Celebrity Cruises is celebrating the winter solstice today by revealing the name of the fourth ship in its Solstice class--the Celebrity Silhouette. In 2011, this new ship will join her three sisters, the Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, and Celebrity Eclipse. The 2850-passenger Celebrity Solstice was launched in November 2008, followed by the Celebrity Equinox last summer. The Celebrity Eclipse will enter service in April 2010.

Cruise lovers who would like to see the Celebrity Silhouette under construction in Germany and be among the first to sail on the Celebrity Eclipse should enter the "Eclipse of a Lifetime" sweepstakes that is running until January 14.

Celebrity Cruises' Press Release Revealing Name of Newest Ship

Celebrity Solstice, Sister Ship to Celebrity Silhouette, Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

The pictures of the winter storm in the east and northeastern USA this weekend reminded me of the last time I saw snow of such depths. It was August 2008, and the location was the Juneau icefields in Alaska.

Living in Georgia, we don't get much snow, just some ice now and then. I guess that's why we all go a little crazy when we get a few flakes. I love snow, but it's probably because I've never had to shovel it!

This helicopter flightseeing/dogsledding shore excursion was one of my all-time favorites. The views of the glacier and snowy landscape were marvelous from the helicopter, and being a dog lover, riding in a dogsled across the glacier was a dream come true.

• Alaska Helicopter Flightseeing Tour
• Dogsledding on an Alaska Glacier

Alaska Dogsledding (c) Linda Garrison

Princess Cruises launched the Ruby Princess in November 2008. It's hard to believe that this new ship is now over a year old! I attended the Ruby Princess christening ceremony, and stayed onboard for a two-night preview cruise. Although the Ruby Princess is almost identical to her two sisters, the Emerald Princess and the Crown Princess, she has a few new features that cruisers will enjoy.

This profile has information on these features and includes links to almost 100 photos of the ship.
Ruby Princess of Princess Cruises

Ruby Princess Photo (c) Linda Garrison

The Twister water slide in the Carnival Dream Waterworks aqua park is four decks high and 303 feet long.

Carnival Dream (c) Linda Garrison

More on the Carnival Dream