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Selecting a Pre-Cruise Hotel

  It’s always a good idea to arrive at your ship’s homeport a day or two in advance of your cruise. In addition to easing worries about potential travel delays, arriving early will give you a little time to unwind and settle into vacation mode. But an early arrival also means you’ll need to secure a hotel room. Here are a few tips: Make your hotel reservation as early as you can. Your fellow passengers may also be looking for hotel accommodations, along with those who will board other ships in the same port. An early reservation may deliver some early-bird savings, too. And while you’re making your pre-cruise reservation, consider whether you’d also like to stay for a night or two after the cruise, before you return home. Keep things simple. If you’re staying for just a night or two, you may not need all the amenities of a resort hotel (or to pay resort fees). What you’ll need most is a good night’s sleep, so you’ll be ready to enjoy all the amenities of your cruise ship, as ...

Winter Sun-Seeker Cruises

It’s never too early to think about your next cruise; so, as you bask in the warmth of summer, think about cruise options for winter 2026. Here are some warm and sunny winter destinations for you to consider. The Bahamas and the Caribbean . The archipelago of the Bahamas begins less than 100 miles east of Miami, making the islands a perfect winter destination, especially if you only have time for a brief getaway. Daytime air and water temperatures are usually in the mid-70s; just bring a light sweater for evening. The Caribbean lies a bit farther south, so daytime temperatures will be in the mid to high 80s, with balmy breezes. The Canary Islands . Part of Spain, the Canary Islands are off the northwest coast of Africa. Warm and sunny all year, the islands offer a surprising array of landscapes, including volcanic peaks, colorful towns, green forests, stretches of desert, sprawling vineyards, and pretty beaches of white or black sand. The Mediterranean . Winter days are often ver...

River Cruise Lines to Know

If you’ve been on a river cruise, you know it’s a very different experience from an ocean cruise. The shoreline is always in sight, providing changing views and a panorama of life along the river. The smaller, more intimate ships can often dock right in the heart of a port city. And, the focus isn’t so much on the ship’s amenities, but the places you’ll visit; days without a port call are rare. If you haven’t cruised on a river yet, take a look at this brief summary of some well-known river cruise lines and their styles. AmaWaterways takes pride in its airy, elegant ships. Innovations include twin-balcony staterooms equipped with both Juliet and sittable balconies. This was the first river cruise line to offer a full-size, onboard pickleball court; bicycles that passengers can use on shore; and a complimentary Chef’s Table restaurant for a special dining experience. AmaWaterways sails in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Avalon Waterways’ ships feature spacious suites designed ...

All Eyes on Deck

When a ship departs for a cruise, passengers are often encouraged to be up on deck for a sail-away celebration. As you cruise, there are other times you may want to be up on a view deck (or at least near a window), such as when the ship approaches or departs from your ports of call. Not only is it interesting to watch the crew at work, but the surroundings can be spectacular. Here are a few of the ports where the views are exceptional. Sailing in or out of New York City provides views of the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn and Verrazano Narrows Bridges, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and more. Note that ships that use the Manhattan or Brooklyn Cruise Terminals sail closer to these landmarks than ships that use New Jersey’s Cape Liberty Cruise Port. Many cruise ships that call on London actually dock in Tilbury, on the eastern edge of the metro area. However, some smaller ships can sail further up the Thames River, offering views of the beautiful Tower Bridge and other London ...

Warm-Weather Expedition Cruises

Expedition cruises are exciting because they explore some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the planet. You’ve probably heard about voyages that visit Antarctica or the Artic; if you like that kind of exploration but in warmer conditions, there are wonderful expedition cruise destinations in temperate zones, too. An expedition river cruise is a terrific way to see the amazing Amazon River Basin, which spreads across a wide swath of northern South America. The rainforest canopy shelters a fantastic array of wildlife, from jaguars and macaws to pink dolphins and piranhas. Itineraries often include visits to small villages, biological reserves, and islands brimming with indigenous plants and animals. Some journeys can be combined with a pre- or post-cruise land tour to places like Machu Picchu, Peru’s 15 th -century Inca citadel. Another balmy destination for expedition cruising is the Galapagos Islands, about 600 miles off the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Some of the animals the...

Popular Cruise Souvenirs

If you enjoy purchasing mementos when you travel, most cruises present plenty of opportunities to buy souvenirs and gifts in shops and boutiques both onboard and onshore. If you would like ideas for souvenirs that will provide memories of your voyage, here are some popular choices. Local artwork and crafts are wonderful keepsakes that can tell a story about the ports you visit. Paintings, drawings, carvings, and jewelry made by local artisans are all lovely options. It can help to do a little pre-cruise research into the places you’ll visit – for example, are they known for things like weaving or pottery, or for certain fabrics or decorations? Note that any crafts made with straw must be declared and presented for inspection when you return home; this guards against the possibility of unintentionally importing a pest. Locally made food and beverages can make great souvenirs. Pop into a grocery store or market to look for local specialties like jams, sauces, candy, wine, spirits or ...

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