Princess Cruises continues to grow by leaps and bounds. This time it’s building a 143,700-gross ton, 3,600-passenger behemoth that debuts in 2021.

You probably can’t guess her name. OK, it’s Discovery Princess and passenger can discover her in Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Mexico and California from 2021-2022.

The Medallion Class ship is the first new Princess ship based on the West Coast to sail out of Los Angeles, too. Before going to LA, she will make her debut Nov. 3, 2021, on a seven-day Med & Aegean voyage from Rome to Athens.

If you're like this traveler, you may be tempted more by cruises to the Caribbean than to cold weather climes. I have made an exception in the past for Alaska. But now there's another incentive for buying that extra sweater.

The luxury cruise line Silversea has just added some great perks for passengers who book an expedition voyage to the Arctic or Antarctica. All passengers can take advantage of these new incentives:

• One-night, pre-cruise hotel stay
• In-country flight(s) when required by the itinerary
• Polar expedition cruise with guided shore experiences and Zodiac excursions
• Polar parka
• One post-cruise day-use hotel
• Transfers and luggage handling between airport, hotel and ship.

The New York Times had a recent short about accessible travel for cruisers in its Travel section that's worth reposting here in part. Excerpt:

Mary Arnold needs both knees replaced and has two new hips because of arthritis. The 58-year-old retiree from Los Angeles canwalk only a few steps and uses a scooter outside of her home. But she doesn’t let her mobility issues interfere with her desire to travel.

A longtime fan of cruising, she has set sail 14 times. Ms. Arnold finds it convenient, affordable and an accessible vacation option. If you’re also considering a cruise, and have mobility challenges, here’s what you need to know before booking a cruise.

Attention all lovers planning a Caribbean vacation or cruise to in Aruba in August.  Aruba is hosting its third annual Vow Renewal ceremony on pristine Eagle Beach on Aug. 21, 2019.

If you’re a romantically inclined couple eager to say "I do" all over again, it’s worth just either flyng over for a vacation or checking out to see which cruise ships stop there in August. Some 200 couples of different ages and nationalities flew to the Caribbean island nation last year to renew their vows, with women wearing white outfits suitable for the occasion or floral dresses suitable to the island’s vibe. Men are encouraged to wear white as well.

Courtesy of Aruba Tourism AuthorityA scene from last year's vow renewal ceremony in Aruba.

Are you wondering if cruising with the whole family is a good idea? Maybe you worry that the tots or teenagers won’t have a good time.

Well, Holland America thinks its ships are perfect for families from toddlers to grandparents. The line is offering family fares this summer that allow the third and fourth child or adult in the same stateroom to sail free.

So once on board, what do you do with the kids?

Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America, says, “If you want to experience new cultures with family, bring history to life for your children or just have a fun-in-the-sun vacation, then we’re the cruise line for you.”

Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald oversees nine cruise lines, each with a different personality and target market. The company he heads is a household name and a market leader, with about 100 ships in operation around the globe and a 48 percent share of the cruise marketplace.

And Carnival Corp. continues to grow: Nine new vessels are coming online in the next three years, and another nine have been contracted for after that. The company has built 30 new ships since 2007, Donald notes, and tallies 80 million passenger cruise days per year.

Donald recently briefed reporters in Miami on trends such as hybrid wi-fi, more personalization, more balcony cabins, variable pricing, increased presence in China and Australia, an eye on Cuba and other industry topics. In the process, he addressed three common myths about cruising.

Can’t afford to plunk down that full fare for your next Holland America cruise? No worries. The mainstream cruise line has just introduced an interest-free way to make monthly payments.

Called EZpay, the new program spreads out your cruise balance for as long as you need. What’s more, you can cancel at any time and receive a refund without penalty. The plan is available on nearly all itineraries in the fleet as long as the sailing is not within the final payment deadline.

It's no surprise that Sir Richard Branson would be providing a musical backdrop to his new Virgin Voyages Cruise Line. After all, he was one of the founders of Virgin Records, a major player in the industry back in the 1970s.

The new cruise line recently announced its new curated musical identity, which looks to be  an incomparable experience for its ‘‘sailors,’’ as Branson likes to call their passengers. He also is placing new DJ residencies, a record shop and a karaoke lounge on board.

It seems the line is launching a fierce approach to music that might just break seafaring records.

It looks like at least one cruise line is giving our south-of-the-border friends another look. While some other cruise lines have cut back on sailings to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas because of concerns about passengers' safety, Holland America Line has gone in the other direction and announced 20 new cruises along that once popular itinerary.

I'm glad to hear it. For years I cruised out of Los Angeles on Princess and other lines on a relaxing, sunny Mexican Riviera cruise. Now other travelers can take advantage, too. 

Holland America brings back Mexico, olé!

The line is offering 20 cruises spaced out on ms Oosterdam, Eurodam and Maasdam running from October 2019 into 2020. Each of the regular-season trips will sail round-trip from San Diego and stop at Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas and overnight in Puerto Vallarta. Each of those ports are pretty but Puerto Vallarta is enchiladas-down the best. My own take: San Lucas is overcrowded, but there’s lots to do there. Mazatlan offers too few options, but the air and ocean will be warm for swimming and other water sports. Plus, there are lots of activities and shore excursions from which to choose.

Courtesy of Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board/LatitudeA view of Bandera Bay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Seasonal sailings

Oosterdam heads south on Oct . 6, 2019, on its seven-day itinerary. She will make two Christmas/holiday cruises on Dec. 21 and 28. Eurodam will sail the same itinerary starting Oct. 19 and again on Nov. 2 and Nov 9. If  you prefer longer sailings, you can extend Eurodam’s Oct. 19 voyage by boarding four days sooner in Vancouver, B.C., with a stop in Santa Barbara on the way back to  San Diego.

Lisa Andres / Creative Commons BYSailboarders and catamarans on the beach in Mazatlan, Mexico.

But wait, there’s more

Seafarers can dig deeper into Mexico with Maasdam’s 12-day EXC in-Depth Voyage that sails on April 3 and April 15, 2020. This one hits seven ports along the Sea of Cortez along with Los Cabos, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Passengers will get to explore La Paz, Loreto, Guaymas and Topolobrampo. You can also extend this journey to 18 days.

Holland America is a mainstream cruise company with a fleet of midsize ships that appeal overwhelmingly to adult travelers. Its Pinnacle Grill dining room is considered one of the best at sea. 

Interested in a cruise on Holland America?

If you're interested in a cruise on Holland America to the Mexican Riviera or elsewhere, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate by email or by phoning 1-877-322-3773. A travel advocate will work with you to find the ideal itinerary at the best price at no cost to you. 

Oceania Cruises, recognized for its culinary-focused voyages and award-winning Canyon Ranch SpaClub facilities, has just announced a ground-breaking wellness and cruise-industry first in the form of exclusive and comprehensive tours focused on wellness and healthy living.

The innovative new tour series, "Wellness Tours Inspired by Canyon Ranch," is the first of its kind in the cruise industry and the most comprehensive. It will be introduced on Riviera and Marina.

Roses are red, violets are blue and cruises are made for romantics like you. Valentine's Day is Feb. 14, so there's still time to book a cruise by Thursday for a romantic getaway when the occasion suits you.

Having been a few dozen cruises in February that included Valentine’s Day, I can attest whole heartedly to just what an amorous experience it can be when you’re with the one you love (or the one you're with). The classic TV show “The Love Boat,” featuring a Princess Cruises ship, showcased the romance of cruising for many seasons. Just keep in mind the choice of ship and accommodations is an important Cupid factor when picking your cruise.

Innovative cruise line Silversea Cruises is once again raising the nautical bar by launching a pair of Expedition World Cruises in 2021. The luxury line describes each sailing as “an uncharted world tour where passengers can immerse themselves in the most exciting experiences on the planet.”

The first one will be a 167-day voyage on Silver Cloud from Ushuaia, Argentina, on Jan. 30, 2021, that will stop at 107 destinations in 30 countries. It will include six new ports for the line that include Naxos, Folegandros and Nafpaktos, Greece; Ksamil, Albania; Bejaïa, Algeria, and Fort William, Scotland. And if you got a few million bucks hanging around, it’s offering accommodations in the two-bedroom Owner’s Suite for just short of a million dollars.

The second global odyssey takes place on Silver Whisper, which will sail from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 7, 2021, and cover 34 countries until its final destination in New York on June 6, 2021. Naturally, you could can book part of the voyage if you don't have six months to kill.