Ah, sea day! A chance to sleep in, stroll around the ship, check on fun activities and enjoy a leisurely brunch in Fantasy Dining Room.

I’m not much of a buffet fan so I decided to skip the busy one on the Carnival Sensation. Not really pleasant to start the day by filling up a tray at a noisy crowded buffet and then have to look for a table to sit on the Lido deck. Read more...

Before taking the evening ferry across San Francisco Bay to the town of Martinez, patrons at the Occidental Hotel would imbibe in a new cocktail called a martini.

That’s the most widely accepted origin of how the famous martini began in 1862.  Whatever the true story, martinis are now a popular drink. And Carnival Cruise Line offers a mini martini tasting to savor some of the many different versions of martinis. Read more...

It’s always fun to step onto a new ship and discover its décor, its dining and entertainment spots, its places to go to be with people and its places to go to be alone.

The Regal Princess has plenty of everything.

The décor is lovely and subdued – warm woods, glistening marble, sparkling crystal, gleaming brass, bunches of windows, plenty of glass and light. The feeling is very open and airy. The Regal Princess certainly lives up to her elegant name. Read more...

On a whim, a young playwright from Chicago decides to take a trip and stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Although he is a success in his profession, Richard Collier feels lonely and unhappy. He has never found his special love. Read more...

If I didn’t see the ocean waves outside the dining room window, I might think I was in some elegant restaurant in Italy. Instead, I am enjoying a leisurely meal at Sabatini’s, the specialty restaurant aboard the Regal Princess.

The Tuscan-inspired décor features beautiful murals, warm woods, etched glass, Roman columns and grandiose chandeliers. A large glassed case displays fresh-made pasta and a huge circular case showcases special wines. Read more...

Revolution Square is one of the most popular gathering places in Santiago, Cuba. It was here that Fidel Castro delivered many speeches (including one that lasted nearly eight hours). Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis both held large masses here during papal visits to Cuba. Read more...

The roar of blazing muskets echoes off the white walled garrison. Puffs of pungent smoke from black gun powder drift across the parade ground.

And visitors unclasp their hands from their ears as the deafening noise fades away. At Fort Mackinac, visitors get a chance to see soldier life as it was more than  a century ago. Read more...

What amazing stories must lie buried here, including one about the man for whom this magnificent cathedral was built and whose bones are said to be interred in one of the walls.

“St. Magnus Cathedral is known as ‘The Light in the North,’” said tour guide Thelma. “The cathedral is the center of the town and was built for the martyr St. Magnus.” Read more...

Walk by a Cuban school on an early weekday morning and you’ll probably hear the Cuban National Anthem being sung by the students, including an additional “dun tada dun” at the end.

“That’s just how we end the song,” Dr. Jorge Arocha said, giving a demonstration. Read more...

During my leisurely dinner at Crown Grill on the Regal Princess, diners toasted two birthdays and an anniversary. That might tell you that the ship’s specialty restaurant is a place for celebrations.

It certainly is.

I had no special date in mind when I paid $29 to dine in the Crown Grill. I had just heard that the dining spot was popular with passengers and wanted to see for myself. Read more...