Eating Well in the Neighborhood
Growing up in Nebraska, my dining routine consisted of daily servings of meat, potatoes, and canned vegetables. Fast forward a few decades and my culinary horizons have expanded through extensive travels around the world. I still have a dislike for beets and onions, but I’m open to trying anyt
The Bites, Sights, and Nights of Southeast Asia
Street Eats in Hoi An, Vietnam In the bustling streets of Vietnam, where the motor scooter reigns as the king of the road, embarking on a food tour with Vespa Adventures was an obvious choice for exploring the culinary delights of Hoi An. With our skilled driver navigating through the chaotic traffi
The Sights and Heights of Sa Pa, Vietnam
The allure of Vietnam’s intrigue and rich historical past is undeniable, with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) leading the way. While I had previously relied on guidebooks for my visits to these major destinations, my desire to explore hidden gems led me to seek the assistance of my Vietnam
Asian Adventures: Journey to the Far East
Ever wanted to explore the wonders of Asia by sea? From the temples of Malaysia to the ruins of Siam, Thailand, several cruise lines offer multiple itineraries to Asia and beyond, allowing you to explore the wonders of the Far East one country at a time. In this blog, I’ll be sharing some of the [
New Super Yacht Emerald Azzurra Delivered to Emerald Cruises
The first of two brand new superyachts from Emerald Cruises left Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam yesterday en route to Aqaba, Jordan and its inaugural cruise. Emerald Azzurra is a custom built, 100-guest luxury superyacht and the cruise line’s first ocean-going vessel to join the fleet. The inaugural
Asian River Cruise Line Pandaw Announces Their Return
The pandemic was terrible for everyone, but cruise lines in particular felt the financial wrath of an industry-wide shutdown and some weren’t able to make it. Pandaw looked to be one of those cruise lines when they announced late October that they would be shutting their doors. At the time, th
Sea, Sky, and Mangroves
“That fish is walking!” gasps my wide-eyed son Freddie, pointing to a sludgy mud bank within Langkawi’s mangrove forest. He is right. Or rather, he is almost right. For this amphibious mudskipper is, in fact, shimmying with one fin fanned out like a sail on a boat; just one in a menagerie of s
Emerald Azzurra Completes Successful Sea Trials
The very first custom super yacht from Emerald Cruises recently underwent successful sea trials from Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam, meaning we’re one step closer to stepping foot on board! Conducted by Captain Jonathan Edwards and Marine Operations Manager Robert O’Leary, the sea trials t
Asian River Cruise Line Pandaw Shuts Down After 25 Years
Some sad news in the cruise world this morning. Pandaw, a river expedition cruise line sailing Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and India has announced they’re closing their doors after more than 25 years in business. In the press release, Pandaw cited “lack of financial liquidity a
Pandaw Unveils New Double-Size Suites
The popular Asian river cruise line Pandaw has something for guests to look forward to in 2021; brand new double-size suites on board their P Class ships in Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma. Measuring 336 square feet and with a private balcony and lounge, these new suites are designed with comfort a
Choose Your Cruise – December 30, 2020
When the ball drops in Times Square this New Year’s Eve, make sure you’re tuned in to watch. It’s going to be a little bit different this year, but the spirit of the season remains. It seems like our collective New Year’s resolution for 2021 is to get out and do EVERYTH
VIDEO:Emerald Azzurra Float Out Ceremony
Is it January 2022 yet? That’s how long cruisers will have to wait before they can sail on board the newest yacht from Emerald Cruises. We did get a sneak peek of the new ship over the weekend when it was floated out for the first time at Halong Shipbuilding Company in Vietnam. The [&he
Cruise Ship Review: Avalon Waterways Avalon Saigon
Pulling in to Siem Reap, we pass by markets, restaurants, and a church —establishments that would seem commonplace in any village. Except this one is floating. During the rainy season, Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, swells more than five times its size. Stilt homes sit l
New Ship Embarks on Lan Ha Bay Cruises
Everyone who cruises the coast of Vietnam comes home with stunning pictures of the many towering rock karsts which dot the coastline. The most famous are in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, but the lesser known Lan Ha Bay is growing in popularity thanks to Paradise Vietnam and the first of
Heritage Line Announces Upper Mekong River Cruises
The beauty of cruising is that it comes in all shapes and sizes. From massive ocean liners with thousands of guests to boutique riverine vessels, there’s a cruise for everyone. Heritage Line, one of Southeast Asia’s top river cruise operators, is gearing up for launch of their new ship Heritage
Silver Shadow: From Sea to Silversea
A luxury cruise can sail in one of two divergent styles. The first is a liberating escape, coddled with ultra-luxe amenities and service; the second, an exploration of diverse cultures in remote destinations. Silversea’s Silver Shadow accomplishes both with a fabulous itinerary into exotic Southea
Cruise Deal of the Week – November 8, 2019
Is there a better way to explore the world than on a handcrafted luxury river ship going to exotic destinations, with a glass of something refreshing in your hand whenever you want it? We sure didn’t think so. That’s the concept behind Pandaw’s latest offering on select short cruises to Vietna
The Heart of Vietnam
I first visited Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in 1995; Vietnam tourism was evolving and beginning to take root as an integral part of daily life in major cities. By my next visit in December 2012, tourism was booming. Brand-name hotels shared the skyline near the legendary Rex Hotel. Restaurants caterin
Highlights of Vietnam – Hoi An, Hanoi and Halong Bay
Filled with vibrant cities, small hill villages and 2000 miles of coastline, Vietnam is compelling and exotic. Influenced over centuries by the Chinese, Portuguese, Khmer, Japanese, British-Indian, and of course, the French, Vietnam is culturally complex. At one point, the country was known as Frenc
8 Popular Cruises You Shouldn’t Be Booking (And 8 You Should)
Cruising is infectious. Once people get a taste of what a true cruise vacation can be like, they’re always looking for the next great destination to explore. There are tons of great cruise itineraries out there, but which ones should you be booking? Do you go with the flow and cruise where eve
