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.  The best thing about small cruises is that they can be personalized. You can go to remote areas, enjoy the exotic local culture, relax on beaches, go snorkeling and observe flora and fauna - all of this just in one short trip.  There are several one-of-a-kind cruise destinations that you can visit for a getaway. But it can be tricky to decide between the interesting places to visit. A list of cruise destinations is provided in this article that you can enjoy on a small cruise ship. Let’s have a look. Indonesia The Indonesian archipelago consists of popular islands like Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and parts of [...]

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 [...]

Iceland is a country of sharp contrasts--Where dark winter night are offset by a sleepless summer sun—where fire and ice co-exist; and where a dramatic landscape and insular existence supports folklore and informs a vibrant culture. Iceland has so much to offer from its nordic culture, stunning landscapes, food, natural beauty and more.... Iceland is a stunningly beautiful place if you enjoy strange and desolate landscapes. The amount of daylight varies dramatically by season. The sun sets briefly each night in June, but the sky doesn't get fully dark before the next sunrise. In the March and September equinoxes, days and nights are of about equal length, as elsewhere in the world.  Despite its name, Iceland has surprisingly mild winters for a country at that latitude owing to the warming effect of the Atlantic Gulf Stream. The country enjoys a maritime temperate climate We set out exploring Iceland aboard the [...]

We welcomed a refreshing breeze as we stepped aboard the historic Skipjack Minnie V at Maryland's National Harbor. As one of only 30 skipjacks still in existence, this beautiful vessel provided us with a serene and unforgettable excursion along the Potomac River.

The Royal Caribbean cruise line offers its passengers an extra special day to enhance their journey but huge demands such as these require the crew going above and beyond. The onboard Royal Genies make all your travel dreams come true. From one of a kind adventure, an onshore adventure or a tailor-made spa experience you are assured to never forget the whole experience. The loyal and magical crew bend over backward to make sure that even the biggest wish is granted.

What first comes to mind when you think of a luxury travel experience? Perhaps it's an extended shopping trip through the ritziest corners of Paris. Maybe it's a decadent blowout in Las Vegas or a decadent period of rest on the most exclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

Cruising holidays are becoming increasingly popular year on year. Travelers who long for a romantic and intimate setting praise river cruises. It is comfortable and exciting, and perfect for families as well as couples and groups.

Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises has launched 16 shore excursions for passengers who want to “give back” during port stops.  These humanitarian and conservation excursions are free to guests and crew under the cruise line’s program “You Care, We Care.”

Actress/singer Gloria Loring. Fans of the daytime drama "Days of Our Lives" (DOOL) will enjoy another one of our conversations with actress, singer and author Gloria Loring who played Liz Chandler for seven years on the soap opera.  Gloria spends some time today talking about her spiritual autobiography "Coincidence is God's Way of Remaining Anonymous", and her life since DOOL including working with her son R&B singer Robin Thicke. With eloquence and humor, Loring takes readers on a quest for a deeper understanding of life's journey and the role coincidence plays in all of our lives, revealing that even the most difficult circumstances can be beneficial. Her experiences may be just the evidence readers need to begin watching more closely what they are attracting and what they are running from in their own lives. While coincidences may appear to come out of the blue, Loring suggests that we can all [...]