Please note that since this was written about American Queen Steamboat Company

and the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, the line has renamed itself as American Queen Voyages

American Queen Steamboat Company is celebrating its 10^th birthday with a grand new award. For the first time in its decade history, the U.S. flagged cruise line has been named among “The World’s Best” river cruise lines by Travel + Leisure. Read more...

The $1.7 billion state-of-the-art Galataport Istanbul cruise port is ready for cruise passengers and cruise activities. The new project is a wonderful blend of the present and the past, a haven of modern amenities alongside carefully restored monuments of yesterday. Read more...

Planning to cruise aboard the Disney Wish when the new ship sets sail in summer 2022? Might want to pack snow gear. The ship is headed to the Alps. In a Disney fantasy way, of course.

When the new Disney Wish cruise ship was announced, Disney fans were intrigued to learn about AquaMouse, the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. The ride’s original show, Scuba Scramble, was inspired by “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” animated shorts. Read more...

Riverboats and passengers who are going to be in Nashville on New Year’s Eve are in for a musical treat. And for folks who can’t be in Music City as the old year ends, the fun will be televised live on CBS.

“From the very beginning, our goal was for Nashville to be the Central Time zone celebration on national television and rival New York City,” Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of Nashville Convention and Visitor Corp., said in a news release. Read more...

Expedition cruisers are soon going to have a new cruise ship for their adventures. Viking has now “floated out” its second expedition ship. Set to debut in summer 2022, Viking Polaris has met water for the first time.

“We are one step closer to our launch of ‘the thinking person’s expedition’ with new voyages that will allow our guests to explore the ends of the world and closer to home – in comfort,” Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, said in a news release. Read more...

Imagine using an enchanted spyglass to magically set sail for the worlds of Moana, Tiana, Peter Pan, Nemo and more. That’s what Disney Wish guests can do with a first-of-its-kind interactive experience.

Combining imagination, technology and the magic of a wishing star, Disney Uncharted Adventure will take guests on a multi-dimensional voyage into the worlds of iconic Disney and Pixar characters. Read more...

 Alaska has another vessel set to sail “The Last Frontier.” Victory Cruise Lines announces the debut of its new Ocean Victory in 2022.

“My most memorable travel experiences have always been journeys of complete immersion – whether it’s in a culture, an ecosystem, region or simply being immersed with my family and fellow travelers,” John Waggoner, chairman of Victory Cruise Lines said in a news release. Read more...

Passengers on American Queen riverboats now have another wonderful reason to visit one of Nashville’s most popular attractions when the boat docks in the Tennessee river city.

The cherished fiddle once owned by county music legend Roy Acuff is now in the permanent collection of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville. Read more...

Two questions I often hear as a solo cruiser: Do I get lonely traveling by myself? Am I afraid to travel alone?

The answers? Nope. And nope.

Although I enjoy being with groups of strangers or friends, I also love alone-time and cruise ships seem to offer the best of both worlds. When cruising by myself, I can choose to take part in group tours for shore excursions or get involved in shipboard games with fellow passengers. I can sit in packed theaters to watch shipboard entertainment, getting to know people seated alongside me before the programs start. Read more...

The words on the sign are very clear: “Please do not sit on furniture.”

And yet there he was. Sprawled on his back with his feet propped against the brocaded fabric, he was snoozing away on the antique settee. Or maybe the offender was a she.

Whatever, the napping cat doesn’t have to read the signs or pay attention to them. These cats are special and they are pretty much allowed to do what they want. Read more...