Here a Ship, There a Ship, Everywhere a New Ship
August, 2023 may go down in the cruise travel history books, with the launch of an exceptional number of new, ground-breaking ships that inspire us to take to the seas – and give us a glimpse into the direction cruise travel, design, and experiences are heading. Five new ships sailed to sea in the first couple of weeks of the month, ranging in size from 100 guests to 4000! And here’s how they rolled out: EXPLORA INot just a new ship, but...
Ports of Call You Can't Miss in the Eastern Mediterranean’s Newest Cruise Hub
The Mediterranean is full of ancient maritime cultures, but some seaside countries are just recently becoming popular cruise destinations. One up-and-coming cruise hub in the eastern end of this historic sea offers the best of Mediterranean, modern European, and Middle Eastern cultures and lifestyles. Not to mention the spiritual attractions of the home of Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths. And the best news is that more and more cruises are calling in Israel’s ports and also embarking and disembarking from Israel,...
Where do Expedition Cruises Sail? And Where Will You be Able to Go Next?
Many people have heard about luxury expedition cruises to the Antarctic. But there’s a whole world of expedition cruising out there you may never have heard of. Cruise/ travel journalist and expert Lynn Elmhirst sat down with ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s director of expedition development Jen Martin to dispel the myth that expedition cruises only go to Antarctica. WATCH VIDEO ABOVE Jen is the person to ask. She leads the team creating ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s expedition cruise experiences. They are tasked with finding...
Crystal’s River and Ocean Ships are Sailing Again, and Here’s Where You Can Find Them
All of the former Crystal Cruises’ ships have now found new homes. The original cruise line is no more, but those who love the ships can still sail aboard favorite river, ocean, expedition and yacht vessels with their new lines. In some cases, their new owners even managed to bring back their original crew so your next cruise… will feel like coming home. Ocean Ships – Re-launching Summer, 2023The original and legendary former Crystal ocean ships sail again beginning in the summer...
Are Cruise Ship Subs Safe? I Just Got Back From Filming on One, and This is What I Know
When five people in a submersible recently died in the pursuit of Titanic tourism, there was an immediate reverberation through the cruise world. I know, because my film crew and I just recently disembarked from a Viking expedition cruise in the Great Lakes, which included underwater excursions to Lake Superior's floor on both of the Viking Octantis' two submersible vehicles. Along with us were a dozen other journalists, who created a message group to coordinate get togethers and collegial camaraderie during the cruise. Shortly...
Is a Luxury Expedition Cruise Right for You? An Expert Explains
Luxury expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing trends in cruising - but who really sails on these voyages? And more importantly, are they right for you? Maybe it's time to dispel some myths about expedition cruising - one of the fastest-growing cruise styles today, with new ships launching every year. I sat down with Seabourn's Jen Martin, who leads the team creating the ultra-luxury cruise line's expedition cruise experiences. They understand who's taking expedition cruises and what appeals. WATCH VIDEO ABOVE Lynn...
Oceania Cruises Christens 1st New Ship in a Decade and Introduces new Wine, Spirits and Culinary Experiences
Oceania Cruises has officially welcomed the 1200-guest Oceania Vista in a glittering event in Malta. She’s the cruise line’s first new ship in more than ten years, and the first of its new, Allura-class of ships. In a ceremony that included centuries-old blessings on the ship and the souls who will sail upon her, Italian-American chef, author, restaurateur and Emmy award-winning food personality Giada De Laurentiis christened the Vista with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne against the ship’s...
For the First Time Ever, a Luxury Cruise Will Sail Around the Entire Continent of Africa
It's the kind of voyage books and films and history are made of - and that travel dream will be a reality for 450 curious travelers in 2024. For the first time ever, an ultra-luxury cruise line will sail around the entire continent of Africa. It's a 90-day, 17,000-mile exotic adventure visiting 44 marquee and off-the-beaten path ports and cities throughout 26 fascinating and unique countries. Immersion into ancient and recent history, exotic and wildly different landscapes, cultures, wildlife and lifestyles...
What Exactly is a Luxury Expedition Cruise? An Expert Dispels Myths About One of the Hottest Trends in Cruising
What’s the real difference between a luxury, small ship cruise and a luxury expedition cruise? Many cruise travelers don't know what they’re missing. So cruise travel journalist Lynn Elmhirst sat down with Seabourn’s Jen Martin to discuss why – even if you’ve already sailed to Antarctic with Seabourn, for example, you might want to go again with one of their new expedition ships.Jen’s full title is Director, Product Development, Expeditions at Seabourn. That means she leads the team creating ultra-luxury cruise...
Top Food & Drink Trends Coming Soon to Your Next Cruise
If you’re like most people, dining and drinks are top factors when choosing a cruise. Cuisine is one of the cruise lines most important and expensive offerings, with the six leading cruise lines spending $2 billion on food and beverage supplies – every year! No wonder, when cruise lines serve up ever-more imaginative culinary programs every year to keep up with cruise travelers’ growing tastes. Gone are the days when a lobster tail served in the main dining room on formal...