Walk by a Cuban school on an early weekday morning and you’ll probably hear the Cuban National Anthem being sung by the students, including an additional “dun tada dun” at the end.

“That’s just how we end the song,” Dr. Jorge Arocha said, giving a demonstration. Read more...

During my leisurely dinner at Crown Grill on the Regal Princess, diners toasted two birthdays and an anniversary. That might tell you that the ship’s specialty restaurant is a place for celebrations.

It certainly is.

I had no special date in mind when I paid $29 to dine in the Crown Grill. I had just heard that the dining spot was popular with passengers and wanted to see for myself. Read more...

Photo courtesy of AmaWaterway

Onion soup has always been one of my favorites. My Dad would make it when I was a child, especially in winter when he said onion soup would help warm us up and ward off colds.

Over the years, I have enjoyed onion soup is many different places. I’ve also realized that the soup is made in various ways. Interesting. Read more...

I learned a new word on a shore excursion today – “drelch.”

It’s the Scottish word for damp and overcast. Describes our weather perfectly as we head for Fettercairn Distillery on our shore stop in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Also learned a new taste trick today – put a drop of water in scotch whisky to bring out the flavors. Read more...

     Image courtesy of Princess Cruise Line

Bill plans to snorkel and take photos of the colorful fish in the coral reef. Mae is looking forward to browsing through local arts and crafts at beach shops. And their son Mike wants to practice his paddleboarding.

The family from Maine says they have been looking forward to Princess Cays which offers plenty of adventure and attractions. Or folks can just lean back in a beach chair and relax. Read more...

As soon as maître-d Federico Arcos Cantos started talking, I knew I was going to enjoy this wine tasting seminar on the Regal Princess.

“To know about wine is very easy,” Cantos said. “If you like it, then you have found a wine that you like and you know about wine.” Read more...

Cuba is a country of statues and monuments, many of them dedicated to heroes of the revolution. But one unusual bronze figure in Havana is the only one in the world I have seen for a certifiably crazy person.

On a walking tour of Havana, we stopped in front of a church. However, what caught my attention was a statue outside the church of a man whose beard, left index finger and foot have been polished almost golden from the touch of passersby. Read more...

The ornate chapel seems oddly out of place in this quiet countryside. And the story behind it is even more surprising.

“It was built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war,” said tour guide Thelma. “They used whatever materials they could find and you’ll be amazed at what they were able to do.” Read more...

Creating faces out of his food is a labor of love for Rudi Sodamin. Using vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, grain and sweets, Sodamin has captured a cast of unforgettable characters expressing a whimsical spectrum of human emotion.

“’Food Faces’ has a universal appeal that crosses all ages, languages, art, cultures and food groups,” Sodamin said. “Food is an international language, understood by all, and everyone in the world, regardless of race, gender, experience or social status, can communicate and connect through food.” Read more...

If I could give one piece of advice to fellow cruisers, it would be to arrive in your cruise departure city at least a day ahead of the cruise.

As Geoffrey Chaucer said, “Time and tide wait for no man.”

Or woman.

Flights can be delayed or cancelled so it is best not to plan to arrive the day of a cruise, especially when it is an international flight to board a cruise ship. I’ve been on cruises where a passenger didn’t arrive on time and the ship had to sail anyway. Sometimes a delayed passenger can catch up with a ship at its next stop but what an expensive hassle that could be. Read more...