Traveling alone can be an adventure filled with personal discovery and freedom. The thought of setting your own schedule, pursuing your interests, and experiencing new cultures is often irresistible. Cruising solo is a growing trend within the travel industry, but there are aspects that can make it daunting. The most…

The 8th and final day of this 8-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras is here and it's the second of two consecutive sea days as we head back to Port Canaveral.  It's also the most depressing day of the cruise, as reality sets in when you…

It's back to Port Canaveral we go!  Days 7 and 8 of this Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival's Mardi Gras are going to be spent at sea as we savor the few remaining hours we have onboard.  Thankfully the weather cooperated for 99% of the trip, with just a few…

There are only two days left to this 8-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival's Mardi Gras and today we're in St. Thomas, USVI, our final port-of-call.  The first time I visited St. Thomas was in 1994 when I took my first cruise on Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas (subsequently…

Hello San Juan!  If I had to pick my favorite ports, Eastern or Western Caribbean, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico would be in the top five.  What else would make the cut?  Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.  So today's stop in Old San Juan was one that I was looking forward…

Thanks for following along on this 8-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival's Mardi Gras!  So far the cruise has been excellent and for those wondering how I'm "surviving" in an inside stateroom for the week... I have to say, it's not that bad!  I did have my qualms about being…

I'm three days into this 8-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival's Mardi Gras and today we find ourselves in Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands.  It's a small island,  just about 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide but to find the beauty you have to…

Exciting news for cruise fans in Central Florida as Carnival Cruise Line is gearing up to introduce their new ship, Carnival Venezia, packed with 'Carnival Fun Italian Style' experiences, to their Port Canaveral lineup and booking are now open. Beginning winter of 2024-25, Carnival Venezia will depart from Port Canaveral,…

Day 2 onboard Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras is in the books and it was our first sea day as we sailed to our first port of call, Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos.  It was also the first "party day" of the cruise with plenty of activities scheduled…

Ever since returning from my 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Celebration a few weeks ago, Carnival has been sending along some great offers to get me back on board.  Some of them weren't exactly "great" as ever since the restart after COVID-19 Carnival's pricing has increased quite a…