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Exploring Iceland

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With a magnificent landscape that has everything from glaciers to volcanoes and rugged fjords to shimmering hot springs, Iceland is an amazing island in the North Atlantic that may be best explored by cruise ship. Several popular, luxury, and expedition cruise lines visit Iceland from May to October. Itinerary options include regional voyages, departing from Europe or North America, which visit ports in destinations like the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada or Greenland in addition to Iceland. You can also take a flight to Iceland, then board a cruise ship that will sail around the island. Iceland’s scenery is enchanting. For example, runoff from Iceland’s glaciers feeds an estimated 10,000 waterfalls. Some spectacular waterfalls are easily accessible by bus tour, but you can also take an adventurous hiking or ATV excursion to see even more. About 10% of Iceland is covered by pristine glaciers, some of them concealing active volcanoes. Tour boats can take you to view the outflows o...
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What to Take Along on a Shore Excursion

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On any cruise, shore excursions are a highlight because they give you the chance to experience the sights, tastes, and traditions of your cruise destination. To make the most of an excursion, take a few minutes the night before to pack a small bag to take ashore with you. Your carry-on bag may work as a shore excursion bag, but you can also pack a foldable tote bag or a small backpack into your luggage. If your shore excursion schedule includes beach time or water-based adventures, you’ll want a shore excursion bag that’s waterproof. Exactly what you pack depends on your location and the type of excursion, but some items are pretty universal. They include: The shipboard card serves as your onboard ID and cabin key. The crew must scan this card as you leave the ship and again when you return. Note that it’s usually best to leave your passport locked up in your cabin safe (unless your cruise line instructs you differently). Some cruisers like to make a paper copy of their passport ...
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Playing Cruise Ship Games

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  Cruising is a way to explore ports around the world, but cruises also include time to relax and play on the ship. There are lots of options: most ships have a selection of board games, and many are equipped with popular gaming systems, colorful arcades, and casinos for adults (the last two require some money to play; you may want to set a budget for yourself!). But here, we’re looking at cruise ship games that get the crowd around the pool or in the show lounge, clapping and cheering. Participating can be a terrific way to have fun with your companions and to get to know some fellow passengers. Scavenger hunts will have you roaming the decks looking for miscellaneous yet specific objects, like a hat with a sports team logo, a drink umbrella, or a chip from the casino. You might be asked to take a picture of each object, or to physically bring them to a home base. Either way, it’s fun to work as a team to find the items. Some adult-only versions get a bit risqué, which adds to...
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Safety for Kids on a Cruise

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If you’ll cruise with your children or grandchildren during the winter holidays, congratulations! There’s nothing like a cruise for creating family memories. But, we have a piece of advice: before you leave home, talk with your young ones about staying safe while cruising. Kids are accustomed to the safety practices they follow at home and school, but a cruise ship is a different and exhilarating environment where it can be easy to forget about common-sense rules. Here are a few things you and the kids can talk about together: Follow the rules set by the cruise line and crew. For example, a cruise ship has lots of railings along decks, staircases, and balconies that can be tempting to kids who love to climb. But the railings are there for safety and not for play. Climbing on railings, leaning over them, or swinging from one balcony railing to another are all absolutely forbidden. There’s also no running through the hallways, around the pool, or up and down staircases. Remind t...
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Celebrity’s Newest Ship

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Set to make its public debut on November 16 in Fort Lauderdale, Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Xcel will be the fifth ship in the line’s Edge Class. If you’ve sailed on another Edge Class ship, the Xcel will feel familiar, but there are some exciting new features as well. For example, the 3,260-passenger ship is the first in the Celebrity fleet to be capable of running on methanol, an alternative fuel that reduces engine emissions. A more noticeable change is at the aft of the Xcel , where other Edge Class ships have Eden – a multi-use lounge, dining, and entertainment space. Instead of Eden, the Xce l has The Bazaar, a triple-deck space that features destination-inspired dining and entertainment in a festival atmosphere. The Bazaar will also offer workshops focused on local traditions and crafts, too. It’s a way to bring what’s on shore onto the ship, and it’s a response to passenger requests for more immersive cruise experiences. The Bazaar will also house two new dining ve...
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Royal Caribbean’s Private Destination Plans

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  When a cruise itinerary includes a visit to a private destination, it’s usually one of the most popular ports of call. After all, when a cruise line owns a property, it can make it the stuff of passengers’ dreams. Royal Caribbean is adding to its collection of private destinations, which already includes Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee on the north shore of Haiti. This December, the cruise line will open Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, near Nassau in The Bahamas. And, late 2027 will see the debut of Perfect Day Mexico on the Costa Maya. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island occupies a barrier island just outside Nassau. Five custom-built water taxis will be on hand to transfer passengers from the ship to the club. A day pass purchase is required, which includes just about everything you’ll need while enjoying the club – unlimited food and beverages, Wi-Fi access, and amenities like beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas. The club has three neighborhoods, all wit...
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Top Tips for a First Cruise

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  Cruising is such an easy way to travel, but making reservations and preparations involves a fair amount of decision-making. That can be a bit intimidating if you haven’t cruised before, so here are some top tips for first-time cruisers. To make cruise reservations, work with a professional travel advisor. He or she will ask questions about what you want from a cruise, then guide you to your best choices for a cruise line, ship, cabin, and more. Your travel advisor can explain the fare, what it includes, any available extras, and why travel insurance is a good idea. They may have access to special offers, discounts, and onboard credits, too. Your travel advisor can help you arrange to get to the ship, whether you’ll go by plane, train, bus, or car. And however you get there, plan to arrive the day before the ship departs. If you’re delayed – even through no fault of your own – the ship will not wait. Your travel advisor will know about any special deals on hotels in the ship’s...
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