The Ruby Princess certainly lives up to her glistening name. She is an elegant beauty. Boarding the ship, I had to stop and admire the dazzling Piazza, a golden atrium that spans three decks. Marble floors, sweeping staircases and a domed chandelier help the space sparkle. Glass-enclosed elevators glide up and down to give a bird’s-eye view of the plaza. The central meeting space for the ship, the Piazza is also where entertainment will take place, where …
Crossing the threshold of the new Viva Two riverboat, I read the sign at the entrance: “Enjoy the Moment.” That’s exactly what I did on my weeklong cruise on the Danube River. I enjoyed every moment of it. Christened in Düsseldorf, Germany, on March 23, the 195-passenger, 52-crew Viva Two features 95 stylish and comfortable cabins. The seventh ship in the fleet, Viva Two’s parent company is the 50-year-old riverboat builder Scylla which has built vessels for …
No matter how beautiful a ship is, it is the crew that sets the tone for a cruise. If crewmembers are courteous, helpful and adept at doing their jobs, passengers feel the pleasant vibe and usually respond in kind. The American Countess had an excellent crew. I know that they work hard but they always seemed to have a ready smile and went out of their way to make passengers feel welcome. My cabin attendant Bonita, for …
Fifty-six steps lead the way to the huge memorial building. Why so many, a visitor asked? “One step for each year of his life,” a park ranger answered, watching people climb the stairs while others took a shorter path through the woods. The man for whom the massive memorial was built was the nation’s 16th president. And this was where he was born on Feb. 12, 1809. That man, of course, was Abraham Lincoln. Replica of the …
The timing is perfect. After a leisurely dinner, we can sit in The Grand Lobby and have a cocktail. Then, when the doors open, we head into The Theater for the evening’s entertainment that kicks off at 8:15 p.m. The American Countess Ensemble on our cruise is Emma Harper, Nick McCarthy and Michael Nicholas. Emma also is the cruise director and her husband Nick is the riverlorian. Must keep them both very busy. Nick McCarthy The trio …
On his 33rd birthday, Air Force pilot Colonel Charles E. Shelton was shot down over Laos on April 29, 1965. Shelton was taking reconnaissance photos for his country during the Vietnam War. “He was believed to have been captured but he was never released at the end of the war and his remains were never found,” says local guide Laura. “For almost three decades, his family worked to try and get him home. But it never happened.” …
Ask Chef Regina Charboneau which river, lake or ocean she likes the most and she will answer that is like trying to say who your favorite child is. She loves them all. So says a tidbit of information at the top of our American Countess dinner menu one night. However, the chef doesn’t mind sharing some of her favorite dishes for our dining pleasure and the menu highlights her wonderful cuisine. Although her home is on the …
It’s almost like Christmas morning. People are excited and chatting about what surprises might be in store, what treasures we might find on our American Countess cruise. We’ve come down to a bountiful breakfast in the Crystal Ballroom of The Brown Hotel in Louisville. Our luggage has been picked up, we already have our ship boarding passes, had our photos taken and will soon board the American Queen Voyages motorcoach for a short ride to the riverfront …
A century ago, guests at The Brown Hotel in Louisville would dance until the wee hours of the morning. Then they would head to the hotel restaurant for a bite to eat. Tired of serving the same old ham and eggs, Chef Fred Schmidt surprised his hungry guests by creating an open-face turkey sandwich with bacon, tomatoes and delicate mornay sauce. Diners were delighted. And that’s how The Hot Brown was born. My grandson Logan and I …
It’s as synonymous with summer as the chirping song of birds and sweet visits to local ice cream parlors. The sharp whack of a bat against a ball brings back childhood memories of ballgames on the neighborhood vacant lot. With no scheduled time, kids seem to straggle in for an impromptu game until the field and makeshift dugouts are filled with players and fans. The score often seems to get lost as youngsters play into the twilight. …
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