By Gerry Barker

Once upon a time, river cruising in America conjured fleets of steamboats and paddle wheelers plying the waters of the Mississippi River. Today, thanks to American Cruise Lines, you can explore all the wonders the nation has to offer on all its major rivers and coastlines.

Headquartered in Guilford, CT. and family-owned for over 50 years, its fleet of almost 20 ships (and growing fast) offer over 50 different itineraries in 35 states. One of its newest routes is "Florida Gulf Coast and Keys Cruise," an 8-day, 7-night excursion that travels round-trip from St. Petersburg to Key West, with stops at Marco Island and Punta Gorda.

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By GERRY BARKER

Standing in the ruins of Pompeii, you see, off in the distance, rising into the air, Mt. Vesuvius, one of several volcanos near Naples, Italy. It’s a brilliantly sunny day, and small puffs of white clouds dot the sky above its peak.

​You try to imagine that October day in 79 AD, when the residents, some no doubt standing where I stood now, were in an instant killed by volcanic heat and ash spewed by Vesuvius. It’s a moment in time that inspires both awe and reverence.

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Seattle, Wash., Feb. 27, 2025 — Today, Holland America Line opened bookings for 2026-2027 Panama Canal and Hawaii Cruises. The voyages, ranging from 14 to 28 days, will sail aboard six ships with departures from five convenient North American homeports. The new itineraries bring guests to UNESCO World Heritage sites and exciting ports, as well as provide opportunities to celebrate Thanksgiving in Honolulu.   ​

(Press Release) Seattle, Wash., Feb. 25, 2025 — Holland America Line is expanding its Morimoto By Sea dining experience with a new specialty sushi bar available on five ships in the fleet. This unique venue features a menu by the cruise line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, Chef Masaharu Morimoto, offering a selection of his signature sushi, sashimi, rolls and smaller dishes. The Morimoto by Sea sushi bar is in addition to the existing Morimoto By Sea pop-up experience as well as the stand-alone specialty restaurant on Nieuw Amsterdam.

By GERRY BARKER
Photos/Videos by Gerry and Pamela Barker

“Where are the crowds?”

That’s a question we heard over and over during our European travels in late January. For example, at Pompeii, our guide told us we had it all to ourselves, versus “a river of people” during the summer months.
That’s the beauty of off-season travel, and what better way to experience it than a cruise.

To that end, we took a flight to Venice to board Windstar’s Star Legend for its nine-day “Winter Italy and Dalmatian Coast” cruise, with planned stops in Zadar and Dubrovnik, Croatia, Messina in Sicily, Naples and Rome.

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(Press Release) GRAND BAHAMA, Feb. 19, 2025 – Carnival Cruise Line guests are just five months away from experiencing Celebration Key’s five portals to paradise. To kick off the countdown to the official opening on July 19, Carnival Corporation & plc's Chief Executive Officer Josh Weinstein and Chief Maritime Officer Lars Ljoen joined Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy for a behind the scenes look at this new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama as construction enters its final phases. To watch a video of their visit, click here.
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