12 Can’t-Miss Places to Visit in Madeira
There are a lot of beautiful islands to explore in this world, but the Portuguese island of Madeira remains a hidden gem and cruiser paradise thanks to all it has to offer! From the vibrant city of Funchal where the cruise ships dock, to the rocky cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço and the beach [&he
The Splendid Renewal of Saxony, Germany
A shard of concrete etched with graffiti — my souvenir of the Berlin Wall found shortly after it tumbled — symbolizes how Saxony, the former East Germany, has risen above its cultural divide from the West that lasted 28 years after WWII. Since German reunification in 1990, Berlin has gained glob
The Unique Wines and Vineyards of the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a favorite vacation destination and cruise ships regularly head there. Yet not many visitors know that this sun-kissed archipelago with its beautiful beaches, volcanic landscapes, and busy bars, 60 miles west of the coast of Morocco, is also a haven for wine lovers. Wine
Discovering The Lower Danube
The world is as big as you make it and limiting yourself to well trodden cruise destinations limits the scope of this amazing and diverse planet. Of course the beaches of the Caribbean and the iconic ports of the Mediterranean have significant appeal but for me there is always a new world emerging b
Port of Tarragona Set to Be Spain’s Newest Cruise Destination
With lots of real estate along the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea, Spain is a destination cruisers return to again and again. While cities like Barcelona and Valencia are the top draws, another port is eyeing a chance to be one of Spain’s most popular cruise ports. Tarragona is just South of Barce
Norwegian Escape Returns to European Cruising
One of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most popular line of cruise ships has returned to European cruising for the first time since 2015! Norwegian Escape completed her first voyage to the Eastern Mediterranean with calls on Santorini, Mykonos, Naples, and Livorno, Valletta and Messina. Homeporting in
The Cape of Good Times in Cap Ferrat
It was King Leopold II of Belgium who, in the early 1900s, first cottoned on that it would be a shrewd idea to buy up land on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (known to most simply as Cap Ferrat). He snapped up the region’s grandest house — Villa Cedres, built in 1804 — which he embellished with botanica
Taking In The Avalon View
Opening new gifts is always a thrill and being on hand as a new ship is unwrapped is as exciting as it gets. From our plane’s touchdown in Vienna, Austria to takeoff in Budapest, Hungary the four day christening event of the new Avalon View from Avalon Waterways was cause for celebration. With T
A Perfectly Provençal Post River Cruise Stay
Whether you are river cruising on the Rhône, Saône, or the Seine this summer, if you find yourself wishing to extend your stay in France (and why wouldn’t you?), there is no better place in Provence to spend a few extra days than at the Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa. This five-star ge
MSC Cruises Partners with Formula 1 Racing
Pierfrancesco Vago MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman and Stefano Domenicali President & CEO of Formula 1 | Photo: Getty Images A new partnership between Formula 1, the highest level of open-wheel single-seater racing cars, and MSC Cruises was announced this morning with the hope of boosting both
Finnish Design: Simple, Practical, Timeless
If you’ve never heard of Finnish Design, just open your desk drawer. Chances are you’ll have one of the most iconic items created by Finland’s mid-20th century modernist design movement — namely a pair of scissors with orange. ergonomically-shaped handles. Fiskars scissors, introduced by the
Wine & Dine in Copenhagen’s Vesterbro District
Copenhagen is having a moment in the culinary limelight as Europe’s coolest foodie capital, with rough and ready Vesterbro the most exciting area of the city in which to try the latest food trends. Take a stroll along the streets of Slagterboderne (meaning “butcher’s stalls”) and Flaesketorv
The 2021 Travel Resumes Tour 2.0
In spite of the pandemic purgatory of 2020 periodically rearing its ugly head again, cruising has resumed, albeit in a somewhat revamped style. Each month that goes by finds new ships being launched, older vessels being redeployed and destinations opening their doors to those of us eager to jump thr
Destination Immersion in the Greek Islands with Azamara
There’s really only one way to describe the Greek islands: picture-perfect. From the immaculate white-washed homes to the crystal-clear water lapping the many sand beaches, these islands have developed a vivid allure that’s put them at the very top of destination bucket lists all over the world.
Cruise Deal of the Week – October 8, 2021
Another week in the books! Wow does it seem like October is flying by. Before long we’ll all be getting our costumes ready for a fun Halloween evening and after that, it’s everyone’s favorite holiday season. We had some great news this week in the industry including new ships, new
The Summer of ‘21 Travel Resumes Tour
Making up for the travel drought of 2020, a four month summer escape in the midst of pandemic pandemonium was just what the doctor ordered. Flying in the face of highly touted CDC warnings and after 12 flight segments, 6 cruises, 7 hotels, 15 different beds and 15 negative COVID tests, I’m surpris
Aweigh We Go! Three Dream Destinations – St. Maarten, Athens, and Valletta
After ships sat idle for what seemed like an eternity, cruising has returned with a race to establish homeport advantage. Straight out of the gate, favorites like St. Maarten and Athens are making strong bids for prominence, and Malta is nosing ahead of a crowded field of Mediterranean options. Sail
Carnival Corporation Aims for 50% Fleet Restart by October
The largest cruise conglomerate in the world announced today they hope to have 50% of their fleet back in operation by the end of October and 65% of the fleet back by the New Year. Carnival Corporation was hit hard by the pandemic, but the news that their eight distinct cruise brands will have 42 [&
France Bars Unvaccinated Americans from Visiting
A major tourist destination for Americans is now closed to those unvaccinated against COVID-19. Yesterday, France became the latest European country, and by far the most significant, to close their doors to anyone who hasn’t been fully vaccinated against the virus. The news from France followe
48 Hours In Malta
Malta has always been a popular port of call but with it becoming a new staging ground for cruising as a home port, I embarked on a mission to experience everything the southern Mediterranean island could provide as a pre or post cruise option. Convenient flights to Malta are available from numerous
