The Cruise Genius (Scott Lara) Interested in booking a cruise or all-inclusive resort vacation? Be sure to Email: slara1961@gmail.com

It’s no secret to those of you who have followed me on social media over the last few years that I’m a huge fan of Holland America Line! My wife Marty, (34 years and counting) and I have over 150 days sailing on Holland America. Many years ago, a close …

Millions of people in the world suffer from a serious condition known as tinnitus. There are two kinds of tinnitus. Subjective tinnitus is tinnitus only you can hear. This is the most common type of tinnitus. It can be caused by ear problems in your outer, middle or inner ear. …

Cruise Radio is reporting that Carnival Corporation is launching a travel app. “Carnival Corporation has announced that they’re launching OceanView Mobile, the first travel content app from a travel provider. It’s available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. It will also be available on the company’s …

I just returned from a tour of the Jacksonville-based Carnival Elation and was happy to see they have significantly improved the cruise check-in process. As reported by Seatrade Cruise News regarding the Carnival Horizon, (see link at the end of this post), Carnival cruiseline recently installed the Mbark system at …

CNN political reporter Ann Navarro gives a non-typical cruise review. “Bigots, not welcome. Simply put, there is no place for discrimination on a cruise. If you don’t like people of other races and ethnicities and sexual identities, you are going to be miserable on an international cruise. Stay home and …

The Daily Mail and German media is reporting that pop star Daniel Kueblboeck has fallen overboard of a cruise ship. “The 33-year-old achieved short-lived fame as a contestant in 2003 on the national talent show ‘Germany Seeks the Superstar’. The coast guard is currently searching for the singer. Kueblboeck was …

Here’s my recent tv interview on WJXT, Channel 4 in Jacksonville. I always enjoy sharing tips, cruise deals and cruise news. Click on the link below: https://www.news4jax.com/video/last-minute-summer-cruise-deals Scott Lara, The Cruise Genius    

I was just looking at a Facebook page where someone asked which is better, a travel agent or a personal vacation planner? The responses came in highly in favor of personal vacation planners! Here’s the dealio. I highly respect personal vacation planners (PVP’s) who are employees of the cruise lines. …

My friend Josh and I just returned from an amazing 5-day cruise on the Jacksonville-based Carnival Elation. Here are a couple highlights and comments: 1. Embarkation was a breeze. Josh and I parked at the Parking Mall directly across the street from the cruise terminal. Great shuttle service and very …

I wanted to quickly post a Carnival Elation update that I found to be interesting. Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald occasionally posts a breakdown of ships passengers by VIFP level. Thanks to the staff of the Carnival Elation for providing this information to me on my current Carnival Elation …