ABOARD THE GRAND CLASSICA: Will it be black pepper crusted ahi tuna or Atlantic salmon or stuffed chicken breast or boneless beef short ribs braised in Merlot?

Those who know me have no doubt what I chose.

Yep, it was the boneless beef short ribs braised in Merlot with creamy mascarpone polenta and root vegetables. Read more...

So it’s a bus. Why should a bus be in a big museum? What makes it so special?

Do you know the answer to this cruise trivia question?

A hint – This bus rolled the streets of Montgomery, Alabama, in the 1950s. The vehicle was almost destroyed before it was saved because of its historic significance. Read more...

Christopher Murphy didn’t hesitate when asked what he liked best about his two-night cruise aboard the Grand Classica.

“The bed in the wall,” he answered quickly. “That’s where I’m sleeping. The ship man said it is called a Murphy Bed. But it wasn’t named after me.” Read more...

Hanging from the rafters of this unusual church is a well-worn tool belt. In the left pocket of the tool belt is a candy wrapper.

“This church tells you more about our island than any other place on the island,” said a tour guide.

Of course, the tool belt tells a great deal about this isolated place, too, and the people who choose to live here. Read more...

Not able to take a week or more off work for a cruise? Don’t want to spend a ton of money for a cabin on a spiffy new ship?

The Grand Classica has a deal for you.

Launched in 1991, the ship joined Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line in April 2018. With 216 inside rooms and 430 ocean view rooms, along with two junior suites, the ship has a guest capacity of 1,680 and 590 crew. Read more...

For all you architecture buffs or for folks who just like neat-looking buildings, here is a two-prong quiz.

This photo shows the back side of a famous facility. The structure is famous not only for its beauty and its architecture, it is also renowned for what it contains. Read more...

Like a silent sentry, the gigantic “Puppy” stands ready to welcome visitors to his beautiful home. Multiple cameras and cellphones snap pictures of the unusual dog sculpture. In fact, it is difficult to get a photo when someone isn’t posing near the Bilbao landmark. Read more...

For all you music lovers, here’s a toughie.

Although he was not known for singing or for playing a hot guitar, this man left an important mark on the development of rock and roll.

His tombstone tells his story, illustrated with a big jukebox on the back. Read more...

At first, I thought this might be too easy for a cruise trivia question. Then I heard two women discussing what the logo must mean. They were wrong. Very wrong.

So now it’s your chance.

What do the initials “TCB” with a thunderbolt mean? Do you know where I took the photo with the logo? Read more...

With the success of its shipboard breweries, Carnival Cruise Line now offers another first. Carnival has become the first cruise line to can and keg its own private label craft beers.

Cruisers can now pop the top on 16-ounce cans of ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale, West Coast IPA and ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat. The beer will be available to thirsty guests on all 26 Carnival ships. Read more...