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
Cruise Deal of the Week – August 19, 2022
Happy Friday, cruisers! It was a busy week in cruise news as several more cruise lines announced relaxed testing protocols, making things a whole lot easier for guests. One of the cruise lines to announce the change was Holland America Line which now, beginning after September 6, 2022, vaccinated
Going Forward with Azamara Onward
Welcome to Azamara Onward. Now get off the ship! Don’t take that the wrong way; take it as a gift. Azamara’s mission is to give its guests the one thing no one ever has enough of: time. Time to explore unusual, offbeat destinations. Time to have a late dinner at the cute little brasserie y
Virgin Voyages Secures $550 Million in New Funding
One of the newest cruise lines sailing is poised for a bright future after securing $550 million in new funding from new and existing investors. Virgin Voyages announced the funding in a press release today and executives from the cruise line say it points to not just a bright future for the cruise
Holland America Line Shares Updated “Travel Well” Protocols
Holland American Line has shared an update to its “Travel Well” COVID-19 protocols and procedures and it makes cruising a lot easier for guests. Beginning after September 6, 2022, vaccinated travelers sailing on voyages for up to 15 nights will no longer have to test days before their tr
Carnival Reveals New Details About Upcoming Carnival Celebration
We’re just a few months away from sailing on board the new Carnival Celebration as well as enjoying Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday festivities and the cruise line has released new details about the upcoming ship! From the Cloud 9 Spa to Loft 19 and the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat, the
Carnival Cruise Line Relaxes COVID-Testing Protocols
Carnival Cruise Line has new pre-cruise COVID testing protocols that make it easier for guests to enjoy their cruise vacation. Changes include no testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights, and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need t
Cruise Deal of the Week – August 12, 2022
Happy Friday, Cruisers! It was a big week in cruise news as Norwegian Cruise Line, along with their luxury brand Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas, announced a new protocol for COVID testing that makes things a whole lot easier for vaccinated travelers. That’s great news for the rest of
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Reveal New 2024/2025 Voyage Collection
Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas has revealed new itineraries for the 2024/2025 cruise season! The cruise line will sail 60 new port-intensive itineraries, 21 more sailings than the cruise line’s 2023-2024 season, to unique destinations in Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada a
A Viking Has Conquered The Great Lakes
No, it’s not a burly, bearded guy wielding an ax but rather the brand new Viking Octantis cruise ship. This striking beauty has established her reign by capturing the bounty of nature in the majestic waters of the Great Lakes. Over the past 25 years Viking has established itself as a premier playe
Norwegian Cruise Line Updates Testing Protocols
Norwegian Cruise Line hass announced revisions to its SailSAFE health protocols which make the embarkation process even easier for some guests. This season, passengers traveling with NCL will no longer have any pre-cruise COVID-19 testing protocols for vaccinated guests beginning on September 3, 202
Lighthouse Project Leads the Way
Exclusive river cruise purveyor Avalon Waterways, with sister companies Globus, Cosmos, and Monograms, has joined a new initiative, The Lighthouse Project, intended to spread understanding of world cultures while raising resources for the globe’s greater good. “We asked ourselves how we can do m
Oceania Cruises Updates Travel Safety Requirements
One of the top luxury cruise lines has announced a revamped SailSafe Health and Safety protocols for guests. Starting September 3, 2022, Oceania Cruises has announced vaccinated travelers will no longer need to test to embark a sailing and unvaccinated travelers may embark by providing proof of a ne
Schitt’s Creek Theme Cruise To Set Sail In 2023
Fans of the popular CBS show Schitt’s Creek are in luck! Flip Phone Events, the company that produces Golden Fans at Sea, a Golden Girls-themed cruise, is launching a cruise experience for diehard Schitt’s Creek fans this spring Spring 2023 from Miami. Fans are invited to book the cruise on
7 Days in the Galapagos with Hurtigruten
“Close your eyes and picture a moving tortoise,” instructs our orientation leader. “Because that’s how fast our WiFi is.” He isn’t joking. The internet connection on the Santa Cruz II brings us all back to the days of dial-up. Forget posting videos. Simply uploading a photo is an overnig
The Secret to Booking Unique Cruise Shore Excursions
One of the best parts of a cruise vacation is the shore excursions! No matter where you cruise, there’s something fun, unique, exciting and new to enjoy and there are a ton of ways to find it. Cruisers can book through their cruise line or on their own, but many choose to work with dedicated [
Cruise Deal of the Week – July 29, 2022
Happy Friday, Cruisers! Hopefully you have something fun planned for the last weekend of July 2022, but if not, we have a cruise deal that you aren’t going to want to miss! It’s not too late to book a European cruise in 2022 and we have a deal from MSC Cruises that may be one […
Carnival Celebration to Have Fleet’s Largest Retail Selection
When the upcoming Carnival Celebration debuts this November, those on board will have plenty of options when it come to onboard shopping! The cruise line announced today that there will be nine retail collections on board, the most of any ship in their fleet. “As retailers, we saw more opportuni
American Cruise Lines Announces First-Ever California Cruise
American Cruise Lines is expanding their cruise offerings to California with a new 8-day cruise itinerary from San Francisco beginning in 2023 on board American Jazz. It’s the first time ever American Cruise Line has offered a California cruise itinerary. Sailing round trip from San Francisc
Sir Richard Branson Surprises Guests in Bimini
Photo: Carlos Pita/Virgin Voyages Guests on board Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady this week had a very special event to enjoy while cruising! This week was Sir Richard Branson’s special Birthday Voyage and while in Bimini, Sir Richard made a surprise appearance at a three-day Small Business