On our first full day on Scarlet Lady I spent time in ways I’d not have expected at all, but in a way that really made me appreciate both the more conventional parts of Scarlet Lady, as well as the not-so-conventional...

After a long wait, the new cruise line Virgin Voyages' first ship, the adults-only Scarlet Lady, set sail from her home port of Miami today, and we're excited to be onboard to experience it.  The first cruise is always the opportunity to impress, but also reveal what may need to be adjusted.  So what has our experience been so far?

After waiting years for our first glimpse, in late September we got to spend an evening on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady.  Seeing any new ship is exciting, but in this case, it’s the first ship for a brand new cruise line, which isn’t an opportunity that comes around very often.  Making it especially unique is that Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages promises to be different: a cruise line for, among others, people who don’t think they’d like to cruise...

If you want to board a cruise in the US right now, and you’re at least 12 years old, you’ve got to be vaccinated.  What exactly does it mean, though, to “be vaccinated”?  It turns out, the definition varies, and it kept some would-be-cruisers from setting sail, especially Canadians.  That is, until now.  Because so many things have changed recently, it's easy to get confused, so let's review vaccine requirements for cruisers...

When you pack for any trip, it’s important to keep in mind the things that are absolute musts, and at the top of that list should be any prescription medications that you need.  Cruising, however, usually involves leaving the country, and countries may have differing rules about prescription medications, especially, though not exclusively, controlled substances.  How you should pack your medications, what you should consider before you travel, and medical decisions you make abroad are all important parts of your trip-planning...

A cruise ship stateroom, for some, may just be a place to sleep, but you want it to be comfortable and have everything you need.  What many cruisers don’t realize is that there are many things you can get in your stateroom to make your stay better, and they won’t cost you a dime...

Today was our last day on Odyssey of the Seas, and I had to work during the day, so I was determined to pack the evening with as much enjoyment as I could.  I think Larissa and I did a pretty good job of that, with unique meals, experiences, and more time with friends...

Odyssey of the Seas was in Cozumel today, and I was in front of a laptop working during the day.  What’s it like working when everyone is having fun?  Is it silly working from a cruise ship?  What does it take to get to the tootsie roll center? 

Until a few years ago I’d never been to Costa Maya, Mexico.  In a short time though, this port has become one of my favorites for one simple reason: Maya Chan Resort...

After decades of cruising, I was awake and out of my room earlier than I’ve ever been on a sea day.  Today was a work day for me, but I was determined to make it a fun one.  Who else gets to work with these views?  Well, the crew, but they work WAY harder than I do...