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by Marshall Boyd!
Is That Entertainment?
I remember my very first cruise. I did everything there was to do. So much so that when I got home, I needed another week off. But seriously, I went to the evening performances every single night and was completely enthralled by the Vegas style entertainment at sea. That was many cruises and years ago.
Back then, they sang and danced to music from the 40’s and 50’s. Today it’s the music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. It wasn’t long after that first cruise that those shows lost their Read more [...]
Dining – Cruise Ship Style
One of the great joys of life is eating, which is also one reason many people cruise. Where else can you gorge on unlimited appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts whenever the urge strikes, which can be any time of the day or night?
Of course as we age, or in this case, wrinkle, we can’t eat like we used to. I recall when I used to show up for every feeding. These days I look at food and gain weight. Now I plan to spend at least 30 minutes a day in the fitness center so I can eat more than Read more [...]
Tales of Budapest and Barcelona
Years ago, I spent four horrible days in Budapest, Hungary. It was dirty. People were not very nice. I watched dogs being abused by their owners, and apparently no one ever heard of picking up after their pets because walking along the streets was like navigating a mine field. Prices in restaurants could be altered at a moment’s notice – always.
Oh yeah. We were mugged in Budapest.
We were told to be careful and as seasoned travelers, we couldn’t have been more prepared. On our final Read more [...]
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You Go Carnival!
I am booked on a Carnival Sunshine transatlantic cruise in November. Despite everything that’s happened in recent months, I never had any intention of canceling my trip. In fact, with everything the line is doing and has done, I know I will feel more secure than ever before.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced a $300 million fleetwide upgrade. It will enhance emergency power capabilities and introduce new fire safety technology, as well as improve the level of operating redundancies. With Read more [...]
Remembering the Midnight Buffet
I turned 60 this week. As I see it, I am more wrinkled now and thus even more qualified to write this blog. So while I was fondly recalling my youth, I pondered the many other things that have gone by the wayside: typewriters, cassette players, corded telephones and – the midnight buffet.
In the early days of mass market cruising, food was the primary reason people travelled by ship. Ads showed people gorging on giant lobsters, feasting on an unlimited sea of shrimp, and devouring sugary Read more [...]
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Bingo!
I can’t bring myself to play Bingo on a cruise ship. I’m not going to lie: I have done it, but just once. I didn’t mean for it to happen; it was a weak moment. I didn’t win and I still don’t get the attraction.
Maybe it’s because I worked at a Bingo hall taking pizza orders as a teenager. The pizza was good. The Bingo? Not so much. There were the good luck charms and the gazillion cards per person, as if one card wasn’t enough to win. And when someone won a jackpot, somewhere Read more [...]
A Few Words About Travel Insurance
One of the first things cruise lines ask when you make a booking is if you want to purchase insurance. They will give you a million reasons why you need insurance and all of them will likely be valid. The problem is that the insurance you get from the cruise line is all but useless.
I’ve heard horror stories from several people who purchased insurance directly from the line. All had less than satisfying experiences when it came time to actually use it. One man was diagnosed with cancer a Read more [...]
What’s Your Ideal Cruise?
Here’s my idea of the ideal cruise:
It involves older adults
Definitely a balcony
Visits a variety of ports
Is longer than seven days
Not a party atmosphere
More casual than elegant
Tables for two in the dining rooms
It took quite a while for me to compile that list because I hated to admit that I’d gone from something close to a cruise ship party animal 30 years ago, to a very sedate, happy to just hang on the balcony cruiser. It’s almost scary, but it makes me happy Read more [...]
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I want to hear from you!
As I am sure many of you did, I watched the recent events onboard the Carnival Triumph and I honestly couldn’t get enough of it. While I really felt for those onboard, there might be something inherently wrong with me that I looked forward to every update to watch the continuing human suffering. I am attributing my obsession to human nature; at least I hope that’s what it is. While the drama was unfolding, I put myself in the shoes of those onboard and had a number of discussions with friends Read more [...]
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Romance, Wrinkled Style
I’m sure many of you remember, The Love Boat, the popular TV show that made everyone want to seek romance on the high seas. It was fun viewing, but in reality, disappointment prevailed when guests returned without finding the loves of their lives. If there was something wonderful that came of it, it was that cruising became more popular than ever before as many first timers made it the vacation of choice.
(Do you remember the Cruise Line and ship featured in, “The Love Boat”? Read more [...]
Posted in Cruising
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