Cruising

By the time the morning fog begins lifting over Port Frederick, the outline of a massive cruise ship is already visible beyond the trees. It moves slowly through the gray water, dwarfing the fishing boats and wooden houses along the shoreline of Hoonah, a small Alaska Native community on Chichagof Island with fewer than 900 residents.

As wanderlust for small-group expeditions to remote lands continues to grow, island destinations like Iceland, the Galapagos, and the Seychelles are fixed on travelers' radars. Yet travelers seek even more extraordinary experiences in search of epic adventures.

A lifeline uniting six countries, the Mekong River flows from the Himalayas through Southeast Asia. Beginning in Tibet, it traverses China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam en route to the broad South China Sea. For thousands of years, the fabled thoroughfare has provided a connection for merchants and traders from China to Southeast Asia.

In the Canadian police drama “Hudson & Rex,” a detective and his canine partner solve crimes in and around picturesque St. John’s, capital of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Through six seasons (including 2024), their police work took them to all corners of Newfoundland, the world’s 16th-largest island, to adjacent Labrador, a sparsely populated fragment of the North American mainland. They even ventured to the French territory of St. Pierre et Miquélon, anchored just off the coast of  Newfoundland in the Atlantic Ocean.

Expedition cruises extend to some of Earth’s most fragile and captivating lands with itineraries that focus on nature and culture. Traditional cruises may offer a robust choice of onboard activities and a seemingly endless number of food options, but expedition cruises provide a very different motivation: Scientists, marine biologists, historians, and other experts lead expeditions. And no two cruises are ever the same.

Saying the mainsail on the 100-year-old schooner Zodiac is big is like saying Babe Ruth knew how to play ball. A massive understatement, at 4,000 square feet, the Zodiac's mainsail is not just the largest working sail on the West Coast — it's larger than the average American house.

When considering an Antarctic expedition cruise, images of penguins, seals, and whales come to mind. But for me, the real star was frozen saltwater, known as sea ice, and its unexpected yet critical environmental role. Who would have thought that ice could hold such fascination?

Every summer, the tall ship Manitou plies the clear waters of Grand Traverse Bay, docking at Traverse City, Michigan. Three or four times a day, the ship sets sail with up to 59 passengers for a two-hour cruise. It’s a traditional ship experience. Sails are hoisted through muscle and perseverance. Steering is done with a wheel on the quarter deck. And, the speed of the ride depends on the wind.

Ahoy, fellow travelers! If you’re embarking on your first-ever cruise vacation, you’re in for a treat! Cruises allow you to visit multiple destinations, and shore excursions help you enjoy your time on land to the fullest. However, planning a shore excursion can be overwhelming, especially for first-time cruisers. Don’t worry, though; we’ve got you covered! This twelve-step guide will help you plan a successful shore excursion. Let’s begin. 1. Consider The Preferences Of Your Travel Companions  Picture this: you’re planning a fantastic shore excursion and want everyone to have a memorable experience. But keep in mind that different people have varied interests.  For example, if you’re planning excursions in Nassau Bahamas, while you may prefer thrilling underwater adventures, some of your travel companions might be into cultural immersions. To ensure a pleasant trip, consider everyone’s preferences.  Once you’ve taken everyone’s desires into account, you can plan a well-tailored itinerary that [...]

Lots of people love cruises. But when my husband and I took our first cruise this year, one thing was clear—the pace was very different from our usual slow-travel style.

Do you want a break from a hectic monotonous routine to experience something relaxing and adventurous at the same time? An interactive trip to the world’s most alluring cruise destinations on a small cruise ship is your way to do just that. 

Cruise travel is at a standstill during this period of uncertainty with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has sent out a request for information related to cruise ship embarkation and planning and infrastructure. This measure is an effort by the CDC to develop a strategy to prevent, mitigate, and respond to the spread of the virus on cruise ships. The No Sail Order extension by the CDC dated July 16 is the most recent one since it was extended on April 15. This extension will hold through September 30, 2020, and it suspends passenger operations on cruise ships in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Since placing the No Sail Order CDC has worked with cruise lines to bring crew members back home, requiring cruise lines to sign and submit an attestation. The 28-question list compiled by the CDC is open to persons and organizations [...]