A pet peeve of mine is cruise ships that charge inflated fees for soft drinks. My caffeine of choice is cola, Pepsi preferably, which many cruise ships don’t carry. It irks me to pay almost $3 for a small can of Coke or to buy a cruise-long soft drink package at a hefty charge. Read more...

Want to shake hands with Spider-Man? Have your photo taken with Captain America? Test the strength of Thor?

Youngsters can celebrate with their favorite Super Heroes and Super Villains from the Marvel Universe during special voyages on the Disney Magic this fall. Read more...

The guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens looked impressive enough with their ramrod posture and straight-ahead stare. But when the two Greek soldiers started moving, it was obvious these men were self-disciplined almost beyond belief.

It was nearing 85 degrees on my first full day in Athens and the guards known as Evzones at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were clad in the traditional Greek uniform of short kilts with 400 pleats – one for every year of the much-hated Ottoman Turk occupation. The shoes on their feet were adorned with pom-poms. Altogether, I am sure this special attire was not very cool but the guards didn’t seem to be breaking a sweat. Read more...

Memorable cruise moments often involve food, particularly spectacular desserts. One of my favorite ways to end a great cruise meal is with anything chocolate.

Carnival Cruise Lines, in particular, has a delicious Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. When it is listed on the menu, that is always my choice, especially if it is served with a scoop of ice cream. Read more...

Gravely injured when a cannon ball crushed his legs, the warrior endured several excruciating surgeries without anesthetics. Warned to prepare for death, the nobleman spent his bedridden time reading whatever was at hand.

“The only books he had were about the lives of the saints and Christ,” said guide Mikel Mugalari. “Then a miracle happened. He didn’t die. He had a conversion. He decided to live his life for God.” Read more...

More than half a century ago, a television show debuted that helped promote the cruise industry into the popular attraction it is today. Remember the name of that TV series?

An interesting display area aboard the Regal Princess honors the show along with the November 2014 naming ceremony of the Regal Princess and its “Love Boat” connection. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

The Mississippi River will soon have a new paddlewheeler offering river cruisers a trip through America’s heartland, starting July 3, 2017. The 166-guest American Duchess is the first purpose-built paddlewheeler, operated by the American Queen Steamboat Company. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

When Zoran Kikic went to sea as a young man, an experienced mariner gave Zoran and other new sailors some friendly advice: Be cautious about signing on for more voyages or the sea will become your lifelong passion.

“He told us to think not twice but to think five times before we came back on a ship,” Zoran said.  “He said it will get in your blood and the ship will become your life.’ Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Are you a national flag expert? Can you identify a country when you see its national flag flying? Then this should be a snap for you.

However, it took an international trip for me to hear the story behind this flag and to see it proudly displayed along with the American Stars and Stripes at a war memorial. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Exiles from the fall of Troy were happy to find a new place to call home. Giving thanks for their refuge, the exiles were sacrificing an ox on their ship before coming ashore.

“But the bull jumped overboard and swam ashore,” said guide Demyr. “Taking this as a good omen, the place was named Buthrotum which means ‘wounded ox,’ the ancient name for Butrint.” Read more...