You are a veteran cruiser. You would never make these mistakes! You have shared your enthusiasm with another couple who are taking their maiden voyage alongside you on your next cruise. Here are a few tips you might pass along. Do’s: Do have your passport and visas in order? Maybe shots if you are going someplace exotic. (We will likely be required to produce proof we’ve had the Covid-19 vaccine.) You need all this in order or …
There’s pleasure in eating. There’s also a 1 + 1 = 3 effect when you enjoy the food that made the region famous at a local restaurant while enjoying local beer or wine. This article will focus on some great meals enjoyed in port cities. Your ship pulls up. You get off. You eat. What could be easier? 10 Memorable Meals Let’s not recommend specific restaurants. They might be difficult to find. (It took us forever to …
You’ve heard it all before. Millennials want experiences. They don’t want to buy stuff, they prefer to experience stuff. Does this describe you? If not, are you a travel agent? Do you own a cruise line? Cruising can be the ideal vehicle to deliver these experiences. Let’s start by redefining “experiences” as “experiencing the best.” To a degree this involves bragging rights. It should be visually deliverable. In other words, you can take a picture, post it …
Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving are big holidays. They usually bring families together. After the pandemic, they will again. You get offers from your favorite cruise lines. Cruise over Christmas. Why do some people choose to cruise over the holidays? There are lots of reasons. Let’s consider a few: They are alone. Their children have moved away. They live on their own. The holidays are a quiet time of year for them. They don’t have close relationships …
Ships come in all shapes and sizes. Watch “Below Deck” on Bravo and you see yachting elegance. The largest mega ships can easily carry 5,500 passengers. What are the pros and cons? Let’s consider small ships as a little bigger than the Valor or My Sienna, ships on the Bravo series. Let’s consider smaller ships like those operated by Silversea (300+ guests) or Seaborne (600+ guests). Bigger ships might be 2,000+ guests. In doing comparisons, lets assume …
Ever visit the German Christmas markets on a river cruise? Maybe you rented a car, checked into a centrally located hotel and took day trips to different markets. We did the latter. A lot. Like every year for almost 30 years. Then along came 2020. What Makes German Christmas Markets Special? Most European countries have Christmas markets. Consider it a reminder of ancient times when festivals lasted weeks. Unlike a state fair in the U.S., Christmas markets …
Read moreMissing the German Christmas Markets? 12 Ways We Re-created the Food and Atmosphere
68% of Americans own pets according to a 2016 report from the American Pet Products Association. (1) 48% own dogs, 38% own cats, in case you wondered. If you fit into this category, you likely miss your pet when you are on vacation. Here are some places you might find some to cheer you up. TSA Security. It’s a look, but don’t touch environment. Those uniformed beagles sniffing your luggage – you just want to pet them. …
“I really miss the QE2.” If you sail often, you will encounter passengers with a rose tinted view of how they remember cruising in the good old days. It’s actually improved significantly. Here’s how. It’s not just transportation. Once upon a time, it was how you crossed the Atlantic. How business people traveled from Britain to Australia or India. Today, the ship is the destination. You can have a great time and never leave the ship. River …
Read moreHow Cruising Changed for the Better Over the Decades
We hope to sail again soon. The cruise industry has started coming back to life. Meanwhile, US cities are starting to return to lockdown. New York City has a 10:00 PM curfew. Philadelphia is closing indoor dining and banning indoor events, including in home entertaining for friends through the end of 2020. You want to give gifts. You might not be able to deliver them in person. In addition, you don’t want to break the bank. What …
Human nature is fascinating. If your cruise a lot, you discover it’s a small world. I’ve been fascinated on Cunard’s world cruises, there are people who take the same trip every year! They know each other in the context of the ship they sail. You might not be spending three or four months at sea each year, but you’ve made friends. How do you keep the connections alive when you are stuck on land because no ships …
Read moreKeeping in Touch With Cruise Friends During the Pandemic
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
