The Vancouver Cruise Experience

If there’s a more beautiful arrival port than Vancouver — this side of Venice — we haven’t seen it. The one time we arrived at the Port of Vancouver, on the Coral Princess, it was breathtaking. Considering that we once lived there, that says something. Breathtaking, until we disembarked. Then, we were out of breath… Continue reading The Vancouver Cruise Experience

A 'Must-See' Museum In Willemstad

WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO — Never having visited this part of the Caribbean before, our maiden voyage on the Carnival Freedom was fascinating, in part because of a tip from a fellow member of the cruise media. Nancy Schretter of the Family Travel Network suggested — no, insisted — that we visit Kura Hulanda Museum in the… Continue reading A 'Must-See' Museum In Willemstad

New Ship, New Look For New Jersey

From our one visit to Bayonne, New Jersey, the best thing you can say about this cruise port is the view. Of New York, on the other side of the harbor. Of the Verrazano Bridge. Of whatever ship it is you’re boarding. But not of Bayonne. Now, that’s changing. When Quantum of the Seas arrives… Continue reading New Ship, New Look For New Jersey

Jewel Shining Light in Houston

There was a celebration in Texas on the weekend when a 9-year-old ship entered a 100-year-old waterway to kick off a cruise experience that’s in its infancy. Houston has a new cruise ship. This one is called the Jewel, as in Norwegian Jewel, and after what it’s been through lately it is a jewel. It’s… Continue reading Jewel Shining Light in Houston

San Francisco's New Cruise Terminal

As cruise ports go, San Francisco is…well, awkward. Too far north to be a launching point for cruises to the Mexican Riviera. Too far south to be the point of origin for ships heading for Alaska. So it’s in between, a port in the heart of a major city, yet given the same type of… Continue reading San Francisco's New Cruise Terminal