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Showing posts from April, 2013

New York: A Pre- or Post-Cruise Pleasure

Set to be christened by its glamorous godmothers – the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes – on May 8, Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Breakaway will call New York City home. The ship’s exciting new features include The Waterfront, an outdoor boardwalk lined with open-air dining spots and lounges; and Ocean Place, a three-deck, ship-length atrium with 17 restaurants, 12 bars, numerous shops and the ship’s casino. A cruise on the Breakaway will also be a great opportunity to enjoy a few extra days in one of the world’s most exciting cities, before or after your cruise. The hard part may be deciding which of New York’s must-see sights to take in – you’ll need to be selective. Top sights include: Central Park. This spectacular public park in the center of Manhattan has a tree-lined mall, walking and bridle paths, a zoo, an outdoor theater and a small castle. Fountains, sculptures and bridges add to the park’s beauty. New Yorkers also come here to enjoy birding, rock climbing and...

A Graduation Gift to Remember

If your family will celebrate a high school or college graduation this year, you may be wondering what type of gift should mark such a great achievement. How about a cruise? Before you pick a cruise, know that there’s one major difference in presenting a graduation cruise to a high-school graduate or a college graduate: most cruise lines require that passengers be at least 21 years old to travel without a chaperone. Some lines require that chaperones be at least 21; others require them to be at least 25. While you can probably send a college grad and off on a cruise alone or with a friend, someone older will probably need to accompany a high-school graduate. (Perhaps that someone could be you!) To select a cruise that a new grad will enjoy, you may need to set your own preferences aside. While great dining opportunities or a well-appointed spa may be most important to you, the graduate may enjoy a ship that provides lots of opportunities to be active. Royal Caribbean is often...

Don’t Under-rate These Destinations

Some travelers enjoy cruising to places they know they love, because they’ve been there before. Others want a new and different experience each time they cruise. If you fall into the second category, consider some of the cruise destinations that are less well known, and as a result often under-rated. Cruise Holidays recently asked its expert travel agents across North America which are the most under-rated cruise destinations. The top responses were: Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dubrovnik has emerged from the shadows and damage inflicted by Croatia’s war for independence from the former Yugoslavia, which ended in 1995. Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” is becoming a feature of Eastern Mediterranean cruises. The medieval Old Town is delightful for strolling and exploring monasteries and churches, shops and cafes. There are beaches and biking trails nearby; antiquities and wineries offer more options for inland excursions. Istanbul, Turkey. Another emerging Eastern Mediterran...

High Value Cruising

Leisure cruising is a terrific vacation value, thanks in part to all-inclusive fares. Fares generally include accommodations, all meals and snacks, lots of entertainment and other amenities – not to mention that the ship moves you from one wonderful port to another with no effort on your part. Still, to find out which cruise lines deliver truly exceptional value, Cruise Holidays asked the experts in its agencies across the U.S. which lines provide the best value per dollar. The top five are: Celebrity Cruises Royal Caribbean International Regent Seven Seas Cruises Holland America Line Princess Cruises Celebrity is a premium cruise line that delivers attentive service: for example, you’ll be handed a glass of sparkling wine or a mimosa when you step on board. Every stateroom is equipped with plush terrycloth robes, and suites come with private butler service. Concierge Class accommodations step up the amenities with luxurious bedding and a unique “pillow menu.” On Solstice ...