European Cruising After the Christmas Markets: River and Ocean
What cruises give you the warmest welcome in Europe’s coolest months? River and coastal ocean cruising doesn’t completely stop when the Christmas holidays start. In fact, Europe’s “quiet season” is becoming a season of its own for cruisers. It’s true that most Christmas markets pack up around Christmas Eve, although some extend through the holidays. But then come New Year’s celebrations, winter sales, Carnival, distinctive seasonal foods and traditions — and, along parts of the Mediterranean, the first blossoms of the...
Lights Out on One of the Hottest New Travel Trends
For generations, travelers have organized their days around daylight. Get up. See the sights. Take the photos. Then, as the sun sets, the day starts wrapping up. One of travel’s fastest-growing trends turns that itinerary upside down. And the lights off. Noctourism or Astrotourism? “Noctourism” – or nocturnal tourism – is the growing appetite for travel experiences after dark. Noctourism can intersect with astrotourism, but they’re not exactly the same thing. ‘Astrotourism’ is about traveling for celestial experiences. And a recent survey of tens of...
VIDEO From the Bridge: Meet the Captain of the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti
What’s it like to captain a ship that sails year-round in exotic French Polynesia? I got to ask the captain of the Paul Gauguin during a visit to the bridge on a week-long voyage around the Islands of Tahiti. It’s a bucket-list trip for many of us – and rightfully so. Nowhere in the world compares with the tropical romance of the South Seas, and the Paul Gauguin doubles down on everything to feed your travel imagination: The Paul Gauguin is part...
Top “Coolcation” Travel Destinations
Record-breaking summer heatwaves throughout Europe have more travelers looking for cooler destinations to spend the holidays. I have some favorites. By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert Some like it hot! And since Coco Chanel made it stylish to spend even scorching summers on the French Riviera, heat-loving travelers have flocked to the Mediterranean during the season. Those who couldn’t brave Mediterranean heat? Well, they stayed in more central areas of Europe in the summers. That’s been the pattern for decades – but...
Crystal’s New Ship Doubles Down on Family-Focused Spaces
When Crystal Grace launches in 2028, she’ll have more dedicated family spaces and programming than ever. That sets Crystal apart from most other cruise lines in the luxury space, which either permit but provide few age-specific amenities – or simply ban a younger passenger set. Not so Crystal Grace. Existing ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity have a playroom for kids 3-12, a lounge and video arcade for teens and outdoors, and children share the main Seahorse Pool deck with adults....
Aman At Sea’s Inaugural Season: Mediterranean and Caribbean
Aman’s first ultra-luxury lifestyle yacht will chase the sun in her inaugural 2027 season, beginning in the Mediterranean after her mid-year launch, followed by a Caribbean winter season. The Amangati will sail a series of 5- to 8-night itineraries in both regions. The hotel and resort brand that’s introducing its legendary philosophy to ultra-luxury, small-ship cruising has opened reservations for both inaugural seasons, so you can experience storied and exclusive harbors in this brand-new travel experience. Amangati means “peaceful motion” in Sanskrit,...
Scenic Expanding River Cruising to India, Sri Lanka
In October 2027, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is launching the Scenic Aura on the Hooghly River, debuting a collection of itineraries in India and Sri Lanka. Scenic Aura River Cruising During its inaugural season from October 2027 to March 2028, Scenic Aura will welcome no more than 44 guests per sailing for a truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury river experience through the cultural heartland of West Bengal. The newly released itineraries feature a unique collection of Scenic included excursions and exclusive Scenic Enrich...
The Cruise Line Breeding “Super Coral” and Other Good News for World Oceans Day
The private island for Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises, MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, is at the forefront of a cruise-industry-wide drive to support and sustain the world’s oceans. World Oceans Day is the perfect time to share some of those stories as we reflect that nearly three-quarters of our Earth is covered in oceans. Whether you live on one of the world’s coastlines or cruise, oceans affect us all. The water dominating the surface of our “Blue Planet,” helps regulate...
When Your Overwater Bungalow Sails with You in Tahiti: Paul Gauguin Cruises' Room Tour
It’s a tropical vacation fantasy: staying in an overwater bungalow over breathtaking, warm, turquoise waters in the legendary and romantic South Pacific. But what if your overwater bungalow floats with you to a new, incredible destination every day? That’s one of the best reasons to experience the Islands of Tahiti and French Polynesia with Paul Gauguin Cruises. The Paul Gauguin IS your floating overwater bungalow in the fabled South Seas. With mesmerizing early morning sail-ins and romantic sunset sailaways from the emerald...
Holland America Launching Year-Round Cruises in Europe
The seasons for cruise and travel are changing – even disappearing altogether! Holland America Line has become the latest cruise line to expand to year-round sailing in Europe, joining the likes of Viking and Windstar to make the coasts of the Mediterranean and beyond a destination for all seasons. From festive Scandinavian cities to European Christmas markets, Lapland and a more relaxed Mediterranean, new Holland America Line winter voyages bring the season to life with an extended 2027-2028 season sailing through...