By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly Parton read a book that helped change her life. Although her father couldn’t read or write, he encouraged his children to embrace education and was proud to see his daughter enjoy “book learning.” Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Windstar Cruises all-suite Star Pride ship has now emerged from the company’s multi-year $250 million renovation project. Star Pride will remain in Italy until the yacht resumes guest operations in April 2022 in the Mediterranean. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

American Queen Voyages has a new name and a new home. The American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise lines merged to create American Queen Voyages with a new headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“South Florida is the heart of the cruise industry, and Fort Lauderdale is undeniably the epicenter of that region,” Shawn Bierdz, president of American Queen Voyages, said in a news release. Read more...

Holland America cruise line’s new Rotterdam is carrying on a tradition that began in the 1920s. The Rotterdam’s godmother will be Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

“We are deeply grateful that Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet will once again act as godmother to a Holland America Line ship, carrying on a long tradition with the Royal Family that continues to honor our Dutch roots,” Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America line, said in a news release. Read more...

The familiar whistled theme song floats through the air. A well-worn wooden chair where Sheriff Taylor sat waits by his desk. His typewriter, vintage phone, jail cell keys are neatly arranged nearby. And a continuous loop of “The Andy Griffith Show” plays on an old TV. Read more...

The first time I met Marshall Drew, he pulled out a well-worn book. “This,” he said with a chuckle, “is an announcement of my death.”

Of course, the published account of his demise was wrong. In fact, Marshall lived almost three quarters of a century longer. Read more...

Windstar Cruises will have a new home base in June of 2022. The small ship cruise line is moving its headquarters from Seattle to Miami at 8400 NW 36 Street.

“Miami is the center of the cruise industry in the U.S., and this new office will help us build industry relations and attract new talent,” Windstar President Christopher Prelog said in a news release. Read more...

The little boy sitting in front of me let out a loud, “Oh, no, we’re going to crash into that wall.”

His father quickly assured him that the “wall” was a “door” and that our boat would safely cruise through once the lock opened. An Original Soo Locks Boat Tours in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a fascinating way to get a close-up look at those amazing engineering wonders. Read more...