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...

Psst! Want to know a secret? I just found out on my last Disney Cruise Line voyage. Maybe you already know.

I used to wonder why cruisers sometimes carried brand new white pillowcases, white T-shirts and packets of magic markets when they boarded a Disney cruise. Now I know. Read more...

Carnival Cruise Line has seen a lot of additions and changes over the last couple years. New sports bars, craft beer on ship, a Guy Fieri signature burger place on many ships… but the main dining rooms could be seeing a major upgrade soon.

Shortly after entering my luxurious suite with its marvelous ocean view – all guest rooms aboard the Seabourn Odyssey are suites and all have marvelous ocean views – I was greeted by a knock on the door from my room attendant Timea.

She was carrying a tray with caviar hors d’ouevres, a glass of champagne and some special bath soaps. Gifts from her to welcome me aboard. Read more...