New York

• September 12, 2016

  Cruising on high-decibel Harmony, with turbulent waterslides and the Ultimate Abyss

  If you are looking for excitement, thrills, commotion, and top entertainment on a big, big ship, consider Harmony of the Seas, and prepare for the Ultimate Abyss, a 10-deck plunge.

• January 31, 2016

  Best of new big cruise ships: Anthem and Escape

  In the heavyweight bout for the world’s best new big cruise ship, the winner will be in the eye of the beholder, because two competitive cruise lines each have taken a different tack to show who owns the hippest ship — Miami’s 4,248-passenger Norwegian Escape or New York’s 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas.

• July 20, 2015

  Bring black tie, party dresses, for crossing the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2

  Nearly a week, without possibilities for going ashore, seems a long time to cross the North Atlantic.But days on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 zip by, if you like a formal life.

• January 25, 2015

  2014’s best cruise experiences

  Before we all get caught up in guessing about cruise trends and goals for 2015 — such as which major cruise line will be the first to announce Havana as a port of call — let’s look back at some favorite cruise experiences from 2014: ▪ Best new onboard activity Sky-diving on Quantum of the…

• December 2, 2014

  Getting up to speed on Quantum, world’s smartest cruise ship

  Remember your first computer, your first smart phone? Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary new Quantum of the Seas, now cruising out of New York, is the first “smart ship.” Be prepared.

• November 21, 2014

  Cruising on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas

  Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary new Quantum of the Seas, now cruising out of New York City, is billed as the first “smart ship.” Quantum, the world’s third largest cruise ship behind Royal Caribbean’s sisters, Oasis and Allure, carries 4,180 passengers and offers a bunch of “firsts at sea.”

• August 5, 2014

  Royal Caribbean hopes to lure new cruisers with Quantum of the Seas’ flexible dining

  Desperate to lure more first-timers to their vessels, especially in the Caribbean, mainstream cruise lines are redesigning dining, adding smaller restaurants, most with extra fees.

• July 1, 2013

  Big ship exclusivity, breaking away from the cruise crowd

  Cruise ships, like hotels and resorts, figured out years ago how to accommodate travelers who were willing to pay extra for exclusivity. They designed a concierge deck or floor, adding special perks such as a comfy sitting area with food, cocktails, and a big TV, as well as a savvy employee to make arrangements for…