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Contents:
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TRAVELOGUES:
July 2008: A Carnival of Fun & Flavour
The new Carnival, without sounding like a marketing campaign, competes for the cruise passenger’s dollar (or pound, euro, yen, or kroner) on the same stage and scale with rivals Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and yes, even Celebrity. Carnival’s dining has won several awards as of late, and we found the selection, presentation, food, service, and ambiance to be above-par in most areas...
Read more about Carnival Valor sailing from Miami in the Western Caribbean
March 2008: Cuba at Ground Level
In the open-air central courtyard I could see into a few other homes, and asked Raul about the stairs that seemed to go up to the roof. “Si,” he said, leading me up the rusting staircase to a 360-degree view of the neighbourhood, central Santiago, the bay, and the Sierra Maestra beyond. “Aqui es Cuba,” Raul said. This is Cuba. Indeed.
Read more about experiencing the 'real' Cuba
December 2007: Iberia Revisited
Life’s greatest treats are those that are unexpected ... Such was our experience on a recent holiday – nine days in Portugal and Spain, followed by nine days on a cruise ship across the Atlantic...
Read more about Lisbon and Barcelona
December 2007: Sailing Across the Atlantic
Read more about Carnival Valor sailing from Miami in the Western Caribbean
March 2008: Cuba at Ground Level
In the open-air central courtyard I could see into a few other homes, and asked Raul about the stairs that seemed to go up to the roof. “Si,” he said, leading me up the rusting staircase to a 360-degree view of the neighbourhood, central Santiago, the bay, and the Sierra Maestra beyond. “Aqui es Cuba,” Raul said. This is Cuba. Indeed.
Read more about experiencing the 'real' Cuba
December 2007: Iberia Revisited
Life’s greatest treats are those that are unexpected ... Such was our experience on a recent holiday – nine days in Portugal and Spain, followed by nine days on a cruise ship across the Atlantic...
Read more about Lisbon and Barcelona
December 2007: Sailing Across the Atlantic
A ship leaves us her first impression in a matter of seconds, perhaps a few minutes at most. The initial feeling we got from the Gem was a bit like Las Vegas – not the old, tacky Vegas, but the new, classy Vegas, still over the top but excitingly comfortable...
Read more about the Norwegian Gem sailing from Barcelona via Madeira to Boston
August 2007: To Cuba and Back
For years I’d wanted to visit Cuba. "Go before Castro dies," is what everyone seems to say. Not that life in Cuba, or the tensions that span the Florida Strait, will change overnight El Comandante en Jefe goes. Still, as one who’s seen countries in various stages of Communism and post-Communism – and as an aficionado of cigars – I knew I wanted to get to Cuba sooner rather than later...
Read more about Havana and Cuba
plus a bonus: comparing a Cuban all-inclusive resort with cruising
April 2007: Free Air to Europe
"Free air to Europe." Sound good to be true? It actually wasn't...
Read more about how it's done, plus Holland and Romania
January 2007: Turn of the Century
What is a cruise line to do with a 10-year-old ship that’s functional but perhaps eclipsed by the flash and cache of the competition? The answer from Celebrity Cruises was to send the ship to Sicily – no, not to sleep with the fishes, but to undertake a $55 million refurbishment on its mid-size vessel Century...
Read more about cruising on the refurbished Century
July 2006: Sanctuaries of the Greek Gods
As Regatta sailed up the Sea of Marmara, the sun setting behind us, we savoured our window seats and steak frites in the Grand Dining Room. Our last meal onboard, as it were, would indeed be the grand finale. With dusk gaining momentum and the lights of Istanbul becoming closer and brighter, we experienced the greatest way to arrive into an old city...
Read more about Greece and Turkey
February 2006: A Tale of... Some Cities
Madrid and Barcelona: one the Spanish capital, the other a second-city of grandeur and flamboyance. Glasgow and Edinburgh: one the industrial and commercial capital of Scotland, the other its centre of history and culture...
Read more about Spain and Scotland
January 2006: Cheaper than a Taxi on Xmas Day
Originally it was to be just London, but with her arrival on Xmas day, it was cheaper to take a flight to Madrid (and back) than a taxi to Surrey...
Read more about Jen's adventures in Madrid and London
October 2005: Sailing Around the Hurricane
As we gathered at the Los Angeles cruise terminal prior to boarding Summit, rumours already abounded as to a quickly developing hurricane that was now threatening the Pacific coast of Mexico...
Read more about how a cruise ship avoids a Pacific hurricane
June 2005: Nordic Knack
After crossing the North Atlantic from Gander and just south of Greenland, we’ve reached the Reykjanes Peninsula of Iceland. Or is it the Moon, or Mars? Black sand beaches and lava fields greet us. The 757 touches down gently...
Read more about Iceland and Denmark
January 2005: Grand Expectations
Would it pain Princess crew and staff to smile more? And they really must pay attention to that 10-point service credo -- Why have a mission statement in view for the public if you're not going to follow it? ...
Read more about Grand Princess -- Plus A White Xmas in New Orleans!
July 2004: Baltic States of Mind
You have got to be here.
Read more about the Baltic states
July 2004: Leaving the Heat to Thaw Out
...We sat under the olive trees in this hillside, quintessentially Mediterranean locale, almost blissfully surrounded inside an armed gate and barbed wire fence...
Read more about Israel and its neighbours
February 2004: A Constellation Above
Constellation was recently voted best cruise ship in the world by Conde Nast Traveler readers... The ship is beautiful, inside and out, reminiscent of an old ocean liner here and there, with the proper modern touches -- the people, however, are what make the ship special...
Read more about great food and service at sea
Read more about the Norwegian Gem sailing from Barcelona via Madeira to Boston
August 2007: To Cuba and Back
For years I’d wanted to visit Cuba. "Go before Castro dies," is what everyone seems to say. Not that life in Cuba, or the tensions that span the Florida Strait, will change overnight El Comandante en Jefe goes. Still, as one who’s seen countries in various stages of Communism and post-Communism – and as an aficionado of cigars – I knew I wanted to get to Cuba sooner rather than later...
Read more about Havana and Cuba
plus a bonus: comparing a Cuban all-inclusive resort with cruising
April 2007: Free Air to Europe
"Free air to Europe." Sound good to be true? It actually wasn't...
Read more about how it's done, plus Holland and Romania
January 2007: Turn of the Century
What is a cruise line to do with a 10-year-old ship that’s functional but perhaps eclipsed by the flash and cache of the competition? The answer from Celebrity Cruises was to send the ship to Sicily – no, not to sleep with the fishes, but to undertake a $55 million refurbishment on its mid-size vessel Century...
Read more about cruising on the refurbished Century
July 2006: Sanctuaries of the Greek Gods
As Regatta sailed up the Sea of Marmara, the sun setting behind us, we savoured our window seats and steak frites in the Grand Dining Room. Our last meal onboard, as it were, would indeed be the grand finale. With dusk gaining momentum and the lights of Istanbul becoming closer and brighter, we experienced the greatest way to arrive into an old city...
Read more about Greece and Turkey
February 2006: A Tale of... Some Cities
Madrid and Barcelona: one the Spanish capital, the other a second-city of grandeur and flamboyance. Glasgow and Edinburgh: one the industrial and commercial capital of Scotland, the other its centre of history and culture...
Read more about Spain and Scotland
January 2006: Cheaper than a Taxi on Xmas Day
Originally it was to be just London, but with her arrival on Xmas day, it was cheaper to take a flight to Madrid (and back) than a taxi to Surrey...
Read more about Jen's adventures in Madrid and London
October 2005: Sailing Around the Hurricane
As we gathered at the Los Angeles cruise terminal prior to boarding Summit, rumours already abounded as to a quickly developing hurricane that was now threatening the Pacific coast of Mexico...
Read more about how a cruise ship avoids a Pacific hurricane
June 2005: Nordic Knack
After crossing the North Atlantic from Gander and just south of Greenland, we’ve reached the Reykjanes Peninsula of Iceland. Or is it the Moon, or Mars? Black sand beaches and lava fields greet us. The 757 touches down gently...
Read more about Iceland and Denmark
January 2005: Grand Expectations
Would it pain Princess crew and staff to smile more? And they really must pay attention to that 10-point service credo -- Why have a mission statement in view for the public if you're not going to follow it? ...
Read more about Grand Princess -- Plus A White Xmas in New Orleans!
July 2004: Baltic States of Mind
You have got to be here.
Read more about the Baltic states
July 2004: Leaving the Heat to Thaw Out
...We sat under the olive trees in this hillside, quintessentially Mediterranean locale, almost blissfully surrounded inside an armed gate and barbed wire fence...
Read more about Israel and its neighbours
February 2004: A Constellation Above
Constellation was recently voted best cruise ship in the world by Conde Nast Traveler readers... The ship is beautiful, inside and out, reminiscent of an old ocean liner here and there, with the proper modern touches -- the people, however, are what make the ship special...
Read more about great food and service at sea
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GENERAL TRAVEL WRITING:
4 March 2008: The Upgrade Fairy
Every once in a while when we travel, something magical happens: The upgrade fairy waves her wand...
26 February 2008: Taxicab Confessional
I might have been a cabbie in a past life. It could be some kind of karma, then, given the adventures I’ve had in taxicabs in this one...
19 February 2008: Castro(s) & the Travel Ban
Castro has stepped aside. Castro is in charge....
19 January 2008: Travel During A Recession
Has the travel landscape changed, now that the US – and subsequently the global markets – are entering a recession?
4 January 2008: Wearing the Flag
Travel is not a state of citizenship but rather a state of mind...
Comments? Feel free to drop us a line:
sammy_napoleon at yahoo dot com
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