A new wave of technology will be available aboard the Regal Princess on Nov. 13. The Royal Princess and Caribbean Princess will welcome the high-tech gadget in early 2018.

The Ocean Medallion is a wearable device powered by a first-of-its-kind interactive technology platform within the OCEAN – One Cruise Experience Access Network. Read more...

Learn how to cook like a MasterChef on a seven-day Culinary Adventure cruise aboard the ms Eurodam departing from Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 12. This is the third MasterChef cruise for the popular Holland America program.

Foodies and fans of America’s most watched cooking competition series get the rare opportunity to experience MasterChef LIVE with a new line-up of entertainment and activities featuring MasterChef All Stars. Read more...

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

Imagine Iceland without horses, those beautiful short husky creatures that look so striking on the country’s landscape.

That’s the way it was until the Vikings came more than 1,000 years ago and brought  Nordic horses with them. Although they are smaller than most horses, I learned shortly after arriving in Iceland not to call them ponies. 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...