Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage takes us behind the paneled doors of the Titanic’s elegant private suites to present compelling, memorable portraits of her most notable passengers.  The intimate atmosphere onboard history’s most famous ship is recreated as never before.    The Titanic has often been called “an exquisite microcosm of the Edwardian era,” but until now, her story has not been presented as such. In Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage, historian Hugh Brewster seamlessly interweaves personal narratives of the lost liner’s most fascinating people with a haunting account of the fateful maiden crossing. Employing scrupulous research and featuring 100 rarely-seen photographs, he accurately depicts the ship’s brief life and tragic denouement, presenting the very latest thinking on everything from when and how the lifeboats were loaded to the last tune played by the orchestra. Yet here too is a convincing evocation of the table talk at the famous Widener dinner party held in the Ritz Restaurant on the last night. And here we also experience the rustle of elegant undergarments as first-class ladies proceed down the grand staircase in their soigné evening gowns, some of them designed by Lady Duff Gordon, the celebrated couterière, who was also on board.      Another well-known passenger was the artist Frank Millet, who led an astonishing life that seemed to encapsulate America’s Gilded Age—from serving as a drummer boy in the Civil War to being the man who made Chicago’s White City white for the 1893 World Exposition. His traveling companion Major Archibald Butt was President Taft’s closest aide and was returning home for a grueling fall election campaign that his boss was expected to lose. Today, both of these once-famous men are almost forgotten, but their ship-mate Margaret Tobin Brown lives on as “the Unsinkable Molly Brown,” a name that she was never called during her lifetime.        Millionaires John Jacob Astor and Benjamin Guggenheim, writer Helen Churchill Candee, movie actress Dorothy Gibson, aristocrat Noelle, the Countess of Rothes, and a host of other travelers on this fateful crossing are also vividly brought to life within these pages. Through them, we gain insight into the arts, politics, culture, and sexual mores of a world both distant and near to our own. And with them, we gather on the Titanic’s sloping deck on that cold, starlit night and observe their all-too-human reactions as the disaster unfolds. More than ever, we ask ourselves, “What would we have done?”

In this guide, Rick Steves focuses on some of the grandest sights in Europe. As always, he has a plan to help you have a meaningful cultural experience while you’re there—even with just a few hours in port.Inside you'll find one-day itineraries for sightseeing at or near the major Mediterranean ports of call, including:Barcelona, Marseille, Toulon, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and MonacoFlorence, Rome, Naples, and VeniceDubrovnik, Split, Athens, Mykonos, and SantoriniIstanbul and EphesusRick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports explains how to get into town from the cruise terminal, shares sightseeing tips, and includes self-guided walks and tours. You'll learn which destinations are best for an excursion—and which you can confidently visit on your own. You'll also get tips on booking a cruise, plus hints for saving time and money on the ship and in port.You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when cruising the Mediterranean.

Chapter 1 How Easy Is Romance on a Cruise Ship? I had been onboard my first ship for five days when I went to the crew bar and met a woman from Trinidad and Tobago. She was a black woman and she was overweight, maybe even a little flabby, but such a sweetheart. She asked a lot of personal questions and listened closely and was genuinely interested in my responses. I asked her personal questions, and she answered every one of them. I saw her the next night in the crew bar and she looked upset so I went over and sat down. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “I just had an argument with the chief purser,” she said with her Caribbean accent. “That’s too bad.” “Yes, I do not get along with the pursers on this ship very well,” she said, starting to tear up a little. “I do not have many friends onboard.” Although I liked her, I could understand why others might shy away. She had slow, almost voodoo-like mannerisms that bordered on creepy. But she was so easy to talk to and, like me, perfectly content to sit and talk one on one. “So do you have a girlfriend?” she asked, changing the subject. “No.” “Have you been with anyone on the ship yet?” “Nope. It’s actually been twelve years since I slept with someone.” “Come on now.” “It’s true.” I said, and then told her why (more on that later). “Hmm. That’s fascinating. You know, I used to sleep with a skinny white guy from England on my last ship. You remind me of him.” “Oh, yeah?” “He and I had lots of fun, and I never left him unsatisfied. I may not look it, but I’m actually a really good lover.” “You don’t say.” “I’ve been with lots of men in my day. I’m forty-one, after all. And in my years, I’ve learned exactly what men like and how to please them. And now”—she took a sip of her drink—“and now all the men I sleep with are extremely satisfied.” I had always imagined athletic girls—especially flexible athletic girls—to be the best lovers. But this lady from Trinidad had me rethinking that assumption. Maybe it was just another one of the after effects of abstinence, but those voodoo mannerisms were now bordering on sensual. “Would you like to have sex with me?” she asked, taking another sip of her drink. “We could go to my cabin right now.” Woodrow. I couldn’t believe how quickly the opportunity had presented itself. “I might be interested in that.” “Might?” “Yeah.” “But not right now?” “Yeah, not just yet.” “Okay, well, you think about it and I’ll call you later this week.” She got up and left me at the table, alone with my thoughts. My cabin phone rang at 8:00 p.m. two days later. “Hi, it’s me,” she said. “How are you?” “I’m good. How are you?” I responded. “Good, good. Are you ready to do what we talked about the other night?” she asked, wasting no time on idle chit-chat... . . This is a behind-the-scenes look at cruise ships in a way that's never been done before. Some of the stories are shocking, some are enlightening, but most are just laugh-out-loud entertaining. This tour behind those "Crew Only" doors will reveal: - How romance on a cruise ship is unlike anywhere else - The insane things passengers do - Why alcohol is mandatory at sea - How nude cruises compare to Christian cruises - What happens when things go horribly wrong at sea Jay Herring was an American senior officer and one of the few who had physical access to the entire ship. He worked with every department and every senior officer, including the captain. His wife worked in the casino, and combined they worked for Carnival Cruise Lines for 10 years and sailed on over 503 cruises. If you've ever wondered what happens below deck on a cruise ship, then get ready to laugh through an experience unlike any other!

In Cruise Confidential, Brian David Bruns spills the dirt — or in this case, the dirty water — on those romantic, fun-filled vacations at sea. His hilarious chronicle of the year he spent working for Carnival Cruise Lines takes readers down into the areas where the crew works and lives, leaving readers gasping with laughter as they’re assaulted nonstop with events that range from the absurd to the utterly bizarre. Stewards fighting over food. Cutlery allowances and other nonsensical rules. What the crew calls those onboard (no, it’s not “passengers”). And of course, the sex. An abundance of ready, willing, and able bodies eager for action on a vessel replete with nooks and crannies leads to love in some mighty strange, and seemingly impossible, places. Breezy, entertaining, and informative, Cruise Confidential is essential reading for those planning a cruise or for anyone who just needs a good laugh.

Frommer's Complete Guides - IN FULL COLORAmerica's #1 bestselling travel seriesMore full-color guides than ever beforeFoldout maps in annual guidesOutspoken opinions, exact prices, and insider tips

The complete guide to taking a cruise or cruise tour to Alaska. Our book covers all aspects of this exciting cruise with 2 giant color pull-out maps showing all cruise routes of both the Inside Passage and Glacier cruises. Learn about the wildlife (includes whale watching map and tips on sighting different kinds of whales) as well as native culture, natural phenomena and all attractions on an Alaskan cruise. Our book also comes with detailed walking-tour maps of each port and hiking locations for the those who like to get about on foot. Over 400 color photos and dozens of maps make Alaska By Cruise Ship your best porthole companion.

This is the destination every cruiser dreams about--the ancient lands of the Mediterranean. Learn about past civilizations and the art, politics, and culture of societies which continue to influence the world. 100+ maps. 250 photos, many in color.

If you are taking a cruise to the Baltic Sea, Norwegian fjords or British Isles, this is an indispensable travel guide. Each chapter provides cultural and practical information, with accurate maps for getting around in the ports and cities. Tour maps in the book also show exactly where the ships dock and help readers pinpoint the local attractions. The editorial text gives concise descriptions of the sites to capture the essence of each locale. In addition to covering the ports of call on Northern Europe and Baltic cruises, this book also provides readers with information on shore excursions, art and architecture, history, and great tips on preparing for your cruise.Includes ports of the British Isles, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Russia, Poland and Germany.