(Press Release) This summer, the iconic Cheeca Lodge & Spa is giving Florida residents even more reasons to stay close to home with an exclusive, elevated offer available May through September. While most Florida residents deals focus solely on discounted room rates, Cheeca takes it a step further, offering a 10% savings across the entire resort when booking the Florida Resident rate. From indulgent spa treatments and oceanfront dining to water sports and guest adventures, the 10% discount applies to dining at all resort restaurants, spa services, pool cabanas, guest adventures and excursions, water sports, and purchases at the signature store. New for this year, families will love the addition of Kids Eat Free — children 12 and under enjoy a complimentary Kids Menu entrée with the purchase of any adult entrée.

(St Regis Longboat Key) The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort just dropped an exclusive capsule collection in partnership with Vilebrequin, the original swimsuit tailor born in Saint-Tropez, available online and at the hotel’s Vilebrequin shop.

A few selects for Dad:

• Men Swim Shorts | $315
• Linen Tote Bag | $95
• Zipped Linen Beach Pouch | $75

Shop the full collection here.

(Press Release) Holland America Line is partnering with Art of Tea to elevate its Royal Dutch Tea, Regional Afternoon Tea and Standard Afternoon Tea services with a custom blend that celebrates the cruise line’s Dutch heritage. Handcrafted with the finest botanicals, this blend captures the warmth, authenticity and flavor of a classic Dutch tea experience, bringing together history, craftsmanship and indulgence.

The Dutch Tea Time Blend will be the featured item during every afternoon tea service in the main dining room on board all Holland America Line ships, making it an experience too good to hurry through. Royal Dutch Tea is served on the first sea day of each voyage. A regionally themed afternoon tea is offered on the second sea day. For voyages lasting seven days or longer, a standard afternoon tea service is also available on the third sea day. Guests can also enjoy this bespoke blend at all coffee and specialty dining outlets while sailing.

(Press Release) Crystal, the leader in exceptional cruise experiences, announced today the debut of its newest original production show, “Club Nights,” which premiered aboard Crystal Serenity to enthusiastic World Cruise guests and will unveil on Crystal Symphony in late November 2025. Replacing ‘Crystal on Broadway, The Show,’ this vibrant, high-energy musical journey is a bold departure from traditional cruise entertainment, immersing guests in a pulsating tour of iconic nightlife scenes through music, dance and cutting-edge design.

(Press Release) MIAMI, May 19, 2025—With its largest fleet yet and its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, set to open in The Bahamas, Carnival Cruise Line is ready to deliver more summer fun than ever this year. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Carnival will sail nearly two million guests on its 29 ships and make more than 1,200 visits to nearly 100 destinations

By GERRY BARKER
Splash Magazines Worldwide

The St. Regis Longboat Key resort offers everything the brand's founder -- business tycoon John Jacob Astor IV -- included when he launched the St. Regis New York in 1904, and more.

Known worldwide as a symbol of luxury and refined living, The St. Regis Longboat Key debuted last August on a 18-acre, beachfront location just south of Sarasota, FL. In fact, Florida is the the only state with two St. Regis properties; the other is in Bal Harbour, near Miami.

One of the unique features at the Longboat Key resort is their 500,000-gallon aquatic environment called The Lagoon. It houses 40 different species of fish, totalling 3,000 fish altogether. Guests can observe their movements through a glass observation wall, or sign up to join a group that goes into the water and interacts with the fish several times a day.

READ MORE.

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
Photos/Video by Gerry and Pamela Barker

Day Nine of our Victory I Great Lakes cruise finds us in the Michigan Upper Penisular town of Escanaba, our last port of call until the cruise ends in Chicago. On our way here we passed under Mackinac Bridge, a five-mile-long suspension bridge opened in 1957. It's a beautiful day for sailing.

Our city tour here starts at Ludington Park, the location of the historic Sand Point Lighthouse.  Built in 1867, it ceased operation in 1939 and now is open seasonally for visitors. It was still closed for our visit, but we enjoyed its picturesque location despite the swarming lake flies (at least they don't bite).

The tour continued at the Webster Marble Inventing the Outdoors museum. Marble was an avid outdoorsman and inventor in nearby Gladstone that helped change the view of going outdoors from survival to recreation. His inventions included a safety ax, hunting knives and a waterproof compass. Adjoining these exhibits is the Upper Penisular Military Museum, detailing military service from area veterans since the Civil War.

Our last stop was very tasty: Dobber's Pastries. For the unitiated, a pasty is a savory meat pie, in appearance something like a Hot Pocket, with meat, onions, potatoes and carrots, dating back to when Cornish miners took them into the mines for their lunch. A perfect way to end the tour.

Here are some highlights:

(Press Release) MSC World America, MSC Cruises’ newest world class ship, will debut two new original entertainment productions on board starting May 17 - further expanding its already standout lineup that includes the first-ever at-sea Dirty Dancing in Concert.

These new shows mark an exciting new chapter in MSC Cruises’ commitment to delivering immersive entertainment, offering guests unforgettable experiences unlike anything else at sea. The productions will be offered in the World Theatre venue and include:
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• Odyssey – Produced by Anystage Creative, Odyssey is a visually arresting acrobatic spectacle set within a dreamlike world inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. The show blends high-concept storytelling with awe-inspiring physical performances to deliver a theatrical experience unlike anything else at sea.

• Momentous – One of the largest illusion shows ever created for a cruise ship, Momentous is headlined by a renowned resident guest artist and produced in collaboration with Twins FX—the award-winning team behind special effects for Back to the Future: The Musical, Disney productions, Doctor Who, Mission: Impossible, and more. Expect large-scale illusions and cinematic-level effects that push the boundaries of what’s possible on board.

MSC World America departed for her first public cruise on April 12, 2025 and will spend her inaugural season sailing from PortMiami, offering alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Isla de Roatan, Honduras. All sailings include a visit to Ocean Cay.