Tag: cruise
Crystal Cruises: The World’s Best Service
It’s not a big surprise to me. For 2013, Crystal Cruises was again voted as having the world’s best service in the large ship category for the second year in a row. The annual award is based on ratings given by the readers of Travel & Leisure Magazine. When we sailed on the Crystal…
Win a Paul Gauguin Cruise for two (Contest ends May 31, 2013)
Would you like to win an exotic Paul Gauguin Cruise for two? These luxury ships travel to Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Caribbean, Latin American and Europe. One of my favorite websites for cruisers, CruiseCritic.com and Paul Gauguin Cruises have teamed up to offer one individual the opportunity to win a 7-day trip for two…
Cruising Italian-Style on the MSC Yacht Club
The Yacht Club, MSC Divina’s “ship within a ship,” is targeted to cruisers who prefer an intimate, small ship experience, without having to give up the amenities available on larger vessels.
A new cruise lure for foodies: Eataly at sea
MSC Cruises, the only privately owned Italian cruise line, has announced a new partnership with Eataly, the rapidly growing Turin-based food emporium and restaurateur, to launch the first two Eataly restaurants at sea. When the line’s newest ship, MSC Preziosa (sister ship to the Fantasia-class luxury ships MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia) is…
Five Reasons to Book a Holiday Cruise
There’s still time to book a holiday cruise for a family celebration While staterooms fill up quickly and fares tend to increase as the holiday approaches, cruising still remains one of the best vacation bargains and it’s not too late yet to book a holiday cruise. One thing boomers need to keep in mind is…
Chef’s Tables: On Cruise Ships, Dining is Theater and Chefs are the Stars
As long buffet lines give way to more individualized dining experiences in smaller, specialty restaurants on ships, a growing number of cruise lines are adding chef’s tables as one more appetizing option. The term “chef’s table” suggests exclusivity — the ingredients, menu, setting, and intimacy of small group dining — as well as the expectation of doting attention from the chef and servers.
A Perfect Trifecta: Visits to three Scandinavian icebars
Only on a cruise ship can someone effortlessly visit three ice bars in three different countries in just over a week—so we did. The first lap of our Scandinavian trifecta began one day before we were to embark on an 11-day Baltic cruise on the Crystal Symphony leaving from Stockholm, Sweden.
Ten money-saving tips for cruisers
Berlitz has announced the release of the 28th edition of its Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2013. One of the goals of the book is to help cruisers get the best cruise for their buck. Here are ten tips from the book’s author, Douglas Ward, on how to save money on your next…
Child-free cruising: How to avoid cruises with too many children
This post may not be politically correct so forgive me. Generally, I’m not a child-averse person but I have to be honest. Like many travelers over 50, unless I’m traveling with my own kids or with my own grandchildren (which I’m not yet blessed to have), I prefer a sedate, relaxing cruise without the patter…
A Mediterranean speed date on the Oceania Marina
As I packed my suitcase for our Mediterranean cruise on the new Oceania Marina, the thought of hitting 11 cities in 12 days felt mildly reminiscent of the folly of my youth. My first trip to Europe was a one-week escorted tour of London, Paris, and Rome. Yet, there’s a reason why that tri-city speed…
Making the most of every cruise port
The pleasures of any cruise experience include both ship and shore. Here are some tips to make the most of every cruise port: Determine your timing Before you leave home, find out how much time you have at each port and the precise date of your arrival. (For example, when I disembarked in Brindisi, Italy,…
Back on the river: The American Queen steamboat
For the 50 years leading up to the Civil War, steamboats ruled the Mississippi River and its tributaries to the east and west, carrying passengers, produce, sugar, cotton and livestock while weaving through the nation’s heartland and touching the shores of 10 states from Minnesota to Louisiana. By the time Great American Steamboat Co. took…
5 great vacations for readers
Reading retreats allow book lovers to unwind and while away the hours as they get lost in their books. If you are a book lover, these five venues would make for a great vacation. Each one is conducive to catching up on the books piled on your nightstand or the ones you’ve downloaded on your…
Traveling with multiple cameras, we try not to miss any what-once-were Kodak moments. My husband and travel companion, Jerry, took most of the photos on the site using a 
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