should it happen to include a… Continue reading Impact of government shutdown possible glitch for cruise passengers this month

With the Saga of Venice Continuing, Stakes are the Future of Cruise Ships

Giovanni Dall'Orto photo Much is written and spoken about the controversy of cruise ships in Venice. In case you're wondering why it's such a big deal, there are three ports at the heart of European cruising and one of them is Venice…the others would be Southampton and Barcelona. Many Mediterranean cruises touch two of the… Continue reading With the Saga of Venice Continuing, Stakes are the Future of Cruise Ships

9/11: For Cruise Passengers in N.Y., a Special Chance to see a Special Place

Today, people around the world will pause to remember what life was like before those planes hit the World Trade Center and changed life as we knew it, forever. Today, people in New York will not only remember but many will visit the site that became known as Ground Zero. Today, passengers on cruise ships… Continue reading 9/11: For Cruise Passengers in N.Y., a Special Chance to see a Special Place

The Commonwealth and Cunard

In another era, cruise commentators would say Cunard was sending its entire fleet of ships to Australia because it was part of the British Commonwealth and it was Cunard's "duty" to visit Commonwealth countries every now and then. Well, Cunard IS sending its entire fleet to Australia this "summer" and it has nothing to do… Continue reading The Commonwealth and Cunard