The Captain woke us up at 7am. His Italian accent came in loud and clear of the P.A. system, and from his heavy tone, we instantly knew he was not the bearer of good news. For the second time on this cruise, we would be unable to weigh anchor and take tenders, or shuttle boats,ContinueContinue reading “St Kitts: Lessons in History, Emancipation, Culture Shock, and Women’s Lib–Part I”
Category Archives: Cruises
Racing the Waters of St. Maarten
Cruises can be expensive, and getting nickled-and-dimed for optional port excursions after paying for the initial cost of the cruise is about as fun as putting antibacterial gel in your eyes. So, a huge advantage of sailing with Regent Seven Seas is that you get unlimited free excursions–a wonderful value…unless the excursion ends up beingContinueContinue reading “Racing the Waters of St. Maarten”
12 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico Part 2: From Boricua to Mofongo
After Tarzan-ing through Puerto Rico’s tropical forest, we freshened up on the ship and headed back out into the city of San Juan. We opted out of a ship excursion because we craved an authentic feel for the place. But we’d already discovered that the guidebooks we bought were lacking in any real content, context,ContinueContinue reading “12 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico Part 2: From Boricua to Mofongo”
12 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico Part 1: Welcome to the Jungle
Sunscreen: check. Bathing suit: check. Eager-beaver attitude: check. Our first port was calling our name, and I, for one, was ready to hit the beach and take in a year’s supply of Vitamin D in the form of Caribbean afternoon sunshine. As we packed our day bags with our necessary gear, a husky Italian voiceContinueContinue reading “12 Hours in San Juan, Puerto Rico Part 1: Welcome to the Jungle”
On the Good Ship…
After an exhaustive search for just the right cruise for our family vacation, we settled on a small cruise ship (450 passengers) that went to Eastern Caribbean ports that enticed us; provided enough variety for dining, entertainment, and activities; and included everything from great accommodations, all drinks, and specialty dining to round-trip airfare, transfers, shoreContinueContinue reading “On the Good Ship…”
In Search of a Perfect Cruise
My eyes felt like shriveled raisins, abandoned on the vine under the harsh glare of a seething sun. After having stared at my computer screen for so long, I couldn’t tell if my vision was going or if my haggard brain had simply stopped sending messages to my eyes about how to function. It wasContinueContinue reading “In Search of a Perfect Cruise”
New York, NY Part 6: Where the Past Meets the Present
Our last day in New York granted me and Rick some much-welcomed alone time; Jackie, Linda, and Caleigh had returned home, Nikki was off to Vienna, and Andy caught up on some sleep. The early morning was crisp, and our heavy coats, gloves, and hats were little match for the windy chill off the HudsonContinueContinue reading “New York, NY Part 6: Where the Past Meets the Present”
Cultural Eye-candy in St. Petersburg
“Dobryy den’,” I said to the Dorothy Hamill-coiffed customs agent. I was eager to practice the little Russian I knew. She must not have heard me because she didn’t respond to my greeting. “Dobryy den’,” I repeated, this time with a smile. Maybe I was pronouncing it wrong. The third time I wished her goodContinueContinue reading “Cultural Eye-candy in St. Petersburg”
Scandinavian Slices of Life
Leaving our ship that morning in Stockholm–and leaving 3000 tourists–Rick Steves and I found ourselves alone in the middle of a great city with only 5 hours until we needed to be back on the ship. Abba, the harbor walk, the National Gallery, Swedish meatballs…how would we pack all the experiences into our memory banksContinueContinue reading “Scandinavian Slices of Life”
Cruising? Why?
In doing research for his newest guidebook, Northern European Cruise Ports, Rick Steves’ primary task is to double-check and update logistical and sightseeing information in port: how to you get from the ship terminal to the city center, what are the operating hours for TIs/museums/churches, what’s new, what’s no longer around, and how do youContinueContinue reading “Cruising? Why?”
The Travelphile 