Nautical Nuptials
Cruise-loving couples looking for a blissfully simple big day should look no further than their favorite vessel or port city for a cruise ship wedding. There’s something incredibly romantic about saying, “I do” with the ocean as your backdrop, and — if you’re already thinking of tying the
Dish It Up: The Sky’s the Limit on Viking Ocean
Viking Ocean Cruises hit a culinary home run in the 930-passenger Viking Sky, which, like her sisters, matches the gastronomic finesse of higher-priced luxury cruise competitors. The dining experience includes numerous gratis perks such as lunch and dinnertime wine and beer, 24-hour room service, an
Grape Destinations: A Sherry Love Affair
It all started after parking the car under one of the orange trees in the historical city center of Jerez de la Frontera, in southwestern Spain. I’ve always liked wine but I hardly knew about sherry. Of course, sometimes I had a glass of dry Fino sherry as aperitif, but nothing else. I already kne
Island Style: Pascale Theard’s Passion for Fashion
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Even if you’ve never been to Haiti, you’ve probably seen Haitian art and craft. That’s because the island’s signature paintings (depicting multitudes of colorful stick-like figures crammed onto canvases) and creative pierced-tin and metalwork craft are sold througho
A Taste of Alaska’s Craft Distilleries
By Fran Golden Glaciers, wildlife, and adventure experiences of a lifetime aside, there’s a new way to get a taste of Alaska. Alaska’s craft distilleries are all the rage, especially in Skagway, Haines, and Juneau, three port cities of the state’s popular Inside Passage itinerary in the So
Cruise Adventures in Curacao: 6 Spots You Have to See!
When I see Willemstad, Curacao on a Caribbean cruise itinerary, I’m immediately excited –the name alone acts like a hook and I invariably read on. Cruise-passenger-friendly Willemstad, the capital of Curacao is an architecture-buff’s delight –I’m one!– and the island, a consti
Cruise Deal of the Week – May 18, 2018
As a thank you for making Smartcruiser.com a top name in cruise deals for the past 30 years, the site is giving travelers booking any cruise of seven nights or longer in a balcony cabin or above a free Amazon Echo Dot with their booking. The promotion works for new bookings made now through July [&h
What’s the Deal with All-Inclusive Cruises?
Vacations can be expensive. From hotels to dining and entertainment, costs add up quickly, especially when it’s a family trip. Back in 2013, American Express estimated the average cost of a vacation totaled more than $1,000 per person. Five years later, costs have generally gone up, not down. For
Grape Destinations: a Taste of Oregon’s Vino History
Driving through Dundee, you have to look somewhat carefully to see the history. Many of the oldest structures have been replaced by newer ones. But if you’re observant, you’ll notice a quaint little house just off of route 99. This building, built in 1840, has housed the Post Office, been ho
Virgin Voyages Unveils Spectacular Ship Design on Facebook Live
When Virgin Voyages first came into being back in December of 2014, their goal was to bring a new attitude, style and vision to cruising. New interior and exterior renderings of their first ship revealed on Facebook Live last night certainly make good on that promise. A Big Announcement President an
No Time for a Trip? Take a Daycation!
There’s nothing better than going on vacation, except when you think about the costs and all the time spent traveling to your destination. Thanks to Daycation, it’s possible to enjoy a relaxing day by the pool without going too far from home. What is Daycation? Daycation is an innovative new ser
Sea-Band Helps Keep Motion Sickness at Bay
One of the worst things that can happen to a passenger on a cruise ship vacation is a bout of motion sickness. Also called seasickness, the ailment is a fairly common occurrence that starts in the inner-ear. The general idea of motion sickness is that your body can feel itself moving, but since your
Forget the iPad, We’re All About the Sky Pad
A million-dollar makeover for Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas has guests jumping for joy, literally. The new Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience, is the talk of the industry thanks to Royal Caribbean’s bold new adventures campaign. The feature is exclusive to Royal
What are the Best Cruise Ships for Kids?
Step aboard most new cruise ships these days and it’s clear they’ve placed an emphasis on entertainment for kids and young adults. When many think of taking a cruise, they envision a week laid up in a deck chair drinking Pina Coladas and enjoying a good book. Newer ships certainly offer that par
TRAVEL TIPS: Zadar, a Hidden Gem in Croatia
Over the last 20 years, tourism in Croatia has almost quadrupled. The War of Croatian Independence and bombing of nearby Yugoslavia in the late 90’s deterred outsiders from visiting this beautiful Mediterranean country. Things have changed, especially over the last decade, as explorers have gotten
A Well Deserved Ovation
There’s a new girl in town and after a five day cruise debut, the brand new Seabourn Ovation has become the talk of the high seas. From conception to the initial launch from Genoa, Italy on April 28, 2018, this stunning beauty has been groomed for pure perfection. Porthole Cruise Magazine and
Into the Heart of Cascadia: Cruising the Pacific Northwest
Home to slumbering volcanoes, lush forests, and rolling rivers, the Pacific Northwest is an intrepid soul’s paradise. Those looking to explore one of America’s most unique regions can now do so with UnCruise Adventures new Rivers of Adventure itinerary. Known for their small ship cruises that ar
Ageless Dreamers Enjoying Fun, Relaxation at Sea
Are you an ageless dreamer? A new program launched by Dream Cruises takes aim at helping aging travelers get the most out of their vacation experiences. It’s not easy getting older, but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo your sense of fun and adventure. RELATED: Here Come the Grown Ups The “
Ovation Boasts Superior Luxury, Unmatched Style
Spectacular luxury. Impeccable style. Best in class amenities. For those sailing on Seabourn’s newest vessel, Ovation, life cannot be better. The ship, launched in 2018, is the pinnacle of luxury cruise design. A New Standard for Luxury Ovation is intimate in its size, but grand in its vision. Sea
Grape Destinations: Park, Stay, and Wine Taste in Sonoma Plaza
Napa may have been the first California wine region to gain international recognition, but the first California grapes came from Sonoma County. In the 1820s, Franciscan monks planted vines at Mission San Francisco de Solano which still exists in the heart of the town of Sonoma. Today, Sonoma C
