Around America in Two Months

You could call this one an all-American trip on a ship. You get on board in America and, after more than two months on board, you get off in America. The ship belongs to Holland America. Its purpose on this two-month voyage is to circumnavigate South America. You can probably get to the embarkation/debarkation city… Continue reading Around America in Two Months

Cruise Chefs-to-be in Royal Cook-off

For me, and for people who like being in the kitchen…this sounds like a dream job, if there is such a thing. One year on a cruise ship, with your best dish on the menu, with input on what goes onto the passengers’ plates, even some say in how the restaurant is arranged. There is… Continue reading Cruise Chefs-to-be in Royal Cook-off

Ships and Yachts for Honeymooners

Our wedding was so long ago it was before The Love Boat, so any thought there was of honeymooning on a cruise ship wasn’t one even the rich and famous entertained. All these years later, it’s just another marketing tool for cruise lines to offer the budding bride and groom. And if they’re really clever,… Continue reading Ships and Yachts for Honeymooners

Where Do Dollars End in the Gulf?

As we sat watching the environmental and fiscal tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico reach its eighth week yesterday — we’re CNN junkies — a couple of cruise-related thoughts passed through our minds. One is the obvious…how is all this oil going to affect cruise ships in and out of New Orleans, Mobile and, eventually,… Continue reading Where Do Dollars End in the Gulf?

Cruising's Nautical Notebook

Like a ship out of water? How about just…a ship out of water? It happens to cruise ships regularly, when they go into “drydock” for repairs or renovations, or both. When it was time for the Sea Princess to dry out last fall, National Geographic was on the scene to film the whole process. Tomorrow… Continue reading Cruising's Nautical Notebook