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Showing posts from January, 2020

Some Tips When Booking Your First Cruise

Congratulations on deciding to take your first cruise! Assuming you’ve decided where to sail, when, and on which cruise line, here are some additional considerations to think through as you make your very first cruise reservation. Decide what type of stateroom you need. Spacious suites with balconies are very appealing, but what type of accommodation do you really need? An interior stateroom is economical and will have comfortable beds and furnishings, plus a well-appointed bathroom. Some interior staterooms even have virtual windows (screens that show a camera-eye view of what’s going on outside). Chances are you’ll spend most of your time elsewhere on ship or shore, so an interior stateroom may meet your needs very well and leave you more of your vacation budget for adventures onshore and extras onboard. However, if you want to start out with a balcony-equipped suite, by all means, treat yourself! Think about what you want to do onboard. There’s often so much happening on a shi...

A Day on Grand Cayman

At Grand Cayman, the largest of the Caribbean’s Cayman Islands, cruise ships anchor in the harbor and tender you to shore, just steps away from downtown Georgetown. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat and do some shopping. You’ll have a choice of restaurants that serve savory island fare – steamed fish, conch fritters and curried goat – with beautiful views of the water. The collection of shops in Georgetown is eclectic, but there’s an emphasis on jewelry, especially diamonds. You can also browse for antiques, salvaged coins, and all the usual duty-free goods, too. If you’re looking for fresh air and exercise, Grand Cayman is also a great place for outdoor fun. Many visitors head to Seven Mile Beach, a truly lovely (and long) stretch of sand. It can be busy at times, but if you keep walking along the shore you’re sure to find a quiet spot to enjoy the sun and water. If you’re up for snorkeling, head to Stingray City. This area inside the barrier reef is home to doze...

The Bahamas Are Waiting for You

Hurricane Dorian brought heartbreaking destruction to the Bahamas in late August and many travelers have wondered how they can help support recovery efforts. Tourism is a huge driver of the Bahamian economy and officials there say one of the best things you can do to help is to travel there. And, what better way to go than on a cruise ship? Grand Bahama Island and its neighboring islands to the north experienced the worst of the record-breaking hurricane, but the vast majority of the Bahamas had no meaningful damage. For example, the port of Nassau on New Providence Island and its neighbor Paradise Island reopened quickly after the storm. Now, all of the Bahamian cruise ports affected by the storm – including Freeport on Grand Bahama Island – have reopened and are eager to welcome you. Major cruise lines have resumed their regular schedule of Bahamas cruises, too. Because almost half the Bahamian workforce is employed by the tourism sector, your cruise vacation will help shor...

Cruising Europe

There’s a challenge that comes with planning a European cruise, but it’s a fun one. With such a big variety of itineraries, it can take some time to figure out which one is your top choice. To begin, consider which region you would most like to explore: Eastern Mediterranean cruises often focus on the timeless beauty of the Greek Isles and ports along the Adriatic Sea, such as Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Venice, Italy. The Eastern Med is rich in ancient archaeological sites; delicious, rustic cuisine; and stunningly beautiful beaches. Western Mediterranean cruises focus on the coastal cities of Spain, France, and Western Italy – think Barcelona, Marseilles, Nice, and Rome. Here, you’ll find historic architecture, modern sophistication, fine art and some of the very best food and wine on the planet. Western European cruises often include the British Isles and ports on the North Sea, such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Bruges. You can explore cobblestoned ...