Public opinion on marijuana has evolved rapidly. Whether for medical ailments or just for fun, use of marijuana in the United States is on the rise, and whatever one’s reason is for smoking pot, it doesn’t go away when it’s time for vacation. The legal and practical implications of bringing pot or other THC-laden products on a cruise are very important to consider though... read more
I've been cruising since I was a small child, and I'm not sure if I experienced a single cruise where I didn't return to my stateroom at some point to find a towel folded into the shape of some animal. It might be a monkey hanging from the ceiling, or a swan sitting on the bed - but on my next NCL cruise it may take a new shape: that of a folded towel... read more
Updated: On Jan 6, 2019 Carnival announced they are suspending and re-evaluating room service charges.
Today, Carnival Cruise Line's Brand Ambassador, John Heald announced on Facebook that Carnival will now be charging for room service and will also be increasing the price of the Bottomless Bubbles (soda) package. That is not however what I’m writing to talk about on New Years Eve (it would make for a short article). Instead, I want to channel my inner John Heald and tell you how I really feel... read more
Over the years cruise ships have become bigger and bigger - bringing attention and fanfare with every superlative. On the news, on social media, and in ads it seems cruise lines are constantly trying to "out-build" each other. While there is no doubt that many consumers are excited about these giant vessels, did you know that they don't represent the majority of new ships? Let's talk about why mega-ships are so popular, and what the average new cruise ship size actually is. read more
Today, cruising evokes images of leisurely tropical destinations or exploration of historical sites on another continent. Not long ago however, traveling by passenger ship was transportation, and speed mattered. The need to quickly cross the Atlantic, combined with a geo-political climate (including two world wars) that promoted national pride, lead to government and industry joining hands in the quest for a symbolic award: The Blue Riband... read more
When you think of cruising most people think about leaving from South Florida, Seattle, or perhaps a large city in Europe. There are many other ports out of which you can cruise, and recently Carnival announced they’re greatly increasing their capacity at some of them. We look at why this is important, and what we think it might say about the popularity of cruising as well as the economy... read more
Today, Celebrity Cruises announced that their captains are now able to perform same-sex marriages at sea. This is great news - but why isn't everyone doing it? It has to do with flags...sort of. Let's learn a little but about about today's announcement and dig into why we don't see it happening across all cruise lines... read more