France, Germany Announce New COVID Lockdowns
Earlier this summer, the cruise industry saw a return to cruising in Europe as an overwhelming positive. Now, four months later, both France and Germany have announced a new round of lockdowns due to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. French President Emmanuel Macron addressed his nati
Choose Your Cruise – April 10, 2020
It’s choose your cruise time! Last week we posted some of our favorite expedition cruises from companies who are really pushing the boundaries between luxury and adventure. Today, we’re skipping the remote environments for river cruises all over the world. If you love sipping wine, learn
‘Valiant Lady’ Announced by Virgin Voyages
Soon Scarlet Lady will have a twin sister cruising the Mediterreanean. Virgin Voyages announced in a press release this morning that their second ship will be named Valiant Lady and will sail the Mediterreanean upon her completion in 2021. The line’s first ship has yet to debut but is one of the m
Getting Around Europe on a Budget
Taking a European river cruise is a great way to see a lot of beautiful foreign cities in a short time, while enjoying the comfort of a cruise ship and not having to take up all the work associated with planning your own itinerary. Planning trips can be stressful, especially when everything is in a
Bonjour Luciole, the Bistro Barge!
Driving through the rolling fields of the French countryside, I was already getting hungry. We were headed south of Paris in the direction of Auxerre, where, beneath the city’s ancient gothic cathedral, hovered Luciole — the barge patiently awaiting our small group’s arrival for what was slate
French Country Waterways Celebrates 35 Years of Cruising
Congratulations to French Country Waterways! What did you do for your 35th birthday? Imagine sipping a lovely glass of Bordeaux while actually in the famed wine region of France. Sounds pretty great, right? Well, for the past 35 years, French Country Waterways has offered that experience and more on
Packing is Such Sweet Sorrow
The Monthly Mantra Packin’ it in … Packin’ it in … Packin’ it in … It’s late afternoon the day before disembarkation and I’m on my balcony gazing out at the ocean, serenaded by the gentle swish of the waves. But ever so subtly, I find myself bracing for the transition from carefree h
This Cruise Line is Offering Deals for Solo Cruisers
You may need two to tango, but you only need one to cruise when you take advantage of Riviera River Cruises new focus on solo cruisers. The solo traveler collection is a selection of itineraries in the spring and fall of 2019 without any supplement charges for solo cruisers. Solo Cruisers Usually Pa
Celebrity Apex Underway with Steel-Cutting Ceremony
Newer, more lavish, better amenities. It’s clear where the future of cruising is headed and one cruise line is keeping up with the trend in fine fashion. Celebrity Cruises recently began production on their newest ship, Celebrity Apex, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, Fr
Grape Destinations: Rosé Wine by the Pool
The perfect weekend came just in time for a break. Sounds familiar? Of course it does, specially when you have a place near the sea in mind. I was really enjoying a mojito de parcha, (passion fruit mojito) by the pool at Copamarina in Guanica, when I saw a man with a glass of rosé […]
Ooo La La, On The Move To France
I’m onto the France vacation segment of this summer’s epic cruise and travel adventure, so it’s Arrivederci, Roma and after a two hour flight, it’s Bienvenue, France. When you think of cruising in and around France, Paris, Nice and Marseilles always come to mind. Rightly so. With reputa
48 Hours: French Fix
Ah, the French. They know how to live. So, when I had the opportunity to experience the Parisian life for two days after my recent river cruise, I accepted quicker than you can pop a baguette in the oven. After all, this magical city is the perfect pre- or post-trip to any Europe-based cruise, and [
Grape Destinations: Working the Mosel Vines
Have you ever gone to a small vineyard? Did you like their wines? I did. Over 20 years ago, I visited a small winemakers’ wine-tasting in Kröv, situated on the Mosel River. My family and I were on a week’s holiday in a bungalow park near Kröv. On the list of activities was the wine-tasting [&h
My Head’s in the (Sea) Clouds
The Monthly Mantra My Head’s in a Sea Cloud…My Head’s in a Sea Cloud…My Head’s in a Sea Cloud… A pair of Christian Louboutin red-soled stilettos A quilted black leather CHANEL drawstring hobo with chain straps A sailing with the uber-exclusive Sea Cloud Cruises Those are really the only
Teen Scene | How 14-year-old twin boys fared on a river cruise with the ’rents
By Heidi Sarna Let’s face it. Most teenagers aren’t dying to go on a river cruise. But this mom of teen sons likes small-ship cruising and I’m still the boss (I think!). So last summer I signed the family up for a Bordeaux river cruise with the French line CroisiEurope. We boarded the 174-pass
How to Get the Most Out of Your European Wine Cruise
For wine lovers, there’s nothing as exciting as a European river cruise combined with wine tasting, wine education, and of course, gourmet food. Tasting wine in the South of France had long been on our bucket list, so when we heard about a wine cruise down the Rhone River, sailing from Lyon, we bo
For Shore: The Grape Escape
Exploring France’s wine country with Uniworld By Steve Leland The memory of the first time never fades away: first date, car, job, or virtually first anything. My first cruise back in 1980 altered the trajectory of my entire life. Then, 35 years and more than 500 ocean cruises later, the summer of
Design Time: S.S. Joie de Vivre
Bonjour S.S. Joie de Vivre Uniworld’s newest river ship design reflects the French joy of living. By Fran Golden When Toni Tollman set out to design the 128-passenger S.S. Joie de Vivre she had some of her favorite things about Paris in mind. As the Director of Design and Projects at Uniworld Rive
Cruise Deals of the Week – Feb. 17, 2017
Cruise Deals of the Week – Feb. 17, 2017 DEAL 1: Expedition line Hurtigruten is offering deals on their coastal itineraries, including $250 off per person plus $200 (1,600 NOK) in onboard credit on 12-day voyages, $150 per person savings and $100 onboard credit on southward voyages, and $100 off p