By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Here comes the American Duchess Steamcoach rolling down the road. The road?

Yep, the popular riverboat has personalized steamcoaches decorated to look like their namesake. And they sure are getting second looks whenever they pass by. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

The new Loft Suites on American Duchess are large and lovely. My Loft Suite is huge – 550 square feet. I’ve been on many boats and ships and this is definitely the largest room I have ever seen. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Relaxing on the Lido Deck while waiting for my cabin to be readied on our first day, I overheard a mother telling her family, “Remember, we agreed this would be a no-phone vacation. We’re not going to use our cell phones for the whole cruise.” Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

When Navy corpsman Leo H. Sheer’s landing craft was sunk on its way to Omaha Beach on D-Day, the young sailor was forced to swim ashore amid heavy gunfire.

Arriving safely on the beach, Sheer began collecting first-aid pouches from the bodies of dead soldiers to help save the wounded. He hung six of the dead men’s pouches on his equipment belt. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Bob Marley said his music “will go on forever.”

His music is indeed still popular and almost four decades after his death, the reggae superstar is a popular draw for cruise visitors to Ocho Rios. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Beginning and ending a fantastic cruise in a yucky cruise terminal can take the glow off a memorable journey. But the folks at Norwegian Cruise Line have come up with a beautiful way to help solve that problem. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

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...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises, standing center, and xx from left, attends the ceremony honoring Princess Cruises and the original cast of “The Love Boat” with a honorary star plaque at the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, May 10, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Casey Rodgers/Invision for Princess Cruises/AP Images)

Back in May of 1977, a new TV show premiered that was set aboard a cruise ship. Called “The Love Boat,” the series featured stories of romance, hijinks and adventure on the high seas.

It also made viewers think this cruising travel looks like a great deal of fun. Why not enjoy it themselves, viewers thought? Before long, Princess Cruise became a household name as the setting and, some say, the star of the show. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Three little boys growing up in small town Louisiana showed early musical talents.

But the three cousins probably had no idea that their names would one day be known worldwide.

The three youngsters from Ferriday were Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley – sometimes known as the Killer, the Preacher and the Cowboy. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

His name is W. Gerard Williams. He is my River Butler and he seems to be everywhere.

When I checked into my Loft Suite aboard the American Duchess, Gerard was there to show me the cabin’s light switches, in-room safe, mini-fridge stocked with complimentary water and sodas, Keurig coffee maker with eight one-cup coffee pods, TV controls, two telephones (one upstairs and one downstairs), balcony door lock, thermostat and other grand features of my amazing stateroom. Read more...