cruise vacations and seasons Archives

Cruising in the Shoulder Season

July 28, 2026 by Bryce Sanders

Everyone wants to cruise when the weather is perfect. Everyone wants to vacation when the weather is perfect. Airfares are high when the weather is perfect. There is a good case to be made for cruising when the crowds are gone – between peak and off-peak seasons – also known as the ‘shoulder’ season. Cruise ships try to avoid bad weather. They have excellent navigation and weather tracking gear. The officers are experienced, often having sailed this route …

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Award-Winning Journalists

Gerry Barker is a life-long journalist, and he has been on more than forty cruises, from Barcelona and Rome to the Panama Canal.

Judi Cohen has been to over 80 countries and is an accomplished travel writer who enjoys sharing her stories.

Dennis Cox is an award-winning travel photographer and writer who has visited over one hundred countries on all seven continents.

Judi Cuervo is a New York City native who has been writing about travel for over 20 years.

Bob Ecker is a Napa, California based freelance writer and photographer who is constantly traveling the world.

Jackie Sheckler Finch has cruised on large and small vessels on numerous rivers and oceans.

Cynthia Boal Janssens is the former editor of ATC. She has cruised extensively and loves small ships.

Nicholas Kontis is a freelance writer and award winning photojournalist. He seeks off the beaten path cruises and destinations

Debi Lander is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in travel, food and lifestyle.

Monte Mathews is a New York-based food and travel writer, with a special focus on culinary cruising.

David Molyneaux has cruised on more than 50 ships and visited six continents. He is vice president of the SATW Foundation.

Barbara Orr has more than three decades of travel experience, and has been widely published in Canada and the U.S.

Bryce Sanders has traveled the world extensively and is now concentrating on writing about his adventures.