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Tips for Leaving the Ship Smoothly

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Azamara Quest Every cruise must come to an end, even though we don’t like to think about it. But, a little planning can make the inevitable last morning of your cruise – disembarkation day – go smoothly. Here are some ways to prepare. Before you sail: Make reservations for your trip home, with careful attention to timing. Disembarkation is usually early in the morning, but may be delayed due to port procedures, customs requirements, or other situations. So, don’t schedule your departure from the port city too early. Some passengers even stay in the port city for a night and travel the following day. Have a plan for the time after you leave the ship and before you start for home. You could take a tour of the port city, have a relaxed lunch, or do a little shopping. The day before you disembark: Carefully pack your bags. Then, set them outside your cabin door by the requested time – often before midnight – for pick-up by the crew. But, be sure to keep clothes and shoes to wear ...
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What to Know About Expedition Cruises

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Galapagos Islands They are immersive, adventurous, and educational; expedition cruises have all the ingredients of a thrilling and memorable vacation. That’s why expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments of the cruise industry. But, is it for you? Expedition cruises are very different from ocean and river cruises. They sail to remote places that are beautiful, rugged, and undeveloped, with little to no tourism or infrastructure. Destinations include parts of the Arctic, such as Greenland and far northern Scandinavia; the Amazon River; the Galapagos Islands; parts of Southeast Asia; southern Chile and Tierra del Fuego; and Antarctica. Some mainstream cruise destinations, such as Alaska, are expedition cruise destinations, too – but the expedition ships go to more isolated places. Expedition ships are different from ocean and river cruise ships, too. They are smaller and often tougher – their hulls may be reinforced with steel to handle icy waters. Their size makes t...
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Cruising Through a Solar Eclipse

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Total eclipses of the sun are awesome events. And there’s good news for eclipse chasers (a.k.a. “umbraphiles”) who also love cruising: 2026 and 2027 will each bring a total eclipse of the sun that you can experience from a cruise ship. Total eclipses take place when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting an impressive shadow. Within the shadow is a narrow “path of totality,” where the light of the sun is completely blocked for a few minutes (a bit of the sun’s corona may still be visible). By the way, always be safe when viewing a solar eclipse, whether from land or sea: be sure to wear special solar eclipse viewing glasses to enjoy the show. If you’d like to experience a total eclipse at sea, one is coming soon. On August 12, 2026, the path of totality will begin in the early afternoon in the North Atlantic, and then will move across parts of southern Europe. Here are some cruise lines that will celebrate this spectacular natural phenomenon by navigating in the pat...
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Save While Sailing

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Because cruise fares must be paid in full before you get on board, you can set sail knowing that you’ve already paid for all the essentials you’ll need during your voyage. But many of us are tempted to make some additional purchases on the ship. So, here are a few tips for saving money while on board. First, make sure you’re taking advantage of the cruise line’s loyalty program (many cruise lines sign you up automatically). Visit the guest services desk to ask if there are any loyalty program benefits you can use. These vary by cruise line, but may include things like discounted WiFi access, complimentary laundry services, or savings on photo packages. You may know that beverages like soda, wine, cocktails, and specialty coffee and tea are often not included in a cruise fare. Instead of purchasing a beverage package from the cruise line or paying for drinks as you go, you could save money by bringing your own drinks. Be sure to check the cruise line’s rules for the type and quantit...
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What is a Distinctive Voyage?

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Distinctive Voyages Tour in South Africa   A unique cruise experience offered by a travel agent who belongs to the Travel Leaders Network, a travel consortium.  A member agent can offer a cruise in the Distinctive Voyages program on 14 premium and luxury cruise lines. Each year, the network offers more than 500 Distinctive Voyage cruises. A distinctive Voyages vacation can be the trip of a lifetime with exclusive vacation packages created by Travel Leaders Network, sold only through our members. Each Distinctive Voyages sailing includes: Services of a Distinctive Voyages Host An invitation to a Private Welcome Reception An Exclusive Shore Event Along with special group pricing, each Distinctive Voyage cruise has an onboard agent who serves as host for the duration of the cruise. The host will be available to assist travelers with their questions and any issues that may arise during the cruise. Ask your travel agent to book your next cruise on a Distinctive Voyage! ...
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The Sweetest Bathrooms at Sea

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Most cruise ship bathrooms are designed to be functional and efficient – giving you all of the essentials, even though they’re contained in a small space. And that’s fine with lots of cruise fans. After all, many don’t spend much time in their cabins or their bathrooms, because they spend as much time as they can on shore and enjoying spaces all around the ship. But if you enjoy luxuriating in a bath with ample space and high-end amenities, you can find one on a cruise ship (usually attached to a suite). Here’s a look at some of the truly opulent bathrooms at sea. The heated floors in Viking Cruises’ Explorer Suite bathrooms will keep your toes cozy; the towel racks are heated, too. There are beautiful dual sinks and large shower enclosures that include full-size bathtubs. Explorer Suites are on all of Viking’s ships, both river-going and ocean-going. If you and your cruise companion are used to having your own bathroom spaces at home, check out the Grand Duplex Suites on Cunard ...
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Safety On Shore

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Cruise vacations are for relaxation, and perhaps a bit of letting loose, amid the comfort and convenience of a cruise ship. Cruise vacations are also for exploring parts of the world that are new to you, and while you’re on shore, a few common-sense safety tips will help ensure a fun and memorable vacation. These tips are not meant to alarm you; touring on shore may be no riskier than taking a walk in your neighborhood, and the shore excursions offered by your cruise line are led by experienced drivers and guides. Still, while in vacation mode, anyone can be a little more vulnerable to pickpockets and other petty thieves, so here are some things to keep in mind. Leave your wallet, and most of its contents, in your cabin safe. Go ashore with just one or two credit cards and a small amount of cash, stored in a front pocket. Don’t take your passport off the ship unless you absolutely have to; take a photocopy of your passport’s identification page instead. No bling in port. It’s u...
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