(Press Release) NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2024 – Carnival Cruise Line returns to New York’s Times Square for a fourth consecutive New Year’s Eve celebration with military hero guests to help light the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball. Highlighting Carnival’s support for active service members, veterans and their families, Medal of Honor Recipients Jack Jacobs and Earl Plumlee as well as Chris Cassidy, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum, are joining Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Guest Operations Sarah Beth Reno for the festivities. Plumlee accompanied Reno and Cassidy on Tuesday morning for the lighting test of the Ball, and Jacobs will join to help flip the switch for the official lighting ahead of the countdown to midnight.

​

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
Photos by Gerry Barker

Key West, among other things, is renowned for its deep-sea fishing. Recently, while cruising on American Cruise Lines’ 8-Day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruise, aboard their small ship,  American Legend, ​, I had an opportunity to find that out first hand.

While we were docked overnight in Key West, four of us from the ship -- myself, Jeff and Janice from San Diego and Caleb, one of the Legend crew -- boarded The Blind Squirrel to try our luck in the waters off Key West. The Blind Squirrel is "a 63 foot all purpose built long range fishing machine," according to their website. Right on.

After we were welcomed aboard by Capt. Mike and his two crewmen, we headed out. The weather was foggy and overcast, with a little mist, but thankfully no rain. Longtime veterans at knowing where to fish, it wasn't long before we WERE landing some nice-sized fish -- mostly cero and king mackerel. I did catch a barracuda, which we promptly, and carefully, returned to the sea..

But it was Janice that got the prize: A sailfish -- a rare catch, indeed. These beautiful and sleek fish are the fastest in the sea, and can swim at almost 70 MPH. As she got it to the side of the boat, the crew took photos and a video to mark the occasion before releasing it back to its home.

Thanks, Capt. Mike and crew. Now, when we tell our fishing story we'll have the photos to prove it!

(Press Release) Miami, FL, December 17,  2024 – LDPR, a leading travel and lifestyle PR firm based in New York City, is now onboard with Windstar Cruises as it has just been appointed agency of record for 2025.

(Press Release) Are you stuck for some unique New Year plans? Fed up with the pressure of doing something incredible in your hometown? Level up your New Year plans for 2024 and jet off to the capital cities of France, Germany, Italy, or England this winter to celebrate the arrival of 2025 in style.

(Press Release) MIAMI, December 11, 2024: Azamara – the small-ship cruise line renowned for Destination Immersion® and Extended Destination Days – is making a splash this WAVE season with up to $1,000 in onboard credit per stateroom on select 2025 sailings when booked between December 11, 2024, and February 28, 2025. Travelers can also enjoy over $4,500 in added value with “Always Azamara” inclusions, featuring complimentary room service, a wide selection of food and beverages (including beer, wine, and spirits), unlimited self-service laundry, and even gratuities — all included to make the journey seamless.

(Press Release) MIAMI, Dec. 10, 2024 — Half Moon Cay, the highly-rated and award-winning exclusive destination known for beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters in The Bahamas, is being renamed RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in support of its enhancements and the experience guests can expect as they are immersed in this tropical paradise. The announcement was made today jointly by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line.

(Press Release) MIAMI, FL, December 10, 2024 - Windstar Cruises has experienced an unprecedented demand for its 2026 sailings in Japan aboard its newest ship Star Seeker, which joins the small ship company’s fleet in December of 2025. In response, Windstar is now opening up spring 2027 bookings for Japan earlier than planned, and adding an extra fall date, in order to meet customers’ requests for more bookable sailings in this coveted region. Traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, Windstar’s 10-night Grand Japan itinerary packs in a variety of the country’s highlights (plus a stop in Busan, South Korea) on an intimate cruise.