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


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


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


San Diego Maritime Museum is world class and offers ships, subs, displays, nautical history and a fun cruise on San Diego Bay
World class San Diego Maritime Museum offers ships, subs, displays, nautical history and a fun cruise on San Diego Bay

Christene Meyers
May 22, 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 lure Yanks to discover "Islas Malvinas," learn about the war
Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, or "Las Malvinas" to Argentine people, is a peaceful town of less than 3,000 people. It is one of the...

Christene Meyers
Oct 3, 20244 min read


Venice captivates with its magnificence: canals, gondolas, bridges, buildings, timeless wonders
Gondolas line the canals of Venice, offering rides with serenades and views you won't see anywhere else. SAVOR THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS OF ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST ELEGANT CITIES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" VENICE MAY be sinking inch by inch, but her allure rises each year. So popular is the classic Italian destination -- with its gondolas, piazzas and bridges -- that the city started charging an entry fee -- a so-called tourist tax. B

Cookie & Keller
Sep 26, 20244 min read


Queen Mary 2 offers "old world" service where passengers are royalty
I CRIED when my favorite Queen Elizabeth 2, made her final voyage. It was in 2008. This venerable ship languished for a decade before being converted to a floating hotel in Dubai's Port Rashid in 2018.
I'd crossed the Atlantic five times on QE2, sailed the Norwegian fjords in her penthouses, and played piano in her elegant bars.
I cried again -- tears of joy -- aboard Queen Mary 2, which revives the stylish tradition of the world's grand ocean liners. Grandeur lives

Christene Meyers
Sep 19, 20246 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


Montevideo itinerary: history, stately buildings, friendly people, fine food, many free attractions
The most appealing aspect of Montevideo is the friendly, welcoming feeling one gets while strolling its streets, visiting a free museum or enjoying a beverage.

Cookie & Keller
Jul 18, 20243 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.

Cookie & Keller
Jun 6, 20244 min read


End of the world in Ushuaia with wondrous birds, parks and more
Cormorants abound off the tip of South America, with a motor boat trip from Ushuaia. From a distance they resemble penguins, which are...

Christene Meyers
Mar 21, 20244 min read


Antarctica cruise from Buenos Aires takes travelers on the penguin trail deep into the southern hemisphere for spectacular viewing
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


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
bottom of page
