MSC Cruises’ private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, has been officially designed a “Hope Spot” by Mission Blue. Ocean Cay joins Mission Blue’s global network of 154 Hope Spots, which are recognized as places critical to ocean health with the ultimate goal of achieving the status of Marine Protected Areas. Mission Blue is a non-profit organization founded by renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle to promote the protection of marine ecosystems and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet. Read more...

When he was a child, Edroy Brown would watch his neighbor make conch salad. The neighbor would finely dice conch, tomatoes, bell peppers and onions.

Then he would sprinkle some salt and pepper and squeeze a lime and an orange over the mix. For those who like spicy, he would add some hot peppers. Read more...

At 11 years old, Joska is heading for retirement and she is already training her replacement in 2023, a four-legged buddy named Wylou.

Joska also is a popular passenger on Holland America Line cruises and was honored in October 22, 2022, with a Platinum Mariner Medallion for reaching more than 700 cruising days with Holland America Line. Read more...

The new “North Star” of the Celestyal fleet is set to set sail Sept. 2, 2023. The Celestyal Journey recently completed an extensive multi-million-dollar refurbishment and technical overhaul.

“We are very excited to be able to share more details about our new enhanced sailing experience onboard the Celestyal Journey,” said Chris Theophilides, Celestyal CEO. “We have used invaluable feedback from our guests as well as industry research to elevate our existing quality product and deliver a new premium stay-in-style experience for guests of our new ship.” Read more...

Holland America is making a unique opportunity even more special with the addition of astronomy experts to its 2024 Solar Eclipse Cruise programming. Guests sailing on Koningsdam and Zaandam to experience the total eclipse in spring 2024 will have exclusive access to lectures, demonstrations and firsthand tips on how to make the most of their eclipse viewing. Read more...

The most engaging family activity zone ever featured on a Princess cruise ship will debut on the new Sun Princess when the ship is launched in February 2024.

Located on the top decks of Sun Princess, Park 19 will feature nine engaging activities for the entire family to enjoy. Read more...

For travelers who enjoy cruising, VIVA Cruises will soon be offering a wonderful new ship with the appropriate name – VIVA ENJOY. The company’s third new-build ship is set to launch in September 2024.

The river cruise line revealed that the name of its new ship is a special way to celebrate the company’s motto, “Enjoy the Moment.” Read more...

When I boarded the Celebrity Edge in Fort Lauderdale for my weeklong Caribbean cruise, a crew member greeted me with, “Welcome to paradise.”

He was certainly right. The Celebrity Edge is a beauty and lives up to the exciting “Edge” name with its cutting-edge technology and trailblazing features. I was royally pampered as we sailed along the Florida coast to Key West, then on to Costa Maya in Mexico, and Grand Cayman island with its glorious Seven Mile Beach. Read more...

Twenty-five years after hosting the first modern wedding at sea, Princess Cruises has unveiled an exciting new line-up of wedding packages and announced TV and bridal designer Randy Fenoli as Brand Ambassador for Love and Romance.

Fenoli’s role includes hosting a bridal fashion themed cruise in December 2023 and developing a signature wedding package exclusive to The Love Boat.  The seven-day Western Caribbean voyage on the Regal Princess will embark in Galveston on Dec. 3. Read more...

Rain was lightly falling when our tour bus pulled up at Tom’s Wall. Rocks glistened with misty raindrops and the gentle shower seemed to whisper through the woods almost like a symphony created by Mother Nature.

Trace Hendrix pulled his raincoat tightly around him and pushed the wet hood back when he climbed aboard our bus. On this day, Trace was to show us around the unusual site in Florence, Alabama, and tell us the amazing story of what his father Tom had done. Read more...