KISS this ship…it’s your Destiny
Theme cruises are always hot, especially the ones that involve famous entertainers who years ago played to crowds of 30,000 or more. These days, they find an entertainment home on cruise ships, and...
View ArticleHawaii to be mostly for Princesses?
Princess Cruises, one of the first cruise lines to introduce the world to Alaska, is attempting to place itself as the dominant cruise line to Hawaii. Ships bearing Princess colours will sail at least...
View ArticleTake me out to the ball…cruise!’
MSC Cruises, the European line that spends time on this side of the Atlantic each winter, has a history of baseball-themed cruises. This year is no exception. If you’re a ball fan, you’ll be running...
View ArticleTheme cruising Crystal clear
Theme cruises have become all the rage with most cruise lines. Speakers of interest, big-name entertainers, sports icons, creative learning, computer courses…it’s all part of what cruise lines hope...
View ArticleCelebrity changes in Europe good
Celebrity Cruise Lines had already announced European offerings for next summer. Then there were some modifications to the 2012 line-up, as well as some new cruises. Celebrity is among the cruise...
View ArticleDisney ‘cousins’ getting on board
For those who love all things Disney — and who doesn’t? — Mickey and Minnie and the entire Disney group of characters will have some company when the new family ship, the Fantasy, is launched in...
View ArticleTheme song a hit again in Texas
You probably never thought when Glen Campbell was wailing away on the country/pop hit Galveston that cruisers might be looking to make that song an anthem of sorts. Despite the fact that Hurricane Ike...
View ArticleCruise round-up: Themes, Barcelona, Mazatlan
Time to go “Around the Horn” with cruise news. It seems forever (it’s actually been 38 years) that the Garrison Keeler’s Prairie Home Companion, located in the fictional town of Lake Woebegone in...
View ArticleA chance to cruise with Canadian Gardener
Years ago, I worked out of the CBC in Vancouver as part of the 6 p.m. news team and across the country each night on CBC Newsworld. On a regular basis, running through the halls and working the-then...
View ArticleClassic movies on the Constellation
Okay, I admit it. At least once a week, I skip through my TV online schedule and take a look to see what movies are coming up on Turner Classic Movies. While I usually take in a new movie once a week,...
View ArticleThe games of Celebrity’s Billboard
Billboard has been recording the top 100 songs and has been a bible of the music industry since long before I started listening to records. Yes, that long. Whatever was hot showed up on Billboard and,...
View ArticleOpry time on Queen of the Mississippi
When the American Cruise Lines ship Queen of the Mississippi starts and finishes two cruises in Nashville this month, passengers will receive tickets for the Grand Ole Opry. Specifically, they’ll see...
View ArticleCruise news round-up: Non-smoking spreads, celebrities on board, Concordia...
We’ve had a rash of cruise lines cut back in smoking areas. The latest is MSC, specifically its ship Divina, to be based in Miami year-round, starting December 2. Smoking areas on the Divina will be...
View ArticleThink you can dance? Try Holland America
Entertainment has become a huge factor for most major cruise lines. Royal Caribbean and its Broadway shows, Carnival and the George Lopez Comedy Clubs and others with their own distinctive styles. One...
View ArticleCarnival captures Cat in the Hat…and all things Seuss, a program destined for...
The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Green Eggs and Ham…sound familiar? Yes, it’s the Dr. Seuss characters and they are coming to life on Carnival Cruise Lines. If you’re not already...
View ArticleLegends-ary times for the Norwegian Epic
How many of you have wandered “The Strip” in Las Vegas and stopped at the Imperial Hotel to catch the Legends in Concert show? It became famous on the strip and — unless I’m mistaken — the Legends...
View ArticleTeeing it up on the Equinox with Jim McLean
Are you a golfer? Is there a golfer in the family? Does your partner golf and you don’t? I may have a cruise for you. Jim McLean, in my books, is one of the best golf instructors in the business. Many...
View ArticleTCM’s 2014 cruise hot ticket on Disney Magic
In over two decades, Turner Classic Movies has built a large, mature audience and that audience can’t seem to get enough of TCM’s cruise charters. In October, another host of stars appealing to the TCM...
View ArticleCelebrity Cruises going to celebrity events
Celebrity is calling it “Signature Event Sailings.” Good name, but you could also put it under the heading of “theme cruises.” For 2015-16, Celebrity is planning cruises to some iconic events in...
View ArticleCruise views and news you can use
Celebrity chef Jacques Pepin made a career out of being an outstanding cook. It didn’t hurt that he was on television for years, starring in one series with the woman who became the grand mama of TV...
View ArticleSolstice sister ship ready to go
I am beginning to think the thousands who line the banks of the River Ems to watch the roll out of the new Celebrity Ships are actually NASCAR fans hoping for a wreck. Not a big wreck, just a small...
View ArticleFamily fun at sea
The cruising industry has learned from Las Vegas’ mistakes. A decade ago Las Vegas attempted to change their image and tried to become a family destination. While the Vegas experiment failed the...
View ArticleCelebrity-more perks for regulars
When things are tough you make sure that your loyal customers aren’t running out and buying a cheaper cruise from another line. Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club is upping the anti for their regular...
View ArticleMSC Splendida and the splendid Sophia Loren
MSC Splendida, the second in MSC Cruises’ luxurious “Fantasia-class” of cruise ships, launched over the weekend making it number “10” for the Italian Cruise Line. Once again the Godmother was Italy’s...
View ArticleCruise news you can use
Remember the big splash back in the fall when the QE2 completed its service with Cunard and sailed into Dubai to be made into a hotel? That was the plan. Apparently that plan has fallen apart. The...
View ArticleDancing the night away with Crystal
With all the dance shows percolating on our TV screens, luxury line Crystal Cruises’ ballroom dance-themed transatlantic voyage takes off on November 12 on the Crystal Serenity. The 10-day cruise...
View ArticleReminders of Christmas
Tracy and Harry at Royal Caribbean sent along a press release all about Christmas and the holidays. It’s September, it’s warm…why?Probably because a quick look at all of Royal’s departures for...
View ArticleMSC set for winter
Phil Reimer–MSC, one of the few indepndent cruise lines in the world, is finalizing plans for its winter in the Caribbeam. The family owned Italian line is sending the MSC Poesia to this side of the...
View ArticleFamily Cruises
Phil Reimer The cruising industry has learned from Las Vegas’ mistakes. A decade ago, Las Vegas attempted to change their image and become a family destination. While the Vegas experiment failed, the...
View ArticleRegent Navigator ready to sail
There is nothing like a refurbishing to get ready for the New Year–whether it’s for you, your house or a ship. Regent Seven Seas Navigator is back sailing after a major refurbishing. Navigator was...
View ArticleNCL caters to solo cruisers
From the people who brought you freestyle cruising comes the latest—solo cruising. Singles have long been left out of the picture when it comes to cruising. There is the odd sale from time to time,...
View ArticleFascination–looking good
Phil Reimer–Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fascination is back in service in Jacksonville after getting a $34 million upgrade. The ship will continue to sail its four and five day cruises year-round. On the...
View ArticleP&O expanding Australia
Phil Reimer–You may not be as familiar with P&O cruise lines, but this British-based line has a big and lengthy background in England and Australia. They are launching Azura this weekend in...
View ArticleHolland America upgrades Statendam
Phil Reimer–Another Holland America ship has completed Signature upgrades. The Statendam, which will sail out of Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage) in a series of north-south cruises this summer, has had...
View ArticleHanseatic’s view of Newfoundland
John and Sandra Knowlan are travel writers. Actually, Sandra is a cookbook writer. They make a great combo — perfect for travel. They recently were among the 180 passengers on the Hapag-Lloyd...
View ArticleThis new Dream an upgrade in Magic
Carnival’s second ship in the Dream series — the 130,000 ton, 3,690-passenger Magic — will start sailing next spring. Although a sister ship to the Dream, the Magic will have some unique features....
View ArticleThe Allure of Taylor Swift
Theme cruises are all the rage these days and, while this one is not in that category, it’s sure to be a hit for some — and I stress some — passengers aboard the new biggest cruise ship the world,...
View ArticleCloseness the key for Azamara Club
The one thing I have to get used to on the Azamara Journey is the closeness of everything. When you’re on a ship that houses about 682 passengers, even the stairs from floor to floor is a short hop....
View ArticleA cruise ship for little AND big kids
This is my second day aboard the Disney Dream, the newest happiest ship on water, and I’m sure there must still be a kid in me somewhere. I haven’t been cabin-bound despite the fact kids are...
View ArticleExtra flight for Galveston cruisers
I’m on a cruise all this week, so I’ve asked my Cruising Dunn Right colleagues, Bob and Nancy Dunn, to cover Carnival’s Ecstasy for me. This is their first of five reports, a look at Ecstasy’s home...
View ArticleWine pairing: Mission Hills, Oceania
Like to mix wine with your cruise? Mission Hills one of the finest wineries in Canada and, indeed, the world and Oceania Cruises is collaborating with it to provide the ultimate wine lover’s...
View ArticleExperts and themes cruise winners
I didn’t always love “theme” and “expert” cruises, but I do now. My interested piqued several years ago when I went to a seminar on the Blue Whale, while sailing with Azamara Club Cruises in the Sea of...
View ArticleCruise news and views you can use
Guess what? Crosby, Stills and Nash and — nope, sorry, no Neil Young, who is busy environmentally saving the world — are going on a cruise. The famous threesome will be on the Queen Mary 2 when she...
View ArticleGodmothers for new Carnival, Viking ships
Fincantieri Shipyards in Monfalcone, about an hour from Venice, this week floated out two new ships that will start welcoming passengers in the spring of 2016. Vista, a new class of ship for Carnival,...
View ArticleWell, fathom this: Carnival Corp. to Cuba
Canadians will have company next year in Cuba. Various U.S. Government departments have given thumbs-up to Carnival Corporation to cruise to Cuba. It stills need to be rubber stamped by the Cuban...
View ArticleCruise news and views you can use
Let’s see…am I an Apple fan? Hmmm…I have Apple apps, an iPhone 6 Plus (with special lens and a microphone and I’m ordering the same model in iPhone S), an iPad, a MacBook Air and a 27-inch iMac. I try...
View ArticleTheme cruises the Cunard way in 2016
Theme cruises from wine to fashion are all the rage these days on the major cruise lines and some of the smaller ones, too. Are you into fashion? If so, you may want to consider this one next fall from...
View ArticleCruise with Diana Ross hits the right notes
The Tom Joyner Foundation in the United States supports students who attend “historically black colleges and universities.” Part of its fund raising is going to be a cruise with the legendary Diana...
View ArticleEight Stars Wars Days on Disney Fantasy
Disney Cruise Line celebrated the current blockbuster movie with a Star Wars Day on January 9. It was an enormous hit with guests — and why not? Star Wars is loved not only by the kids but adults, too....
View ArticleDisney’s cruising growth more calculated
Last week, my column was all about the boom in shipbuilding as cruise lines try to stay ahead of demand. Disney, on the other hand, is taking a more measured approach to growth. Usually just mentioning...
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