Jackie Scheckler Finch, Author at AllThingsCruise

Tenerife Port City of Santa Cruz Ready to Celebrate Annual Carnival

February 21, 2019 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

Streets are draped in mourning. Wailing “widows” in fishnet stockings and miniskirts lament loudly. Paraders dressed as popes, bishops and nuns bless onlookers and each other. It’s “El Entierro de la Sardina” or the “Burial of the Sardine” in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, capital of the largest of the Canary Islands. It’s when a gigantic 30-foot papier mache fish is carried through city streets and thrown on a massive bonfire. As the huge fish goes up in …

Winter a Great Time for Regal Princess Cruise to Caribbean

January 30, 2019January 28, 2019 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

Day 1: Winter a great time for Regal Princess cruise to Caribbean A bitter winter wind has stripped the autumn leaves from trees. The last of my roses was nipped by an overnight freeze. Winter in Indiana is a good time to head to some warmer place, particularly aboard a cruise ship. So I’m packing for a week on the Regal Princess. We will be cruising round trip from Ft. Lauderdale in Florida to Princess Cays, St. …

Regal Princess – This ship has a name befitting her elegant beauty

December 19, 2018December 21, 2018 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

ABOARD THE REGAL PRINCESS – A Christmas tree adorned with gold and silver ornaments glows with twinkling lights. Sparkling wreaths decorate doors and entryways. Garlands are draped on banisters and columns. Battery-powered candles cast a soft light on tabletops. And I didn’t have to do any of it. One of the pleasures of holiday cruising is seeing the cruise ship all decked out in lovely Christmas finery. Elves must work through the night while we sleep to …

Regal Princess – My stateroom has all that is needed for a comfy cruise

December 19, 2018December 20, 2018 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

ABOARD THE REGAL PRINCESS – Opening the door to my Regal Princess cabin, I knew this was the perfect place for me. A balcony will be a great spot to watch the ocean roll. It has two chairs and a small table, plus privacy screens on both sides. The lower half of the balcony is Plexiglas so the ocean view is not obstructed. Large sliding glass doors lead outside to my balcony so I can see the …

Regal Princess – Technology helps boarding process

December 19, 2018December 19, 2018 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

Seeing the long line waiting to board the Regal Princess, I thought I would be standing there for quite a while. I was wrong. Boarding the big cruise ship was a breeze. What made embarking so efficient and quick? The well-organized Princess staff kept the line moving quickly and most passengers had prepared their pre-boarding forms via computer at home. That meant passengers arrived with boarding passes in their hands. Ah, the joys of technology! In …

Winter a great time for a Regal Princess cruise to the Caribbean

December 18, 2018December 18, 2018 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

A bitter winter wind has stripped the autumn leaves from trees. The last of my roses was nipped by an overnight freeze. Winter in Indiana is a good time to head to some warmer place, particularly aboard a cruise ship. So I’m packing for a week on the Regal Princess. We will be cruising round trip from Ft. Lauderdale in Florida to Princess Cays, St. Thomas and St. Maarten in the Caribbean with three days at sea. …

Keep Your Abilities in Mind When Choosing a Cruise

November 8, 2018 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

On my first glorious day in Athens, I walked among Greek ruins, traipsed up and down hills, strolled historic streets and browsed through sidewalk shops. It was a marvelous beginning to my 10-day cruise on the M/V Athena titled “Hidden Gems of the Dalmatian Coast & Greece.” However, it was also the day one of my 32 fellow passengers decided the trip was too strenuous for her and that she should go home. It was a good …

Visiting Nashville: Andrew Jackson said to still walk the grounds of The Hermitage

October 31, 2018 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

Andrew Jackson loved his home so much that he chose to be buried there with his beloved wife Rachel. Some say that the man known as “Old Hickory” keeps watch over his Tennessee plantation. “Many people don’t think that he has ever truly left,” tour guide David said. “General Jackson had such a strong personality that I think he has stayed around to watch over his home.” The Hermitage is preserved today almost as it was during …

Visiting Nashville: Grand Ole Opry features legendary performers and newcomers

October 30, 2018 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

In the center stage of the Grand Ole Opry is a special piece of wood. It is from the old Ryman Auditorium. “Can you imagine what it has seen?” asks Dan Rogers, marketing manager for the Opry. “If it could talk, think about all the legends it could tell about.” Over the years, thousands of performers have stood on this circle – Hank Williams, Jim Reeve, Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks, Johnny …

Visiting Nashville: Known as ‘Home of 1,000 Hits,’ Studio B was a favorite of Elvis and other musicians

October 26, 2018October 28, 2018 by Jackie Scheckler Finch

While most people were settling down for the night, Elvis Presley would slip into the nondescript building and sit at a well-worn piano. For the next couple hours, Elvis would warm up by harmonizing on gospel, often with the Jordanaires. Then he would get down to the serious business of recording songs. About the time the sun came up, Elvis would call it a night. “Elvis did most of his work here. He recorded 262 songs here, …