When Kings Were Gods; Cruising the Ancient Nile
Few rivers on Earth mean as much to a nation as the Nile does to the people of Egypt. Historically important, culturally essential, and necessary for survival, the Nile provides more than just water to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. It offers a glimpse into the tumultuous, yet resilient
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
Gettin’ On The Ritz
It’s been said that there is a cruise for everyone. But what is an upper-echelon pleasure seeker to do when you don’t want a cruise that’s for everyone? You want one for you! Who do you turn to when generic five-star service just isn’t good enough? The answer lies with The Ritz-Carlton
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 Many of the oldest structures have been replaced by newer ones.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
Find the Best Deal on a Last Minute Cruise
What’s your relationship with procrastination? For some, putting things off until the last minute borders on an art form. Others, not so much. We’ve all heard that the early bird gets the worm, but when it comes to getting the best deal on a last minute cruise, you have some options at your disp
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
Shanghai, On The Side
I’m not particularly fond of the motor coach, follow the guide’s umbrella brand of sightseeing and I have an affinity to off the grid type of travel options, especially when it comes to exotic destinations. While Shanghai, China doesn’t really fall into that category, it certainly has an appea
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
Gaga for the Galápagos
If you’re anything like me, you likely spent leisure time of adolescent years perusing iconic National Geographic magazines in search of natural phenomena, half-naked jungle tribes, and a milieu of animal kingdom photos. Those youthful fantasies of exotic adventure come to life through National Ge
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
Your Golden Years: Finding the Right Senior Cruise
Travel. That’s often the one thing on the minds of those who trade in their ties, conference calls and commutes for the life of leisure at 65 years old. Retirement affords people plenty of time to take a trip like a cruise, but with so many travel options available, many need help finding the righ
The Holy Ganges: An India River Cruise Adventure
The Ganges river system in India is more than just a waterway, it’s a purveyor of life. For the millions of people who live near its shores, the river is the embodiment of the Hindu goddess Ganga and her life-bringing properties. Pandaw Cruises, a premier small-ship luxury cruise line, offers g
If You Build It, They Will Cruise
One of the things people love most about cruising is the variety of ports that can be visited on a single voyage. In fact, many travelers plan their Caribbean cruises based on the itinerary and its destinations. As the popularity of cruising has grown, so has the need for more ports of call with bet
Carnival Makes Splash with New Cuba Itineraries
Carnival Cruise Line made a splash recently with their announcement of new Cuba itineraries for the 2019-20 cruising season. The popular cruise line plans to offer 23 new cruises to Havana in the next two years, including three and five-day itineraries across five ships cruising from several of Carn
