Jon England has never had a music lesson in his life. Yet the self-taught musician has been entertaining cruise ship passengers around the world since he was a teen.

Jon’s amazing phonographic memory allows him to play all kinds of music – from classical to show tunes to Big Band and pop, even the Beatles. He also can play a wide repertoire of musical instruments. Read more...

As part of its longstanding support of military men and women, Carnival Cruise Line has debuted its “Heroes Tribute Bar,” a first-of-its-kind venue on the new Carnival Panorama. The special bar salutes America’s military heroes.

“The Heroes Tribute Bar is a project that is very near and dear to my heart and one that everyone at Carnival is extremely proud of,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. Read more...

I travel because …

As a child, travel meant one of two places – either we were heading to Cincinnati to look at the Christmas lights or we were going to Kentucky to visit my grandparents. Any other destinations outside of our small Ohio hometown were virtually impossible. Read more...

What better place for a wedding renewal ceremony than on Princess Cruises, the original Love Boat. And what better time than during the Valentine month of February when Princess Cruises will attempt to break the Guinness World Records title for the largest multi-location vow renewal. Read more...

Two aluminum water bottles are lined up on the desk in my cabin. Cloth napkins on the dining table take the place of paper. No plastic straws. No Styrofoam or plastic cups are used on this vessel.

A daily menu is printed and attached to a frame in the dining room entryway. Daily itineraries are on a bulletin board and on a scrolling video screen so that paper use is minimized. Recycling efforts are everywhere. Read more...

We’re going to start off the New Year with a tough trivia question. At least it was tough for me. It has to do with a place that is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

I would never have noticed it if a tour guide hadn’t pointed it out when I was on my way to board the S.S. Legacy. As my bus turned the corner, the guide told the interesting tale of this small plot of land. Read more...

On New Year’s Eve in 1912, a young New Orleans boy fired a gun into the air. That was a big mistake – or maybe it was a huge break for the child and for the world of music.

Arrested for disturbing the peace, Louis Armstrong was sent to the Colored Waif’s Home in New Orleans. While there, he met band manager Peter Davis and received his first formal music training. Read more...

During the Spanish Civil War, three bombs fell on the Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza, Spain. Two bombs went through the ceiling. Another landed just outside the church. None exploded.

“It may have been a stroke of luck,” said local guide Benoit. “That is a plausible theory.” Read more...

Barbara Kensey thrusts one hand out, palm forward and launches into the words and moves of the well-known Supremes song, “Stop, In the Name of Love.”

From an old photograph hanging on the wall, singer Diana Ross seems to look over her shoulder at all the hullabaloo going on. A tour of the Motown Historical Museum  in Detroit includes music and lots of it. Read more...

Before the advent of modern washing machines, many women set aside Monday for the weekly chore of washing and drying the family laundry. At the same time, they would need to plan a hearty supper.

“What they did,” said Debbie Kelly, “is cook something that wouldn’t need a lot of attention, something they could put on the stove and it would be ready at the end of the day.” Read more...