The deeper our submarine sank, the less colorful the underwater world became. That was a surprise for me aboard my first Atlantis Submarine dive.

For some reason, I thought life down deep would be like in the movies – vibrant Technicolor. Not so.

Our submarine guide Dan explains that colors begin to fade the deeper we go into the ocean. “The vibrant colors you see in photographs of the underwater world are the result of using artificial light,” Dan says. Read more...

Robert DeNiro watches over my shoulder. Sophia Loren, Rod Stewart and Jackie Onassis smile from across the room.

Of course, these are just historic photographs. But they do help set the atmosphere for “An Evening at Le Cirque” ($39 each) on our Eurodam cruise.   Served in the Pinnacle Grill for only one evening on the cruise, the dinner presents a wonderful taste of Sirio Maccioni’s celebrated New York restaurant. Read more...

For more than three and a half years, Bob Feller called the narrow metal bunk his home.

With scarcely enough room to move his lanky frame, Feller probably spent countless nights dreaming of his family and the Iowa farm where he was born.

A record-breaking baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, Feller also might have pondered what his future could have held if not for World War II. Read more...

Alright, so we admit it. We love cruises. We love everything about cruises. We especially love new ships. That’s why when a ship finally hits the water, there’s a little extra energy in the office. The countdown to Breakaway is on. Hard to believe that the ship will be sailing in less than two months, especially considering it just hit the water for the first time last week. We’ve got a video here, and we just had to share. Read more...

She doesn’t look a day older. But raven-haired Snow White is now 75.

The first Disney princess, Snow White has been charming movie goers since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was first released at Hollywood’s Carthay Circle Theater on Dec. 21, 1937. Read more...

Cruising the Mediterranean is a great way to get a taste of Italy, France, the Adriatic Coast. But what to do when there’s that one spot that you really loved? How do you head back and really get the full flavor of a destination, rather than just a taste? Our friends at G Adventures seem to have found a great way to make this happen. It’s called Local Living and its a great way to let the essence of a destination seep in. Read more...

I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for New Orleans pralines. Whenever I visit the Crescent City to board a cruise ship, I always find time to buy some pralines.

On my last trip, however, I also learned how to make the tasty treat. That could be dangerous because I usually have all the ingredients to make a batch at home and I’m sure I would eat them all. Read more...

It’s Valentines Day and our thoughts turn to love, of course. So on this Valentine’s Day, there’s only one cruise line we think about. Princess Cruises, home of the Love Boat. And Princess has pioneered a lot of things when it comes to cruises, not the least of which is expressing love by tying the knot at sea. Read more...

Seems like the Blounts of Rhode Island had always been in the oyster business. The family oyster beds flourished. Workers were busy. Eager buyers lined up for the quality shellfish. Life was good.

Then came the 1938 hurricane. By the time the winds quit roaring  and the seas stopped churning, E.B. Blount & Sons Oyster Company was devastated. Read more...

Holland America’s Half Moon Cay turns 15 this year. This private Bahamanian island is widely considered to be among the best private beach islands that cruise lines use today, and this year Holland America is upping their game by offering guests the biggest private island upgrade yet, a beach villa. Read more...