I am seeing more folks booking relatively last-minute cruises and journeys for this summer and fall.  I guess this kinda includes me, as I was just invited on the June 9, 2022 Inaugural Cruise of the Stretched Windstar Star Pride sailing for eight nights from Athens to Barcelona. (If you

Lindblad Expeditions announced today that the 48 Suite National Geographic Islander II is now ready to sail in the Galapagos.  It is a great alternative for those seeking a smaller ship luxury experience. The Nat Geo Islander II was formerly sailing as the Crystal Esprit and is a true luxury

I read an interesting article yesterday in Cruise Week, “Report on CCL/Raising Cash“.  It states, in relevant part: In a report out on Carnival Corp. this morning headlined “CCL-Don’t rule out selling a brand or two in order to raise cash/reduce debt”.  Patrick Scholes of Truist Securities writes, “…While investors

I have been trying to experience Quark Expeditions’ brand new Ultramarine expedition ship for seemingly forever. First I was to experience her in Svalbard and it polar bears, but it was canceled due to Covid. Then I was to experience her in Patagonia, but to too was canceled due to

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and its efforts to design, build, and actually complete – no less successfully operate – a single cruise ship has been nothing short of a total debacle.  Between its rotating door of executives – most with no cruise or shipbuilding experience – to choosing a shipyard

I was more than happily surprised at my Scenic Eclipse expedition.  I wasn’t really sure what my expectations were setting out; especially with Scenic Eclipse being a new product and Scenic Tours and Cruises being a company I had only limited dealings with. In the end, my expectations…even if they

Scenic Eclipse’s culinary approach, to a degree similar to its hotel vibe, offers an impressive variety of dining venues and cuisines within those venues; especially when you remember that there are only 200 guests and this is a true expedition ship. Corporate Chef Tom Goetter has brought his passion and

I have rewritten this article three – make that four – times…because Antarctica, the Scenic Eclipse, and the Expedition Team delivered some of the most amazing experiences. And remember this is my fourth – not first – expedition to “The Ice”. There were just too many truly epic moments. (Epic

First impressions can be tricky; especially when they are unexpected or different.  This is especially true with a relatively new cruise or expedition company.  So it is not surprising that my Scenic Eclipse’s first impressions are both.  The unexpected has been so comforting and exciting. The different takes a bit