It was a "fun" night in New York City as Carnival Cruise Line launched its 22nd and newest ship the Carnival Dream. Although the Carnival Dream has been sailing in Europe since September, she only arrived in North America yesterday morning, and Carnival had the traditional naming ceremony on the ship while she was docked at pier 88 of the Manhattan Passenger Terminal.

The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream is a new class of ship for Carnival and is the largest ship in the fleet, carrying 3,646 passengers. I was in New York for the naming party yesterday and will be staying onboard for a short weekend cruise to nowhere. I'll have photos and more on the ship posted on the site early next week. Now, back to the party.

Read more...

While on our Columbia and Snake River cruise on the Cruise West Spirit of Discovery, we were treated to a full-day jet boat ride excursion in Hells Canyon of the Snake River. It was great fun to ride the snaking river almost 90 miles upstream through the steep canyon with the cliffs towering over our boats.

We stopped for a break at Cache Creek and for lunch at Kirby Lodge before heading back downstream to Clarkston. The ride downstream went much faster, and those in the back of the boat got wet! Good thing they were forewarned by our pilot. It was a fun day on the river for all.

Photos of Jet Boat Ride in Hells Canyon

Hells Canyon of the Snake River (c) Linda Garrison

Variety Cruises will debut its new Tales of the Adriatic cruise in summer 2010 with an extra flourish - a free pre- or post-cruise land program in Venice or Split. This includes two complimentary nights in a four-star hotel and a half-day sightseeing tour, valid for select sailings June-August 2010. Transitioning to the sea, travelers spend seven nights exploring the hidden gems of Venice and Croatia along the Adriatic Coast.

Variety Cruises' Tales of the Adriatic departs from Venice, Italy and Split, Croatia on the refurbished Pegasus mega yacht.

The Tales of the Adriatic special takes place in Venice or Split with a free two-night stay in a renowned four-star hotel (post-cruise stay in Venice) and half-day sightseeing tour of the local landscape. The offer is available for sailings June 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20. Valid for all category cabins. Must be booked and paid for by February 1, 2010. Variety Cruises' specials are based on double occupancy, subject to availability and cannot be combined with any existing offer.

For more information, please visit www.varietycruises.com, or call 1-866-944-8498 (Canada) and 1-800-319-7776 (US).

Venice, Italy (c) Linda Garrison

Today is Veterans Day, the day set aside to honor and celebrate all those who have served in the armed services. I thought this photo from the American Cemetery in Normandy was an appropriate reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by some of these soldiers.

American Cemetery at Normandy (c) Linda Garrison