Often in a restaurant, I have gotten one look at a companion’s dinner and thought it looked better than mine. The Ocean Diamond cruise ship has an answer for that problem.

On our Iceland cruise, the chef had several of the evening’s menu offerings placed on a decorative front table as we entered the ship’s dining room. That is a great way to give a glimpse of some of the specialties on the night’s menu. It’s really quite helpful and makes choices somewhat easier. Read more...

Over the years, I’ve had several different types of room keys on cruise ships. Some were actual metal keys. Most were credit-card type keys that you either slide through a side slot in the door or hold in front of the lock.

Once I even had a velvet knot that I was to loop on the outside of my door to let room service or others know that someone in the cabin didn’t want to be disturbed. Otherwise, the door was unlocked when I was not in the cabin. No cabin keys were necessary. Read more...

What could be tastier than your own fresh-caught fish deliciously prepared by a talented chef? Princess Cruises is now offering that dining delight on Alaskan cruises.

Called “Cook My Catch,” the culinary experience allows guests the ability to enjoy their very own catch of the day while on vacation with Princess cruise line in Alaska. Read more...

How about a “W?”  That stands for “winner.” Carnival Cruise Line and the famous Wheel of Fortune game have joined forces to offer gaming adventures for cruise passengers.

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Wheel of Fortune slot machines featured aboard all Carnival ships and in casinos worldwide, Carnival and International Game Technology will reward players with free cruises and a variety of exciting giveaways throughout 2016. Read more...

One of the most recognized brand logos in cruise ships is rolling out an elegant new livery design. The Majestic Princess will be the first ship in the Princess fleet to debut the striking change with the new look rolling out fleetwide over the next few years. Read more...

Carnival Cruise Line and superstar Carrie Underwood are teaming up to raise funds for Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that helps build strong, stable and secure military families.

The year-long Honor.Family.Fun. program will culminate on Nov. 4 with a private pierside concert for service men, women and their families. The special concert starring Underwood will mark the U.S. debut in New York City of the new Carnival Vista. Read more...

Like your martini shaken or stirred? How about a shot of bourbon on the rocks?

Watching the sunset over the ocean with a cold drink is one of the joys of cruising. Now Holland America Line has teamed up with master mixologist Dale DeGroff for an innovative menu of creative cocktails. DeGroff’s creations debuted aboard ms Eurodam in January and will expand fleet wide by spring 2016. Read more...

Before I took a recent Amadeus Silver II cruise, I googled to read some reviews of the cruise ship to get a glimpse of where I would be living for 11 days.

One cruise reviewer wrote that the Silver II has a swimming pool and no elevator.

It is just the opposite. Read more...

The woman behind me said she feels as though Willy Wonka might pop up any moment and that the Oompa Loompas will come traipsing out singing their strange song. I know what she means.

The Chocolate Museum in Cologne or Köln, as the Germans call this city, is definitely an unusual sweet treat. Made of glass and steel, the futuristic-looking Chocolate Museum seems like a ship floating on the Rhine River. Read more...

No way around it. I was going to get cold. Very cold.

I’d have to made a mad dash in low 50-degree temperatures, still wet from the dressing room shower to that glorious warm lagoon outside. Chilling for sure. But well worth it.

Since opening in 2004, Myvatn Nature Baths has proven to be a comforting experience for travelers and residents. When I saw the shore excursion listed on the Ocean Diamond’s itinerary, I knew this would be my choice. Read more...