The current wave of 3,500- to 4,000-passenger ships introduced in the industry in the last couple of years or so have ushered in all manner of new features and functionality, and Royal Princess (launched mid-2013) is no exception.  A few nice touches:  ceiling fans above tables on the pool deck; an outdoor, all-weather par course

Lush, green Dominica looks like the Caribbean as it once was – before mass tourism hit.  And they don’t call it the Nature Island for nothing.  The diversity of flora and fauna is wide and deep, fed by abundant rainfall.  Black sand beaches and hot springs are testament to the island’s volcanic nature, while the

With about 4,000 passengers planning to board Royal Princess on this 10-day Southern Caribbean voyage, I expected the embarkation process in Ft. Lauderdale to be long and arduous.  To my surprise and delight, it was just the opposite.  Thanks to staged arrivals, plenty of security screening checkpoints and use of handheld scanners, I went from

Continuing with Carnival’s mission to provide quality dining room cuisine, the line’s Seaday Brunch is a nice feature offered on one sea day per cruise. With an appealing mix of breakfast, brunch and lunch items, the Seaday Brunch is a touch of luxury in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere – which is often hard to find

Onboard Carnival Inspiration for a 4-night Carnival LIVE Baja itinerary featuring STYX (remember them from the ‘80s?), I’m impressed by Carnival’s ongoing commitment to FUN. Production shows in the ship’s theater feature a high-energy cast that take the show right out into the atrium – where the singing and dancing continues. And the STYX concert

There are Alaskan cruises that visit glaciers, and then there are Alaskan cruises that visit Glacier Bay.  The former are a treat, but the latter are simply spectacular, for Glacier Bay can aptly be described as the crown jewel of Alaskan cruising.  This 5,130-square mile national park, accessible only by sea, is a veritable ice-stravaganza,

Locals say that there are only three ways to get into landlocked Juneau: by air, by sea, or through the birth canal. There are no roads leading into or out of the state capital, and the surrounding rugged mountains are testament to Alaska’s wilderness heritage.  So is the abundant wildlife.   On the short, 20-minute ride to

After boarding Holland America Line’s 1,800-passenger Westerdam yesterday in Seattle, we’re sailing up the scenic Inside Passage today, on the way to Juneau.   Since this 7-day Alaskan cruise is a special Holland America Line (HAL) theme cruise for their Dancing With The Stars: at Sea program, the line has plenty of star power aboard. Today,