The Avid Cruiser

Riverside Luxury River Cruises has a new Summer Sale. The offers are for bookings made by August 31. Book now to receive a $150pp onboard credit and there is no single supplement on Harmony & Melody. Suites

Last month, I sailed the Danube with Avalon Waterways. During the sailing, I sat down with Cruise Director, Istvan, to chat about the Danube, Avalon's Active & Discovery program, and more. Listen to the podcast.

Britton's recent story about Avalon struck a chord with readers. Responding to 5 Ways Avalon Waterways Goes Above & Beyond, which Britton wrote after her May Danube sailing on Avalon View, our friend Ben Rich was one of several readers who felt compelled to write about his experience on Avalon. 

Bikes and riverboats go together. So much so that we have a whole page dedicated to bicycling and river cruising. As a bike enthusiast, last week I attended the Asheville, NC premier of a new movie, Shadow Of A Wheel. I believe many of our readers will relate to the film.

We're proud of the numbers in the graphic above. It shows that nearly 54 percent of you opened our newsletter last week, and 7 percent of you clicked on links. The open and click rates pretty much have stayed the same since we began distributing our newsletter more than a decade ago. 

AmaWaterways released its 2024 Heart of the River brochure detailing the unparalleled experiences that await guests across Europe, Egypt, Asia, Colombia and Africa.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is offering savings of up to $3,000 for customers that purchase cruise and air together on select 2023 itineraries.

Viking® announced voyages on its newest Nile River ship, the Viking Hathor, are now available for booking. Set to debut in 2024, the Viking Hathor will join the company’s growing fleet of purpose-built ships on the Nile River, which sail the popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises kicked off its inaugural Rivers of the World trip in Cairo, completing the first segment of the 46-night journey. The itinerary is the first of its kind for Uniworld, taking guests to nine countries aboard five luxury Super Ships combining both cruise and land.

Looking to do a river cruise in Europe but confused by all the offerings? We make it easy for you. whether it's your first time on a river cruise or you're a veteran river cruiser. We'll start with popular cruises in the spring and proceed to popular river cruises in the summer, fall and winter. Here are the top 10 European river cruises for 2022 and 2023.

Inspired food and wines are often part of any upper premium or luxury cruise. Atlas Ocean Voyages' new Epicurean Expeditions are sure to please the foodies among us.

At the beginning of this month, I was a guest on board Avalon Waterways’ newest ship, Avalon View. I was invited by Avalon to experience one of their Active & Discovery itineraries on the Danube, but we will focus more on the itinerary in the upcoming weeks. Today, I want to talk about five ways […]

Known for its food, wines, architecture, romanticism, and so much more, France is a charming country that is high on many travelers’ must-visit lists. Though I had spent a few days in Paris here and there, it wasn’t until I cruised the Rhone for the first time that I discovered the magic of France, but […]

We get a lot of requests from companies asking us to review their travel products here on River Cruise Advisor. Recently two products came to my attention that I thought our readers would like, so I requested samples.

For a European vacation to write home about, Avalon Waterways has announced a new Storyteller Series cruise for 2024: Cheers to 50 Years! A Storyteller Cruise & Birthday Celebration with Jen Hatmaker. 

Viking® has announced a new river voyage that will allow guests to experience Europe during winter. The new Treasures of the Rhine itinerary debuts in December 2023 and establishes Viking as the first line to operate year-round on Europe’s storied rivers.

CroisiEurope has a new canal barge in the Oise Valley. This new cruise will take travelers from Paris to Pont-l’Évêque on a journey to quaint ports of call featuring historical cities and excellent local cuisine.

AmaWaterways has a new wine cruise itinerary debuting in 2024. Dubbed Flavors of Burgundy, the sailings take guests on a tasty journey along the Saône River visiting a collection of France’s most prestigious vineyards.

Oceania Cruises Unveils its first ship in a decade.

Video highlights from back-to-back Burgundy barge adventures in April 2023.

Video featuring how locks work and why they are necessary along the canal system in Burgundy.

Next week, I am headed to Budapest to sail with Avalon Waterways on the Danube. I first sailed with Avalon Waterways in 2021, when I was invited to sail the Rhone River on an Active & Discovery itinerary. These “A + D” itineraries have quickly become my favorite way to travel because of the type of travelers to whom they cater and the fast-paced style of travel that they offer. 

Headquartered in Calabasas, CA, AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst, a husband-and-wife team with much river cruise line experience, and the late Jimmy Murphy, founder of Brendan Worldwide Vacations. So, what sets the line apart? It's highly inclusive, strikes a balance on included beverages, has dedicated wellness hosts, and so much more.

This past Thursday, I returned from France after back-to-back barge trips in Burgundy. To say that my 17 days in France was wonderful would be an understatement. 

Barging Through Burgundy: From Dole To Dijon & The Workings Of Canals Daniele entering a lock on the Doubs river. © 2023 Ralph Grizzle As I write this post, our tiny barge Daniele is leaving Dijon and headed toward the Saône river. The journey along the Canal de Bourgogne will take us just under two […]

One year from this week (in 2024), Avalon Waterways will make its Portugal debut on the Douro River with a new itinerary and Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria. M

AmaWaterways will extend its pre- or post-cruise Complimentary Land Package offer on select itineraries in 2023 and 2024, as well as fixed price airfares on select Europe departures with new offer, AirPlus.

Viking announced its newest ship for the Nile River was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water.

We are not yet midway through our back-to-back barge trips in Burgundy. So far, a magical trip. The photos here barely do it justice. The weather has treated us kindly since we departed Besançon on Friday morning. Our departure from this beautiful city in was Franche-Comté through a tunnel underneath the Citadelle, a 17th-century fortress that stands high above Besançon.

This week I have been feeling grateful. After accepting a new part-time job opportunity at a brewery in town and receiving tremendous support from my friends and family after sustaining a foot injury, I wanted to make sure that I gave each and every one of them thanks - whether it was a text, a phone call, or a handwritten note. As I sat down to brainstorm content for the week, I realized that there was someone (something?) else that I wanted to thank - the company that gave me my first introduction to river cruising and has continually delivered unforgettable experiences onboard since. 

CroisiEurope is offering complimentary airfare on select summer departures on Seine and Loire River itineraries. The air-inclusive packages are currently limited to flights in and out of New York City’s Newark Airport (EWR) on select departure dates. However, CroisiEurope has plans to expand these offerings in the upcoming months.

AmaWaterways announced three new opportunities for guests to celebrate the African and Black diaspora in both France & Egypt in 2024.

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Emerald Cruises are offering bonus savings of US$500 per cabin on select 2023-2024 river and ocean itineraries, plus a 50 percent reduction in deposits.

Riviera River Cruises is extending several promotions offering savings on 2023 and 2024 European river cruises for bookings made through May.

When visiting historically rich and architecturally beautiful cities day after day, Avalon just wants to make sure that its guests get to do and see as much as they want in each destination. For those who want a more traditional river cruise experience, with mostly classic sightseeing excursions and tours, or even a more curated experience like a wine or culinary themed cruise, Avalon offers a variety of other itineraries ranging from 3-nights to 20-plus night combination cruises.

The fascinating way that Riverside Ravel got from the Danube to the Rhone.

In last week's post about saving on business class, I mentioned three exciting moments that accompany a new adventure. The first was flying business class. The second is the arrival and checking into a hotel. If you've been a regular visitor here, you know that we always recommend flying in a day or two before your river cruise embarkation. Why? 1) You need time to recover from the change of time zones and the impact on your body clock. 2) Your luggage, despite the airlines best intentions (or worst ones), may not arrive when you do. And 3) It's smart to use time before your river cruise to explore the European city where you're embarking. Typically, these are wonderful cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Lyon, Arles, Basel, Vienna, Budapest, Porto and others. 

Beginning in May, Riverside Luxury Cruises will operate a series of voyages along the beautiful Rhone River. In our chart, you can review what itineraries - or combination of itineraries - might work best for you. We suspect most of you will be interested in the longer cruises, those spanning seven to 11 nights, but for those of you wanting to sample Riverside will find three and four-night cruises are available.

AmaWaterways, the first major river cruise line to explore the magnificent Magdalena River in Colombia, announced details on two stunning, newly designed ships and mesmerizing itineraries debuting in 2024.

There are few things in life that match the thrill of a new adventure. I am feeling this right now, as nearly 40 of us are preparing to barge through Burgundy in early April. The preparation got me thinking about the exciting moments of a new adventure. I can think of at least three.

AmaWaterways AmaWaterways offers guests a free pre- or post-cruise land package on select itineraries including the Blue Danube, Captivating Rhine, Enticing Douro, Charms of the Mekong, and more. Offer(s): Free land package with select itineraries Offer Expires: March 31, 2023 Avalon Avalon Waterways offers guests $500 off per couple and free economy air on 2023 European river […]

Earlier this week, AmaWaterways held a special Sip & Sail event to provide details about its new Latin America cruises. Beginning in April of 2024, AmaWaterways will offer a series of seven-night sailings, with optional add-ons, along the Magdalena River. Lots of details in the video. We encourage you to sit back and give it a watch.

One hundred eighteen islands and atolls comprise French Polynesia with five distinct archipelagoes: the Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Austral, and Gambier islands, so choices abound. Going off the beaten path a bit offers up profound beauty that’s wedded to the indelible Polynesian spirit. Coupled with resplendent snorkeling, scuba diving, and cultural experiences makes travel here unforgettable.

Imagine that you are in your last good decade. How would you live it? The possibilities are endless and dependent on what's important to you. But essentially, it's a call to action and a reminder to not put off what you want to do.

The Greek family-owned Variety Cruises, known for its small sailing ships of less than 72-passengers that sails Greece, West Africa, and Mediterranean destinations, in January commenced with two new itineraries in French Polynesia. To this end, Variety brought over its 150-foot, two-masted motorized sailer, the 20-year-old Panorama II, from Greece to Tahiti’s capital, Papeete. This was accomplished not by sailing it there, but far more eco-friendly, it was shipped on a float-on, float-off, super yacht transport vessel. 

AmaWaterways offers Danube itineraries ranging from five to 14-nights. While some of these itineraries are similar, or may have repeat ports, we are here to help you understand the differences between these itineraries, though they can be small.

CroisiEurope Cruises has announced the launch of its new cruise extension programs. These new programs offer travelers the opportunity to further immerse themselves in the destinations they visit by offering more in-depth experiences beyond the traditional cruise itinerary.

Did you know that many river cruise boats carry bicycles on board for guests to use? The bicycles are (or should be) well-maintained and capable of fitting guests of all sizes. Bicycling is a great way to explore destinations. Here's my guide of how to have some of your best tours ever - on a bike.

We field requests frequently from folks like you, who have landed on this page looking for a solution. They may be traveling with young children, with adult family, or they may simply be three friends traveling together and wanting to avoid the often-punitive solo supplement. There are a couple of strategies for those looking to river cruise with three or four in a cabin.

With itineraries on the Rhine ranging from 4-nights to 20+-night combination itineraries, there are many ways to see Europe from an Avalon suite ship. Unique to Avalon, Active & Discovery itineraries are one of my favorite ways to travel. These itineraries feature curated active and discovery excursions, ranging from painting and cooking classes to workshops to kayak, hike and bike tours. These itineraries are great for those who like to stay active and get hands on. 

CroisiEurope Cruises, Europe’s leading river cruise line known for its unique itineraries, is optimistic about the full-scale return of their African cruise-and-land safari programs in 2023, following a soft re-opening in 2022.  “2022 has been the rebound year for us in Europe, on our standard river cruise itineraries,” said Michael DaCosta, General Manager of CroisiEurope […]

Avalon Waterways' survey lists top five rivers that Avalon cruisers are interested in sailing next. How many of these rivers have you cruised?

Curious about what it costs to run a site like ours? Here's the costs and some of the challenges.

Riverside Luxury Cruises | 2023 Mozart Sailings With Pricing Riverside Luxury Cruises acquired Crystal Mozart, a beautiful ship limited to cruising the Danube because of its double-width size. © 2016 Ralph Grizzle I am excited to see the Mozart launch under Riverside Luxury Cruises. I sailed the double-width beauty when it operated under Crystal (and […]

Lately I’ve been thinking about how we can get the most from our experiences, be those experiences river cruises or almost anything else that we do. Of course, a lot of it boils down to allowing yourself to live in the moment. I’ve read countless books about living in the moment during my own journey of […]

This fall, I am hosting another solo group with Riviera River Cruises and Emma Cakmak from A Passport To Travel. This seven-night sailing on through the South of France is the perfect opportunity for solo travelers looking to relax (and avoid a single supplement).

Cruising to or from Amsterdam? Why not do what the Dutch do and straddle a saddle? Hop on a bike and pedal your way through Amsterdam and the beautiful countryside.

CroisiEurope Cruises, Europe’s leading river cruise line, will operate its Family Cruise program during the summer of 2023. The Family Cruise program was created to ensure that both children and parents have a memorable time on board.

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has introduced a selection of new Scenic Freechoice shore excursions for their 2023 season of European river cruises. These ‘off the boat’ experiences invite guests to explore historical places, sample delicious delicacies, and take in the local cultures and wildlife. New bookings made by March 31, 2023 receive savings of up to $1,500 per cabin.

Viking® will welcome a new Viking Longship®, purpose-built for the Seine River, to its fleet in 2025. The new ship will sail the company’s popular eight-day Paris and the Heart of Normandy itinerary.

This summer, Emerald Cruises is offering two dedicated family cruises departing this July on the Danube and Rhine rivers. Special pricing on these two departures allows families traveling together to book two adjacent cabins and save 50% on the second cabin.

I remember the first time I stepped on board AmaMagna. The ship made a "guest appearance" in Linz, Austria while I was sailing down the Danube on AmaViola. The floors were still covered by paper and cardboard as Magna was there to get her finishing touches but, even before she got her last few coats of paint and final polish, I knew that AmaMagna was going to shine.

Loyal Seabourn customers will feel right at home on Seabourn Venture, while at the same time experiencing a fully fledged expedition. For those new to Seabourn and looking for a combination of an ultra-luxurious floating boutique hotel and a state-of-the-art expedition, Seabourn should definitely be on your list.

In last week's post, we talked about the trend toward longer river cruises, longer than seven days, that is. Nearly all of the major river cruise companies now offer long cruises, with some itineraries approaching two months in duration. Our readers responded positively by a ratio of 27 to 1 when asked the question, Do river cruises longer than 7 days/nights appeal to you? We were surprised by the enthusiasm. Read why they prefer to go long or stay home.

There's a new trend in river cruising - long river cruises, with some spanning more than 50 days. I spent two weeks on AmaSonata in 2016 and could have easily stayed on board another two weeks. How about you? Read more about the new trend of long river cruises and voice your opinion in our survey.

Nearly a year after Crystal went bankrupt early last year, Riverside Luxury Cruises acquired the double-width Crystal Mozart. That left four recently Crystal built river cruisers with an uncertain fate - Bach, Ravel, Mahler and Debussy. We worried that with companies recovering from the pandemic, that no one would be flush enough to purchase these spectacular ships, with their beautiful public areas, multiple dining options, spacious staterooms, indoor pools, and at the time Crystal operated them, outstanding staff and service.

On January 8, 2023, in the Los Angeles World Cruise Center, Viking Cruises named it newest ship, the Neptune, immediately prior to its departure to Honolulu continuing its 138-day epic world voyage. Starting in Fort Lauderdale a couple of weeks ago, the world cruise will end in London in May after visiting 28 countries and 57 ports with overnight stays in 11 cities.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announced its second annual Rivers of the World cruise for 2024. The 55-day itinerary departs on October 3, 2024, from Lima, Peru, and will take 68 guests on a journey spanning across three continents and 10 countries.

The New Year is upon us, and what better way is there to manifest smooth sailing next year than by looking at the top five river cruise itineraries for 2023?

In anticipation of wave season, Emerald Cruises will expand its ‘Explore the Extraordinary’ campaign into the new year. This campaign, which runs from December 16, 2022 to March 31, 2023, offers sizable savings on a variety of 2023 and 2024 river cruises, along with a new menu of bonus offers available when guests pay in full.

AmaWaterways adds two new 2023 river cruise dates to experience Heritage on the River; Your Personalized Ancestry® Experience. These special itineraries, conducted in collaboration with AmaWaterways’ partner Ancestry®, will provide guests exclusive opportunities to explore their heritage with tailored experiences that educate and immerse them in the destinations their ancestors once called home.

Is a Christmas cruise the right choice for you? I think so. We have compiled a list of each 2020 Christmas Market itinerary so you can decide which Christmas cruise is the right fit. The post European Christmas Markets River Cruises 2020 appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.

I listen to all Avid Travel with Britton Frost podcasts, but it was her recent interview with Kristin Karst that really struck a chord with me. Kristin, as many of you may know, is the co-founder of AmaWaterways. Her genuine warmth is what imbues Ama with what guests often refer to as a "feeling of family" on board Ama's ships. In last week's podcast, Celebrating the Holidays with AmaWaterways, Britton asked Kristin what her favorite excursion was on her last cruise. Give it a listen. It's a lovely story.

Riviera River Cruises has announced that its 2024 European river cruise departures are now on sale, with 10% savings and free beverage packages for new bookings made through Feb. 28, 2023. A total of 14 itineraries with 301 departures, including seven cruises exclusively for solo travelers, are available between March and November 2024 in destinations including France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and more.

Emerald Cruises has added four additional 2023 sailing dates to three of its most popular river cruise itineraries. Two new dates have been added to Emerald Cruises’ Christmas cruise season, which takes guests to the charming Christmas markets and sparkling streets of European cities such as Budapest, Vienna and Cologne. The popular Douro River cruise season has also been extended, with two new dates inviting guests to enjoy the sights and tastes of Portugal into the autumn and the holiday seasons.

Belgian writer and photographer Mike Louagie recounts a challenging adventure. In Greenland, he and a few others left the ship for two nights to pull sleds, camp and remain vigilant for polar bears. Several times it became so challenging that he thought of turning back. What pushed him onward?

Last month, Julie Kessler traveled to Antarctica, courtesy of Silversea Cruises, for the christening of Silver Endeavour. Silversea acquired the new ship following the demise of Crystal Cruises. Here's her report.

Scenic is offering savings of up to $6,000 per couple on its European and Mekong River sailing while the ocean yacht savings range up to $7,500 per person with itineraries that span from the Arctic to Antarctica to Japan and elsewhere. Savings amounts vary by itinerary and suite selection and must be paid in full within […]

Guests booking select 2023 Europe and Southeast Asia river cruises will enjoy savings of up to $5,000 per couple.

Riviera River Cruises is offering Black Friday discounts of up to $1,500 for its 2023 European river cruise departures.

The Globus family of brands announced Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to encourage travelers to invest in their 2023 travel plans to Europe. Black Friday SALE Away Avalon Waterways is inviting river cruisers to enjoy free air plus free pre-paid gratuities on select 2023 Europe River Cruises when booked between November 21 – November 28, […]

One of my favorite river cruise vessels will soon be back in service, the m/s Mozart. I first cruised on the storied ship in 2008, when she was operated by Peter Deilmann. Aside from being awed by Mozart's impressive width, nearly double that of a typical river cruise ship, I'd never been on a river cruiser with an indoor pool.

Last month, I was invited by Riviera River Cruises to sail on one of the line’s unique solo-only departures. I wrote about my first impressions of Riveria River Cruises, but this week I want to highlight the solo experience. Read my first impressions here I always say that my favorite part about river cruising is […]

Award-winning luxury river cruise line, AmaWaterways, tells us that travelers can now book unforgettable river cruise vacations on all 2024 itineraries on the iconic rivers of Europe, Africa, Egypt and Asia. With an added reward for early bookings and extended seasons on the Rhine, Danube and Douro rivers, guests have the opportunity to save now when […]

CroisiEurope has announced a brand-new hotel barge holiday season cruise to experience the enchanting Christmas Markets along the Alsatian Canals. The three-night, four-day cruise, onboard the 22-guest hotel barge MS Madeleine, is round trip from Colmar and visits Kunheim, Kaysersberg and Riquewihr.

The newest ship to voyage the White Continent is Viking Cruise’s new Polaris. Built in 2022, this 666-foot length, 30,150 gross ton ship, specifically built for remote outposts is a Polar Class 6 ice ship. It was named in Amsterdam late last month, then repositioned via Madeira, Portugal. It arrived at Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, sometimes called, “the end of the world.” Here in late October, I embarked for Polaris’ inaugural voyage to Antarctica, courtesy of Viking Cruises. This voyage had the added panache of being the first ship of Antarctica’s season. 

Last week, I sailed along the Moselle and Rhine Rivers with Riviera aboard Geoffrey Chaucer. I was invited by Riviera to experience one of the line’s unique Solo Departures. As someone who often travels solo, I was curious to see what was different about traveling with other solos, as well as what Riviera does differently from […]

We've done a number of articles featuring our best river cruise tips. Search our site and you'll find posts such as Our Top Three Tips For Choosing Your River Cruise, Three Tips For Cruisers Going To Europe, Five Tips For Choosing Your Stateroom, Airfare Hacks: Cheap Business Class Tickets For Your River Cruise and many more articles designed to provide you with a better (and often, cheaper) river cruise experience. This week, we turned to Emma Cakmak, owner of A Passport To Travel. Emma just returned from a river cruise in Bordeaux.

When I thought about what to share with you all from my river cruise, I figured I would gather some first impressions about Riviera. However, I am continuing to be surprised and delighted by Riviera every day, so I figured I'd save those for the end. What I will share with you instead is the view from the Sesselbahn in Boppard today. Instead of going on the city tour today, a brave group of women (myself included) decided to take the Sesselbahn, or chairlift, in Boppard. Why brave? Read on.

Round up of river cruise news this week. From AmaWaterways new Flavors Of Burgundy cruise to Britton's Rhine trip with Riviera.

This week, Britton is gearing up for her Rhine river cruise on Riviera's Geoffrey Chaucer. That means arranging for pet-sitters, shopping for new clothes (of course) and finalizing the logistics of her trip. She's become quite the traveler, something that she began training for early on in life. In fact, she was only approaching her first birthday when she crossed the Atlantic on the venerable Queen Elizabeth 2, the first of many cruises for the now 27-year-old. She'll be posting updates from her Rhine adventures on Instagram - follow her updates @avidcruiserbritton - and here on River Cruise Advisor.

News that comes as no surprise to us: Riviera River Cruises is proud to announce that it has received 2022 Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly for its solo traveler offerings. We're not surprised because we have long touted - and advised single travelers - that Riviera represents one of the best choices when it comes to traveling solo.

We often recommend the Rhine and Danube to first-time river cruisers. These rivers not only the most popular for river cruising, but also offer a large variety of itineraries between the two rivers and their tributaries. Those looking to try something different may decide to venture to the Seine or the Rhone rivers in France, or, if they wish to stay on this side of the pond, even the Mississippi River. However, there are an array of river cruise options "off the beaten path," with itineraries in South America, Africa and Asia.

For an incredibly cool, hip, and colorful hotel in Copenhagen’s heart, 25Hours Hotel Copenhagen is a real gem.

We marvel at architecture, go gaga over cuisine, immerse ourselves in culture and astonish ourselves with history. But when travel is really good we find ourselves with like-minded people sharing experiences and unless we're bring fuddy-duddies, a few laughs along the way. Travel gives us much more than knowledge, sights and tastes. Travel gives us shared experiences and with any luck, enduring friendships.

The best river cruise deals for September 2022.

Avalon Waterways announced that it will make its Douro debut with a new itinerary and Suite Ship, the Avalon Alegria, in 2024. 

Back when I cycled much of the world, things were an uncertain then as they are now,. Had I not ventured out, I would have missed four decades of beautiful experiences. It’s time to once again set out on daring adventures. Are you ready?

CroisiEurope offers savings from 10 percent to 25 percent for cruises during the holiday season - 2022. From Christmas in Venice (or elsewhere in Europe) to exploring the Mekong, find your space and a special rate.

Reservations are now open for AmaWaterways’ 2024 Seven River Journey – Spring and Summer Editions. AmaWaterways is introducing its longest journey yet with the complete 49 night itinerary spent on board one ship, the AmaMora, and the first-time experience of sailing the complete length of the Rhine and Danube rivers including the seldom visited Danube […]

Earlier this week, we heard from a reader who was “stuck” in Passau on Uniworld’s River Duchess. Moving now, the ship had been stationary for four days due to low water levels on the Danube. Our reader was concerned that River Duchess would not make it to Amsterdam as scheduled. but he didn’t sound as […]

It seems that few of those on river cruises this fall knew how to pack. Our comments are filled with questions about what should go in - and stay out of - the suitcase.

In a recent survey, we asked readers what, if anything, was holding them back from river cruising in Europe. More than half of respondents told us that nothing is holding them back. They already have river cruises booked for the remainder of this year or at some point next year. That's good news. We're glad to see people getting back into river cruising. What's holding back the half who aren't yet ready to return to river cruising?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announces new offerings for 2023, including itineraries, excursions, and cruise extension options. “Innovation is always at top of mind for us at Uniworld,” says Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO. “Each year, we strive to make the next river cruise season even better than the last. We’re rolling out fresh new offerings and […]

With river cruising making its comeback, some things have changed. Here's a look at how to get the most for your money and four trends that are having an impact on river cruising.

Riviera River Cruises holds between four and six solo cabins for every single one of its departures, but it also offers a number of solo only itineraries. This means that there is no single supplement on any cabin and that all of those onboard are rooming alone. 

AmaWaterways has been recognized as Best River Cruise Line by the global luxury travel network, Virtuoso®. This year marks the ninth consecutive year that AmaWaterways has been recognized as the best river cruise line.

Southeast Asia has boomed in popularity as a travel destination since we were there twelve years ago. At the time, AmaWaterways was one of the only major river cruise companies that was operating on the Mekong. Over the years, the company has fine tuned its program in Southeast Asia, introduced new pre- and post-cruise extensions, and even introduced a purpose-built Mekong River ship - AmaDara.

Weather.com tells us it’s raining right now in Kaub, Germany. That’s good news for the German town in the picturesque Rhine Gorge. The Rhine is set to rise too, approaching 50 centimeters at the Kaub marker, after having dropped to 30 centimeters earlier this week. The low water levels disrupted most, but not all, river cruises.

Viking announced that its newest river ship, the Viking Saigon, has begun its inaugural season in Southeast Asia. Purpose-built for the Mekong River, the 80-guest ship sails between Kampong Cham, Cambodia and M? Tho, Vietnam as part of Viking’s popular 15-day Magnificent Mekong itinerary.

Water levels near the Rhine Gorge were at 42 centimeters this morning. As the river continues to dry up along stretches, river cruise companies are resorting to ship swaps and bus transfers to keep things moving. All bad? Not necessarily. See what our readers are saying and what's in store for the Rhine over the next several weeks.

When traveling the world it is critically important to be mindful of and respect local laws. If not, the result may be that the contents of your toiletry bag gets you free lodging. In jail. Julie L. Kessler reporting.

CroisiEurope Cruises announced its worldwide program of 2023 river, canal and ocean itineraries, which are now available for booking. The 2023 cruise catalog features 170 itineraries on 55 ships, sailing on 45 waterways in 40 countries.

That's Pascal in the photo above. He's pictured presenting Beef Wellington, which was off-the-charts delicious. Some on our trip said that Pascal's culinary creations were tastier than the Michelin-star dishes that they had experienced before boarding the barge. That should come as no surprise. Strasbourg-based CroisiEurope partners with some of France's best chefs, including culinary greats such as Paul Bucose, with two Michelin stars, and Marc Haeberlin, who reached up to the sky and pulled down three Michelin stars.In our minds, Pascal deserves a constellation. During our barge trip this past April, he told us that his Bordelaises grandmother inspired his love of cooking. We were glad she did. If you've ever considered joining one of my barge trips, take a look at what's offered for April of 2023 here. I'd love to welcome you on board - and so would Pascal.

Oceania's Nautica underwent a nearly $100 Million facelift with top-notch designers making this perfect size great ship chic and sleek. Our writer Julie L. Kessler reports from the Mediterranean.

American Queen Voyages announced a free roundtrip air promotion on select voyages from 30 gateways in 2023 when booked by Aug. 31, 2022. Guests taking advantage of this offer can sail on any vessel in the cruise line’s fleet, with itineraries sailing February through December 2023.

Scenic Group has announced the launch of their Second Guest Sails Free offer on a variety of river and ocean cruises for both Scenic and Emerald Cruises lines.

American Cruise Lines announced today their first-ever California cruise. Beginning in 2023, the cruise line will offer a brand new 8-Day San Francisco Bay cruise which explores the City on the Bay, Napa Valley, and the San Joaquin Valley.

Last week, we highlighted AmaWaterways’ ’21’ Best Ship Features. This week, we continue to celebrate Ama’s 20th anniversary with a list of 20 (er, 21 because we found an extra) favorite cruise experiences. The list was compiled from comments by past guests, staff and travel professionals. Have you experienced any of these on a river […]

Emerald Cruises’ newest Star-Ship Emerald Luna was christened today during a ceremony in Amsterdam.

The company's name wouldn't immediately bring to mind river cruising. After all, when most of us think Riviera, we think the Côte d'Azur and those glamorous beach resorts such as Cannes and St. Tropez. But Riviera operates a fleet of sleek river cruise ships and you may find that the company's style suits you to a tee.

Today from Monaco, Silversea Cruises added the former Crystal Endeavour to its fleet. Renamed Silver Endeavour will enter service in November 2022, replacing Silver Explorer from the 2022/2023 Antarctica season—including the ship’s highly popular Antarctica Bridge sailings.

While there's no bad time to visit Europe, the months ahead appear to be an exceptionally good time to visit Europe. Go ahead, plan a few to stay a few days before and after your river cruises. There's never been a better time to do so.

American Cruise Lines is offering complimentary domestic airfare for late July and August Upper Mississippi cruise departures aboard American Melody.

American Queen Voyages is now offering a new Field of Dreams Experience premium shore excursion, available beginning with the American Countess’ arrival in the Iowa port of Dubuque on July 22, 2022.

AmaWaterways provided us with a list of its 20 best ship features. The number 20 was meant to correlate with the company's milestone anniversary. But we found one more feature to love about Ama's ships. Here's 21 things to love about Ama's ships.

During COVID, for the past two and a half years, we were operating on zero income. Still, we kept the site going because we had hope that the industry would return as strongly as ever. As COVID continued to rampage, my hope began to dwindle. I began to worry that things weren’t going to come back, and that people were not going to want to travel anymore but, as the situation with the virus continue improve, my worries subsided. 

We just heard about Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' first-ever Mystery Cruise, which concluded after setting sail on June 12. The 10-day sailing was the first of its kind for the brand – an all-new, over-the-top itinerary, with experiences that had never been included on Uniworld journeys before. The trip was full of surprises, the biggest being the itinerary reveal that happened when travelers were already on their way to the airport.

AmaWaterways has launched several limited-time offers in honor of its 20th anniversary, providing travelers with opportunities to save on 2022 river cruise vacations. Top of the list in our view: free roundtrip airfare from all gateways in the U.S. and Canada. Also enticing: a full 20% savings on the total cruise fare on any 2022 Europe and Mekong sailings.

Last month, I sailed the Rhône with my grandmother, GG. We had dinner together last night and shared our stories from the trip with the rest of the family. Though I already shared Three Things I Loved About Emerald Liberte, our dinner conversation last night left me wanting to share more with you. There is so much to love about the ship, crew and the Emerald experience as a whole. 

On the rivers of Europe and Southeast Asia, Emerald Cruises is offering a savings of $3,000 per cabin on sailings of eight-14 days, and $3,500 per cabin on sailings of 15 days or longer.

Riviera River Cruises has announced a new itinerary on France’s Saône and Rhône Rivers for 2023. On the Lyon, Provençal Rhône & the Camargue River Cruise, guests will experience the villages of Burgundy, one of the world’s most revered wine regions; Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital; the sheer limestone cliffs of the Ardèche Gorges; the Pont du Gard aqueduct and Arles’ magnificent Roman remains; the Camargue wetland, with its famed pink flamingos; and more.

AmaWaterways today released the print version of its 2023 Europe Brochure, offering a look at a new vacation experiences, including its Seven River Journeys, Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube cruises and new 5-night Majestic Capitals of the Danube cruises.

On the heels of AmaWaterways’ beautiful AmaDahlia celebrating the close of her first season on Egypt’s legendary Nile River last week, the company announced it will launch a second ship in Egypt. The second ship, named AmaLilia, after the sacred blue water lily flower of ancient Egypt, will set sail in 2024 to meet the growing demand for this exotic offering.

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of sailing the Rhone river with my grandmother, GG. We sailed from Arles to Lyon as guests of Emerald Cruises’ on Emerald Liberte. While I often talk about why river cruising is the perfect mode of travel for families, especially those consisting of multiple generations, I had yet […]

AmaWaterways has announced the debut of A Soulful Epicurean Experience on the River, a unique, first-ever sailing experience paired with its Colors of Provence river cruise. In addition, AmaWaterways is offering a new, specially curated 3-night post-cruise land package in Paris, which commemorates the city’s Black history, heritage and culture.

One minute after midnight tomorrow, the U.S. removes one of the most challenging aspects for its citizens traveling abroad: the requirement to test negative for Covid-19 one day before returning home.

Britton sends us postcards from the Rhone, a wonderful trip on Emerald Liberte with a surprise ending.

Uniworld is celebrating today's news with one of its best sales yet – two guests for the price of one fares across 20 of its luxury, all-inclusive itineraries on Europe’s top rivers through their 2022 Friends & Family Sale.

It has been a dream of mine to take my grandmother, GG, on a river cruise for quite some time. My dreams were put on hold as an array of scheduling issues and a little thing called COVID plagued the travel industry. After months of planning, I was able to deliver the most exciting news to my grandmother in March: “GG! We’re going to Germany.” Not so fast ...

CroisiEurope Cruises announces the relaunch of it Southern Africa land-and-water safari Itineraries. The 8-day program includes 4-days aboard the African or Zimbabwean Dream boats followed by 4-days in CroisiEurope’s lodge in Namibia.

Riviera River Cruises is offering a $1,000 per person discount on the majority of its departures in Europe through October 2022.

To make the most of a vacation through Vietnam and Cambodia, guests are invited to take advantage of the 2-For-1 Land Package Special Offer on seven 2022 departures.

Avalon Waterways is dedicated to preserving the precious environments surrounding the world’s riverbanks with the Lighthouse Project, an initiative created to help travelers come together to reduce their footprint and give generously for the globe’s greater good. 

AmaWaterways announced the introduction of European Wine Hosts to a special series within the  Celebration of Wine River Cruises. With more than 60 Celebration of Wine River Cruises through Europe scheduled for 2022, AmaWaterways has selected four special departures designated as European Wine Immersion Sailings where notable wine experts from Europe will  lead guests through renowned wine regions while sharing in-depth knowledge of local wines, rich traditions and the history of European winemaking. The post AmaWaterways Debuts Addition Of European Wine Experts To Its Celebration Of Wine River Cruises appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.

CroisiEurope has announced its 2023 French hotel barge itineraries, operating through Alsace, Burgundy, Provence, Ile de France and Champagne as well as on the Upper Loire. The post CroisiEurope Opens Bookings For Its 2023 French Hotel Barge Itineraries? appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.

Luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways announced that it has extended its 2022 and 2023 Portugal river cruising season with 14 additional sailings round trip from Porto on board AmaDouro. With cruises available through the end of December, guests now have the opportunity to experience the joys of this popular destination in the early winter season with temperate weather, fewer crowds and charming Christmas markets, complemented by stunning landscape and delectable food and wine tasting experiences. The post AmaWaterways Extends 2022 & 2023 River Cruising Season In Portugal Through December appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.

CroisiEurope Cruises has provided us with its 2023 departures featuring Bordeaux itineraries along the Dordogne and Gironde Rivers. Guests can discover this enchanting region of France with its stunning natural landscapes, renowned wine country, and historic monuments in the comfort of one of CroisiEurope’s floating hotels at pricing that begins at just US$1,589 per person. The post CroisiEurope Announces 2023 Cruises Through France’s Aquitaine Region appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.

River Cruise Advisor’s Itinerary Spotlight is designed introduce you to itineraries that we think you’d want to know about. And this week, the itinerary comes with big incentives. Riviera River Cruises is offering savings on two French itineraries in 2022. Choose between savings of US$1,000 per person or free economy airfare from most major U.S. gateways through the end of June. The post Itinerary Spotlight: Sail Through France With Riviera appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.

CroisiEurope’s Family Club cruises offer kid-friendly excursions and allow children to cruise for free on the Douro, Guadalquivir, Rhine, and on a ?six-night cruise round-trip river cruise from Venice.? The post CroisiEurope Relaunches Family Club Program For 2022 Summer Season appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.

On Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery cruises, featuring Avalon Choice excursions, every day is an adventure. In 2022 and 2023, choices available to cruisers are nearly unlimited. For the first time, travelers are invited to choose an Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery cruise on every major river in Europe, including the upper and lower Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhône and Seine Rivers as well as the waterways of Holland and Belgium. The post Going Against The Stream: Avalon Waterways Adds More ‘Whim-Powered’ Cruising Options For Guests appeared first on River Cruise Advisor.

In this video we hit the highlights of South Sweden's Skåne, from Helsingborg's city center, with its beautiful North Harbor and Sweden's oldest pedestrian shopping street; to the open-air museum Fredriksdal, larger than Stockholm's Skansen; to the gardens (named Europe's most beautiful) and palace Sofiero; and on to Mölle, the birthplace of Swedish sin. At Mölle, we stop for a round of golf at nature's playground, Kullaberg, which has been described as a compact New Zealand and is also noted for hiking and biking trails, as well as porpoise safaris. We leave the Kulla peninsula to visit the home of one of the world's greatest sopranists, Birgit Nilsson, and a museum dedicated to her, before continuing on to beautiful Båstad, Sweden's riviera and home to the Swedish Open Tennis Tournament. We conclude our visit at one of Northern Europe's most important weaveries, founded by seamstress Märta Måås Fjätterström, before heading back to Helsingborg. Helsingborg is situated only one hour from Copenhagen and directly across from Elsinore (home to Hamlet's Castle) at the narrowest part of the sound between Denmark and Sweden. Cruise passenger disembarking for the day in Helsingborg have remarked more than once that now they were seeing "The Real Sweden."

Join us on a journey to one of the world's most spectacular regions.

Seabourn is in the ultra-luxury cruise segment. But what does that mean to you as a cruise passenger? Come along with me, and I'll show you The Seabourn Difference.

When evening falls on Seabourn, that's when the real stars come out. Each night of your Seabourn cruise, a talented cast of performers, singers, dancers and musicians give their all to make sure that you are thoroughly entertained. During the day, attend lectures featuring noted experts in an ongoing enrichment series known as Seabourn Conversations — or head up to the Pool Deck for parties under the sun and later, under the stars. That's Entertainment, Seabourn Style

Ten decks up and at the front of the ship on Seabourn Quest is an oasis of tranquility known as the Observation Bar. Walk through the doors into a beautiful space, where during the afternoon you'll find sweets and soft music along with an elegantly served high tea. The same space transforms in the evening to one of the most attractive public rooms afloat. As day gives way to night, the Observation Bar becomes a place for piano music, cocktails, conversation and the warm glow of candlelight. The Observation Bar is also a beautiful space to appreciate the views, with floor-to-ceiling windows and lots of exterior desk space to watch the early-morning approach into a new port or to ponder the vastness of sea and sky on those glorious and relaxed days at sea. So come on up to the Observation Bar for afternoon tea, good music, canapés, cocktails, conversation and much more, all included at no extra charge when you're cruising on Seabourn.

I’m Ralph Grizzle, the Avid Cruiser. For more than two decades, I’ve cruised the Seven Seas on some of the world’s most luxurious ships. I write about my experiences on avidcruiser.com. My goal is to help people like you make informed decisions about your cruise vacations. Join me today as I explore one of world’s finest cruise ships. Welcome aboard Seabourn.

Silversea offered a wide selection of shore excursions in Kusadasi. We talked to one couple who went tandem sky-diving (their first time), a shore excursion offered on Silver Spirit. Others visited Ephesus and the Home of the Virgin Mary in the morning, and some even returned for the evening concert. Golf excursions were offered as were wine tasting excursions. We chose to visit Ephesus in the evening for several reasons: 1) With temperatures in the 90s, we figured we could avoid touring Ephesus during the hottest parts of the day; 2) There would be no crowds, as Ephesus was open only to our group from Silver Spirit; and 3) We would get to experience Ephesus at sunset, something few people in life ever experience. When our tour concluded, we were happy with our choices. It was an evening that we’ll never forget. Read the rest at http://www.avidcruiser.com/2013/07/11/silver-spirit-evening-in-ephesus/

Take two minutes to escape reality and experience the sensation of being at sea on Silver Spirit. This video was shot as we cruised the Adriatic Sea toward Montenegro.

On A Silversea Shore Excursion, we visited Olympia, Birthplace Of The Olympics. Our Silversea guide was Saskia Alting, a native of the Netherlands who has been living in Greece for more than two decades. Indeed, it is the quality of the guides that distinguishes Silversea's shore excursions. Our small group saw the Temple of Hera, destroyed by an earthquake in the early 4th century AD, and never rebuilt — as well as the Temple of Zeus, built between 472 and 456 BC. We even visited the Stadium, where my son and I were invited to run the nearly 700 feet from one end to the other. We ended our visit at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, where we saw beautiful statues, including the Hermes bearing the infant Dionysus and we learned about the Statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World until its destruction during the 5th century. Thanks to Silversea and our guide Saskia for a wonderful tour of ancient Olympia. See http://www.avidcruiser.com/2013/07/13/visiting-olympia-birthplace-of-the-olympics-on-a-silversea-shore-excursion/

During my June 2013 voyage, I stayed in Deluxe Balcony Stateroom on Royal Princess. Check out the video, where you'll get a sense of the size of the stateroom as well as the balcony, which is large enough for relaxing or light dining, and comfortable furniture to accommodate either. For more information and additional photos, see http://www.avidcruiser.com/2013/06/24/royal-princess-staterooms/

Cantilevered 28 feet beyond the edge of the new Royal Princess and 128 feet over the water, the SeaWalk invites us for a stroll.

In this episode, we visit Cannes, Antibes & Golfe Juan, plus we visit the perfume factories in Grasse.

In this episode, we visit the popular cruise destinations Villefranche & Nice, and we set out on shore excursions to Monte Carlo, Eze & Saint Paul de Vence.

In this episode, we visit Porquerolles, France

In this episode, we visit the beautiful island of Les Embiez, France.

In this episode, we visit the charming seaside town of Le Levandou, France.

In this episode, we visit Gorges du Verdon, Europe's Grand Canyon.

In this episode we visit Cavalaire-Sur-Mer, France.

In this episode, we visit Bandol, France, known for its wine and beaches.

In this episode, we walk through the beautiful village known as Bormes-les-Mimosas.

In this episode, we visit Saint-Cyr-Sur-Mer.

We visited Saint-Raphael and its old town, where we climbed the bell tower of a 12-century church for some spectacular views of the harbor where Napolean Bonaparte sailed into in 1799. In the distance, we could see not only Saint-Tropez but also the neighboring twin city Frejus, the Romanesque city that we visited next.

The village of Cotignac sits in the trees at the base of its famous cliffs, where cave people lived long ago.

A taste of Venice, in France.

Le Castellet is a small feudal village perched on a cliff edge and the most popular shore excursion in Var Provence.

A video showcasing the various port operations in the French Riviera.

The Avid Cruiser explores the beautiful Cistercian Thoronet Abbey in the Var region of southern France.

The Avid Cruiser, Ralph Grizzle, explores several cities in the Eastern French Riviera.

Step out on my balcony to enjoy the sun and the sounds of the sea as Silver Cloud crosses the Atlantic Ocean. For move videos and photos featuring Silversea, visit avidcruiser.com

In 1987, while negotiating the release of hostages in Beirut, Terry Waite was taken hostage himself and held in captivity for 1,763 days. As one of the many distinguished guest lecturerers on Silversea Cruises, Waite reveals how he survived solitary confinement for nearly five years.

Watching our ship depart Lisbon after a 9-day cruise.

Following our cruise on Silver Whisper, we saw Lisbon with tour designer Mary Goudie, beginning with following the trams down the narrow streets of Lisbon. Lots of fun. All aboard!

Touring with Mary Goudie, our Lisbon Tour Designer, our next stop was at “Pastelaria Aloma” in Campo de Ourique, which holds the distinction of making Lisbon’s best Pastel de Nata (an egg tart pastry). We visited a local market, a wine shop, Vista Alegre’s flagship store with its beautiful Portuguese ceramics, had a wonderful lunch with Portuguese wines at Cantinho do Avillez and ended our day marveling at the Church of Sao Roque. You can see it all in the video that we will post tomorrow.

My daughter Britton and I had signed up for a half-day half-day sightseeing excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Saint-Emilion. If you appreciate wine, you may know of Saint-Emilion’s celebrated vineyards and its delicious wines. In fact, the vineyards reach all the way up to Saint-Emilion’s ancient town walls.

Silversea Cruises had democratized butlering. Everyone who cruises on the luxury line can enjoy the services of their butlers. There’s no class division here. No matter what category you’re booked in, you’ll have a butler waiting on you.

My daughter Britton and I awoke early for our 8:30 a.m., eight-hour tour to experience Hemingway's Pamplona on a so-called Silver Shore Collection excursion from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France, where Silver Whisper was anchored. Ernest Hemingway first visited Pamplona in July 1923 during the San Fermin Festival. The city's atmosphere and the Running of the Bulls made such an impression on Hemingway that he chose the fiesta as the backdrop for his first successful novel, The Sun Also Rises.

Today, Silver Whisper called on Gijon, in northern Spain. We took Silversea's free shuttle service between the ship and city center, about 20 minutes. On larger ships, I've had to pay for shuttle service, as much as 8 euros per person (about US$10). We were impressed by the city itself, but we were blown away by the tradition of cider pouring. My understanding is that you only buy cider by the bottle in so-called siderias, or cider houses. That's when the show begins. The bartender uncorks the bottle, lifts it above his head and pours the cider into a glass below his waist, both arms fully extended. Missing the glass: remarkably little.

This morning, Silver Whisper docked at the Port of Bilbao, about 20 minutes from the city center of Bilbao and its famed Guggenheim Museum. Here are the highlights from our day.

We've been on a port-intensive cruise since departing Southampton last week on Silver Whisper. Each day, we've enjoyed some memorable tours, with only one sea day to rest, and that was on the first full day of the cruise. So when Silver Whisper docked in the city center of A Coruña on Thursday, we chose a tour that allowed us to sleep in and get a good overview of the city.

No matter where you look in Venice, there's a photo waiting to transformed into a lasting memory. And no matter where you end up in Venice, there's always something to delight the senses. Welcome to a city built on the water, a city where you get around on foot or by boat. You simply cannot come to Venice for the first time without getting out on a gondola.To be paddled along the Grand Canal is something you will never, ever forget. I enjoy the small side canals also, having to duck my head under the low bridges. Gondolas and boats rule in Venice, but it's also fun to explore by foot. And remember it's okay to lose yourself inVenice.You never know what you could discover. Travel by boat to the charming island of Murano, home to some of the world's most famous glass artists.You can tour a factory and even see how the masters craft hot glass into works of art. On the nearby island of Burano, lace-making is an old tradition, and here too you will see works of arts of a different sort being crafted. Venice seems to bring out the inner artist in everyone.To create your own art, you'll definitely want to have your camera handy, especially at sprawling St. Mark's Square. St. Mark's is almost as well known for its pigeons as it is its beautiful cathedral, and certainly pigeons have made for many fun photographs. My advice is to get out an explore on foot and on the canals. Stop in a bar for a Venetian spritz, just as the locals do.Then head out for one last look as the sun begins to set to release your inner artist and capture one final lasting memory. For more about Venice, visit avidcruiser.com

In this Avid Cruiser feature video, we explore the French ports of call, Toulon, Sanary-Sur-Mer, Saint Tropez, La Seyne-sur-Mer.

What Silversea Cruises does differently

When Silver Shadow called in Tauranga, New Zealand, we boarded a bus for Rotorua, hotbed of geothermal activity, and one of the most important places for the indigenous Maoris.

Founded in 1851, the Mission Estate Winery in Napier is New Zealand's oldest and the birthplace of New Zealand wines. Our half-day excursion included a tour, wine tasting and gourmet lunch.

This half-day excursion began pierside in Dunedin, New Zealand, past some of the country's best scenery.

It was raining when Silver Shadow cruised New Zealand's stunning Milford Sound, but the rain created an extraordinary spectacle, waterfalls.

From Hobart, Tasmania, a full-day Silversea Cruises shore excursion allows us to feed koalas and kangaroos at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and visit the Port Arthur Historic Site. For more, see avidcruiser.com/blog.

This morning, Silver Shadow docked in Melbourne, Australia. I opted for a full-day tour called “Puffing Billy, Wildlife & Dandendnongs.” See the full story at http://j.mp/AlTHms

In Sydney, Silver Shadow was docked in the best possible position, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. There's not a better place in Sydney to board a ship — and definitely no better place to overnight.

The Avid Cruiser takes on the East Coast of Canada! Credits: The Avid Cruiser: Ralph Grizzle (http://www.avidcruiser.com) Camera: Chris Stanley (http://www.amberpacificstudios.com) Editor: Jake Dunbar

The Avid Cruiser takes on Halifax, NS, Canada. Credits: The Avid Cruiser: Ralph Grizzle (http://www.avidcruiser.com) Camera: Chris Stanley (http://www.amberpacificstudios.com) Editor: Jake Dunbar

The Avid Cruiser takes on St. John, NS, Canada. Credits: The Avid Cruiser: Ralph Grizzle (http://www.avidcruiser.com) Camera: Chris Stanley (http://www.amberpacificstudios.com) Editor: Jake Dunbar

The Avid Cruiser takes on Charlottetown, PEI, Canada. Credits: The Avid Cruiser: Ralph Grizzle (http://www.avidcruiser.com) Camera: Chris Stanley (http://www.amberpacificstudios.com) Editor: Jake Dunbar

The Avid Cruiser takes on Sydney, NS, Canada. Credits: The Avid Cruiser: Ralph Grizzle (http://www.avidcruiser.com) Camera: Chris Stanley (http://www.amberpacificstudios.com) Editor: Jake Dunbar

The Avid Cruiser takes on Corner Brook, NL, Canada. Credits: The Avid Cruiser: Ralph Grizzle (http://www.avidcruiser.com) Camera: Chris Stanley (http://www.amberpacificstudios.com) Editor: Jake Dunbar

How do you spend two perfect days in Stockholm before or after your cruise? Avid Cruiser Ralph Grizzle shows you in this 10-minute show.

For the full review, visit http://www.avidcruiser.com/cruise-line-profiles/luxury-cruises/silversea-cruises/prince-albert-ii/

This past summer, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in a destination that eagerly wants to welcome your cruise ships. Sønderborg, Denmark, is a small city with a natural harbor and a variety of attractions to offer your guests. I was fortunate enough to experience some of the activities during my visit. Large ships will need to drop anchor, but small ships, up to 135 meters, can tie up along the harborfront, which has amazing access to all that Sønderborg has to offer. As an avid cruiser, I know it is exceptionally rare for ships to dock in a location that puts guests within easy walking distance of an ancient castle, a charming city center and an extended network of hiking and biking trails, but when your ship ties up in Sønderborg, your guests will have access to all of this — and much more. Sønderborg Castle is only a few steps away. The castle has not only a fascinating history, which is interpreted in the castle museum, but also a rousing event called the Tilting of the Rings. I know your guests will enjoy the event as much as I did. If your guests want to stretch their legs, they can step off the ship and onto a nature trail that runs for more than 70 kilometers. There are also many opportunities for extended shore excursions. Just 10 minutes away, there's a historic battlefield where living history exhibits tell a story similar to the American Civil War. Your American guests will recognize the date, 1864, when their country was embroiled in a deadly war. A similar battle was taking place in Denmark, and the story is well-told Not far from the battlefield is the summer residence of Denmark's Royal family. When Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik occupy Gråsten Palace, there is a changing of the guard just like in Copenhagen (although this one is smaller). If your ship carries families, you'll be pleased to know that there is a theme park called Danfoss Universe less than 45 minutes drive. Although particularly suitable for kids, visitors of all ages will enjoy this fun immersion into physics and natural science. So where is Sønderborg? It's near Denmark's border with Germany so your guests can actually enjoy a visit to two countries on one stop. You may want to be a well-established player in the region should Sønderborg succeed in being nominated European Capital of Culture in 2017 So I encourage you to consider putting Sonderborg on your cruise itineraries. The city warmly welcomes you. This is Ralph Grizzle. Thanks for tuning in.

In 2008, I wrote that Celebrity Solstice breaks the mold in every conceivable way. From such innovative features as grass lawns to thoughtfully designed staterooms, Celebrity Solstice-class vessels are strong contenders for your vacation dollars. But how do you know that Celebrity Solstice is right for you? Watch the video for a tour of Celebrity Solstice. Meantime, Celebrity Solstice and all three of its sisters – including Celebrity Silhouette, which will set sail next year – will operate in Europe during the summer of 2011. When Celebrity Silhouette sets sail for the first time in July 2011, she will offer a unique maiden voyage from Hamburg to Rome and a special nine-night Mediterranean voyage. Then, she will offer a series of 12- and 13-night Holy Land sailings roundtrip out of Rome. Celebrity Equinox also will sail from Rome, offering 10- and 11-night roundtrip Mediterranean cruises. http://www.avidcruiser.com/2010/10/02/feature-video-avid-cruiser-celebrity-solstice-review/ Celebrity Solstice will offer a series of 12 night round-trip itineraries out of Barcelona, and Celebrity Eclipse will offer a similar line-up from that same port.

Throw back the sheets, slide into your bathrobe and slippers, and pull back the curtains. From your suite, you see that the sun is shining on Kongens Nytorv and colorful Nyhavn. You can’t wait to get outside. Now go back to bed: It’s 4 a.m. What were you thinking? How could you have known? During the summer, it gets bright early here in Copenhagen, which is situated at the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska. For more, click on http://www.avidcruiser.com/port-profiles/europe/northern-europe/denmark/cruisingfromcopenhagen/two-perfect-days-2/

“Tourists have been coming back to Egypt since early March,” our tour guide told Silver Spirit guests as we began the “Splendors of Luxor” tour from Safaga. “We appreciate you and those of you who are coming back. We really need visitors to return.”Our fist stop: The Temple of Dandara, a well-preserved temple complex, about two hours from Safaga, Egypt, where Silver Spirit is docked. Building began by Ptolemy XII and was dedicated to the goddess Hathor, commonly depicted as a cow goddess with headdress of horns and a sun disk. The 13.5-hour shore excursion was provided free of charge for Silversea passengers.

On a Silversea shore excursion, many of went to St. Paul de Vence, where we stepped inside the Relais & Châteaux property ;Hotel Le Saint Paul

For an evening of fun, Silversea's outdoor dining venue uses the Black Rock concept to allow guests to cook at their tables.

An expert on intelligence and espionage, Nigel West packs the room when he lectures on Silversea Cruises. What's he saying that intrigues us so much? Watch our interview with West.

Saturday, May 14, 2011 - This morning in Lisbon, I joined a Silversea shore excursion called Romantic Sintra & Portuguese Riviera. The 4.5-hour tour on a modern and uncrowded motorcoach took us to the enchanting fairy-tale town of Sintra, a mountainous and multi-castled town that was once a favorite destination of 19th-century aristocrats. We had about 90 minutes to tour the town with a guide or on our own. We then went to Cascais, a fishing village turned resort on the Portuguese Riviera, where we spent about an hour before heading back to Lisbon. The tour also gave us time to explore Lisbon (our guide gave us an overview and pointed out some of the key attractions on the way out of - and into - the city), and fortunately, Silver Spirit was docked within walking distance of the city center. And as in most destinations where Silver Spirit calls, complimentary shuttles also operated between the ship and city center for those who preferred not to walk. For more information, visit avidcruiser.com

On a beautiful morning in the ;Mediterranean, Silver Spirit is making her way toward Sorrento and the enchanted island of Capri. Exceptionally beautiful and peaceful from a distance, Capri can be extremely crowded and chaotic up close. To beat the crowds and make the most of your day in Capri, choose an exclusive tour. "If we have a line of 1,000 people, the passengers of Silversea will not wait a minute," says Monica Greico, a guide for Silversea Cruises.

In Sicily, our Silversea Silver Shore Collection tour took us to one of Sicily's oldest markets in Catania, then to an 18th-century home for a lesson in Sicilian cooking. ;

The Avid Cruiser visits ;Igaliku, Greenland.

The Avid Cruiser 's visit to Qaqortoq, the fourth-largest town in Greenland, with a population of just over 3,000. ;

Video of Ipiutaq Guest Farm in South Greenland.

Edda

I enjoyed my day in Narsaq, a Greenlandic town poised at the edge of Greenland's ice cap. Narsaq is situated in the heart of an ice-choked fjord, with icebergs and mountains setting the backdrop from this town of 1,700. For more information: http://www.nto.gl/

Hi, I'm Ralph Grizzle, and I'm in Venice, Italy. In this video, we're going to look at some of the arts and crafts that have kept this city alive and that give Venice its life. I hope that on your next cruise to or from Venice, you'll take time to visit some of these hidden gems. If you really experience Venice, you could not do better than meeting the people who make up this great city's cultural heritage. They are the merchants of Venice, the artists and craftsmen. Their shops are all within easy reach of the Venice Passenger Cruise Terminal, and you'll enjoy getting to their workplaces as much as you enjoy meeting the people who create Venice's greatest treasures. You can visit textile shops that boast the world's finest fabrics; glass artists who carry on one of Venice's finest traditions; lace makers who artfully needlework intricate designs to create world-renown Venetian lace; ;the master craftsmen who build gondolas and the accessories that steer the gondolas; you'll meet mask makers and costume makers; and artists who work with paper as well as silver and glass. These are just a few of the people who make Venice so special. And by visiting their shops and purchasing their goods, you support local artisans and craftsman, so you can feel good about how you spend your time and money in Venice. If you're staying in Venice before or after your cruise, I recommend the newly opened Molino Stucky Hilton. A long-neglected 19-century flour mill, the much-loved landmark was transformed into a luxury hotel. The Molino Stucky is a good base to begin your adventures in Venice, and it's right next door to the first of our featured artists.

It's our last day here on Crystal Symphony. Over the last 11 days we put Crystal to the test to see if it lived up to its world's best status? We've experienced a variety of choices, including enrichment programs and Broadway-style shows, that only a large luxury ship can deliver. And the quality and level of service is what we would have expected of a world's best resort. No other large ship can match Crystal Cruises. So Kudos to Crystal.

Interviews with passengers aboard our Crystal Symphony sailing about the value of cruising Crystal Cruises.

The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel, with three series of locks lifting ships 85 feet above sea level, to cross the Continental Divide and one of the world's largest manmade lakes. ; In1880, the French attempted to to cut a sea-level canal across the Isthmus of Panama, but their efforts were continually flooded out.

Crystal Symphony's Deluxe Staterooms measure just 202 square feet with a large picture window or 246 square feet with verandah. Too cozy for comfort? Rather than answer myself, I put the question to passengers staying in those staterooms (as well as a few staying in Penthouses) on my sailing. ;

[Transcript] You can't say you have the world's best resort unless your dining has incredible quality, variety and flexibility. Crystal says its Perfect Choice Dining gives you a taste of true freedom. Let's see if they live up to to the claim. "Remi, what are our dining options here in the main dining room?" Remi: "You can enjoy traditional dining, either main seating or late seating. Or take advantage of our open dining by reservation." If you choose the traditional dining, early or late, you enjoy the benefits of having the same waiter every night, who gets to know your preferences and dietary needs. And you have the opportunity to build a friendship with the staff. If you prefer more freedom when you dine, you can choose open dining by reservation and reserve a table in the Crystal dining room at a different time and at a different table every night, giving you the opportunity to dine with new-found friends. Whichever you choose, you'll still get the gracious service from Crystal's European-trained waiters serving you the award-winning cuisine. Of course, variety is the spice of life, and Crystal offers a multitude of dining options outside the main dining room, including Prego, serving the flavors of Italy and featuring the menu of legendary restaurateur Piero Selvaggio. There's also Nobu Matushisa's Japanese cuisine in Silk Road and the sushi bar. Crystal also offers in-room privacy dining as well as casual dining on deck on some nights of the cruise. All are complimentary, except for the intimate and beautiful Vintage Room, which pairs gourmet courses with extraordinary wines. ; So did Crystal live up to its claim of offering quality, variety and flexibility? With seven venues for lunch or dinner including Perfect Choice dining,

I'm here at Silk Road and the Sushi Bar featuring the world-renowned cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa. You can easily spend a few hundred dollars for a night of dining at Nobu restaurants around the world. Crystal charges nothing for dinner, but is this a true Nobu experience? Let's find out. Nobu himself created the menu, and it includes many of his innovative dishes, which we've come to love. I learned the chefs are Japanese and trained by Nobu himself. They're responsible for maintaining Nobu's high standards and for ensuring the quality of the seafood is what Nobu would expect. The presentation of the food and selection of the ingredients reflects Nobu's vision. And the quality and grade of the fish meet his uncompromising standards. Crystal does an impeccable job executing the Nobu experience, and Nobu himself often comes on board to ensure his standards are maintained. Well, that was an extraordinary meal, as great as I would expect at any Nobu restaurant worldwide. Nobu at sea, it's the real deal.

We're at one of the most popular places on Crystal Symphony, the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa. I'm looking forward to splurging on a few treatments. Let's see how Crystal handles the art of pampering for men. ; My shave treatment began in a real barber's chair. Crystal has mastered the art of shaving and my barber Kayoko has perfected it. She began by applying a hot towel wrap, giving me a light facial massage and a cleansing. She practically lulled me to sleep. Kayoko worked her magic to whip up a specially formulated shaving cream. It reminded me of when I was a boy going to the barber shop with my dad.

A lot of cruise lines have a concierge, but Crystal Cruises has taken it one step further, with a technology concierge, where you can get one-on-one personalized instruction to help you the master the latest gadgetry. ;Learn more about the tech concierge and Crystal University At Sea in this video.

I'm on the veranda of a deluxe category stateroom on Crystal Symphony. As you can see, this category stateroom offers gives you an open window on the sea. What a gorgeous day. The deluxe veranda stateroom is certainly comfortable, but if you want to take full advantage of staying at the world's best resort, you'll need to take it up a deck. This is the Penthouse Suite, it's hard to imagine more luxurious living at sea. ;Just take a look at this gorgeous room. But if you really want the ultimate indulgence, take a look at the Crystal Penthouse. It's like having your own apartment on the ocean.

Cruising stunningly beautiful Greenland with Avid Cruiser host Ralph Grizzle.

As if you weren't already pampered enough on Silver Spirit, welcome to The Spa at Silversea. The largest spa in Silversea's fleet, the spa on Silver Spirit is an extremely attractive addition to Silversea's newest vessel. ; The Spa at Silversea is a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation. You'll find a wide range of relaxing spa treatments, including the Elemis Aroma Stone Therapy and the popular Bamboo Massage. Afterward, you may want to relax in the ceramic-tiled Thermal Suite, an exclusive spa area furnished with heated lounge chairs. You'll also find a sauna and steamroom and an attractive outdoor relaxation area that offers bar service, so go ahead and order up that complimentary bottle of champagne before or after taking a soak in the expansive whirlpool. For those who want to keep up their fitness routines while at sea, the spa also features an exercise facility with state-of-the-art training equipment. Your spa experience doesn't have to end at the spa, by the way. Silver Spirit serves up a spa menu, not only delicious but healthy, and a great way to start the day with breakfast at the Pool Grill.

Celebrity Summit will become the third Millennium Class ship to complete “Solsticizing,” the term Celebrity Cruises coined for its initiative to complement its Milllennium Class ships’ style and design with some of the most popular attributes found on its Solstice Class ships. Among the highlights: AquaClass, Celebrity’s spa-inspired veranda-category accommodations, paired with the Mediterranean-themed specialty

Cruise passengers calling on ;La Rochelle

Oceania Cruises’ new ;Marina

Oceania Cruises' newest ship, Oceania Marina christened in Miami

My BEST AquaDuck Video, Disney Dream

A Silversea shore excursion that takes visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Lower Old Town, then to a Medieval Monastery, where they will hear Gregorian chants. ;

Silversea Guest Interview

Silversea Guest Interview

Silversea Guest Interview

Silversea staff interviews

The brand essence of The Yachts of Seabourn

Avid Cruiser hosts Ralph Grizzle and Monica Bengtsson take you on a tour of the Seabourn Sojourn.

Seven new land adventures are among dozens of extended mid-voyage excursions Silversea Cruises is offering in 2011. Unlike a partial-day shore tour, these single- or multiple-day inland adventures offer travelers a more intimate, in-depth and personal encounter with the local people, history, wildlife and natural attractions that lie just beyond the ports of call. “We

A look at the Seabourn Sojourn's staterooms and amenities.

Celebrity Cruises coined the word “Solsticized” in 2011 and brought its meaning to life for guests who set sail on Celebrity Constellation following an ambitious 15-day revitalization in April. During that time, Celebrity complemented the ship’s design with some of the most popular venues on the line’s Solstice Class ships, including: the Tuscan Grille steakhouse

Decades ago, I was leafing through the pages of ;National Geographic

"[Azamara] is clearly being redefined as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s boutique brand," Larry Pimentel, president and CEO tells the Avid Cruiser. "It will absolutely be in the up-market space, but because we have very few people who are dedicated to it, we'll offer extraordinary value. I think we'll be in a very interesting value position going forward, which I believe will make us grow a great deal."

Larry Pimentel’s strategy for Azamara Club Cruises benefits from his more than 25 years of travel industry experience catering to high-end consumers.

Larry Pimentel is president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. The changes that Larry Pimentel and his team brought to Azamara Club Cruises have infused the on-board staff with enthusiasm. "What's really occurred here is magic with the crew," said Pimentel, interviewed this week on a sailing on Azamara Quest. "And that's the secret ingredient. This crew is fantastic." Pimentel also discusses the inclusion of boutique wines with wine and dinner, complimentary shuttle service into towns and other services now provided free of charge to guests.

Larry Pimentel discusses Azamara's brand awareness

This is a highglight of the different dining venues aboard The Yacht's of Seabourn's newest ship, Seabourn Sojourn

Video provided by Hamburg Cruise Center

Video featuring Cork, Island.

Announced at Miami’s Cruise Shipping Conference: Crystal Cruises will introduce an option for open-seating dining in the main dining room. Crystal is the only luxury cruise line not offering open seating. The new program begins in January 2011, and will offer open seating, by reservation only, between 6:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., while leaving in

Silversea Cruises' new Silver Spirit features six restaurants, including Seishin, an Asian fusion restaurant, where the signature item will be Kobe beef, served with sushi, sashimi, exotic sakes (the rice wine), and more.

This past fall, I had the good fortune to visit Saint-Malo, France. Knowing little about the destination before I arrived on Oceania Cruises’ Regatta, I found myself astounded by the region’s rich diversity.One of France’s most attractive coastal towns, Saint-Malo has something to offer all cruise ship passengers: sublime scenery, bustling bars, trendy restaurants and cafes, cultural attractions, outdoor activities and Brittany’s best beaches.In a single day, I walked the ancient city wall above and around the town of Saint-Malo; visited Dinard, with its lovely sea promenade and Victorian-era homes; dined exquisitely (for lunch, no less) on shellfish in Cancale, known throughout France for its mussels; and stood in awe at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mont Saint Michel.Saint-Malo is situated on the English Channel, in Brittany, on France’s west coast. The port is ideally situated between northern and southern Europe.Oceania Cruises' Regatta anchored in Saint-Malo, France.Getting AshoreMeasuring more than 150 meters in length, Regatta was required to tender passengers ashore from its anchorage between Dinard and Saint-Malo. The city can accommodate four ships at once. Vessels measuring less than 150 meters can dock at the terminal (a new terminal will open in the spring of 2010). Ships from 150 meters to 240 meters can anchor only a few minutes away by tender. Both the terminal and the tender landing are within less than a five-minute walk to gates of the walled city.Exploring Saint-MaloI recommend that cruise passengers begin their exploration of Saint-Malo by walking the town wall. Allow at least 30 minutes to walk the entire wall (an hour allows a more leisurely pace), taking in the views of the city and sea on either side.Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, where Saint-Malo is situated, boasts Europe’s most dramatic tides, so you can count on a view that is ever-changing. The tidal range can be as much as 15 meters between high and low water, and the sea can recede as much as 15 kilometers. During low tide, you can walk to nearby islands that you’d have to swim to during high tide. The force of nature here is remarkable.Saint-Malo also boasts something else that few, if any, other destinations in France can claim: Shops that are open on Sundays.Few things are more disappointing to sea-faring passengers than to arrive in port and find the shop doors shut. Saint-Malo is open for business, however, with lots of good shopping, cafes and a must-see “gourmet” street, otherwise known as rue de l’Orme.There’s lots more to see, including the home and tomb of the writer Chateaubriand; and the Privateer’s House known as La Demeure de Corsaire, a ship-owners house built in 1725. But the real pleasure of Saint-Malo is to permit yourself to wander and to enjoy and to sit down and relax in a cozy cafe.Into The CountrysideOnly a few minutes from Saint-Malo, cruise passengers can visit beautiful 18th-century country homes, known as malouinières. Built by wealthy corsairs (French privateers and pirates), the homes are grand estates with a trove of treasures inside. One of the corsairs was Jacques Cartier, who sailed into the Saint Lawrence River and is credited as the discover of Canada.Saint-Malo’s architectural heritage claims more than 800 chateaux manor houses and malouiniéres. Some of the malouinières are open to the public for tours.One option for lunch in Cancale: Fresh oysters overlooking Mont Saint Michel Bay.The World Is Your OysterOften, cruise passengers rush back to the ship for lunch. After all, lunch is free on board.Don’t make that mistake when you’re ship calls in Saint-Malo. The region boasts one of Europe’s highest concentrations of seafood restaurants, and in nearby Cancale you can dine in a village known throughout France for its oysters. You can buy freshly harvested oysters and dine on a bench overlooking Mont Saint Michel Bay, or you can dine at one of the restaurants, taking a table on the terrace to enjoy a seafood platter that you’re not likely to forget anytime soon.You’ll want to spend at least 30 minutes before or after lunch for a stroll through Cancale, making sure to see the oyster beds if you failed to see them earlier and the views of your next destination across Mont Saint Michel Bay.Mont Saint MichelSaint-Malo boasts the shortest — and most scenic — route to Mont Saint Michel, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This marvel of the Western World is only 30 minutes to 40 minutes from the docks in Saint-Malo. But there’s no rush. The road along the Emerald Coast makes for a beautiful drive to get to Mont Saint Michel.

This 25-minute travel show highlights cruising the Baltic on Regent Seven Seas Voyager, from Stockholm to Copenhagen.

Ralph Grizzle's update on Oceania's Regatta.

Join Avid Cruiser Ralph Grizzle in Ancona, Italy, for Silver Spirit's sea trials and a walk-through of Silversea's newest ship with Christian Sauleau, executive vice president, fleet operations; Rudi Scholdis, Silversea's culinary director; and Silver Spirit's two captains.

Raimund Gschaider, project director for hotel operations for the Oasis-class vessels, tells why Oasis is revolutionary.

That's because three luxury ocean liners from Cunard Line -- Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria -- will make their second Royal Rendezvous, three years to the day after the first one. ... While certainly a marketing milestone for Cunard, the three ships do stand out as the standard-bearers of the glory days of ocean cruising, and any time they are in the same port, let alone the gateway to the New World, it's a special event, particularly for the guests on board.

The voyage starts in New York, and after a call in Fort Lauderdale, the ship will head to the Caribbean and South America, calling on Barbados, Brazil and Uruguay before arriving for an overnight stay in the magnificent city of Cape Town in South Africa, the ship’s second visit to this exceptionally beautiful destination. ... From here, Queen Mary 2 will call in Egypt before making a transit of the Suez Canal that will take her to European calls in Italy, Monaco, Spain and the United Kingdom, her last call before ending her 103-day odyssey in New York.

Cunard's 2011 world cruises -- on the Queen Elizabeth as well as the flagship Queen Mary 2 -- go on sale next week, and Cunard is offering some significant early-booking incentives. For her first world voyage, Queen Elizabeth will offer a complete 103-day circumnavigation of the globe from her home port of Southampton, crossing the Atlantic en route to New York.

Princess Cruises will have an original copy of the Declaration of Independence on board its ships in Alaska during the week of July 4, and passengers will be invited to see this historic statement written and signed by the founding fathers of the United States. In partnership with the non-profit organization Declare Yourself, the declaration will

Looking to attract more first-time guests who may want to dip their toes rather than dive into a cruise vacation, Princess Cruises has announced 18 shorter itineraries from the West Coast for during the spring and fall of 2010 and the spring of 2011. Ranging from as little is one night to seven days, these shorter

Royal Caribbean recently announced that its Vision of the Seas will be dedicated to Nordic cruises in the North and Baltic seas next year from April to September, and a highlight, from this perspective, is the 11-night Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen. Of course, we love just about any cruise that carries us to the exciting

Crystal Cruises Vintage Room pairs some of the worlds best wines with specially prepared dishes. With a capacity for 12, the special dinners are served in a private dining room. Patrons, who pay on average $210 per person depending on the wines they have selected, are attended to by the ships head sommelier. Want to

Of all the jobs in the world, surely Rudolph van der Meulen’s must be among the best. His job, as instructed by his bosses, is to cruise on a river boat and simply to do this: nothing. While most people might call that a vacation, it’s a tall order for the otherwise-ambitious 37-year-old hotel manager on

Interview with Jorge Villareal, director of sales for One & Only Palmilla Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Fifteen nautical miles off the coast of Baja California, Holland America Line's Oosterdam is making 21 knots toward San Diego. For the more than 1,800 passengers on board, seven days of ocean cruising ends tomorrow. The excitement on the last full day at sea, however, is as palpable as it has been on preceding days. Dolphin and whale sightings send spectators scurrying to the over-sized windows in Windstar Cafe, the ship's coffee and pastry shop. Each time a whale blows its spray, a chorus of oohs and aahs competes against the steamy hiss of the espresso machine.An alternative to Caribbean cruising, the Mexican Riviera is where Tecate (one of the national beers) and tequila meet whales and cacti --and where seven- and 10-day sailings expose travelers not only to marine wonders but also to Mexican culture. Mixed among such shoreside activities as swimming with dolphins and sport-fishing are cooking classes where participants learn to make six types of salsa before being instructed in salsa dancing.Increasingly also, cruisers are getting away from the docks and into the interior. "As popular as the ocean is, Cabo's desert side is getting more attention," says Sunny Irvine, a tour operator in Cabo San Lucas. Rounding Cabo, some ships even head up into the Sea of Cortez to call at Loreto and La Paz as well as the melodic-sounding Topolobampo, where cruisers can jump ship to explore scenic Copper Canyon by train. Cruise ships sail roundtrip from Los Angeles and San Diego fall through spring to explore Mexico's Riviera.One of the highest-rated shore excursions in Mazatlan, Mexico, Salsa and Salsa combines cooking and dancing. First, learn to make six different types of Salsa, then learn to dance the Salsa. Available on Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and others.

Highlights from one of Mazatlan's most popular shore excursions.

Touring The Milestone's Apartments with Deputy General Manager Frits Potgieter

Touring the Milestone's Stables Bar & Conservatory with Deputy General Manager Frits Potgieter.

Touring The Milestone's Health Club & Spa with Deputy General Manager Frits Potgieter.

The Milestone's Prince Albert Suite. Touring with Deputy General Manager Frits Potgieter.

Touring London's Milestone Hotel and Apartments with Deputy General Manager Frits Potgieter.

Touring London's Hotel 41 with Assistant Resident Manager John King.

Video Tour: The Milestone's Room 301

Nicolas Clerc: The Milestone's Award-Winning Sommelier.

An interview with Dirk Crokaert, general manager of The Montague on the Gardens, about extra services and amenities guests receive just for booking through Signature Travel Network.

Interview with The Milestone's Star Food & Beverage Manager Stefan Otto.

Meet some of the superior staff at The Rubens in London.

Interview with Terry Holmes, executive director of Red Carnation Hotel Group, on the company's family owned philosophy.

Interview with Terry Holmes, executive director of Red Carnation Hotel Group, about The Milestone's great location.

Interview with Terry van Santen, The Milestone's butler.

Touring The Chesterfield Mayfair with General Manager Oliver Raggett.

Touring The Guv'nor's Suite at The Montague Hotel and Gardens with General Manager Dirk Crokaert.

The Rubens at the Palace, situated at 39 Buckingham Palace Road, features prime viewing for The Royal Mews, housing the Queen's horses and carriages.

Touring the area around The Milestone with Terry Holmes, executive director of Red Carnation Hotel Group.

General Manager Sandra Anido and her staff take us on a tour of The Egerton House Hotel and a walk outside to show us one of the nearest shopping stores, Harrods.

Antonio Pizzuto, known as Mr. Martini, mixes up the his trademark cocktail at Red Carnation Hotel Group's Egerton House Hotel in London. "One martini a day keeps the doctor away," Antonio says.

Click To Play Holland America Line’s newest ship makes its debut next summer. The 2,104-passenger Eurodam represents a new class of ship for the Seattle-based company. Another Signature-class vessel is on order following the Eurodam. In my interview, I talk with Rick Meadows, executive vice president marketing, sales and guest programs. Meadows says that with the new

When you spend $23.5 million on something, you want to show it off. That's just human nature. And that's just what Crystal Cruises did a few weeks ago for the travel trade and press. The cruise company had doled out that princely sum to upgrade its 12-year-old Crystal Symphony, and they invited us to come take a look.But has the upgrade improved the passenger experience? Crystal Cruises President Gregg Michel thinks so. I sat down with him during our sailing to talk about how the investment made Crystal Symphony a better ship.

Click To Play During our port call on Crystal Symphony in Monte Carlo, we visited Eze, a medieval village perched on a high cliff on the Cote d’Azur. Formats available: Flash Video (.flv), Portable (iPod)

Measuring 188 square feet and with all new Degrees of Difference enhancements in place, Wind Surf's staterooms are lush and comfortable.

A motor sailing yacht, Wind Surf's sails aren't just for show. "There's more power in the sails than there is in the engines," says Captain Tim Roberts. Occasionally, Captain Roberts will cut the engines and proceed under sail. But there has to be a good wind. Wind Surf can make 9 knots in good wind, and in the Caribbean the Leeward islands are famous for tradewinds, so there's a good chance to go under sail power only.