If the last name of the new Carnival Radiance godmother sounds familiar, it probably should. In a celebration of all things fun and family, Carnival Cruise Line christened its newest ship in December in a naming ceremony in Long Beach, California.

The ship’s godmother, Lucille O’Neal, and her son, Carnival Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal, were featured guests at the event. As part of the ceremony, Lucille and Shaquille helped pour champagne atop a traditional ship’s bell officially naming the ship. Read more...

With the catch phrase of “It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere,” Margaritaville will soon take to the seas with a fun new cruise ship, Margaritaville Paradise. The 10-passenger deck, 658-cabin ship will set sail April 30 from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahamas Island. Read more...

Dear Friends,

As another year comes to a close, our family at Crown Cruise Vacations is looking upon the holidays and the new year with gratitude for our blessings and the optimism towards exploring new horizons and experiences as the world continues to reopen. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly Parton read a book that helped change her life. Although her father couldn’t read or write, he encouraged his children to embrace education and was proud to see his daughter enjoy “book learning.” Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Windstar Cruises all-suite Star Pride ship has now emerged from the company’s multi-year $250 million renovation project. Star Pride will remain in Italy until the yacht resumes guest operations in April 2022 in the Mediterranean. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

American Queen Voyages has a new name and a new home. The American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise lines merged to create American Queen Voyages with a new headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“South Florida is the heart of the cruise industry, and Fort Lauderdale is undeniably the epicenter of that region,” Shawn Bierdz, president of American Queen Voyages, said in a news release. Read more...

Holland America cruise line’s new Rotterdam is carrying on a tradition that began in the 1920s. The Rotterdam’s godmother will be Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

“We are deeply grateful that Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet will once again act as godmother to a Holland America Line ship, carrying on a long tradition with the Royal Family that continues to honor our Dutch roots,” Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America line, said in a news release. Read more...

The familiar whistled theme song floats through the air. A well-worn wooden chair where Sheriff Taylor sat waits by his desk. His typewriter, vintage phone, jail cell keys are neatly arranged nearby. And a continuous loop of “The Andy Griffith Show” plays on an old TV. Read more...

The first time I met Marshall Drew, he pulled out a well-worn book. “This,” he said with a chuckle, “is an announcement of my death.”

Of course, the published account of his demise was wrong. In fact, Marshall lived almost three quarters of a century longer. Read more...