Craning their necks, a crowd of people gathered outside the University of Salamanca searching for a tiny frog somewhere on the university’s walls.

A street vendor stood ready to help onlookers find the tiny critter and to sell them a postcard photo and souvenir of the elusive amphibian. Read more...

I remember the first time it happened to me. I had enjoyed clam chowder many times, particularly when I lived near Cape Cod and worked at a Massachusetts newspaper.

But on a long-ago cruise when I ordered clam chowder, I received a big white bowl with some chopped clams in the bottom. Mighty skimpy. Read more...

For all you dedicated travelers and cruise ship lovers, here’s a new ship question.  Debuting in November 2018 in Florida’s Port Everglades, the Celebrity Edge is definitely cutting edge in design.

But some people are puzzled about that strange tangerine-colored thing on the side of the Celebrity Edge. Do you know what it is? Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

On this beautiful day at sea, Marilyn is buying a special gift for her granddaughter at home.

The cuddly teddy bear wearing a Carnival T-shirt that the Florida woman just bought for $25 is for a very worthy cause – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

He used to live in the forest, soaking up the rain. Now he lives on the Carnival Sensation, basking in the sun.

That’s the Carnival story about the RedFrog. And they’re sticking to it.

In fact, the little tree frog has made himself so at home on the cruise ship that he has his own private label draught beer, custom-brewed specially for Carnival – ThirstyFrog Red. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Mike Bakarich was happy when his wife Carolyn opened her Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum in 1986.

“I finally had a place to sit,” he says with a smile. “She had dolls all over the house so I was glad when she got them out of the house and they weren’t taking up my seats.” Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

President Teddy Roosevelt was happy to get out of the White House and go hunting in the woods about 25 miles north of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He set out for the four-day hunt on a fine November day in 1902. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Chrome and silver. Gold and purple. Neon lights. Orange leather seats. Triangle-patterned bar stools. Plush sofas. Squiggles and curlicues galore. The Carnival Sensation décor, to me, looked like retro ‘60s mod. Read more...

Save up to $900 next summer with lots of amenities on Celebrity Edge!

Take advantage of exclusive Crown Cruise Vacations’ rates on select sail dates on the new game-changing Celebrity Edge next summer. Save up to $900 per person and enjoy Free Drinks, Onboard Spending Money, Prepaid Gratuities and Free Wi-Fi. PLUS enjoy Complimentary Travel Insurance when you book with your Crown Cruise Vacations expert. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

On our first dinner aboard the Carnival Sensation, the woman at the table next to me was surprised to see dining room tables without tablecloths.

Doesn’t bother me at all. Just think about all the laundry that saves. So much more environmentally friendly. On other cruise ships, I have seen servers changing tablecloths as soon as diners get up to leave so the table is ready for the next diners. Read more...