Cruise Guide: Italian flair woos passengers to MSC Cruises
By Michael Coleman With Sophia Loren as spokesperson and a cruise experience that promises to be “Beautiful, Passionate, Italian,” what’s not to like about an emerging star in the North American cruise market? MSC Cruises may not be a household name here just yet, but a $3 billion fleet expansion, a marketing...
Cruise Guide: Crystal Symphony undergoes extreme makeover
By Michael Coleman One of the world’s top luxury cruise ships will receive a $23 million stem-to-stern makeover this fall during a two-week dry dock at BAE Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia. The 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony, a perennial favorite among well-heeled cruise travelers, will enter the shipyard October 31...
Cruise Guide: Red-Hot Swedish Icebar Sizzles
 By Michael Coleman STOCKHOLM Sweden – In a city renowned for its legends, a new “hometown hero” is emerging. This Baltic playground has long been the domain of iconic figures through the ages from inventor Alfred Nobel and actress Greta Garbo to modern sports legends Bjorn Borg and Annika Sorenstam. But...
Cruise Guide: Vibrant cities, nature, await South American cruise guests
By Mike Coleman The world’s best cruise lines have not only unveiled a host of new ships in recent months, they’ve also introduced a series of global itineraries and that’s good news for savvy travelers. Over the past two weeks, Cruise Guide has bypassed the obvious – Caribbean and European sailings- to take a...
Cruise Guide: Expedition-style voyages bring nature to life
By Michael Coleman While Europe and the Caribbean beckon cruise travelers like never before, expedition-style voyages to some of the world’s most captivating natural locales are drawing Baby Boomers in droves. Those seeking a respite from the packed, mass-market cruise experience need to look no further than two intimate,...
Cruise Guide: Princess helps couples tie-the-knot at sea
By Michael Coleman Tying the knot at sea is as old as cruising itself. Gentle ocean breezes and picture-perfect sunsets put many a couple in the mood to say “I Do.” Whether sailing off the coast of an idyllic Tahitian island, cruising the Amazon or exchanging vows in the sun-drenched Caribbean, what’s not to like...
Cruise Guide: Cunard bids farewell to seafaring icon
By Michael Coleman IBM introduced the floppy disc. Monday Night Football was born. The Beatles broke up. Kansas City won a Super Bowl. Brazil knocked off Italy for the World Cup. It was 1970, a year full of promise and a time when a young seaman joined the Cunard Line. My how times flies even …...
Cruise Guide: Seabourn offers small-plate culinary experience
By Michael Coleman Smaller portioned cuisine options await guests aboard the yacht-like ships of Seabourn, a cruise line big on luxury. The company, operators of three elegant vessels – the 208-guest Pride, Spirit and Legend – has also unveiled a series of exotic global itineraries through 2008 punctuated by indulgences...
Cruise Guide: Godmothers symbolize the romance of ocean travel
By Michael Coleman Female monarchs, heads of state, legendary actresses, world-class athletes, comedians, astronauts and even an animated film character have been named godmother for many of today’s new, gleaming cruise ships. And, like the ship itself, the godmother’s name will live forever in maritime history. The task...
Cruise Guide: The sky’s the limit . . . at sea
By Michael Coleman As the world’s largest passenger vessel was unveiled in Miami last week, I had but one question on my mind: What will they think of next? Royal Caribbean’s highly-anticipated Freedom of the Seas is not your typical cruise ship. She features 15 passenger decks, an onboard surf park, cantilevered whirlpools...