So many cruises, so little time...

Christening PRIDE OF HAWAII

NCL America Introduces Pride of Hawaii
Los Angeles, May 2006—In a city where fantasies are born and dreams come true (onscreen at least), we witnessed the culmination of NCL America's dream of an all-American cruise line. Designed to serve the Hawaiian Islands exclusively, Pride of Hawaii is the last, and largest, in a trio of United States-flagged vessels planned by the cruise line. 

Pier side, the christening ceremony took place at the Port of Los Angeles. As a fireboat saluted Pride of Hawaii with skyward water sprays during the singing of The Star Spangled Banner, a symbolic rainbow appeared. Surely that was a sign of good karma. Come along with CruiseDiva.com and get an inside look at the beautiful and gracious Pride of Hawaii during a preview cruise.. 

[Editor's Note: If you've already read our Pride of Hawaii ship preview, we have a correction—there are self-service passenger laundry rooms on decks 5, 9, 10 & 11. We picked up a bit of misinformation and apologize for the error.]

Blogging About Freedom of the Seas: Jane Wooldridge, Travel Editor of The Miami Herald will be blogging during the Maiden Voyage of Freedom of the Seas. Don't miss Jane's wit and insight in the Travel Section of The Miami Herald from June 4-11.

While you're keeping up with Jane's cruise experiences, check CruiseDiva.com in the next few days for our Freedom of the Seas Cruise Diary. We were on board May 26-29 and have a lot of information, first-hand impressions, and new photos to share. We'll answer some frequently-asked questions... "Is the ship too big?"... "Are there long lines?"... and, "Can 14 people really occupy the Presidential Family Suite?"

Did You Know? Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1st. When does it end? Get the facts in Cruising Into Hurricane Season.

Bound for Bermuda? Go ashore with CruiseDiva.com's Bermuda Ports of Call information.

What's Happening on Land & Sea: Cruise News... Even more announcements for upcoming itineraries, including a new four-port, 7-night Caribbean itinerary for Carnival Glory from Port Canaveral, and other industry news are in Cruise Diva's Cruise News. May highlights include details about NCL's sale of Norwegian Crown to Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises' increased Canada & New England capacity in 2007, the "Perfect Table" unveiled by Oceania Cruises, MSC Cruises' plan to conquer Northern Europe, Celebrity Cruises' introduction of the 'New' Century, and culinary excursions offered by Silversea to add spice to this summer's European cruises 

Where's Cruise Diva? In June, Cruise Diva will embark on yet another new ship. I'll be sailing from New York (actually, make that the new cruise terminal in Brooklyn) for a preview cruise to nowhere on Crown Princess. Also coming up in June is a transatlantic crossing on the fabulous liner, Queen Mary 2 from Southampton. How does a crossing differ from a cruise?

A new cruise-themed novel...  Dressed to Keel by Candy Calvert If you enjoy a rollicking fun mystery, Candy Calvert has created a great "beach" read for your next cruise. And, if you aren't taking a cruise, you'll enjoy it anyway, especially if you've ever stressed over your wardrobe, felt trapped at sea with a ship-full of outrageous passengers, or are yearning for a bit of romance. Read it and laugh out loud. Then share it with a girlfriend. Looking For a Fact-Filled Web Site? Check out Fodors.com, with an all-new Cruises Guide and Cruise Forum

Fodor's Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises, A Cruise Lover's Guide to Selecting the Right Trip, With All the Best Ports of Call, by Linda Coffman, is available on book store shelves and online. Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call 2006, the only guidebook you need to plan days ashore, with a brand-new cruise primer and cruise line profiles and ship reviews by Linda Coffman.