20 AWE-INSPIRING PLACES

Pulpit Rock in Norway (TripAdvisor)

When the headline says, "20 awe-inspiring places" you know you have to check it out. That's the latest list from travel site TripAdvisor. After review, we have to concur -- pretty awesome! And we have had to good fortune to see a few up close and personal. Fill in some spots on your own personal bucket list and send us a dispatch when you get there. -- Gerry

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ROBOTS!

From self-driving cars to Dick Tracy wrist phones, we live in a hi-tech world. Guests who sail on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas will enjoy what happens when hi-tech and artistry combine. That's what's planned for Two70, where the performers will interact with advanced robots. No, the robots won't replace the Rockettes, but they are pretty amazing. Check it out:

BLOGGING WITH THE DOG AND KIDDIE SHOWS

I feel certain I am not alone in my dilemma.

Hey, it is not even a genuine dilemma, just the way of my world.


Dog-Attachment

Our dog, Reggie, glues herself to me while I am writing. It is as if she knows the difference between writing for the blog, one of my books or just tossing away time on The Facebook (I like to call it that as that was Mark Z's original name for that social scene),  or trolling the 'Net for current news or gossip (not that I do the gossip part, but if you know any sites...).

Yes, I could quite easily remedy the situation by positioning myself at an ordinary desk or table, but then my sweet Cavalier King Charles girl would not be plastered to the side of my leg and I have grown accustomed to the 100 degree living heating pad  (I think dogs register in that temperature range).

Chairs are not especially made to be used as a computer station, but my chair affords me a lovely view of a pool, flora and sometimes fauna (do squirrels count?), and it beats an office or cube in a building with no windows! Plus, you can only take your mutt to the office on, Take Your Pet To Work Day

Reggie and Cate

Writing with a dog-attachment is made all the sweeter when you toss in the occasional children's show for the viewing pleasure of our ten-month-old granddaughter, Cate.

So, please excuse me if you occasionally notice a random and meaningless quote in my posts. Just shrug in the knowledge that it's just me typing with my hands while listening with my ears to, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Dora the Explorer or Little Einsteins.

Let me know if you type over the sleeping body of a dog or cat, with children's programming streaming in the background. You can also let me know if you have seen a chair with a side-car. I could use one, this chair is overflowing! Not hers. Mine. -- Pam

CUPCAKE COUTURE: DESIGNERS IN A PAPER CUP

DELRAY BEACH -- Forget about designer clothes and shoes.

Did I just say that?

Well, yes I did, but when it comes to my guilty pleasures there are a few that top my short list.

Shoes, clothes, handbags and...cupcakes.

I confess that I do know a bit about these personal-sized cakes. As a kid, I made them; as an adult I still make them from time-to-time. I have sampled the wares at the original Sprinkles in Beverly Hills and one in Dallas. Toss in Cheryl's in Columbus, Ohio, Magnolia in New York (the original and the Grand Central Station location), Buttercream in Coral Gables...well, you get the idea, I can get obsessed.

So, as Gerry and I continue our quest to explore the historic hotels of Florida and beyond, I feel it is my duty to discover the little gems nestled near them, and if a cupcake just happens to be nearby, it must be sampled. Well, someone has to do it.

Our most recent jaunt found us on Atlantic Avenue in Delray. The avenue not only held our classic hotel (please see prior review), but an alluring mid-size shop called, Cupcake Couture. Couture because the cupcakes are named after designers, with a sweet twist.

We found cupcakes called, Donna Karot, Mound-olo Blahnik, Donatella Vanilla, Jimmy Choocolate and more. Opting for four mini-cupcakes, we found them not only delicious, but different from the norm in a fabulous way.

For more information, or just to drool over their photos, here is the link...

http://cupcakecoutureusa.com/

Have a special cupcake place you adore? Let us hear from you!

--Pam

CUNARD MARKING 175TH YEAR IN 2015

Franconia, Cunard’s regular World Cruise ship before World War II, seen in Sydney, Australia in 1934
on the first of many visits to the port by Cunard ships. (Photo by Frederick Garner Wilson, courtesy of the
Australian National Maritime Museum)

One thing Cunard knows a thing or two about are world voyages. The cruise company proudly notes, "In 1922, Cunard invented the world voyage when Laconia set off on the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe by a passenger ship, and since then Cunard ships have undertaken more world voyages, carried more passengers on world voyages and visited more destinations during world voyages than any other line."

Come 2015, what better way to mark the company's 175th year since its founding than with a world voyage? Among the things already planned: Several Cunard Royal Rendezvous events during the World Voyage itineraries: Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth will depart Southampton together on Jan.10; on March 12, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will meet in Sydney; and on May 3, all three Queens will return from their World Voyages to Southampton.

To view the complete 2015 World Voyages and Exotic Cruises schedule, visit www.cunard.com/prereg. -- Gerry

FLORIDA'S HISTORIC HOTELS: THE COLONY

DELRAY BEACH -- We are in Delray Beach, just south of West Palm Beach, as the Cruising Squared "Florida's Historic Hotels" tour continues. Our destination this time is The Colony Hotel and Cabana Club, a mainstay on Atlantic Avenue since it opened in 1926. Big, bright and very yellow, a stay here is truly like a step back in time. You notice it immediately as you enter the unair-conditioned lobby (fear not --the rest of the hotel is very cool and comfortable).

All around you, in classic Florida style, you are surrounded by color. Reds, yellows, oranges, blues ... you name it. It not only has retained its charm over the decades, but also looks almost as shiny and bright as when it opened its doors back in the Roaring 20s. See for yourself in this photo tour:




Especially notable for arriving guests is the hand-operated elevator (yes, the original from 1926) and a telephone switchboard that was finally retired in 1995.

Our room featured antique furniture paired with a new age, flat screen TV. The bath is very white and bright. A window unit with its own remote keeps you comfortable at whatever temperature you like.

You'll want to take time to roam the halls and lobby to check out the framed art, including historic photos from the hotel's past. Another bonus is complimentary breakfast. It's served in the lobby dining area from 7 to 10 am. There's also a bar that opens at 4 pm, and the entrance off Atlantic offers a wide porch where guests can enjoy a beverage, people watch, read a book or enjoy live music in the evenings.

Parking is free -- another nice perk -- in the lot right behind. Guests also have use of the Cabana Club, a private beachfront two miles away with a heated saltwater pool. At the time of our visit the pool was closed for renovation, so take a rain check on the pool/beach report. (It is supposed to re-open near the first of the year.)

Then there's the location. Just a few steps from your room and you're on Atlantic Avenue and its myriad collection of shops, restaurants, bars, boutique shopping and entertainment. Pam will have more to day about one shop she discovered. Here's a hint: Cupcakes.

If you want to try it for yourself, now's a good time. They have special rates in effect through the end of the year. You can also find a good overview of the hotel's history in this article from The Palm Beach Post.

We give it our top rating -- four pineapples. -- Gerry and Pam

TAKE A CRUISE ON THE 'MANATEE QUEEN'

Manatee Queen at the dock (Photos: Cruising Squared)

If you happen to be the Jupiter, Fl. area, and looking to spent a pleasant few hours cruising on the Intracoastal, be sure and check out the Manatee Queen. Pam and I hopped aboard one recent weekend and took in the estates of the rich and famous along Jupiter Island, or as they say in The Philadelphia Story, we got to watch "the privileged class enjoying their privileges."

Our captain was both knowledgeable and engaging, and even let the little ones have a turn at the wheel. You can buy snacks and soft drinks for $1. Tickets are $26 and they are daily departures, including sunset tours on selected dates. It departs from the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant, within sight of the famous red lighthouse. Check their website for all the details. -- Gerry

The famous Jupiter Lighthouse

One of the mansions on Jupiter Island

But at the end of the day ....this boat's
name says it all

DISNEY 'MAGIC' WILL BE 'RE-IMAGINED'

In the new Aqua Lab water playground on the Disney Magic,
families can frolic among pop jets and bubblers. (Credit: Disney)

Disney Cruise Line’s flagship, the Disney Magic, will be “re-imagined” with new spaces and additions that include a new grand atrium lobby and children’s area of “super hero” proportions to a three-story water thrill ride and a space to stimulate the “Senses.” The ship features new experiences with Marvel characters – "the first time Super Hero icons from the Marvel Universe have been introduced on a Disney Cruise Line ship."

Following a dry dock Sept. 7-Oct. 10 in Cadiz, Spain, the Disney Magic will depart Oct. 20 from Miami on a special five-night voyage including two stops at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and a stop at Nassau. Scheduled are two-, three-, four- and five-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean. Beginning Jan. 2, 2014 the Disney Magic will sail from Port Canaveral on alternating three- and four-night cruises. More info at www.disneycuise.com. -- Gerry

AMTRAK ANNOUNCES 'AUTUMN EXPRESS'

Are you a "leaf peeper"? If so, Amtrak has announced the trip for you -- the inaugural "Autumn Express." This one-day-only special train, which departs from and returns to Philadelphia 30th Street Station on Saturday, Nov. 2, affords scenic views of fall foliage and historic railroad sites throughout Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Details from Amtrak:

"The train will travel the Northeast Corridor to Perryville, Md., then make a rare trip up the historic Port Road Branch (usually off limits to passenger traffic) along the Susquehanna River, passing through Enola Yard, crossing the Shocks Mill and Rockville bridges before continuing over the Columbia Secondary and back to Philadelphia via Amtrak's Keystone Corridor through scenic Lancaster County."

Tickets cost $89 for adults and are half-priced for children ages 2-15. All tickets include a boxed lunch and free souvenir tote bag emblazoned with the special "Autumn Express" inaugural logo. -- Gerry

CRUISING IS BIG BUSINESS IN THE U.K.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth

By Brian Wilson
UK Contributor - Cruising Squared

There are now more Cruising opportunities –
Everything seems to be possible!

Cruising is big business in the UK.
The British economy benefited from $3.8 billion of expenditure from the Cruising industry in 2012, according to a report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

This reflected money spent in the UK by cruise passengers as well as by companies, on staff salaries, ship maintenance and other areas to support their operations.

Expenditure in the UK was up 3.7% on 2011, while the number of British jobs supported by the industry last year rose by 2,000, or 3.5%, to 66,059.

Britain is the second biggest employment market for the cruise industry in Europe after Italy, where it supports 99,556 jobs. Among the UK jobs were 14,677 crew and administrative staff.

The UK is also the biggest market in Europe for cruise passengers, with more than 1.7 million Britons taking to the seas last year.

More than 1.5 million holidaymakers joined or left their cruise in Southampton, making it the busiest cruise port in Europe.

Let’s look at some of the cruise options you can find here in the UK.

EUROPE: A 'ROYAL' FAMILY DESTINATION

Should you take the kids to Europe? "Of course," says Royal Caribbean, the cruise line known for their family-friendly activities. What better way to combine education and fun than visit the place where the Roman masses watched the gladiators, or ride in a gondola along the canals of Venice? Then, after a full day of sightseeing, the whole family can relax back at the ship and get ready for the next day's adventures. This week's video this certainly put you in the mood. -- Gerry

HOLLAND AMERICA'S NEW PINTEREST CONTEST

Here is a new social media contest from Holland America: The "Amazing Alaska” Pinterest sweepstakes that will award five randomly selected winners an American Express gift card valued at $500. Participants visit the Pinterest Sweepstakes tab on Holland America Line’s Facebook page and choose their favorite Alaska excursion photo. In order to be eligible to win, entrants must also follow Holland America Line’s Pinterest Board (www.pinterest.com/halcruises). The sweepstakes runs through September 20, 2013. -- Gerry

HISTORIC HOTELS: THE RIVERSIDE

(One in a Series)

The Riverside Hotel (Photos: Cruising Squared)

FT. LAUDERDALE -- As you may know, Cruising Squared is on a mission to visit the famous historic hotels of Florida. Partly because we're history buffs and also, because they preserve the classic lifestyle Florida is famous for. Previous stops have included The Biltmore in Coral Gables and the Don CeSar on the beach at St. Petersburg. Our latest stop is here, at the famous Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard.

The hotel's beginnings can be traced back to the 1930s, when the Wells family arrived here from Chicago. Long a focal point on the bustling entertainment, shopping and dining scene that is Las Olas Boulevard, the Wells brothers opened it for business in December, 1936. Three stories tall, with 80 rooms, its first name was Hotel Champ Carr, after its first general manager. It became The Riverside Hotel in 1947.

Situated along the Intracoastal waterway, it is lushly landscaped and classically appointed. It has also been expanded several times over the years, adding an executive tower and major refurbishments to the lobby and rooms. We stayed in the "classic" wing, which retains much of the charm of the original, updated with modern touches in the bath and featuring technology that wasn't around in the 30s, like free Wi-Fi.

The first thing that impressed us was the overall friendliness of the staff. From the check-in desk to housekeeping and restaurant personnel, all smiles and how can we be of service. So refreshing!

As Pam has already written, loved the pineapples!

The hotel boasts a number of dining options, including Indigo, where you can choose to dine inside or al fresco on the boulevard, the Golden Lyon Pub, which serves a mean French martini, and the Wild Sea Oyster Bar. The open-air breakfast at Indigo was not only delicious, but served with very ample portions.

Don't miss the swimming pool. Located across the street on the Intracoastal, it's a great place to relax, sip a drink and watch the world (and boats) go by. 

Overall, that's the operative word at the Riverside: Relaxation. You have so many options on Las Olas to people-watch, join them, or just kick back and soak it all up. We give it four pineapples and the Cruising Squared Seal of Approval.

For more of its fascinating history, go here. -- Pam and Gerry

PRINCESS RELAXATION SURVEY RESULTS

Pam definitely knows how to relax

Are you relaxed? You should be. That's because today is National Relaxation Day. I'm afraid i didn't get the memo! Regardless, Princess Cruises did get the memo and today released results from its fourth annual Relaxation Report. Surprise! "The national survey revealed that men and women have different notions of what makes a vacation truly relaxing. In fact, maybe there is validity to the idea that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, because almost one in four women would rather read more, whereas 34 percent of men would rather have more sex on vacation than at home." More reading or more sex ... is that really a choice?

The survey also revealed that men might know how to better relax than women. In fact, 45 percent of men feel relaxed when they return home from vacation as opposed to 43 percent of women who feel tired and need a vacation from their vacation.

More results from the Princess survey:

NORWEGIAN PLANS BELIZE DESTINATION

Harvest Caye rendering (Norwegian)

Passengers aboard Norwegian ships will one day soon have a new destination to explore in Belize. Here are all the details in their media release:

"This week Norwegian Cruise Line announced it has purchased approximately 75 acres in Southern Belize for the planned development of an eco-friendly cruise destination. The land, called Harvest Caye, is made up of two adjoining islands in the Stann Creek and Toledo districts that had previously been approved for a resort development with an air strip. Norwegian plans to invest $50 million in the project.

A BARKING LION -- REALLY?

Offbeat story of the day: China zoo outed when lion barks. You can't make this stuff up.

NEW WEBSITE FEATURES DECK PLANS

We all know the first order of business when booking a cruise is selecting a stateroom, right? Now there's a new website to make that easier. BigDeckPlans.com has aggregated the deck plans of more than 300 ships in one place, and to make all those tinsy, tiny stateroom numbers easier to read, it provides a "magnifying glass" as you mouse over the decks. They also feature "cruise ship data including ship reviews, ship size data, crew and other info for all major cruise lines. This helps cruisers research their vacation and identify what ships may appeal to them." While that information is readily available across the web, a new travel planning tool is always a welcome addition. Here's a link to their press release. -- Gerry

CRUISING THE SHOPS ON LAS OLAS

Garment by American Soul, photo by Pam

Did someone say shopping in a new and trendy locale? Las Olas is said to be trendy, so I will go with that.

The Riverside Hotel was our destination recently and much to my delight, the historic hotel sits smack in the middle of  Las Olas.

Listen, the Big O wasn't the only one recently treading in the land of, "it's very expensive." Yeah, that line from, Pretty Woman, will never die, but it and the term snooty sales clerks does fit certain occasions.

But, back to historic shopping.

Cool new shops always draw me in, but a funny thing happened on the way to the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. I discovered I had to shop.

I sort of forgot to pack appropriate tops to coordinate with white shorts and capris. I not only had none that would match, I had none.

On second thought, maybe this wasn't so funny, but as an unofficial
shop-a-holic, it was ironic.

Let me explain.

AMTRAK HAS RECORD MONTH IN JULY

Who says people don't take trains anymore? Amtrak reports "record numbers of passengers continue to choose Amtrak . . .making July the best single ridership month ever in its history." Year-over-year ridership in July grew 4.8 percent to more than 2.9 million passengers, an all-time record for most passengers in one month. Year to date, ridership is up 1.1 percent versus the prior year, and Amtrak is on pace to meet or exceed last year's annual ridership record of 31.2 million passengers. -- Gerry

BACON-FLAVORED DORITOS?

Nothing to do with travel, unless you're going to Japan, but how about this item on popular snack foods that cater to tastes in the Far East: Bacon-flavored Doritos and Pepsi-flavored Cheetos. Seriously? -- Gerry

RIVERSIDE HOTEL'S PINEAPPLE MANIA

Maybe I have been watching too much of the basic cable show, Psych, (there is a pineapple of some sort in every episode), or listening as others around me watch Sponge Bob (who lives in a pineapple under the sea), but during our recent stay at the historic Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, I was fascinated when I saw pineapples at every turn.

All photos by Cruising Squared

To me, the show about a fake psychic and a sponge with legs aside, the image of a pineapple is nothing complex.

No, it makes me imagine myself in a stylish ensemble lounging in a tropical climate, sipping delicious exotic drink, enjoying fabulous food while relaxing at a beautiful historic hotel.

All of that from a pineapple?

Well, I did say it was just my imagination.

But, wait.

All of this was mine (except the stylish ensemble part, which I will share in a later blog) on a recent overnight stay at the historic, Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

If you want the pineapple experience...drop in and see them. It's worth your time. A pineapple wouldn't steer us wrong. -- Pam

Pam is right -- pineapples were definitely part of the charm at this wonderful historic hotel on the New River and right in the middle of great shopping and dining on Las Olas Blvd. In fact, I even spotted the tropical fruit on the legs on the room furniture:

As Pam said, more to come! -- Gerry

ROYAL MARKS 50 MILLION GUESTS

Royal Caribbean achieved quite a milestone this summer: They welcomed their 50th millionth guest. Amazing, and something of which they are justifiably proud. Below is the letter their CEO, Adam Goldstein, sent to their guests to mark the moment. Having had a chance to spend time with Adam on multiple occasions, there's no one in the business who works harder or takes a more personal interest in their company's success than he does. Congrats to all the great crew, on shore and on board, at Royal Caribbean.

Here's the letter:

THE BUILDING OUT OF QUANTUM'S 'TWO70'

Among the many "way cool" features of the new Royal Caribbean Quantum-class ships is the area known as Two70. As we reported earlier this year, this living room by day and performance space at night promises to be 270 degrees of magical experiences. It's also like a maritime architectural achievement, as this new video details:



Here's more in this video:

CELEBRITY'S NEW IMMERSIVE APPS

Celebrity Cruises is on an app roll. Following their introduction of "Cruise Lingo" comes new apps designed to allow users to "digitally immerse themselves in the line’s modern luxury vacation experiences in all seven continents."

Free for IOS and Android, they feature:

· Videos and imagery of Celebrity’s worldwide destinations
· Authentic depictions of the modern, upscale experiences found on every Celebrity ship
· Profiles of Celebrity’s Shore Excursions, designed to make the most of every guest’s time on land in every destination
· Detailed itineraries and maps of the array of Celebrity Cruisetour vacations.
· Interactive ship deck plans with the capability to zoom in on specific suites, staterooms or venues to reveal the highlights of each.
· Must-sees, hidden gems and other tips curated exclusively for Celebrity by the editors of Travel + Leisure
· Up-to-date pricing on Celebrity vacations

Celebrity’s new vacation apps can be downloaded from celebritycruises.com/mobile.

TOP 10 NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS

Devil's Pool, Victoria Falls (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor has their list of the top 10 "Natural Swimming Pools" as picked by the readers around the world. If you get the urge to swim with Nature, these are the places to do it. Personally, we like to do our swimming in the man-made, backyard-variety. But that's probably just us. Enjoy your weekend, all! -- Gerry

'LOVE BOAT' HEADED FOR SCRAPYARD

The famed "Love Boat" is not feeling the love. USA Today reported:

"One of the most famous cruise ships of the modern era, the former Pacific Princess, has made a final voyage to a scrapyard in Turkey, Reuters is reporting. The news service says the 42-year-old vessel, recognizable to millions of Americans as the 'Love Boat' of 1970s television, will be dismantled for its metal and parts."

I think most would agree the "Love Boat" did more to boost the cruise industry than maybe any other single event. For that, and many hours of entertainment, we say a special thanks to Captain Merrill Stubing, Gopher, the Bartender and the rest of the cast. How about hearing that theme song performed by Jack Jones one more time? -- Gerry

MILESTONES FOR 'QUANTUM' CLASS SHIPS

Big news from Royal Caribbean -- the new Quantum class ships are officially on the way. Roll the video ...

AVOIDING CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH SHARKS

You probably know this is Discovery Shark Week. So we have an abundance of shark news almost everywhere you turn. Not to mention that over-the-top-even-for-the-SyFy Channel viral hit, "Sharknado." Who would ever dream they would combine killer sharks with twisters?

At any rate, for some practical advice about avoiding sharks, here are some tips courtesy of AccuWeather:

"Despite the odds, to reduce your risk of a shark encounter, see some of the tips below from George H. Burgess Director of the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File and his colleagues."

Tips to Avoid a Shark Attack:

1. Avoid being in the water between sunset and sunrise. (Ocean night swimming -- never a good idea.)

2. Stay in a group and do not wander too far from shore. (That's us way up on the sand in folding chairs.)

3. Avoid wearing shiny jewelry; the reflected light resembles fish scales. (Tough one for Pam, but she wears all her jewelry on the shore.)

4. Avoid brightly colored or patterned clothing, as sharks can see contrast well. (Who knew sharks were fashionistas?)

5. Do not enter waters being used by sport or commercial fisherman. (Watch for those flying hooks!)

6. Avoid entering waters with sewage output and/or entering the water if you are bleeding. (Seriously?)

And now for your viewing pleasure -- Happy Shark Week! -- Gerry

CRUISE LINGO: DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

Screenshots of "Cruise Lingo" (Credit: Celebrity)

"How do you say, 'Which way to the bathrooms?' " We've all been there. Foreign country. Don't speak the language. Maybe an urgent need, right? Now Celebrity Cruises has an app for that.

It's called “Cruise Lingo.” Customized from the award-winning mobile app from TripLingo, Cruise Lingo allows travelers "easy access to authentic local phrases and relevant information to enhance their destination experience. By simply speaking or typing a phrase – such as, 'Where is the nearest ATM?' – into a mobile device, the translated language of the local destination appears on-screen. An interactive book offers multiple versions of each phrase, including formal and slang options."

Other features of Cruise Lingo include voice-to-voice translation; an intelligent “flashcard” learning system, and an on-demand “crash course” in local cultures. The crash course contains information including general etiquette, safety information, doing business, country information, travel tips, dining guide, music and local pop culture.

The app is free and available for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets at www.celebritycruises.com/mobile. Included in the free version of the app are 80 standard phrases in 11 languages; 56 cruise-specific phrases; 20 free uses of the voice translator; access to 2,000 dictionary words translated into all 11 languages, and the culture crash course. Just keep your device charged and off you go! -- Gerry

'UN-CRUISE' CHRISTENING NEW SHIP

Ever been on an "Un-cruise"? We haven't, but they sound like a great time. Un-Cruise Adventures is a Seattle-based company that "specializes in up-close, small group explorations focusing on nature, culture, wildlife and history in scenic destinations." They have a fleet of eight vessels that can carry 22-88 guests on adventures in Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Columbia and Snake Rivers, and Washington and British Columbia.

A few years ago on a trip to Yellowstone Park, we did a raft tour on the Snake River, and it's a wonderful experience. You might, like we did, even see a bald eagle

Un-Cruise is christening their newest vessel, the 88-guest S.S. Legacy, this week. It's a replica coastal steamer "decked out for transporting guests back to the 1890s." That's one thing to love about cruising -- there's something to suit every taste. Next time we are in that area, we are definitely going to look it up and give you a full report. -- Gerry