David Molyneaux, Author at AllThingsCruise

Princess Cruises Promises Simplicity, Techy Service in the Caribbean

March 18, 2019 by David Molyneaux

Thousands of passengers on ships of Princess Cruises are toting around a new toy: An Ocean Medallion that is among the most innovative and potentially exciting new trappings for vacations at sea. These Medallions, smaller than a poker chip and not much heavier, are powerful enough to eventually change some basic cruise experiences. They open your cabin door and connect with your smartphone to order a drink from a deck chair, play a trivia game against …

A Revelation of Tastes

March 5, 2019March 4, 2019 by David Molyneaux

In the latest extravagance at sea, Oceania Cruises has introduced a six- course Dom Perignon dinner that pairs three vintage champagnes with a remarkable chef’s tasting menu. The meal, during voyages on Oceania Marina and Oceania Riviera, is a splurge at $295 per person, plus gratuities, but the price is equaled by the decadence of the menu and the opportunity to drink amazing champagne. For those of us who sip sparkling wine mostly as a ceremonial …

Tendering Smartly From the Edge, Questioning Cell Phone Privacy, Tagging Aliens and Robots (Maybe Spouses) With a Laser

January 29, 2019January 29, 2019 by David Molyneaux

The Celebrity Edge, with tangerine track on the side to slide the Magic Carpet. Photo courtesy of David G. Molyneaux

In the new cruise world of instant gratification from your cell phone or other techy hardware at sea, don’t forget that someone, somewhere, may be watching. Such is the case when you allow an app on your smart phone to send and receive information. Many of the new cruise ships are moving swiftly in this direction. No problem, unless you prefer to keep your whereabouts private. The possibility of a need to retreat alone or to hide …

Cruising from Barbados, port of beaches, cricket matches, rum, and a synagogue reflecting Jewish history from 1654

November 13, 2018 by David Molyneaux

On evenings when Barbados shows off its restoration of the old Bridgetown marketplace, among the highlights are a stunning synagogue built of coral stone and a museum celebrating one of the oldest Jewish houses of worship in the Western Hemisphere, dating from 1654. Aglow with tinted lights and the luster of the irony of history, the site is a delightful and unexpected focus on this popular vacation island and growing home port for cruise ship voyages in …

A vintage vessel with a fresh makeover, this ship is cruising the world for Azamara

September 25, 2018 by David Molyneaux

Cruise line pursues upscale, bespoke-style on its boutique ships On the new Azamara Pursuit, docked for the day at Cherbourg, France, an engaging breakfast waiter brought me coffee, placing a cup and saucer at the table. After sipping, I set the cup directly onto the table. Later, when I asked for a refill, the waiter lifted my cup, filled it, and placed it back onto the saucer. “Yes,” she said, laughing, when I asked whether most Americans …

Ocean-going Crystal Cruises slides smoothly into the luxury niche on Europe’s rivers

August 24, 2018 by David Molyneaux

We were new passengers, my wife and I, when we boarded the Crystal Bach, docked at Mainz, Germany, on the River Rhine near Frankfurt. As we walked into the Palm Court lounge, fellow passengers made no secret of their curiosity. Most of them were at the midpoint of a two-week cruise from Amsterdam. Warm and friendly, they acted as if we were new members of their private club. “Welcome.” “You’re new, we haven’t seen you before.” “Just …

They once said that small, luxury ships would not be profitable, but now they are building more

August 3, 2018 by David Molyneaux

In a scene that plays out each evening on cruise ships all over the world, during a recent voyage I popped into a bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. My request was a Jack Daniels on the rocks. How the next scene plays out depends on your choice of ships. If your ship is operated by a budget cruise line or most premium lines, the price of that drink would range from about $8, as measured by a …

Carnival, that most American of cruise lines, won’t return to Europe any time soon

October 12, 2018July 11, 2018 by David Molyneaux

Remembering occasional cultural clashes, naked Russians, buying beer by the bucket at the movies, caught by security with a kitchen knife The new Carnival Horizon, which left Europe in May for New York and will move to Miami in September, may be the last Carnival Cruise Line ship to offer European voyages, at least for quite some time. President Christine Duffy says Carnival has no plans to cruise in Europe. Carnival Horizon was built in Italy and …

New dimension in vertical transportation on Carnival Horizon

June 8, 2018 by David Molyneaux

BARCELONA-In a stream of passengers boarding the new Carnival Horizon, I entered an elevator for a ride to my assigned cabin, only to become a prisoner to a lift with a brain but no buttons. The door closed quickly. Nearly a dozen of us, seemingly trapped in an elevator without controls, began rising to who knew where. Carnival cruisers: Get ready for brainy lifts at sea that may know more about where you are going than you …

Ocean ships, river cruises add new shore excursions, active tours

May 10, 2018 by David Molyneaux

More choices require more research to target experiences that are right for you In Germany on the Rhine, my riverboat, the Viking Hild, stopped in the historic city of Mainz. The vessel’s basic complimentary walking tour included monuments to art and history, markets, churches, and the fascinating museum of Johannes Gutenberg where travelers may see two of the 29 remaining copies of the Gutenberg bible. All good, except what I wanted to see in this port, on …