Archive for February, 2009

Copenhagen’s Kongens Nytorv, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

Or the King’s “New Square” as seen from Hotel D’Angleterre, one of the world’s oldest hotels. The colorful buildings make up Nyhavn, popular with locals and tourists.

Stockholm Today, originally uploaded by Ralph Grizzle.

This photo was taken on February 27, 2009, at 3:30 p.m Stockholm time. A gorgeous day here. Photo was taken by Ralph Grizzle from the Hilton Slussen Stockholm.

Interesting also that today the US dollar trades for SEK9.08. Several months ago it traded for only SEK5.9, so we’re nearing the point where Stockholm (and Sweden) is nearly 50 percent cheaper than it was last summer.

I never suspected that I would come face-to-face with Canada’s aboriginal people, but that’s just what happened on the day I visited tiny Havre-Saint-Pierre. On a tour offered to cruise passengers, I visited the Innu people, and it turned out to be one of the most interesting tours of my life.  Read more... (193 words, 2 images, estimated 46 secs reading time)

I’ve just been looking over a press release about all the good cruise values being offered. There’s two-for-one pricing, kids sail free, early-booking offers — and more.

Personally, I think it’s a great time to latch on to some of the bargains and plan a get-away for the spring or summer. Following is a sampling of the offerings. Check with your cruise consultant. He or she may have even better value offerings.  Read more... (669 words, estimated 2:41 mins reading time)

Specialty restaurants on ships generally represent an incredible bargain when compared to similar land-based restaurants.

With a capacity for 12, Crystal Cruises’ Vintage Room pairs some of the world’s best wines with specially prepared dishes. Patrons, who pay on average $210 per person depending on the wines they’ve selected, are attended to by the ship’s head sommelier in a private dining room.  Read more... (111 words, 1 image, estimated 27 secs reading time)

A record number of ships are wanting to give you a close-up look at Europe’s rivers in 2009.

“Attention ladies and gentlemen. We are approaching a very low bridge, and we kindly ask that you vacate the Sun Deck until we have passed.” Floating down Moselle River, Peter Deilmann River Cruises’ Heidelberg is passing under a bridge — a low bridge.  Read more... (286 words, 1 image, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

Yearning to turn back the clock to the Golden Age of Cruising? Turn it back on a transatlantic cruise.

It is a misty morning in May. Passengers cluster on the outside decks of the Queen Mary 2. Some sip cups of coffee; some stand clutching cameras; some just stand in awe. It is a memorable moment: They are coming to America by ship.

Six days earlier they left Southampton, a bustling harbor in southern England. Today, they will float past some of America’s greatest icons – the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Manhattan’s towering skyline. Within an hour, they will disembark a few blocks from Times Square, having completed a classic cruise – crossing the Atlantic.  Read more... (755 words, 2 images, estimated 3:01 mins reading time)

A Kid’s View Of The Great Land: Seeing Alaska through the eyes of my 10-year-old son.

[Editor's Note: I've been getting a lot of requests about family travel lately, so I have updated and reposted a story I wrote last year about travel to Alaska with my son. Also, you may want to check out Family Cruise Advisor for additional resources, referring back to to check rates and dates.- Ralph Grizzle]  Read more... (908 words, 2 images, estimated 3:38 mins reading time)