How Learning Languages Enhances Your Travel Experience
Learning a new language is often considered to be an impossible challenge for the average person. Memorizing thousands of new vocabulary words, practicing foreign pronunciation sounds, and engaging in an unfamiliar culture can be intimidating. However, if there’s one thing I’ve discovered during
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
Valencia’s Fresh Flavors
The city of Valencia straddles the line between the bounty of the Mediterranean and the agricultural abundance from the fields of the autonomous Valencian Community. The mild winters of the area’s subtropical climate combine with fertile farmland to bring the perfect menu of fresh and traditional
United Kingdom Overhauls Their Travel Rules
The old system for air arrivals to the United Kingdom is no longer in effect as the government announced an overhaul of the entire system to improve efficiency and make the process easier to follow. Starting October 4th, the UK will no longer have a three-color “traffic light” system whe
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
Making Up for Lost Time: a Post-Pandemic World Cruise
They say that we make plans and God laughs. Well, God must have been doubled over in knee-slapping hysterics when last year’s lockdown coincided exactly with my retirement date. Gone were my lavish retirement party and, even more heartbreaking, two Caribbean cruises along with my ideal post-
5 Ways to Spend the Day in St. Kitts
If you look up the word “paradise” in the dictionary, a photo of St. Kitts would not be out of place. This spectacular Caribbean island offers a delightful mix of fun, relaxation and natural beauty wherever you turn. As we inch closer to cruising’s return, the island is gearing up to welcome b
Is Travel Now Frowned Upon? Hospitality Expert Sarah Dandashy Weighs In
Before she was an award-winning concierge for one of Los Angeles’ top luxury hotels, Sarah Dandashy spent her time traveling all over the world. Her experience led her to start her own travel tips company called Ask A Concierge so she could help others get the most out of their vacation.
Cruising to Martinique? Don’t Forget Your Passport
For most islands in the Caribbean, cruisers don’t need to bring their passports ashore when they leave the ship to go exploring. However, the island of Martinique is changing its policy when it comes to cruisers and passports. Now any cruiser who wants to get off the ship on the island must have t
A Cruiser’s Guide to Quebec City
Québec City is increasingly positioning itself on the international cruise scene as a destination and port of embarkation of choice. Located at the point where the St. Charles and St. Lawrence Rivers converge, sailing in or out of Québec City is a high point of any Canada—New England cruise itin
Tips for Decorating Your Stateroom Door
Ah, there’s nothing like soaking in the grandeur a magnificent cruise ship, only to be greeted by rows and rows of plain-looking, neutral colored hallways where your stateroom awaits. To break up the monotony—and to make finding your room about 20 times easier—many cruisers participate in
Aruba: Vacation at Your Own Pace
The first thing most notice as they peer out the windows of their plane landing at Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba is the water. A palate of stunning blues and greens, the coastline of Aruba jumps out at those visiting the island for the first time. When it comes to booking your next va
MUST HAVE TRAVEL GEAR: Cruise Packing Solutions
Remember the days when you couldn’t print your boarding pass online the night before your flight? Remember when navigating a new country meant unfolding and scouring a map instead of typing the address into a smartphone and letting it do the work for you? Remember a world before selfies? We sure d
Traveling with Prescriptions: the Do’s and Don’ts
What’s your process when it comes to packing for a cruise vacation? Do you make a list and pack everything up a week in advance or do you throw together your suitcase mere hours before your flight is scheduled to take off? No matter what your personal packing strategy might be, there are a few [&h
Do I Have to Take My Passport on a Cruise?
Swimsuit? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Hawaiian shirt? Check. When it comes to packing for your cruise vacation, everybody knows the essentials. However, not everyone knows the rules when it comes to taking important documents with them on them ship. It may seem like a no-brainer to bring along your pas
A Guide to Cruising to New York City
The Monthly Mantra Take a Walk on the West Side … Take a Walk on the West Side … Take a Walk on the West Side… Sometimes I wish I lived in some sleepy little rural town so that I could experience cruising from New York City. But not in 10 hours. Like London, Florence, […]
TRAVEL TIPS: Your Own Adventure in San Juan
Let’s face it, taking a cruise is a luxury many Americans have to save up for, especially when, on top of the cruise fare, you add the daily gratuities, alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, and any other cravings you’d like to satisfy. That’s why when presented with a gre
TRAVEL TIPS: South Korea’s Jeju Island
Located off the southern coast of South Korea is an island paradise that South Korean and Japanese visitors have enjoyed for years and that is only now becoming popular with tourists outside of Asia. It’s a smart destination for travelers wanting to visit South Korea in unique
TRAVEL TIPS: New Zealand’s Slice of Scottish Paradise
Did you know that New Zealand has its own little piece of Scotland? That’s right, you can go Down Under and visit Dunedin, the city whose name is actually the Scottish Gaelic word for Edinburgh. Cruise ships head to Scotland in the spring and summer months, but if you’re looking for the United K
