Bryce Sanders’ Blog

We’ve all heard many people emigrated to America from Europe crossed the Atlantic in steerage. Before you complain your cabin is too small or the food onboard isn’t as good as it was, you might consider what steerage class was like. Steerage was the least expensive option for crossing the Atlantic. Around 1900, the crossing took 7-10 days. If you were crossing between 1850 and 1900, in the early days, a ship might offer three classes: First, …

Read moreBC (Before Cruising) Travelling in Steerage

Ever have one of those “I wish I thought of that” moments? River cruising is very popular. How did it get that way? It’s been around for a long time. Traveling with friends in the French countryside in the early 1990’s we learned people could rent a boat, like you could rent a camper, then sail the canals on your own. Operating all those locks by yourself sounded like no fun. We learned you could book a …

Read moreHow River Cruising Suddenly Got Popular

We associate ocean travel and cruises with leisure and vacations. We think of grand ocean liners crossing the Atlantic and embarking on world cruises. We think about a world of refined luxury that eventually became available to the mass market. It all developed quite differently. To understand how we arrived at today’s cruise industry, we need to understand communication, business travel, government subsidies and competition. 1815 Communication Knowledge has value. It’s been said Nathaniel Rothschild made great …

Read moreHow Did the Cruise Industry Start?

One day, the pandemic will be behind us. The economy will reopen in stages. The cruise industry will need to get going again. How might it happen? I’m not an industry expert, but I could see some common sense approaches. What’s Going on in the Minds of American Tourists? After the pandemic, I think lots of people are going to be ready for a vacation. Since children in school started one big summer vacation back in March, …

Read moreAfter the Pandemic – What Might a Cruising Recovery Look Like?

“It’s for the newlywed and nearly dead.” Years ago, cruising had that reputation, especially among younger people. The Love Boat changed all that. Images of shuffleboard and napkin folding classes still persist when people wonder “What will I do on a cruise? I’ll get bored.” Many people have hobbies. Pursuits they are passionate about. It fills their waking hours. They become experts. They seek out like minded individuals. These interests don’t need to stay on the dockside …

Read moreYour Passions Don’t Stay Behind When You Cruise

When we cruise, we make friends. We keep in touch afterwards. We send quarterly e-mails. Christmas cards too. As a result, we have a worldwide network of friends. This gives a unique window into life during the pandemic beyond our shores. All of our friends are very saddened by the situation, doing everything in their power possible to help and assist others, I’m sure. Yet, they need to stay positive and here are the things they are …

Read moreNow’s the Time to Renew Cruise Friendships

No one is sailing anywhere right now. Because of the Coronavirus most people are self-isolating. Cruise lines have suspended operation. But you love cruising. You sail more than once a year. Instead of going into withdrawal, go to the movies instead. Here are a few films featuring cruise ships or ocean liners. You should be able to access many through your Smart TV. 8 Movies With Beautiful Ships OK, we bear in mind some films with ships …

Read moreCan’t Sail Today – Time for a Movie

Will life ever be the same again? The Coronavirus has upended all our lives. It happened in a few short weeks. Our first concern is the health and safety of our family. Next is the health of the economy, the stock market and our personal finances. Then comes the question: “Will life go back to being normal? Will tourists travel, planes fly and cruise ships sail?” Let’s start with some perspective. During World War II, the British …

Read moreWhy We Will Be Cruising Again

The best restaurant in town may have just arrived. Cruise ships visit ports all around the world. Something we tend to forget is they have great restaurants and wine cellars. Because of security concerns, the local population can’t just walk aboard and book at table. But you can. My wife and I are wine fans. Food fans too. We are big Cunard fans, however the examples I suggest are probably available on most cruise ships you would …

Read more11 Classic Wine and Food Combinations to Enjoy at Sea

“I so miss the QE2!” Cunard has a loyal following. If you sail on the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria, you will likely encounter Cunard World Club Members who have been sailing forever. They will likely share stories of “the good old days” and “I so miss the QE2!”  We often view the past through rose colored glasses. It’s useful to look at “then and now.” The Basics The Queen Elizabeth 2 entered service …

Read moreQM2 vs. QE2 – A Look at the Stats