Life is a patchwork of experiences
As I sit here, celebrating my 65th birthday, I can’t help but reminisce a little. Fifty-six years ago, at the age of nine, my family and I emigrated to Chicago from Romania.
Continue reading “My First Trip Had a One Way Ticket – I’m Proud to be an Immigrant”
In this Regal Princess cruise review I share my detailed expereinces on this beautiful Royal Class ship, including lots of photos.
I was lounging in a deck chair with an Irish coffee in hand, tucked under a cozy blanket, and watching a movie on the big screen as the sun set behind me.
I do not think of myself as a princess – quite the contrary. But occasionally, I do like being treated like one. For a little while, it’s nice to have someone else make my bed, cook my meals, and bring me a specialty drink when I am in the mood for one.
A cruise gives me all this and more. I love being on the water. I love feeling the ship’s gentle rocking under my feet. I love staring at the ocean and watching the sunshine play on the waves. And I love feeling and smelling the salty breeze when I am on deck. Being on a ship gives me a sense of serenity that I don’t normally feel when I am on land.
Continue reading “Cruising Like a Princess – A Complete Regal Princess Cruise Review With Photos”
In this post I share the Norway shore excursions that I did during a cruise to Norway and the Arctic Circle. Use this information to plan your sightseeing stops on your next cruise to Norway.
I have always wanted to take a cruise along Norway’s coast, so when I saw a great last-minute offer with no single supplement from Princess Cruises, I jumped at the opportunity. The cruise was at the end of August on the Sky Princess, and you can read all about my experiences on the ship in my story Cruising Sky High – A Complete Sky Princess Review With Photos.
Continue reading “Norway Shore Excursions – How I Spent a Day in Norway’s Most Popular Cruise Ports”
In this sky Princess review I am sharing my personal cruise experience with lots of information about the ship, the itinerary and the excursions I did, including many photos for inspiration.
As I sit on my balcony, drink in hand, I am mesmerized by the scenery that slips by. On this day, it’s not the typical frothy ocean blue. Today, the water is a calm, deep, sapphire shade, reflecting the surrounding emerald green slopes where waterfalls slip and slide for hundreds of feet and little, red-roofed cottages look like something out of a fairy tale.
I am cruising through Norway’s longest fjord, and I wish this day would never end!
Continue reading “Cruising Sky High With Princess – A Complete Sky Princess Review With Photos”
These are some of my favorite Princess cruise Antarctica photos from my trip on the Sapphire Princess that took me around South America and to the Antarctic peninsula. It was quite the scenic adventure.
To say that I took a lot of photos on a Princess cruise to South America and Antarctica is a huge understatement. But if this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, then I was going to make sure I captured every moment.
The feature photo for this post was recognized with an Honorable Mention award in the Landscape and Nature category in the 2023 North American Travel Journalists Association Excellence in Travel Journalism competition.
Continue reading “Penguins and Ice and So Much More – My Favorite Princess Cruise Antarctica Photos”
I am sharing all my expereinces about what a Princess cruise to Antarctica is really like, including my packing list for the 4 days of scenic cruising in Antarctica.
“This is unlike any other cruise you have experienced before! It’s an adventure and we are all explorers!” – Captain Todd McBain of the Sapphire Princess.
I wasn’t on board the ship for very long before the captain set the tone for the next 16 days – and he was right, it certainly was an unforgettable adventure!
Continue reading “What Is A Princess Cruise to Antarctica Really Like?”
I share all my Sapphire Princess dining expereinces from my 16 day cruise to South America and Antarctica
My cruise on the Sapphire Princess to South America and Antarctica was a dream come true. It had everything I had come to expect from a Princess cruise, including lots of good food.
In this detailed Sapphire Prince review I share information and a lot of photos from my recent cruise, including a review of my cabin and all the ship’s public spaces.
I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than with a special cruise on the Sapphire Princess.
This guide has all the information needed to make an informed decision about which Princess cruises drinks package or Princess Fare package to choose. I keep this post updated with the latest Princess Cruises information.
Princess has instituted new rules and prices for their Plus and Premier fare packages, which apply to sailings beginning in 2026. I have updated this article accordingly.
One of the most common questions I see about a Princess cruise is which of the Princess cruises drinks packages or fare packages is the best. I have put together this guide to help cruisers (especially first-time Princess cruisers) make that decision. I keep this post updated with the most current information from Princess.
Continue reading “2026 Princess Cruises Drinks Packages and Fare Packages – Which One is Best?”
I grew up in Chicago and still visit a few times a year. Over the years, I have stayed at some very nice hotels in the city. These are my favorites.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
