Carnival Cruisers Get a Taste of Appies

  Before there were apps, there were appies. We love appies. Probably more than we love apps. So now along comes Carnival Cruise Lines with the latest attempt to appeal to our palettes. Free appies and, yes, we know that there are lots of free apps, too. But when was the last time you ate… Continue reading Carnival Cruisers Get a Taste of Appies

New Ships: Oceania Riviera

There will be eight new cruise ships launched this year, two of them refurbished ships that have been given new names. As 2012 gets underway, we’re giving you a snapshot of all of them… Launch date: April 24 Capacity: 1,258 Sister ships: Marina Maiden Voyage: Athens Home Ports: Europe, then Miami Ships now in Oceania… Continue reading New Ships: Oceania Riviera

Vancouver Olympian as port city

When it comes to arriving in a port on a cruise ship, it’s hard to imagine a prettier one than Vancouver, the most recent North American city to become known world-wide after hosting the Olympics. We have spent a lot of time in Vancouver over the years. Even at that, when we sailed into the… Continue reading Vancouver Olympian as port city

A Princess Career's Last Chorus

For Gianfranco Verde, the road from opening for The Beatles to closing the door on a 39-year career on cruise ships has been, well, long and winding. He’s heading into his final contract with Princess, as Hotel General Manager on the Coral Princess. You might have made the (lucky) guess that he’s from Italy, but… Continue reading A Princess Career's Last Chorus

Smokers Getting Squeezed on Ships

Our daughter, expecting their first child later this year, can’t (or, like the good mother-to-be, won’t) go into U.S. casinos. They are among the last bastions to be conquered by the anti-smoking brigade…smoking and gambling traditionally make standard bedfellows. Cruise ships, slowly, are falling into line. Two months ago, Princess announced there would be no… Continue reading Smokers Getting Squeezed on Ships