Booking Alaska: Five Key Factors

Ice breakers leading the way to reach the fuel-starved people of Nome, on the far west coast of Alaska. Elsewhere in the state, there are snowbanks towering 15 to 18 feet high. Good time to think about an Alaskan cruise? The answer is yes. It is now that cruise companies start promoting this year’s cruises… Continue reading Booking Alaska: Five Key Factors

River Cruising: Time Has Come

Here’s one of the New Year’s resolutions made in our house: By the end of 2012, we hope we will no longer be able to say we’ve never been on a river cruise. Clearly, river cruising is becoming a significant part of the “cruise community” and it’s time for us — so that we can… Continue reading River Cruising: Time Has Come

Costa Questions: The List Grows

Everybody who has been on a cruise ship, and countless people who haven’t, can’t stop talking about the Costa Concordia, as the death toll continues to rise. As always, there are more questions than answers. Some that have crossed our minds over the past few days, in trying to look at the big picture and… Continue reading Costa Questions: The List Grows

Absentia Unfair to Costa Captain

One of the allegations surfacing about the captain of the Costa Concordia from its horrific accident is that he may not have been on the bridge, driving the ship. At the risk of sounding like we’re defending the captain, who is being blamed with much more than absentia, the possibility that he would not be… Continue reading Absentia Unfair to Costa Captain

Costa Crash a Wake-Up Call

When the starboard side of the Costa Concordia ripped open and listed in the waters off the coast of Italy this weekend, it was more than a wake-up call for cruise lines, captains and crews. If any of us who feel so safe and secure on cruise ships (and we do) needed a wake-up call,… Continue reading Costa Crash a Wake-Up Call