CruiseCrazies Founder and Owner, Jason Taub, is a Fort Lauderdale Realtor® with D'Angelo Realty Group - The local market leader in downtown Fort Lauderdale condo sales.  We represent buyers and sellers of waterfront condos, townhomes and single family homes in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Beach and the surrounding areas.  With over $2 billion in real estate transactions, our track record of success speaks for itself.

D’Angelo Realty Group is located in the heart of Las Olas Boulevard, minutes from Port Everglades and is celebrating 20 years of selling Fort Lauderdale properties.

If you're considering buying, renting or selling a full-time or seasonal home in the area, Jason is available 24/7 and will find the perfect residence for you. Ask about virtual showings and 100% contact-less transactions!

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Komodo Island offers the perfect combination of great weather, an exotic location, and affordability. It is because of this reason that it features among most divers' lists of the best diving destinations in the world. Therefore, if you are a diving addict and haven't yet experienced the magnificence of what the Komodo islands have to offer, you are missing out.

However, before you get on a plane, it is always good to be aware of things that you can do to make your experience as awesome as possible. This is because the things that make this area awesome for diving, can sometimes present a few challenges. Here are some of the things that you can do to guarantee a stress-free and inexpensive diving in Komodo island experience.

Book your flights and accommodation months in advance

The fact that Komodo island offers a great diving experience means that a lot of people naturally flock to the area during the dry months. This normally causes a spike in demand for tickets, and if you are unlucky, you can end up frustrated. To avoid a last-minute rush for travel and accommodation, it is always advisable that you book everything before the dry season kicks in. Getting your tickets 2 or 3 months before your tour date will go a long way towards helping you to make things less stressful. In some cases, early booking can even get you attractive discounts. 

Go during the dry months 

Komodo island experiences two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season. While the dry season tends to be the most hectic, it offers the best experience for people who love outdoor adventures. Therefore, it is usually worth the price hikes, crowding, and competition for amenities that tend to accompany this period.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is that most shops, establishments, boat companies, and service providers take a break during this period due to the low demand. Therefore, things like having a convenient means of moving around or access to a place that can sell you diving gear, may not be as readily available as it usually is during the dry months. The dry months are generally a safer bet for the best experience because you get to avoid rain, while also get the best in terms of easy access to amenities. 

Go with a liveaboard tour 

If you are planning on exploring the island for several weeks or days, then booking a liveaboard tour will make the most sense for you. Since you will be living on a boat, you won't have to worry about paying for accommodation or having to carry your gear to and from your hotel. This will make the trip more enjoyable.
Furthermore, with a liveaboard, you will get more time to explore the beauty of life under water. You can get the chance to visit extremely remote places. And you will also meet different people from all walks of life who share your interest in diving.

Get an affordable sim card 

While immersing yourself in the diving experience will be a priority for you when visiting the island, you may still need to connect with family. For those who work remotely, it may be necessary to check in occasionally in order to find out the progress of your business. You may also need to blog about your experience or to simply check on some information online. Whichever the case, having access to the internet is bound to come in handy at one point or the other.

While the internet speeds offered by local telecom companies are not the best, you can get decent speeds by subscribing to an internet package offered in the area. Therefore, once you land, make it a priority to get a sim card. There are some at the airport, but it is generally recommended that you avoid buying a line at the airport shops since they tend to be overpriced.

Fort Lauderdale is famous for its beaches, waterways, arts, culture and events. It's a great place to call home and a popular vacation destination for many. The vibrant, coastal city, located on Florida's east coast 25 miles north of Miami and 40 miles south of Palm Beach, offers endless activities, events and sightseeing opportunities. Enjoy being on or near the water during the day and countless dining and entertainment options by night.

Fort Lauderdale is conveniently located within just a few minutes of the cruise ship terminals at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, hundreds of miles of inland waterways, world famous Fort Lauderdale Beach, the downtown business district, the pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk lined with high-rises and all kinds of boats, nightlife and entertainment districts, performing arts center, museums, waterfront dining, parks and ...

 To continue reading, go to:  www.MoveToFortLauderdale.com

Every year, millions of tourists visit the Mediterranean to take in the beautiful cultures, landscapes, and beaches. There’s such a wide variety of food, music, art and other attractions packed into a small geographical area. It’s a region rich with history that points to the beginnings of much of modern civilization. Whether you’re basking on the coast of Italy or snapping photos among the pristine white buildings of Santorini, Greece, a lifetime of experiences is within your reach. The Mediterranean has some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Here are some of the must-see spots to hit on an idyllic Mediterranean cruise. 

1.     Santorini, Greece

Santorini is famous around the world for its bright white buildings that sit atop steep cliffs over crystal blue ocean water. The uniformity of the town is what makes it so stunning. You feel like you’re in a different world, a different time. Once you settle into the local pace of life, you begin to understand why the locals love it so much. There’s something so romantic about an ocean town designed with a style that has maintained such grace over the years. 

The way the town is set up allows for fantastic 360-degree views of Mediterranean sunsets. The food and music scene is also world-class. You can weave your way in and out of small roads and back alleys during the day, and sit and relax over the freshest seafood money can buy in the evenings. Santorini’s got great shopping and music, and there are quaint picturesque villages within striking distance if you’re there for more than a few days. 
 

2.      Cinque Terre, Italy

Chances are you’ve seen Cinque Terre in a magazine or on someone’s wall in a painting. The region of the Italian Coast is a place like no other. All along the relaxing Italian beachline sit small villages and towns woven into the mountainous cliffsides. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you round another bend in the road to find another group of buildings or a beach with unique gelato spots, cafes, and some of the best Italian food money can buy. 

Cinque Terre is a traveler’s dream because it’s got awesome beaches where you can relax, and you can walk yourself to death sightseeing every day. Bring your walking shoes, though, because most of the towns are on a slope. You’re also going to want to climb to vantage points along the cliffs to snap the best photos from above. 
 

3.      Nice, France

When you’re in the Mediterranean, the south of France is within striking distance. A lot of cruises include a stop or two there for travelers to partake in some of the world’s best food and wine culture. Nice has wonderful beaches and plenty to do. When you’re in town, don’t forget to check out one of France’s historical monuments, Villa Les Palmiers, the Marble Palace. This impressive structure was built in 1872 as a private residence for Ernest Gambard, a famous artist at the time. Gambard was also a consul for the French government.

The marble palace was designed with a mix of neoclassical and renaissance themes. The entire building is covered with Arabescato marble, giving the iconic palace its name. Arabescato marble is among the most famous strains of natural stone in the world and is used in many sculptures and monuments. It’s mined in Tuscany, Italy, and comes in subtle blue-grey tones. 
 

4.      Majorca, Spain

Spain, like many nations in Europe, has seen a sea of change over the centuries. Different kings and rulers have held control over the country at different times. The result is a mixing pot of food, music, dance, dress, and architecture. Majorca is one of Spain’s most elite destinations. The island features grand mountains, sandy beaches, and world-famous wineries. The food scene’s no slouch either. There are multiple restaurants on Majorca that have been awarded Michelin Stars. Just make sure you make your booking well in advance if your cruise makes a stop through Majorca. 
 

5.     Dubrovnik, Croatia

Croatia doesn’t get as much press as some of the other spots on this Mediterranean list, but it still deserves to be here. Croatia has been a serious up and comer in the European tourism industry over the past several years. It’s got all the great beaches and scenery at a much more affordable cost compared to some of the other hot destinations. 

Dubrovnik is a perfect mix of an exquisite beach town with rustic history. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that hosts many music, dance, and food festivals. During July and August, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is a huge draw among travelers around the world. If you don’t mind the crowds, do your best to visit during the summer so you can participate in everything Dubrovnik’s got to offer. 

Like all-inclusive resorts, Caribbean cruises offer many components of a vacation for a single nightly rate. Once you settle on an itinerary and choose your cabin type, you'll get your lodging, daily and nightly entertainment, and three meals a day plus snacks (and drinks like water, coffee, and tea) for one price. If you choose a budget cruise line or a cruise line with lower rates for kids, your cruise itself may even be downright cheap.

Of course, that doesn't mean cruises are devoid of extras and upcharges. Far from it. In addition to your cruise fare, you'll have to pay government-mandated taxes and fees, for example. And if you want an upgraded trip, you can choose from a selection of add-ons including alcoholic drink packages, internet packages, onboard laundry services, dining at specialty restaurants, and more. (See also: How to Get a Cruise Cabin Upgrade for Free)

In addition to luxuries you can pay for on the ship, cruises also come with the option of booking excursions for your days at port. For a per-person rate, you can partake in any number of pastimes, from snorkeling and diving to historic city or nature tours. While shore excursions can make your cruise activities more diverse, they tend to be expensive. A single snorkeling tour can easily add upward of $100 per person, and remember, that's on top of what you've already paid for your cruise. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Cruises)

If your goal is keeping costs down, it helps to choose a cruise itinerary where you'll find ample affordable or free things to do. Here are five Caribbean ports of call to consider as you map out your affordable vacation plans. (See also: Are All-Inclusive Vacations and Cruises Worth the Money?)

1. Curacao

If your cruise takes you to Curacao, you won't have to look hard for ways to spend an affordable day in the island's capital of Willemstad. Within walking distance of the cruise port, you'll find the famous city center with its brightly-colored Dutch Caribbean architecture; the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, which swings open with much fanfare when ships come into port; and Willemstad's floating market, which features fresh fish and local produce along with locally made wares.

Just a 15-minute taxi ride away, you'll also find the Curacao Sea Aquarium, an affordable place to take the kids for an up-close look at local sea life. Ticket prices for adults are $21, kids ages five-12 are $11, and kids four and under are free. For the price of entry, you'll see local tropical fish and coral, sea lions, rays, turtles, and even sharks.

Mambo Beach Boulevard is another affordable and fun place to spend your cruise day in Curacao. Here, you can shop local stores or visit a gorgeous protected beach for an entry fee of $3. Beach chair rentals also cost only $3, and you can order food from many local vendors in the area or bring your own. (See also: 10 Secrets to Saving Money on Your Next Cruise)

2. Nassau, Bahamas

While Nassau in the Bahamas is known for its famous hotel and water park, Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, you don't have to pay the $161 per adult (or $99 per kid) they charge to spend a day in their water park.

The port of Nassau offers several inexpensive ways to spend the day. It all starts with a free beach you can walk to directly from the cruise port. If you disembark your ship and walk to the right for 20 minutes, you'll wind up on Junkanoo Beach, a local favorite with gorgeous, clear water, powder white sand, chairs for rent, and food and drink stands.

If you don't mind traveling, you can also catch a taxi or Nassau's #10 bus to nearby Cable Beach for a day of fun in the sun. Again, chairs are here for rent and you can bring a picnic or buy street food from local vendors.

Nassau also offers its share of affordable excursions, including a city scavenger hunt that starts at $22, a land and sea tour that starts at $56 per adult, and an island highlights tour starting at $30. (See also: Are Cruise Line Rewards Programs Worth It?)
 
3. Aruba

While Aruba is not typically considered a cheap travel destination, it can be an affordable option for cruise passengers who have only a day to spend. This is partially because all beaches in Aruba are public and within a short taxi ride of the cruise terminal. And beyond cheap beach days, Aruba does offer some cruise excursions that are more affordable than those on many other islands.

To save money on a relaxing beach day in Aruba, pack a picnic lunch from the ship and head to gorgeous Palm Beach or Arashi Beach, both of which are less than 20 minutes away. You can rent a chair or bring your own umbrella, plus pick up food and drinks from vendors if you don't bring your own.

If you're up for some snorkeling or boating, you may find that water excursions in Aruba cost less than one would think. You can book a catamaran snorkeling adventure for around $42 per adult, for example. You can also book a snorkeling cruise to the SS Antilla (a sunken ship) and several reefs, including lunch, for $63 per adult and $31 for kids 12 and under. (See also: Caribbean Island Vacations Anyone Can Afford)

4. San Juan, Puerto Rico

While San Juan and greater Puerto Rico saw plenty of destruction during hurricanes Irma and Maria, the island nation is already on the mend. Fortunately, most cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, continue to include San Juan on their itineraries as the city rebuilds and opens more amenities back up for cruisers.

San Juan is a great stop for budget-minded cruise passengers, mostly because of the beauty and history you'll find freely on display. You can tour historic Old San Juan, which was founded in 1521 by Ponce de Leon. Marvel at the brightly-colored 16th and 17th century houses, as well as local sites like Christopher Columbus Square and the Governor's Mansion. You can also visit the city's two famous forts, Fort El Morro and Fort San Cristobal, for a small entry fee of $5. Kids 15 and under are free.

5. Grand Cayman

Since all beaches in Grand Cayman are public, this cruise port can be an affordable place to stop, despite the island's pricey reputation. Within just 15 minutes by taxi, you can arrive at either the world famous Seven Mile Beach or Smith's Cove, a public enclave known for its amazing snorkeling.

On Seven Mile Beach, the Governor's Beach section offers ample parking and access to some of the clearest waters in the world. The area called Public Beach (though, as we said, they are all public) on Seven Mile Beach offers more amenities than Governor's Beach, with a child's play area, restrooms, showers, and even floating trampolines and other water toys during high season.

Grand Cayman's most popular shore excursion, a trip to swim with stingrays at Stingray City, is also more affordable than you might expect. For around $40 per person ages five and up (kids four and under are free), you'll be picked up from the cruise port and whisked away to Stingray City to wade in waist-high waters with stingrays. Once in the water, you can pet the majestic creatures and get your picture taken holding one. 

By Holly Johnson, WiseBread.com
Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more
For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

In Germany on the Rhine, my riverboat, the Viking Hild, stopped in the historic city of Mainz. The vessel’s basic complimentary walking tour included monuments to art and history, markets, churches, and the fascinating museum of Johannes Gutenberg where travelers may see two of the 29 remaining copies of the Gutenberg bible.

All good, except what I wanted to see in this port, on this visit, were Marc Chagall’s nine stained glass windows in St. Stephen’s Church. Chagall viewed these amazing church windows as a sign of post-World War II goodwill between the Jewish and Christian faiths, finishing the final window just before his death in France in 1985. He declined ever to return to Germany after the war so he never saw his windows in place. They did not exist when last I visited Mainz in the 1970s.

St. Stephen’s was not on the basic tour, which most passengers on the ship chose, but I had noticed that earlier and picked a different guided walk. How did I know about the windows? I had read a story about them while doing pre-trip research.

Even in this world where everything in organized travel seems to be handed to you on a silver platter — especially on river cruise tours — you need to know what you want to see and do.

If you want to have the best experience, such questions should be part of your pre-trip thought progress. You may be surprised at what research will dig up, such as early morning mountain biking off the SeaDream cruise ship in the Caribbean; canoeing on the Danube, a jogging tour or a painting class in Amsterdam on Active Discovery trips with Avalon Waterways; or a 20-minute walk with a guide to visit the Chagall windows in Mainz on a voyage with Viking River Cruises.

Much of the world now is open to exploration. Choices of travel companies, vessels, guides, itineraries, tours, active adventures, and cultural discoveries abound. They present amazing opportunities and thus challenges for you and/or your travel agent to find and book the experience that fits your needs.

Ocean and river cruise lines continue to expand their fleets and excursions. Dozens of new ships will slide from factories into waters around the world during the next few years. Announcements at the recent Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Fort Lauderdale indicate that more than 100 new ships are on order, to debut between now and 2027.

To encourage demand to meet supply, the cruise industry is busier than ever in its quest for new customers — enticing to sea each year as many as one million passengers who never have cruised before.

While the operators of big ships tout their impressive and innovative onboard accoutrements that keep passengers busy and entertained at sea, cruise lines with smaller vessels tend to concentrate on what happens off the ship. The small ship business, both on rivers and at sea, is booming.

Cruise lines are appealing to prospective cruise travelers who are looking for experiences that are immersive, cultural, and physically active. They are offering more adventurous activities ashore, such as biking, walking, kayaking and canoeing.

Many of the ocean cruise lines — from the smaller ships of Azamara Club Cruises and Windstar Cruises to bigger ships of Celebrity, Holland America and Viking Ocean — are staying overnight occasionally in ports, so passengers may enjoy the nightlife, special evening performances, or the pleasure of getting to know a town as it celebrates the end of a workday.

All of these additional travel choices require more decision-making, which works best with additional research on the Internet or through your cruise travel agent.

By David Molyneaux, TheTravelMavens.com
Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more
For more cruise news and articles go to https://www.cruisecrazies.com

(Article courtesy of Travel Pulse, "Resort for a Day: How to Take a Caribbean Beach Day Like a Boss")

When you take a cruise to the Caribbean, you want to make the most of your time in the sun.

For me, this means getting to the sands and blue waters.

I'm talking about a beach day, that classic excursion most cruisers crave when they reach the islands.

You have several options.

Book a beach excursion on your ship. These can be pricey and crowded. You pay a premium for the convenience of booking onboard, and you probably will be traveling to and from the beach resort with hordes of others loaded onto coaches. Plus, your schedule is likely to be extremely structured and allow for a shorter time ashore than you would like.

Or stroll off the ship, snag a taxi and tell the driver to take you to the best beach on the island. This can work out well for the adventurous traveler, but it also can be a bit sketchy. Some drivers can be unreliable, won't charge a fair price or drop you off with no way to get back to the ship.

You also can find a kiosk or hawker in port rounding up cruisers looking for a snorkeling trip or beach outing. I like to try this sometimes because you can often get together with a group of fellow cruisers and negotiate a deal for a shuttle van to the beach (or a tour of the island or however you want to customize your excursion). This can be affordable but won't include any extras.

How about if you want an all-inclusive, no-hassle reasonably priced beach day?

On a recent sailing on Carnival Vista, I discovered the company Resort for a Day and used its Curacao day pass for my time in port there. I joined a group of about 20 people who were taking the excursion, and we were shuttled about 30 minutes from the port in Willemstad to Santa Barbara Beach Resort.

The resort is one of 20 offered by Resort for a Day, a World Travel Holdings Inc. company. Resort for a Day features properties in popular cruise destinations like Cozumel, Barbados, Bermuda, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Lucia and St. Kitts. (One is coming soon in Kauai.)

The most popular resort is Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas. We'll chat about this playland in a bit.

In Curacao, at Santa Barbara Beach Resort, we quickly found our beach rhythm. We soon were indulging in all the resort goodness: stretches of sand, swimming pools, food and drink. For $114, you get round-trip transportation, unlimited food from the poolside restaurant Splash, which serves appetizers like fish tacos, wings and nachos and meals like half-pound burgers, Caesar salads, paninis and pulled pork sandwiches. Drinks are included, too. We enjoyed sodas, local beers, margaritas and frozen cocktails.

The beach is just steps from the pool area. Bring along your snorkel gear and jump right in, or you can rent snorkels and other watersports gear like kayaks and standup paddleboards. Hiking trails, golfing and bike rentals also are available.

Our Curacao resort was a blast. But not all Resort for a Day properties are all-inclusive, and some don't include transfers to and from your ship. Each resort offers a different package, so pricing differs because of this, ranging from $60 to about $120 per person for the excursions.

Resort for a Day sells about 20 to 40 passes at the properties depending on whether it's high season or low season, and you'll have a full day to play -- six to eight hours. The excursions are available for cruise passengers only and can be reserved online.  

Atlantis Resort is such a big attraction with so much to do that it stands alone in the Resort for a Day portfolio. A higher number of passes are available at Atlantis than for the other resorts, but they still sell out quickly, says Lynn Walters, the manager of day passes for cruisers.

You'll find seven different options for passes to Atlantis, ranging from simple tours to the best deal: a $194 combo pass that includes lunch, a dolphin swimming encounter and an Aquaventure pass that allows you to experience the waterslides, rivers slides, Dig Aquarium, marine habitats and pool area with loungers and towels.

Article Courtesy Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News 

3rd of a Series, by Travel Pulse

In a series of cruise travel basic articles, we’ve already looked at how to best select a cruise line and choose a specific cruise ship. The next step is to determine just where it is you want to sail to, and deciding on a destination is dependent on a few more factors than you might initially be aware of.

Fleet

If you selected a cruise line with a massive fleet of ships like Carnival Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean International, chances are it will be easy to head for any mainstream cruise destination and find a vessel that sails there. However, if you’re keen to cruise on the newest ships from any such company, they will frequently be deployed to the most popular areas in the world. More often than not, new vessels built in Europe start out in the Mediterranean and Baltic but soon end up in the Caribbean.

If, on the other hand, you’ve chosen a small-scale line like Azamara Club Cruises, for example, you will be limited to traveling only where its two ships are going at any given time.

Seasonality

Then you also have to consider seasonality. The Caribbean and Europe have ships deployed to the region year-round, but others like Alaska and the Baltic have cruise ships visiting only during certain months during ideal weather conditions. Then again, regions that can be frigid during the winter like Norway still have lines like Hurtigruten visiting year-round, making Northern Lights viewing an option for the heartiest travelers in wintertime.

Seasonal destinations will also not feature every class of ship that cruise lines offer sent there. With some exceptions, niche Canada and New England, for instance, generally receives smaller older vessels whereas Alaska is more popular and has newer larger vessels deployed there. Many mainstream lines participate annually in these area, but ones with smaller fleets tend to skip for several years.

World Cruises

For those wanting to see the best of every destination, world cruises are the way to go, but like seasonal destinations, lines are likely to deploy one of their mid-sized or smaller vessels of an earlier vintage on such extended itineraries. Breaking that rule, however, will be Viking Ocean Cruises when it sends one of its brand-new ships on the route.

Remote Regions

If you’ve been there, done that; plenty of more obscure destinations are reachable by expedition ships that extend well beyond the usual likes of, say, the Mediterranean. Silversea Expeditions, for instance, goes to the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic.

In Reverse

Alternatively, if you have a very specific destination or port in mind, in may be better to reverse engineer your overall cruise choice. Rather than starting by selecting a cruise line and then a destination, you may have to book from a shorter list of ships that actually call there.

Article Courtesy Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News 

(Reposted from TravelPulse/Seven Sea Journeys)  It rarely happens, but every once in a while, a planned cruise port-of-call has to be skipped because of weather conditions. In those cases, an extra sea day is usually the alternative, but that needn’t be a bad thing.

 As I currently sail on Seabourn’s luxurious Seabourn Quest in Canada and New England, we unfortunately had to bypass Baie-Comeau as the heavy wind and swell conditions were such that there would not be enough water under our keel to safely dock alongside, but such things are outside the control of the cruise line and ship’s captain.

Within the last year, we were also on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy when it couldn’t stop at Castaway Cay. To be sure, if you’ve planned a Disney cruise, especially for its highly-regarded private island specifically, it’s extremely disappointing to miss it, but safety must always come first.

You may not be surprised to know that weather can have an affect on a smaller vessel like the Seabourn Quest, which we must admit has ridden extremely stable considering the conditions, but wonder how it could possibly deter a much larger one like the Disney Fantasy.

Well, as powerful as such ships are to plow through the water forwards, they also contain lots of superstructural surface area, all of its balcony nooks and crannies mathematically included, and that collectively acts as a giant sail that can catch the wind. It’s never enough to topple a cruise ship, as they are built to withstand that, but lateral thrusters, fully capable the majority of the time, can sometimes be overcome by very high winds, making delicate docking maneuvers too difficult to achieve safely.

So, the alternative is an unplanned day at sea, which are honestly some of the most relaxing and enjoyable of a cruise vacation. An abundance of shore excursions mean passengers get to see a lot ashore, but they can take their toll on a trip frequented by tours. The antidote is a sea day—perfect for getting in a spa treatment, provided you book it quickly enough to reserve limited space, or just reading a good book in the ship’s observation lounge, watching the waves go by.

Usually the cruise director and entertainment staff will also swiftly modify the daily schedule of activities and dining times to accommodate more people suddenly being onboard than initially planned. That can mean bonus trivia sessions, film screenings and lots more are likely in store. In fact, as the shops are closed on port days due to shore regulations, those can now be reopened at sea as well. If, of course, you really had your mind set on the destination that was omitted from the itinerary, you can always use this time to research and book a return cruise.

Either way, ships these days offer plenty to do onboard and truly are often destinations unto themselves, so all is not lost.

Article Courtesy Travel Pulse/Jason Leppert and Seven Sea Journeys/News

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more.

Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles.

Featured photo credit: Travel Pulse

(Thanks to shows like "Downton Abbey" and the attraction of those PBS Viking cruise commercials, cruises on Europe's rivers have never been more popular. Read more, courtesy of Jason Leppert @ Travel Pulse).

River cruising is booming, and its not all thanks to older generations, although that has been the traditional crowd for some time. Now, millennials, myself at 32 included, are becoming more and more attracted to international travel along historic and scenic banks, and there is plenty to hold our attention onboard and off.

Personally, I have yet only traveled with Viking River Cruises, a company not specifically interested in accommodating youth nor families with children, but that hasnt stopped me from becoming an unapologetic fan. Regardless of the line chosen, there is not a more relaxing way to travel Europe, for instance, unpacking once and sailing straight into the heart of some of the most iconic cities in the world. Many ocean cruises dont even come as conveniently close.

When travelers embark on a river cruise, they can experience the quaint villages and thriving cities that rest along the beautiful rivers that wind and bend through Europe, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, South America and Egypt, said Steve Born, VP of marketing for the Globus family of brands, including Avalon Waterways, but some cant escape for long durations. For them, he adds, shorter, more diverse and active itineraries are another way river cruise companies are luring younger travelers.

By virtue of the locks they traverse, riverboats are also by no means ocean-plowing mega cruise ships, but innovations still abound. One of the more modern players, Emerald Waterways, draws in the younger market by offering contemporary, stylish river ships with amenities not found on other river ships all of which appeal to the millennial generation, according to Lisa Norton, vice president Emerald Waterways Brand Management, North America.

She explains such Emerald amenities include the only indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool on the river with a current generator for swimming laps, a fitness center, a walking track, a putting green, and bicycles on board for guests to use at their leisure or to enjoy on guided biking excursions.

In fact, staying fit while also relaxing on the rivers is important to younger crowds, and AmaWaterways has recently renewed its commitment to biking and hiking tours ashore in 2016.

When you think of the millennial traveler, you may be picturing a young, unattached globetrotter out for that perfect selfie. But plenty of travelers that fit the millennial demographic are starting families of their own, and they're more than happy to take the whole family along for the trip. Adventures by Disney has teamed up with AmaWaterways to offer successful family-friendly journeys. AmaViolas connecting cabins are particularly well suited to large parties as are some of its staterooms and suites that can accommodate up to three or four to a room.

We've had a fantastic response to our Adventures by Disney river cruise itineraries, says Heather Killingbeck, director program development and operations for Adventures by Disney. By combining the luxury experience that AmaWaterways offers with the types of active family experiences that Disney can provide, we have created something that many parents have told us they wanted to do for a long time.

Tauck is another cruise line eager to please families as it is, particularly well-suited to host millennials as they become parents, because [it] operates three Tauck Bridges river cruises on the Danube, Rhone and Rhine designed specifically for families with young children, says Katharine Bonner, Tauck's Sr. VP for River and Small Ship Ocean Cruising.

As for Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, its ships may not exhibit a modern decor in fact, they eschew it but its president, Guy Young, says, we were the first river cruise company to offer multi-generational itineraries, which have proven to be extremely successful we doubled these offerings for 2016 and they now have their own dedicated brochure. These family-friendly departures attract both parents and grandparents traveling with children, effectively introducing the newest generation to river cruising.

Thats the sweet spot: appealing to all generations and sharing the experience with larger family trees. Just as once perceived stodgy ocean cruise lines are broadening their horizons from an older clientele to a younger one, so too are river cruise lines offering youthful active groups, couples and solo travelers alike a growing list of enticing options.

__________

Article Courtesy of Jason Leppert (02.04.16), Travel Pulse and Seven Sea Journeys/News

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more.

Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles.

Featured photo credit: Viking Cruises

(I wanted to share this poignant piece from a fellow cruise industry writer about why you can't put off that Alaskan vacation any longer!)

"Relative to other glacier-covered areas of the globe, Alaska glaciers are losing mass rapidly.

Statistics like this are appearing in more and more studies and we want to help raise awareness and encourage you to see them while you still can!

Witnessing the awe-inspiring breaking off of a glacier as it falls into the sea is only surpassed by the creaking sounds followed by the roar as the pieces crash into the sea.

A team of scientists analyzed 116 glaciers in the Alaska region, which includes the glaciers of Alaska, southwest Yukon Territory, and coastal northern British Columbia.

The study spanned a 19-year period in which researchers estimated ice loss caused by melting and iceberg calving. The results published in the Geophysical Research Letters found:

Alaskas glaciers have sent 75 billions of tons of water into the ocean every year for the past 19 years, increasing sea levels by two-tenths of a millimeter annually.

The amount of water generated from this rate of melting would cover the state of Alaska in a foot of water if extended over a seven-year period.

In the last 35 years, the Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound has retreated more than 12 miles due to iceberg calving and thinned by more than 1,500 vertical feet.

The current sea level rise rate which started in 1990 is 2.5 times faster than it was from 1900 to 1990, thanks in part to melting glaciers.

Alaskas contribution to rising sea levels is due to the record warm temperatures and glaciers located at much lower altitudes than those in Asia or Latin America.

Disruptions to Alaskas ecosystems could include alterations to salmon spawning patterns, affecting fisheries.

Vacations to Enjoy the Glaciers

As temperatures warm, Alaskas sensitive glaciers will continue melting. The recent study does not make predictions about when they might disappear, but its safe to say that there will never be a better time to witness these majestic wonders of nature up close and in person.

Cruise Glacier Bay from the romantic warmth of a Jacuzzi on the ships top deck. Glacier Bay offers 16 active tidewater glaciers. While the entrance to the Bay was a wall of ice in 1794, the ice has retreated 65 miles since then. Located in the heart of Glacier National Park and Preserve, a 3.2 million acre sanctuary, youll enjoy your time spent with knowledgeable park rangers who join you on board to guide you through the Bays landmarks and history.

Cruise Glacier Bay from the romantic warmth of a Jacuzzi on the ships top deck. Glacier Bay offers 16 active tidewater glaciers. While the entrance to the Bay was a wall of ice in 1794, the ice has retreated 65 miles since then. Located in the heart of Glacier National Park and Preserve, a 3.2 million acre sanctuary, youll enjoy your time spent with knowledgeable park rangers who join you on board to guide you through the Bays landmarks and history.

Cruise Glacier Bay with Princess CruisesTake the family on vacation to Mendenhall Glacier, one of Alaskas most accessible and spectacular glaciers. Drive out to the glacier lookout, take a guided hike with a park ranger, ride a dog sled, or kayak on Mendenhall Lake. The photo opportunities abound, and its a chance for your children to experience something in person that might not be possible for their own children to witness.

Go glacier flightseeing at Denali Park. Look down on Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America, from a helicopter. Surveying the 20,230-foot giant offers a breathtaking adventure.

Hike Kennicott, a ghost town in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest National Park in North America with 13.2 million acres. Kennicott was once a thriving copper mine known as Glacier City due to its location alongside a glacier with ice so high that inhabitants could not see across the valley. The ice has since retreated, leaving only mounds of silt. Hikers from around the world come to enjoy the abundant alpine hiking opportunities in the treasured wilderness park with mind-blowing, above-the-tree-line views.

Article Credit: Amanda Brooks (Insider-Vacation dot com, August 20, "Chase Your Dreams of Alaskan Ice While You Can")

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more.

Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles.

Featured photo credit: J. Neves

[Everyone loves cruise itineraries with an overnight port stay. Here are some great tips to getting the most from your extended time there (Courtesy of Vacation Insider)]

In the past, cruise ships made overnight port stays, preferring instead to use the time to travel to another destination.

But some cruise lines want passengers to have more time to explore to explore and discover a destination for a more immersive experience.

In the past, cruise ships made overnight port stays, preferring instead to use the time to travel to another destination.

But some cruise lines want passengers to have more time to explore to explore and discover a destination for a more immersive experience.

Following are ten tips to help you get the most out of any cruise overnight port stays!

Talk with Your Travel Agent.

The more knowledgeable a traveler is about a destination, the better their chances will be of finding that rare gem of a tour, expedition or attraction that could possibly be the highlight of their cruise. That is why it’s important for cruisers to discuss their itineraries with their travel agents as these professionals can provide them with valuable information about port cities and the surrounding areas.

An experienced travel agent can also help a cruiser create a customized itinerary for their overnight stay that takes into account a traveler’s personal tastes and preferences.

Book Excursions Early.

Once a traveler has decided what tours and attractions they want to see, they should book their shore excursions as early as possible. Popular excursions tend to fill up quickly and you want to maximize your one shore time by having a plan before you debark…unless you are a more spontaneous traveler. In which case the next tip is for you!

Festivals or Fairs.

A great way to see a slice of the local culture is through fairs and festivals. Often times, you’ll stumble upon these simply by exploring on foot through the city.

Most cities host numerous exciting cultural events throughout the year, particularly during the high season for travel when weather is the best. You can check the official tourism sites for the port city or of course seek recommendations from fellow passengers on the ship who may have received different recommendations before leaving.

Local Cuisine.

Yes, food on a cruise ship is free and often customized to the trip. But there is nothing like sampling the local fare from a small street vendor or restaurant to truly experience a destination.

Local Nightlife.

Whether your trip involves tasting the local wines or simply people watching, don’t discount the enjoyment of local nightlife. Every city changes just a bit as the sun goes down and you’ll find a new crowd emerging to cheer teams on tv, to dance the night away or simply strolling through the beautiful surroundings.

Sporting or Cultural Events.

Some destinations are famous for their cultural performances or sporting events and seeing them in person gives you an entirely new appreciation for them!

Transportation.

Yes, a traveler could depend on taxi services to get them from one place or another, but in some cities, it may make more sense to hire a car or private tour service.

A little up front investigation, may surprise you to find a private tour guide is extremely reasonable and less worrisome than attempting to obey their traffic laws on your own.

We’re also a fan of foot power, both your own and local pedi-cabs which can often be found near the port! This mode of transportation is slower and that means you can truly take in the sights and even snap a picture.

Dress Appropriately.

Depending upon the location of your overnight port stay, you may need to consider changing weather conditions or cultural sensitivities.

Travelers who will be staying overnight in an Islamic country, such as Oman, should dress appropriately. Women should make sure to keep their legs and shoulders covered. Many seasoned travelers recommend packing a large, lightweight scarf that can be worn around the shoulders and also be used for other purposes during a cruise.

In other locations, the temperature may drop quickly once the sun goes down so leaving the ship with a jacket is always advised.

Explore Outside the Port City.

Many of a destination’s best attractions will be outside of the port of call, so don’t limit your exploration to the immediate city. This extended time in port means you can enjoy an all day experience without fear of missing your boarding time.

Shop Local.

Souvenirs with meaning or crafted by local artisans are those that we often treasure the most. With extended time in port, you’ll have time to explore street vendors and small shops, rather than ducking in to the last place you spot on your way back to the ship.

(Article Credit: Amanda Brooks, Vacation Insider ("10 Tips to Get the Most of Overnight Port Stays", June 17, 2015)

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more.

Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles.

Featured photo credit: J. Neves

People often ask me, "when is the best time to cruise?" The answer all depends on where you're going and what you want out of a cruise. There are several variables that go into deciding when to cruise including personal preference, destination climate, best opportunities for viewing prime visitor sites, and more. Here are my recommendations for when to cruise where.

ALASKA

High Season: June – August.

Pros – Temperatures are generally warmer in summer, allowing for best wildlife, glacier and fjord viewing.

Cons: Higher prices, larger crowds and some port congestion, weather – while generally warmer - can be unpredictable.

Low Season: May – September.

Pros – Lower prices, less crowded; more dramatic scenery with snow-capped mountains; best chance of catching the Northern Lights in late September.

Cons – Colder with possibility of snow and weather-related excursion cancellations.

AUSTRALIA

High Season: Late November - March.

Pros – Optimal temperatures in the western cities of Sydney and Perth; sub-tropical temps in the Northeastern Queensland region.

Cons: - Typhoon season; large crowds and port congestion – especially December-January.

Low Season: May – September.

Pros – Lower prices, especially for year-round Great Barrier Reef cruising; less crowded; weather cooler, but rarely extreme.

Cons – Expedition and Tasmania sailings can be limited during the rainier months of June, July and August.

BERMUDA

High Season: June – August.

Pros – Water temperature is ideal for swimming and water sports; larger selection of ships from a wider variety of embarkation ports; best time for family cruising, with kids clubs in full swing.

Cons: Higher prices, larger crowds and some port congestion; normally comfortable Bermuda weather tends to be steamy in summer.

Low Season: April-May; September-October.

Pros – Lower prices; less crowded; less humidity with comfortable weather for touring (except for rainier October).

Cons – Hurricanes can threaten Bermuda in September and October, and since many itineraries consist of Bermuda alone, guests could find themselves re-routed to Canada.

CANADA/NEW ENGLAND

High Season: September - October.

Pros – Colorful autumn foliage, beginning in Northern regions in late September and ending in Southern regions by mid-October; cool nights but mild days make strolling the ports very comfortable; quieter cruising due to fewer families and children.

Cons: Late October can be colder, both day and evenings; although occurring less frequently than in the Caribbean, hurricanes are a possibility, especially in southern regions of New England.

Low Season: May – August.

Pros – Warmer days and nights; most comfortable time of year for touring; ideal weather; best time for whale watching.

Cons – Southern New England can be humid in mid-summer.

CARIBBEAN

High Season: Late June - August; Christmas and New Year’s weeks; school and college break times, February - mid April.

Pros – Great time to enjoy time with the family and the kids while they’re on school break; opportunity for cruising on ships that normally don’t cater to kids; best opportunity for fully functional onboard kids’ clubs.

Cons: Higher prices, larger crowds, many more kids and teens; college breakers can get rowdy; weather can be uncomfortably hazy, hot and humid in the Caribbean; hurricane season, though not as prevalent as the fall months, can threaten cruises and cause rough seas, especially August.

Low Season: April-May; September-January (excluding holiday weeks).

Pros – Lower prices; fewer families, kids and crowds; more enjoyable, comfortable weather with less humidity.

Cons – Hurricane season (September-October) can cause weather delays, rough seas, cancellations or re-routes; air travel risks the possibility of weather delays and cancellations during the winter months.

HAWAII

High Season: Late December - April.

Pros – Best selection of ships; best time of year for whale watching.

Cons: Rainiest weather occurs between December and March; higher prices.

Low Season: May-June; September-mid December.

Pros – Great weather; less-crowded ships since kids are in school; best deals, especially weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Cons – Possibility of hurricanes in September.

Mexican Riviera

High Season: Holiday weeks; February – mid April.

Pros – Mild temperatures with dry and comfortable weather.

Cons: Holiday weeks and school breaks bring crowded lots of kids, crowded ships and port congestion; during college breaks, ports become wild.

Low Season: Early January and May; October - November.

Pros – Fewer kids, more adult atmosphere

Cons – Unpredictable weather, ranging from hot and humid to chilly.

MEDITERRANEAN

High Season: May - September.

Pros – Best time for beach going and water sports, due to hot and humid weather; lots of families aboard bring the best in onboard kids activities; evenings in European cities are warm but comfortable, allowing for the best lively nighttime experiences and outdoor entertainment and restaurants; avoid kids in the shoulder months of May and September.

Cons: Higher prices; larger crowds and more congestion, especially July and August family-travel months; summer touring in Europe can be brutally hot.

Low Season: October - April.

Pros – More comfortable weather brings more pleasant touring; prices are lower; fewer crowds; warmer regions such as the Canary Islands allow for cruising later in the season.

Cons – fewer cruise options, especially mid-winter, though warmer regions (Canary Islands, Spain, etc.) will find year-round ships; March and November tend to be rainy.

NORTHERN EUROPE

High Season: June – August.

Pros – Best weather for touring port cities and the fjords, with warm temperatures (occasionally steamy) and generally sunny skies allowing for optimal outdoor activity.

Cons: High prices.

Low Season: May and September.

Pros – Quieter cruising, as kids are in school; comfortable fall-like weather with cool evenings, mild days and colorful foliage.

Cons – Weather can be brisk.

SOUTH AMERICA

High Season: November – March (Year-Round for Galapagos Islands)

Pros – Widest selection of ships and itineraries; best cruise bargains are the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Cons: Varied climate changes depending on destination; ships fill up fast with South Americans on vacation; large crowds over the Holiday periods.

Low Season: April - October.

Pros – Fewer crowds on ships and at top tourist attractions during the shoulder months of April and October; milder weather.

Cons – Colder with possibility of snow and weather-related excursion cancellations. Seas around the Galapagos Islands can be choppy during August and September.

TAHITI/SOUTH PACIFIC

High Season: May - October

Pros – Best and driest weather - less likelihood of rain and tropical storms – making the South Pacific the perfect destination for honeymooners and summer vacationers.

Cons: Strongest trade winds tend to occur during this time.

Low Season: November - April.

Pros – Lowest prices; water temperature is perfect for swimming.

Cons – Wettest time of the year, with more rain and humidity.

RIVER CRUISES - EUROPE

High Season: April - October

Pros – Experience more of Europe’s heartland with port-intensive itineraries; quieter, small-ship cruising for adults seeking cruising without children, though summer months sometimes feature theme itineraries exclusively for families.

Cons: Heavy rains can cause rising rivers and impassable locks, stopping boats in their tracks, and shifting the guests to bus touring.

Low Season: March; Late November - December

Pros – Enjoy the best European sites and cities without the summer crowds; Christmas itineraries are a great way to experience the holiday charm of the city markets during December.

Cons – Weather can be bitterly cold.

Contributor: Janice Neves - CruiseCrazies Member and Authorized Agent

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more.

Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles.

Featured photo credit: Janice Neves

[Note: Many of the activities and sightseeing of Bermuda can easily be done on your own, but if you favor organized ship tours, here are some of the best. ~ Jan]

Famous for its gorgeous pink sand beaches and balmy weather, Bermuda is a popular destination for cruises from late April through October. Bermuda has tons to offer in terms of organized shore excursions, featuring everything from around-the-island bus tours to more active and creative options. For those who'd like a bit more freedom, never fear — it's a fairly easy place to explore on your own, thanks to a decent public transportation system that includes buses and ferries.

Here are the best shore excursions in Bermuda.

Bermuda Triangle shipwreck snorkel or glass-bottom boat tour

Bermuda was discovered by accident when British colonists heading to Virginia were shipwrecked in 1609. More than 300 shipwrecks have followed. At the edge of Bermuda's reef, you'll view the remains of the sailing ship Constellation, which inspired Jaws author Peter Benchley's novel The Deep, and the paddle steamer Montana, plus the colorful fish that inhabit the sites. There are also nighttime tours that add an eerie element to the experience.

Railway Trail Bike & Beach Tour

From 1931 to 1948, Bermuda was serviced by a railroad. Today the abandoned rail bed is the Bermuda Railway Trail National Park, an 18-mile expanse that's perfect for a scenic ride on a mountain bike. You pedal about a six-mile stretch past striking coastline and nature areas and under abandoned trestles, on mostly flat terrain. A stop at a beach is included, and if there's time you can also hike up to the 19th-century Fort Scaur.

Wild West Clear Kayak Tour

Snuggle up in a two-person kayak and paddle around Bermuda's rocky coastline, uninhabited islands and pink beaches. Bird lovers will want to keep an eye out for Bermuda longtails, egrets and herons. Look down to spot turtles and fish in the clear sea. Included is time to relax on a beach.

Bermuda Dolphin Experience

If you've never gotten up close and personal with a dolphin, this is your chance. You sit with your small group in waist-high water on a platform while the dolphins follow their trainer's directions to come right up into your lap. Then you get to swim out into deeper water so you can feel like you're part of the dolphin pod.

Bermuda Gold Cup Sail Regatta

Geared towards families, and offered by Celebrity Cruises, the excursion includes an introduction to sailing from an internationally accredited instructor. After the introduction, you board a J/24 race-designed keelboat for a 45-minute sailing lesson, followed by a mini-race against your fellow students. The winning team gets a certificate and medal.

Famous Homes and Hideaways

Offered by Norwegian Cruise Line, this popular-culture boat tour shows off Bermuda's colorful historic homes and neighborhoods, including "Millionaire's Row." You'll see the home of Michael Douglas and where John Lennon spent his last summer, writing the album "Double Fantasy." Bermuda landmarks such as Gibbs Hill Lighthouse are pointed out along the route too.

Atlantic Reef Fishing, Day or Night

Board the Jolly Roger, a 57-foot custom fishing boat, for a family-friendly fishing excursion. Try your hand at hooking snappers, grouper, triggerfish, porgies, jacks and other species on a catch and release basis. Equipment is provided. The nighttime fishing excursions are extra fun, featuring a scenic sunset ride to fishing grounds in search of nocturnal reef dwellers.

Golf

Bermuda has more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Duffers will want to hit the links at the dramatic and challenging Turtle Hill Golf Club (at The Fairmont Southampton). The course is home to the Bacardi World Par 3, and is the winner of Golf Digest's Best Places To Play Golf. Norwegian Cruise Lines offers play at four courses — Turtle Hill, Port Royal and the classic Riddell's Bay.

St. George's Tour

History lovers will want to spend time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. George, especially in the company of a knowledgeable local guide. The oldest continuously occupied town of English origin in the New World, St. George has a wealth of charming historical architecture, including the oldest Anglican Church of the Western Hemisphere.

By Fran Golden (USA Today, "Explore Bermuda’s Best Shore Excursions")

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more.

Please visit CruiseCrazies.com for more cruise news & articles.

Featured photo credit: J. Neves

[There's nothing like talk of cruises, summers in Maine and New England lobster bakes to make us believe that warm days and sunny skies can't be far away! ~ Jan]

Maine Lobster lovers have a cruise to call their own; in fact, they have an entire season of them.

American Cruise Lines said that every one of its cruises along Maine's coast this summer would be lobster-themed.

Citing the popularity of its lobster cruises in previous years, the small-ship cruise line said that in 2014, its eight-day Maine Coast & Harbors cruises would all feature lobster cuisine, a lobster boat excursion and a traditional lobster bake.

The line's 49-passenger American Glory and 104-passenger Independence will offer the cruises beginning in early June and sailing through September.

American Cruise Lines calls its signature New England Lobster bake set up on the shore of Penobscot Bay the highlight of its cruise, with fresh lobster, clams and corn all steamed in kelp seaweed over hot coals. The dinner also features live music and views of Rockland Harbor.

Typical dishes that will be offered on menus during cruises will include stuffed lobster tail, whole steamed lobster, lobster pot pie, lobster risotto, lobster omelets and lobster ice cream.

The lobster boat excursion will take passengers on a real lobster boat for what the line calls a "daily catch" experience, while also learning about the lifestyle of Maine lobsterman.

For more information visit americancruiselines.com.

By Johanna Jainchill, USA Today ("Cruise line caters to lobster lovers this summer", Jan. 17, 2014)

For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more

Photo credit: American Cruise Lines

[i'm not a particularly big shopper while on vacation, but when I do, I look for things hand made, home grown and otherwise native and notable for the area. Here are some great items to look for when shopping in the Caribbean. One note I'd like to add ... if you're purchasing artwork or crafts, and the artist is present, have someone take a photo of you, the artist and his work you are buying. The artist will feel important, and you will have a photo to go with the item when you display it at home. ~ J.]

It's no secret Caribbean cruise ship passengers love to shop just watch the flow of the crowd when you visit a port of call. This is a shopping mecca, where you can find refrigerator magnets, Christmas ornaments, t-shirts and other typical tourist fare at every port. Plus, there's plenty of opportunities to buy duty-free jewelry and electronics, sometimes even at bargain prices. But should you want something a little more authentic to show off once you get home, there are also products actually made in the Caribbean.

Here are 10 souvenirs worth the suitcase space:

Woodcarvings: Look for local artists, such as Carl Henry in Antigua, who creates everything from turtles to miniature sailboats using local Caribbean wood such as mahogany and eucalyptus. A fun buy in this category is handcrafted masks like Puerto Rico's colorful caretas which depict evil spirits and look great hung on a wall.

Hot sauce: Using locally grown peppers, hot sauce (also called pepper sauce) is a big obsession on many Caribbean islands. Great selections can be found at Spicy Caribbee in Old San Juan, Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop & Art Gallery in Road Town, Tortola and Pure Caribbean Specialty in Nassau, among other places. If your cruise includes Belize, look for Marie Sharp's hot sauce.

Spices: Buy nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and other spices where they are actually grown. Make a beeline for the Spice Market in St. George's, Grenada. You'll also find spices at markets on other Caribbean islands. If your cruise includes Cozumel or Costa Maya, pick up a bottle of pure Mexican vanilla (much tastier than the supermarket variety).

Rum cakes: Tortuga Rum Company, headquartered in Grand Cayman (but with stores also in Jamaica and Nassau), creates moist, delicious and loaded cakes based on a generations-old family recipe. Hand-glazed with Tortuga Gold Rum and then vacuum packed (in a box with a historic ship as a logo), the cakes are possibly the No. 1 Caribbean souvenir.

Coffee: Coffee-lovers will want to bring home a pound or two of handpicked Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. But keep in mind other islands are also coffee producers, most notably Puerto Rico the island's super-premium Alto Grande has been hailed as one of the best coffees in the world.

Booze: Look for deals on Bacardi and DonQ rum in Puerto Rico, Mount Gay and St. Nicholas Abbey rum in Barbados and Blue Curacao in Curacao, among other Caribbean-produced liquor brands. If you're cruising the Mexican Caribbean, stock up on Kahlua. In Trinidad, pick up the Angostura Bitters to make a perfect Manhattan. Also, don't miss the taste treat that is Guavaberry liquor in St. Maarten.

Jewelry: On St. Thomas and St. Maarten you'll find familiar fine jewelry brands, but don't stop there. Handmade jewelry gets creative on many Caribbean islands, including St. Croix hook bracelets and amber jewelry in the Dominican Republic.

Skincare products: In St. Barts, stock up on La Ligne St. Barth natural creams and skincare products (which use French recipes and extracts from native Caribbean fruits and flowers). Pure Source in Barbados also has a line of natural skincare products. In Aruba, check out Aruba Aloe, one of the oldest aloe companies in the world and one of the first to produce cosmetic products based on Aloe Vera gel.

Baskets: Some of the best baskets are from Dominica, where Carib Indians use traditional methods to make creations from woven grass and leaves. In the Turks & Caicos, look for straw hats and bowls woven from fanner grass. Stop by the Nassau Straw Market for Bahamian plaited straw bags and baskets.

Artwork: Bring home something beautiful to remind you of your Caribbean cruise. Local galleries can be found on all the islands. For much-coveted Jamaican art, visit the Harmony Hall Gallery in Ocho Rios. Check out the lovely watercolors at Zemi Art Gallery in Antigua and pottery creations at Earthworks Pottery in Barbados. When in St. Kitts, pick up gorgeous fabrics at Caribelle Batik. Museum shops are also worth perusing.

By Fran Golden, USA Today (10 Caribbean Souvenirs Worth the Suitcase Space, Feb. 3, 2014)

For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more

Photo credit: J. Neves

My recent all-too-brief winter escape to Castaway Cay on the Disney Magic reminded me how restful and relaxing these cruise line private ocean oases can be. Escape to one of these islands for your next tropical cruise get-away.

As snow and sub-zero temperatures make us yearn for warmer climes, we present a visual feast of powdery beaches, palm trees and crystal-clear waters. Here is a selection of photos of private islands or beach destinations operated by cruise lines for the exclusive use of their guests.

Cruise Line: Holland America Line

Island: Half Moon Cay

Location: Bahamas

Top Features: Two-mile-long powder-sand beach, wild bird preserve, swimming in Stingray Cove, private beachside cabanas with butler service, wedding chapel, al fresco spa treatments, three watersports centers (think parasailing, snorkeling and kayaking), several waterfront bars, playground, horseback riding. No wonder it’s the most popular port of call for the premium line.

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International

Island: Labadee

Location: Haiti

Top Features: Arawak Aqua Park with trampolines, water slides, rolling log, and floating water toys. Several beaches, 300-foot-long waterslide, longest zipline in the world over water, sea-view cabanas overlooking Nellie’s Beach, several open-air eateries, watersports including parasailing, kayaking tour and personal watercraft, shopping for handmade local arts and crafts. Oh, and the average high temperature in January is 84.9 degrees!

Cruise Line: Disney Cruise Line

Island: Castaway Cay

Location: Bahamas

Top Features: Dock for the ships, sting ray experience, free child care, Disney character greetings, private cabanas in two locations, two water play areas, adults-only Serenity Bay Beach with open-air massages and yoga, teens-only activity area on beach, open-air BBQ dining locations, two shops, tram transportation, and watersports such as kayaking, glass-bottom boat tours and parasailing.

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises

Island: Princess Cays

Location: Eleuthera, Bahamas

Top Features: Lookout tower, marketplace, volleyball and basketball courts, clamshells and private bungalows for rent, supervised play area with a replica galleon, two barbeque pavilions, and water sports kiosk for paddle wheelers, kayaks, banana and glass-bottom boat rides, snorkeling, floating mattresses and aqua chairs.

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Island: Great Stirrup Cay

Location: Bahamas

Top Features: 250-acre island with snorkel trail, sting ray encounter, beachside BBQ, inflatable 175-foot-long Hippo Water Slide, kayaking, personal watercrafts, parasailing, straw market, private cabanas with VIP service and amenities for rent, and Lighthouse Beach Bar presented by Patron with large flat-screen TVs.

By Theresa Norton Masek, Travel Pulse Porthole Magazine (“5 Cruise Trips Where You Get Your Own Private Island,” Jan. 22, 2014)

For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more

Photo credits: Travel Pulse

Featured photo credit: J. Neves

Cruise lines that carry tourists to Antarctica say that the research ship stranded in ice since Christmas Eve did not indicate any increased risk for Antarctic tourism.

All 52 passengers on the Russian-flagged research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy were evacuated by helicopter to an Australian icebreaker ship Thursday.

Kim Crosbie, executive director of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), noted that ships on private scientific expeditions like the Akademik Shokalskiy periodically get held up by sea ice during the austral summer.

"This is largely because they have very specific goals and objectives to achieve, usually at very specific destinations."

IAATO operators, however, "are primarily concerned with ensuring that visitors (tourists) to the continent have an educational experience in a safe and environmentally responsible way, and can be very flexible with their itinerary and destinations depending on weather and ice conditions," Crosbie said.

In addition, the Russian vessel is stuck in an area of Antarctica closest to New Zealand, while most IAATO member ships sail to the Antarctic Peninsula region nearest Argentina and Chile.

A spokesperson for Hurtigruten, a Norwegian cruise operator that cruises to Antarctica, said its passengers had not indicated any concern.

"This is not an area we venture to so it has little direct effect on us," said Elliot Gillies. "These storms can come up rather quickly, but Hurtigruten keeps a sharp eye out for any possibility of wind shifts and steers clear of any substantial ice packs just in case."

Another expedition operator to Antarctica, Linblad Expeditions, also said its ships did not visit that area of Antarctica.

"This ship is in the Commonwealth Bay area of Antarctica which is approximately 3,000 miles away from the Antarctic peninsula where we travel with the National Geographic Explorer," said spokesperson Patty Disken-Cahill. "The National Geographic Orion will travel to the Ross Sea area of Antarctica in about three weeks, and even that is about 750 miles from the Commonwealth Bay."

As of Tuesday, Disken-Cahill said that Linblad had received only one inquiry from a booked passenger based on the incident.

Crosbie said that in the history of Antarctic tourism there has been only one occasion when a ship carrying passengers was temporarily unable to make headway because of ice conditions, missing the end of expedition deadline.

"This was the powerful Russian icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov, which had deliberately entered into the pack ice in the Weddell Sea to visit an emperor penguin colony in 2009," she said.

By Johanna Jainchill, Special for USA TODAY

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Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more

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Cruising the legendary Amazon River and its tributaries brings you into one of the most unusual and bio-diverse places on the planet, a tropical rainforest region where one in ten known species on earth can be found. Vying with the Nile as the longest river in the world, the Amazon waters flow more than 4,000-miles, from high in the Andes all the way down to the Atlantic. You can't cruise the whole river.

Big ships, including select ships from the fleets of Princess Holland America, Silversea, Oceania and Crystal, tend to explore from January to March, from the Atlantic to Manaus, the port city that is capital of Brazil's Amazonas state. These large ships tend to stay on the main river due to their size, but there are shore excursions or overnight tours that go deeper into the rainforest.

Small expedition ships — such as those operated by Lindblad Expeditions, in partnership with National Geographic, and Aqua Expeditions — cruise year-round from Iquitos or Nauta in Peru's Upper Amazon, about 2,400-miles from the Atlantic. Passengers on these small-ship cruises head by skiff into the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, a flooded forest covering millions of acres at the headwaters of the Amazon basin.

After cruising for a week on the 28-passenger Delfin II, chartered by Lindblad, here are our 10 favorite things about an Amazon River cruise.

Pink dolphins. Dolphins are easy to spot in the Amazon, especially where creeks or lakes and rivers meet. These playful, freshwater mammals show off various shades of grey and pink and can grow to up to eight feet in length.

Monkeys. Swinging on vines, playing monkey/see, monkey/do following each other across tree limbs, and screeching from the treetops, you'll see (and/or hear) an incredible variety of these clever creatures, including squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys and tamarins.

Birds. It will come as no surprise that the Amazon is nirvana for those who love bird-watching, but it's still a shock to see entire flocks of kingfishers and egrets, parrots and macaws, vultures and hawks. Look out for such species as the plum-throated catinga, which is such a startlingly bright shade of blue it looks like it's made of plastic.

Villages. In tiny communities along the Amazon, villagers fish (sometimes from dugout canoes), practice substance farming and may or may not have electricity. Shy but friendly, the locals greet visitors with smiles, and you may find yourself constantly followed by kids as you explore a village. The villagers may produce souvenirs including colorful baskets and rustic blowguns.

Creepy crawlers. From anacondas (snakes!) that hang out in shallow waters to red-eyed caimans (alligators!) that can be spotted at night by their red eyes, to tarantulas (spiders!), to King toads the size of rabbits, the jungle is full of, well, creepy surprises.

Sloths. Maybe it's their cute little white faces or their legendary laziness, but among the 600-some species of mammals in the Amazon, everyone gets particularly giddy when a three-toed sloth is spotted lounging on a tree.

Exotic fruits/flora. Naturalist guides share wisdom from jungle doctors while you taste Amazonian fruits that go way beyond the now familiar papaya and mango. Try Vitamin C-rich Camu Camu, the tomato-like Cocona and spiky melon-like Annona (which has sweet, custard-like flesh). As you explore the rainforest, keep an eye out for the astonishing plant life, including strangling figs, stilt-like walking trees and giant water lilies.

Weird fish. There are piranhas in the Amazon, but fish with sharp teeth are just the beginning of the oddities. You'll hear about, if not see, fish that "walk" in the flooded forest, leaping into trees to eat wood and nuts, fish with hard-shell armor and even giant, air-breathing fish.

Sounds. The cacophony of birds, frogs, crickets, monkeys and more is so intense — especially at sunrise and sunset — that the forest sounds at times like a tape track is playing or a generator is running. Do yourself a favor and stop and listen.

Sense of discovery. You'll cruise in upscale style (even expedition cruises in the Amazon are equivalent to "Glamping" or an upscale safari) but there is still a sense of exploring a path less traveled — especially when your guide takes out a machete to clear the way through vines and logs so your skiff can float further along into the flooded jungle. It's Tarzan meets Teddy Roosevelt's "River of Doubt," with large cabins, picture windows, hot showers, good food and other creature comforts.

By Fran Golden, USA Today ("10 Reasons to Cruise the Amazon")

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Photo credit: Cruise International

River cruising is the in-vogue travel trend, so popular that more than two-dozen new river ships will debut in 2014.

Industry-leading Viking River Cruises alone will christen 14 ships in March, with Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Australia-based Scenic Tours and Germany's A-ROSA all adding ships in Europe next year. There's even a new river cruise company debuting, Emerald Waterways, a value-priced sister to Scenic.

Closer to home, American Queen Steamboat Company is debuting a sternwheeler on the Columbia & Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest in addition to its cruises on the Mississippi. American Cruise Lines operates similar routes.

Here are the best reasons to take a river cruise.

Many rivers to explore.

River cruises get you to inland Bucket List places including such cities as Vienna and Budapest. Cruises on the Danube and Rhine continue to be the epicenter of the industry, but that's just the beginning of where you can go. Popular destinations include Russia's Volga, China's Yangtze, the Mekong and the Mississippi. All the rage is cruising in Myanmar — with companies including Grand Circle and Orient Express. France is getting new attention, especially Bordeaux where several lines have expanded offerings.

Experience is leisurely.

River cruises are not about rushing here and there. You visit key sights but there is also time to relax. You can sit under a canopy on the open deck — or on some ships soak in a hot tub or pool — while catching river views that include (depending on where you cruise) castles, farms, kids swimming, fishermen and maybe a water buffalo or two.

Ships are intimate.

The size of river ships is limited by the need for the vessels to go through locks and under low bridges. Most carry fewer than 200 passengers, some fewer than 100 and some fewer than 50. The small-ship experience brings opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers — including at open-seating meals. There's no dealing with crowds.

Time to explore.

Your ship ties up right in town and you can walk to a sidewalk café or shops or markets (including Northern Europe's popular Christmas markets) and mingle with locals or head off on the ship's organized tours to museums, monuments and other must-see attractions. There is time to bike or hike and visit the places you came to see, and to absorb the local culture.

Better cabins.

There was a time when cabins on river ships meant a choice between tight and cozy. Today's choices include cabins with step-out balconies, French balconies, walls of glass that open and even suites. Beds are hotel-like, bathrooms comfortably-sized and amenities include flat-screen TVs.

Nicer ships.

The newest ships offer surprisingly hip, contemporary environments. While space is limited, the lines have gotten clever with public rooms including adding alternative al fresco dining venues. Lounges are comfortably, and sometimes even opulently furnished. Libraries offer a quiet spot to sit with a book. Open decks afford space to hang out in the sun or shade and such extras as golf-putting greens.

Local tastes, culture.

There is opportunity shipboard to snack on knackwurst and drink local beer as you cruise past Germany's castles, drink the wine in Bordeaux and try other local flavors depending on your itinerary. Culture comes onboard, too, in the form of local folk groups and other performers.

Not a lot of extra charges.

Shore excursions, wine and beer with dinner (and sometimes also lunch), soda, bottled water, and specialty coffee drinks are all included in the cruise fare. Sometimes there's also an open bar. Bonus: internet is free.

Casual dress code.

Don't pack the tux. River cruising is casual dress at all times. Plus you only have to unpack once.

It's for grownups.

Most river ships market to an age 55-plus demographic, though travelers in their 40s would feel right at home — particularly on the newer, more contemporary river ships. Kids are a rarity

By Fran Golden, USA Today Travel ("10 Best Reasons to Take a River Cruise")

For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html

Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more

Photo credit: Janice Neves ("Porto, Portugal - Douro River")