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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


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


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


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


Venice captivates with its magnificence: canals, gondolas, bridges, buildings, timeless wonders
Venice remains one of the world’s most magical destinations, where centuries of art, history, and culture rise from the water. Our visit revealed both the romance of the floating city and the growing challenges of over tourism, including new visitor taxes designed to protect this unforgettable Italian treasure

Cookie & Keller
Sep 26, 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


A fond farewell to fellow traveler John: amiable, adventuresome friend
Yorkshire farmer and world traveler, John Speight, and his wife, Sue, enjoy a laugh with friends Bruce Keller, left, and Christene...

Christene Meyers
Jun 27, 20244 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


Queen Mary 2 Dog Kennels: Pampered pooches cross the Atlantic in style
A dog's life is a good life aboard Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2. With 24 cozy kennels and a full-time kennel master to look after their every need, canine and feline passengers travel as comfortably as their human counterparts. For many pet owners, it's the preferred way to cross the Atlantic.

Cookie & Keller
Jun 6, 20244 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


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


Christmas time around the world is celebrated with lights, parades, food, fun
The Wynn in Las Vegas goes in for the holidays in a big way. Like everything in this exciting, colorful city, it's larger than life and...

Christene Meyers
Dec 21, 20233 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


Oahu Circle Island Tour delivers splendors, views, food, sacred sights
Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy one of many splendid views on a day-long circle tour of Oahu, which takes tourists around the island with many interesting stops. OAHU CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR FEATURES BEST OF A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND, FROM SCENIC STOPS TO CULTURE, ART, FOOD, SHOPPING, FUN Oahu's much visited Byodo-In Temple is part of the tour and one of its most popular stops. Take time to ring the gong. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IF YOU'VE been to

Christene Meyers
Jun 8, 20234 min read


“Brisbane Australia travel guide” bustling, booming, fun, and a nighttime wonderland
Sunny, creative, and effortlessly relaxed, Brisbane blends riverfront beauty with world-class dining, cultural districts, and outdoor adventure. From rooftop bars and art galleries to koala encounters and scenic ferry rides, Queensland’s capital offers travelers a vibrant Australian experience without the crowds of Sydney or Melbourne.

Cookie & Keller
Mar 23, 20235 min read


Santa Barbara's Maritime Museum: highlight of a Ventura County visit
A fine collection of seafaring artifacts combines with beautifully curated changing exhibits to show off Santa Barbara's proud maritime...

Christene Meyers
Feb 16, 20234 min read


Road Trip and Holiday delights: try fun and new foods whether home or on the road
Enjoy each day and celebrate holidays with a trip to the beach -- or a favorite restaurant. Here, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers kick holidays up a notch in Vietnam. FOOD, FUN, FINDING A NEW PLACE HIGHLIGHT HOLIDAYS ON THE ROAD and our recipe for holiday jambalaya This Vietnamese meal was prepared for a special holiday gathering at our hotel in then Saigon. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Shopping and schmoozing in the Caribbean, Cookie made a n

Christene Meyers
Dec 29, 20226 min read
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