When I told a friend I was taking a weeklong riverboat cruise from Memphis to Nashville, she just laughed. “It only takes a little over three hours to drive the 212 miles from Memphis to Nashville,” she said. “Why is it taking you so long to cruise there?” Well, for one reason my American Serenade cruise will be traveling on rivers, not on major interstate highways. For another, the journey is what is important. We will be …
Elvis wore a size 11D boot. How do I know that bit of trivia? I chose the two-day Memphis pre-cruise option before I boarded the American Serenade for my weeklong cruise. And I saw those customized boots with the “E” monogram on them during a special behind-the-scenes tour at Graceland. The tour is just part of what makes the pre-cruise feature so worth doing. All American Serenade passengers receive a complimentary one-night hotel stay in Memphis before …
Two questions I often hear as a solo traveler: Do I get lonely traveling by myself? Am I afraid to travel alone? The answers? Nope. And nope. Although I enjoy being with family and friends or with groups of strangers, I also enjoy alone-time to journey to fascinating places. Cruise ships seem to offer the best of both worlds and I’m looking forward to a solo cruise aboard the new American Serenade. Not only will I be …
The sweet voice of a little boy rings out in the hushed church. “Jesus loves me,” he softly sings. And for a moment, you can almost believe it is young Elvis. After all, this is the simple wooden chapel at the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, where “The King of Rock and Roll” got his start. It’s part of what American Serenade passengers can see if they decide to take a pre-cruise trip to Tupelo. Cruise …
Atop a Mississippi hillside, two statues depict the story of “Becoming,” how a dream can become a reality. In one statue, a young boy holding a guitar sits on a milk crate dreaming of the future. Behind him stands the legendary entertainer that boy would become. The memorial, of course, honors Tupelo’s native son – Elvis Presley. Shortly before dawn on Jan. 8, 1935, Gladys Presley gave birth to twin boys. The ‘Becoming’ memorial details how Elvis …
Were it not for some civic-minded leaders, the Mississippi town I am now visiting might still be called by its original name – Gum Pond. “The early settlers called it Gum Pond because of all the gum trees and because there was a pond here,” says Leesha Faulkner, curator of the Oren Dunn City Museum. When the city was incorporated in 1870, however, founding fathers decided a better name was needed. “They named it Tupelo because the …
For a wonderful week, Mary Sanz seemed almost like a best friend. She would accompany me to dinner, escort me to the theater, made sure I got a great seat. She would share little tips about upcoming events and shortcuts around the ship. One time, she even carried my camera for me. I was walking down the hall with my camera in hand to capture a sunset. Hearing Mary’s familiar voice behind me, I turned to see …
Snow is gently falling. Since I am so happy to escape winter weather in my Hoosier hometown, why am I so excited to see this snow? Because it is in the Caribbean. Aboard a cruise ship, for goodness sake. The new MSC Seascape’s Aurea Spa offers a sensory steam room, heated tile, soaking tubs, rain shower rooms, gorgeous Himalayan salt room, water cave and Vertical Kneipp (a type of sensory shower with an alternation of hot and …
The beautiful new MSC Seascape has 11 dining venues, including four main dining rooms and one buffet. My cruise is a week. So I’ll be very busy if I try to experience all these eateries. Plus I am staying in the MSC Yacht Club and I already know that I like dining there. I’ll be writing a separate article about the wonderful benefits of the Yacht Club. So what about the ship’s five specialty restaurants? I’ve been …
While my Hoosier hometown was being battered by sleet and snow and near-zero temperatures, I was strolling on a sunny sandy beach and enjoying the perfumed scent of blooming flowers. All it took was a cruise aboard MSC Seascape with a stop at the cruise company’s private island, Ocean Cay. Hard to believe that this beautiful spot was once an industrial wasteland in the Bahamas, an artificial island built by dredging in the late 1960s. The “island” …
All Things Cruise is dedicated to the joy of travel. Specializing in ocean, river, ultra-luxury, small ship and expedition cruises.
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
