When we heard that Allure of the Seas was going in to be refurbished, our initial reaction was: What could be better? It is a rite of passage that cruise ships are refurbished every five years or so, even when they’re the biggest and arguably best of all mainstream ships. Until Harmony of the Seas… Continue reading Allure of the Seas…More Alluring?
Tag: Mediterranean
Cruise Home Port A Changed City
BARCELONA — This is our recollection of the first time we enjoyed Barcelona, four years ago… Drive in from a beautiful seaside resort. Pay a small fortune to park the car, somewhere near the tourist haven known as La Rambla. Wander the narrow streets. Get lost. Stumble across a church that's been in a… Continue reading Cruise Home Port A Changed City
Riviera's Entertaining Expectations
ON THE MEDITERRANEAN — It was opening night in the theater on the new Oceania Riviera. No doubt there would be stage jitters, if not fright. The show was the music of Sir Elton John and Billy Joel and never mind that the performers wouldn't look like EJ and BJ, as long as they more… Continue reading Riviera's Entertaining Expectations
Oceania Riviera: Big Day in Barcelona
ON THE MEDITERRANEAN — They call it a "christening" when a cruise ship sails for the first time and, religious conflicts aside, it's probably the right term. The word dovetails nicely with cruising, the ship gets a ceremonial bath, and its name becomes official. For the Oceania Riviera, this will happen tomorrow, in Barcelona, and… Continue reading Oceania Riviera: Big Day in Barcelona
Recognizing Cruise Ship Impact
The last time we cruised out of Galveston, we were impressed that the hotel we booked for the night before the cruise allowed us to leave our rental car in the hotel lot for five days, until our return. Just a little extra. There’s a hotel in Seattle that is also catering to people who… Continue reading Recognizing Cruise Ship Impact