Shine up your dancing shoes. Holland America cruise line has announced it is extending its partnership with “Dancing with the Stars” for another season.

Through the 2014 sailing season, passengers on Holland America ships can try their skills in the “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” program.  The competition will culminate with a Champions Cruise guest dance-off competition for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy on Dec. 6, 2014, on the ms Nieuw Westerdam. Read more...

Taken by passenger James Ingle, the photograph shows a quintessential New Orleans scene. A wrought iron balcony, strolling French Quarter visitors and passing motorists combine for a lively photo.

But with one click of a button, Joe Restuccia III makes the photograph brighter, more colorful and more concentrated on the balcony. “That’s much better,” James agrees. Read more...

ABOARD THE MSC DIVINA – Those little blue creatures known as Smurfs are now delighting youngsters of all ages on the new MSC Divina. The 3,500-passenger ship has a Smurfs-themed Mini Club (ages 3-6) and a Junior Club (ages 7-11) as well as other fun-filled family activities with the ship’s giant Smurf mascot as the guest of honor. Read more...

ABOARD THE CARNIVAL MAGIC – If there’s a cooking class on a cruise ship, I try to be there. Not only are ship’s recipes usually delicious, it is also fun to watch a chef prepare a favorite dish. Then I can take the recipe home to try myself.

Want to book a table at Eataly on your MSC cruise? Forgot what time the next trivia game takes place? Curious about weather in the next port of call? Or maybe you want to check when the aqua cycling class is scheduled?

Now passengers on the MSC Divina will have access to that information and more in the palm of their hand. Read more...

No wonder I love tiramisu. I knew it had coffee, alcohol and ladyfinger cookies in its delicious blend. But until I attended a cooking class aboard the Carnival Magic,I wasn’t sure of the other ingredients. Every one of them is yummy.

After watching the instructor and tasting the scrumptious results, I’m going to try to the recipe when I get home. Might be dangerous now that I know how to make it. Read more...

Nope, it wasn’t my stateroom on my MSC Divina cruise. But I can dream, can’t I?

I did get to see the Sophia Loren Suite (Room 16007) and it is terrific. Just as I would have expected since it was designed by the legendary actress who is also the MSC fleet’s godmother. Read more...

Sounds silly but whenever I check into a Carnival cruise ship, I’m always curious to see what little freebies they have put in my cabin bathroom.

An amenity basket in every cabin is filled with an odd assortment of  toiletries, free samples and money-saving coupons. One time my daughter Kelly and I got men’s aftershave, some chocolate candy,  razors and bottles of sunscreen. Read more...

The first person eliminated in the musical chairs competition aboard the Carnival Magic won a consolation prize of a miniature model of the ship.

The last man standing in the musical chairs also got an award – a miniature model of the ship.

“Everyone wins on the Carnival Magic,” cruise director James Dunn explained. “This is a wonderful prize … We call it a ‘Ship on a Stick.’” Read more...

Craving some of that delicious pasta served in Eataly restaurant on the MSC Divina?

Now you can buy some in the restaurant shop to take home and prepare yourself.

I knew that the MSC Divina had a top-notch Italian restaurant known as Eataly and I was looking forward to eating there. However, I was surprised at the restaurant’s mini emporium that sells authentic Italian and artisan products, including olive oils, dried pastas, regional sweet and aged balsamics. Read more...