ROME - It was about 4 p.m. on the second day of our Silversea cruise aboard one of the line's sleek ships - the Silver Shadow - when we noticed that the sun deck was suddenly deserted.

CIVITAVECCHIA, ITALY - It was around mid-day when we started out from Rome,  headed for this seaside town, about an hour and a half away, which serves as the Eternal City’s port.

A grand lady is patrolling the high seas and she deserves all of the respect that her regal name demands.  The Queen Mary 2 has been the subject of unprecedented media hype over the past two years.

STOWE, VT. - Just like clockwork, as sure as trees turn colour in autumn, my mother would summon us for our annual fall foliage pilgrimage.

DISENCHANTMENT BAY, ALASKA - There’s many reasons people take an Alaskan cruise - a chance to see the state’s natural beauty up close while witnessing whales, bald eagles and wildlife playing in their natural habitat are a few.

SKAGWAY, ALASKA - Cruise lines aren’t kidding when they say they want to attract a younger audience. And they are appealing to young families by turning unused space aboard ships into everything from daycares to discos. And the kids, in all age groups, love it.

JUNEAU, ALASKA - When booking a cruise, make sure you bring along some running shoes and workout clothes. That is if you want to keep off the one pound a day the cruise industry says passengers gain during a normal trip.

SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC - Joachim Koerper pointed to a small white dot on the black ocean and wondered what the light twinkling in the night represented.

CHONGQING, CHINA - A group of “coolies” jumps to attention and charges our taxi when it pulls up in front of this city’s cruise ship terminal.