top of page
Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Exploring Alaska's Big Three Cruise Ports: Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan
Three ports. Three completely different personalities. Whether you're chasing glaciers in Juneau, reliving Gold Rush history in Skagway, or wandering colorful waterfront streets in Ketchikan, Alaska's most popular cruise stops offer unforgettable adventures that deserve far more than a quick visit.

Cookie & Keller
Jul 234 min read


Body Glove Hawaii fits like a charm for Kona Coast ocean activity and sightseeing pleasures
Body Glove Hawaii offers Kona Coast ocean activities, sightseeing pleasures

Cookie & Keller
Jan 264 min read


Halloween traditions: sacred days, pagan fun, new and old customs around the world
ALL THE WORLD seems to enjoy a celebration, be it pagan inspired or religious based. This time of year epitomizes that. Although Halloween and autumn's religious holidays are not technically related, they occur around the same time. Besides Halloween, All Saints Day and the Day of the Dead are famously celebrated in many countries around the world.

Cookie & Keller
Oct 30, 20253 min read


Alaska Native Heritage Center offers artful look at indigenous life today and long ago
Spend an eye-opening day at the fabulous Alaska Native Heritage Center near Anchorage.

Cookie & Keller
Sep 18, 20253 min read


Ships sail California's southern shores for education, entertainment
American Pride tall ship Long Beach

Christene Meyers
Jun 12, 20256 min read


City Cruises North America: For Best Sightseeing, Dining & Harbor Experiences
Discover why City Cruises is one of North America’s top travel experiences. From sightseeing tours to sunset sails and dining cruises, there’s something for every traveler.

Cookie & Keller
Jun 5, 20254 min read


Fantastic Fort Lauderdale: Attractions include fun water taxi, new Jungle Queen show
WE LOVE Fort Lauderdale, that seductive southern Florida city long beloved by the rich and famous. Besides the wonderful water taxi service, Jungle Queen offers a delightful boat tour and dinner show. You'll see where superstar Jennifer Lopez and retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal vacation. Both own luxurious waterfront properties with six bedrooms, eight bathrooms and impressive outdoor pools.

Cookie & Keller
Mar 6, 20254 min read


World's first whale watching enterprise celebrates with dinner cruises, harbor tours, jet boat and a classic ferry
Flagship Cruises introduced whale watching to the world. Here, naturalist Sophie, helps passengers look for two whales she and the...

Christene Meyers
Feb 20, 20254 min read


Cesar Manrique's home: the artist who changed the face of an island
FOR 25 FRUITFUL years, he transformed Lanzarote to an imaginative place, where nature and architecture blend. It's a playground for imagination. Perhaps no single man has had a greater influence on a place. Only Gaudi comes to mind, in his contributions to Barcelona. For working with Lanzarote's volcanic landscapes, Manrique insisted there be no tall buildings.

Cookie & Keller
Dec 12, 20243 min read


Celebrity Cruise Line 15 ships offer splendid itineraries, stylish traveling to see the world
Sail in style with Celebrity Cruises, where modern luxury meets exceptional value. From world-class dining and chic design to attentive service and curated shore experiences, every detail feels elevated—without the ultra-luxury price tag. Discover why savvy travelers choose Celebrity for a refined cruise that delivers more for your money

Cookie & Keller
Oct 17, 20243 min read


Falklands tour: Yanks discover "Islas Malvinas," learn about the war and long British influence
We all remember when Queen Elizabeth 2 famously requisitioned her namesake ship, QE2, converting it to a troop ship during the 1982 conflict in the remote Falkland Islands, known as Las Malvinas in nearby Argentina. We take you there.

Cookie & Keller
Oct 3, 20244 min read


Queen Mary 2: "Old world" service: fine dining, activities, pampering passenger service
Queen Mary revives the stylish tradition of the world's grand ocean liners with ambiance, attentive service, fine dining, old world elegance, afternoon tea, intriguing lectures, formal evenings and more.

Cookie & Keller
Sep 19, 20247 min read


Tourist card enhances Europe's charms seen through brother's eyes
Unlock Europe for less with tourist cards that bundle transport, museum entry, and skip-the-line perks. From Paris to Rome, these passes can save money, time, and stress while helping you see more in fewer days. Discover how to pick the right card for your trip, stretch your budget, and avoid common pitfalls so your itinerary flows smoothly across iconic cities and hidden gems.

Christene Meyers
Aug 29, 20245 min read


Make it a carpe diem summer: go camping, take the cruise, plan a trip
Veteran cruisers, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller have made travel and cruising the world a priority. They offer enthusiastic...

Christene Meyers
Jun 13, 20245 min read


Ushuaia tour: End of the world awaits with wondrous birds, parks, inspiring sea coast
Isla de los Pájaros is a rock sticking out of the Beagle Channel, several miles offshore from Ushuaia. It gets its name because it’s home to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of birds. We take readers there on an inspiring coastal tour.

Cookie & Keller
Mar 21, 20243 min read


Antarctica cruise from Buenos Aires
Antarctica cruise takes travelers deep into the southern hemisphere to view hundreds of penguins

Cookie & Keller
Mar 14, 20245 min read


Cruising the light fantastic on NCL's Viva, a floating resort, a fun 'city' with so much to do
VIVA HAS IT ALL: VITALITY, GLITZ, STYLE, OLD WORLD DECORUM, WITH SPIRIT AND MODERN TOUCHES TO APPEAL TO FAMILIES, ROMANTICS OF ALL AGES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" EACH TIME we book a ship, we research the architecture, art and design. It's important for us to be surrounded by intriguing artwork and inviting spaces to explore on these floating resorts. Set your sights on something new, daring and exciting for the new year. Here we

Christene Meyers
Jan 4, 20244 min read


Madeira Portugal - Funchal beckons: gardens, parks, artwork, food lure visitors to island
IT'S EASY to fall in love with Madeira for its variety: ragged forests, pretty beachfront, fine art, culture of many kinds including music and fine food.

Cookie & Keller
Sep 7, 20234 min read


NCL's Viva inaugural offers classic ports, artful design, dining delights
Norwegian Cruise Lines is known for its flashy artwork and distinctive designs on the ship. Here, NCL's Getaway is photographed on a...

Christene Meyers
Jun 29, 20234 min read


History, culture, food, fun await on a 'Super Raft' ride up Kona coast
Smiles abound in the Body Glove "Super Raft Tour" along the historical Kona Coast. We had our eye out for dolphins, whales and other...

Christene Meyers
Jun 22, 20233 min read
bottom of page
