I began my journalistic career at the age of 32, following the conclusion of my ’sabbatical decade.’ From 1980 through 1990, I bicycled across America, pedaled through Europe and island-hopped the South Pacific.
After backpacking through Bali, bussing through Java, hopping a boat to Singapore and crossing Malaysia to Thailand, I flew into Burma, tramped to Dhaka and endured a 32-hour train ride from calamitous Calcutta to bustling Bombay.
From there, I hopped a plane for Greece and traveled to Switzerland before returning home, where I settled, quite naturally, into a career of travel writing.
I publish a magazine, The Avid Cruiser, http://www.avidcruiser.com/blog
“Your magazine is the best cruise magazine and also one of the best — if not the best — travel magazines I have ever read.”
From 1996 to 2009, I contributed to HEMISPHERES, United Airlines’ award-winning inflight magazine. Until the magazine changed publishers in 2009, I wrote HEMISPHERE’s “Afloat” column.
The North American Travel Journalism Association, awarded my article, Ship Shape, which appeared in the September 2005 issue of Hemispheres, in the category of ‘Best Cruise Writing.’ I also publish C Magazine, a cruise magazine distributed in the Benelux countries, with my business partner in Europe, and I contribute to numerous other publications, including TravelAge West.
I make my home in Asheville, North Carolina and live part of the year near Copenhagen, Denmark.
When in Asheville, I enjoy mountain biking, hiking, lingering in coffee shops and frequent trips to the gorgeous Biltmore Estate.
When in Scandinavia, I enjoy biking, lingering in coffee shops and trying to learn Scandinavian words.
To get home in Scandinavia (from Copenhagen’s International Airport to Helsingborg, Sweden), I go to Hamlet’s Castle and hang a right. No kidding!
My work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and numerous consumer magazines. I am the author of four books, including Remembering Charles Kuralt,’ a biography that Publisher’s Weekly called ‘a sweet and lovely homage, a welcome commemoration.’
But enough about wonderful me. My goal is to provide you with content that engages you and compels you to return often. Thanks for stopping by . . .
Bon Voyage, Ralph Grizzle
One of two restaurants where there will be a surcharge on Silver Spirit. The other is Le Champagne. Silver Spirit will feature six restaurants total.
Seishin, which means "spirit" in Japanese, is a new restaurant concept for Siversea. Seishin will offer innovative Asian fusion cuisine featuring Kobe beef, spider lobster, caviar and a sushi master. Silver Spirit's first sailing is December 21. This photo was taken in Trieste, Italy, during the ship's sea trials.
Getting ready to board for the new ship's sea trials to be conducted over the next three days.
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A beautiful day departing Helsinki for a promising week ahead on what one authority rates as the world's best ship.
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View of the Rising Tide, a bar that functions like an elevator, moving between the Royal Promenade and Central Park.
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The Loft Suites are truly remarkable. Sleeps four total, with full shower upstairs and downstairs. Balconies are deep and wide with very high ceilings, giving lots of sun exposure.
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Twice as wide as on Freedom and Voyager class, the Royal Promenade on Oasis will feature seven shops, nine bars, and four dining venues.
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Like building with LEGO blocks, big ships like Oasis and its sister Allure are constructed from "grand blocks."
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Announced this morning in Turku, Oasis of the Seas will boast the first Coach store (think fine clothing and leather goods) at sea.
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Happening right now: Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain addresses a group of international journalists at the STX shipyard in Turku, Finland, where Oasis of the Seas is in the final stages of construction. Later, we will step aboard the world's largest cruise ship for a tour. Stay tuned.
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Beginning Wednesday, look to this space for coverage from Turku, Finland (two hours by train, I hope, from Helsinki) of the world's most-anticipated big ship, Oasis of the Seas.
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