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Articles Tagged ‘cruises’

Cruise control: 3 incredible cruise shore excursions

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

The haunting skies above the Misty Fjords make a perfect day trip. Credit: controltheweb.

By Rich Mahoney

One of the best perks of cruising is the view as you sail into incredible destinations like Alaska, Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and Bermuda. While the stunning scenery is great from the boat, shore excursions allow you to experience those unique and stunning locations first hand. From thrilling adventures like off-roading and zip-lining to wildlife tours and snorkeling, shore excursions help build the lasting memories and stories to pair with those million-dollar views. (more…)

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On deck: winter cruises with Mickey and friends

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Deck party: Fight the winter doldrums with the fam aboard the Disney Dream. Credit: Matt Stroshane.

By Deborah Bowen

Many people, especially at this chilly time of the year, crave the warm sun and golden sands of the world’s welcoming beaches. I appreciate these natural wonders, but as a Florida native and current resident, I sometimes like to appreciate them while wearing a sweater. (more…)

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Cruise views: Picking the best cruise ship stateroom

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

By Rich Mahoney

One absolute truth about cruises: There’s something for just about everyone. This broad appeal also applies to the selection of staterooms. Cruise ships feature a wide range of stateroom categories, but the best one for you all depends on the type of cruise experience you’re after, whether it be excitement, relaxation or both. (more…)

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San Juan hotels mix business with pleasure

Monday, July 11th, 2011

In the swim: the pool at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino.

By Mark Chesnut

The city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is not only a hub for Caribbean vacations and cruises — it’s also a hotspot for business, meetings and conventions. Yet even business-minded travelers will find it easy to enjoy the tropical vibe, thanks to the scenic locations and indulgent amenities offered by many San Juan hotels.

Square one for large business groups is the 580,000-square-foot Puerto Rico Convention Center, which sits adjacent to the 500-room Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, a meetings-focused luxury property that opened in 2010. But other neighborhoods in the metropolitan area have business-friendly venues as well, including meeting space and restaurants.

Top hotels for business travelers in the beachfront Condado district include La Concha, a Renaissance Resort, which recently debuted its new Suite Tower with one- and two-bedroom suites complete with kitchens. The hotel’s dining options also continue to expand; the newest venue is Voga, an Italian eatery that overlooks one of the pools.

Just down the street sits the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, an upscale hotel with a trendy lobby bar. Across the mouth of the Condado Lagoon is the legendary Caribe Hilton, which for decades has hosted big-name diplomats and celebrities.

Closer to San Juan’s Luís Muñoz Marín International Airport is the beachfront area known as Isla Verde, where luxury resorts include the Ritz-Carlton Carlton, San Juan and the El San Juan Resort & Casino. Nearby is the 222-room Verdanza, a hotel that recently opened a wine-and-tapas venue called Di Vino.

Also in Isla Verde is the Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Isla Verde Beach Resort, where the weekly invitation-only cocktail parties for corporate guests are being held on the beach during the months of July and August — providing the perfect opportunity to talk shop in a setting that could best be described as paradise.

Related resources

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on business and leisure travel to Latin America.

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Posted in Beach Vacation, Business Travel, Caribbean Vacation | No Comments »

Celebrity Silhouette steps out of the shadows

Friday, July 1st, 2011

Celebrity Silhouette takes its maiden voyage from Hamburg, Germany, on July 23.

By Kim Windyka

The latest in the Solstice class of cruise ships, the Celebrity Silhouette finally reveals herself on July 23 for her 7-night inaugural sailing through Europe from Hamburg, Germany. The ship offers a twist on all of the unique features that past cruisers on the fleet have come to know and love, along with some exciting offerings that they’ve never seen before.

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Posted in Caribbean Vacation, Cruise, Europe Vacation, Travel News | No Comments »

Sophisticated Seabourn Quest sets out on June 9

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

By Kim Windyka

The Seabourn Quest cruises into summer starting June 9.

The Seabourn Quest, the newest addition to the wonderful world of luxury cruising, will set sail on the first of three pre-inaugural voyages from Monte Carlo, Monaco on June 9, and her maiden voyage from Barcelona, Spain on June 20. Offering European sailings, the ship caters to  guests looking for a distinguished cruise experience. A wide variety of on-board activities abound for both the leisurely set and those seeking a bit more excitement, too.

Early birds can snag morning coffee and tea along with a panoramic ocean view at the Observation Bar, and then catch some rays on one of the 36 sun beds that line the Sun Terrace, or play a round of golf on the nine-hole course at The Retreat. The Grand Salon hosts cooking demos and enrichment activities by day, but transforms into an entertainment showcase come evening, with theater, comedy and musical performances. If you’re one of the lucky guests that find yourself on a select warm water sailing, you might even get to experience The Marina, a special enclosed area deployed by the ship’s captain. Here, you can enjoy water sports like kayaking, water skiing, and pedal boating. (more…)

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Cruise vacations: Carnival Magic enchants at sea

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

By Kim Windyka

Setting sail on its maiden voyage from Venice to Barcelona this May 1, the Carnival Magic will bring the “fun ship” line to the next level in cruising.  Offering sailings through Europe as well as the Caribbean, the ship truly offers a little bit of something for everyone in a vibrant atmosphere that easily lends itself to having a great time. For starters, there’s the happenin’ Ocean Plaza – a central hub where you can hang at the bar and cyber cafe by day, and take in some live entertainment or boogie down on the dance floor by night. When you need a break from the hustle and bustle, just stroll down the Lanai, which features amazing ocean views and calming whirlpools.

Families will savor the windy water slides in Waterworks aboard Carnival's Magic, which sets sail on its maiden voyage on May 1.

Speaking of relaxation, staterooms on the Magic go above and beyond to deliver a one-of-a-kind cruise experience. With more than 60 percent of rooms offering an ocean view, and more than 75 percent of those rooms featuring private balconies, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bad spot. For those looking for the ultimate in relaxation, the ship also boasts luxurious spa suites. These accommodations have exclusive access to the amenities of the Cloud 9 Spa, including a steam room, gym, Thalassotherapy pool and soothing Thermal Suites. (more…)

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3 last-minute cruises for procrastinators

Friday, March 11th, 2011

By Valerie Moloney

It's not to late to plan a spring break vacation. Try a last-minute cruise on Navigator of the Seas.

Between the kids’ diorama projects, birthday parties and dance classes, plus a mood-draining winter, I, like the rest of the country, am looking to the spirit-freeing week of spring break. I can’t wait to don the white sundress that’s been sitting in the back of my closet — the one bit of sunshine during this frigid season. If you’re like me, though, you haven’t even started planning a family vacation. How did the CEO of the household forget such an important detail as this? Instead of making excuses, I’ve got my eye on these three last-minute cruises:

1. Navigator of the Seas (4-night Western Caribbean)
The Navigator of the Seas wasn’t simply designed for leisurely strolls on the deck. Active travelers can test their flexibility and strength on a rock climbing wall, practice their put on a mini golf course and lace up the skates for a spin on the indoor ice rink.

2. Celebrity Century (5-night Western Caribbean)
This Miami-based cruise liner satisfies its family base, starting with tots to teens and all in between with diverse activities such as karaoke, treasure hunts and dancing. So when the tweens are at the “club,” mom and dad can enjoy down time at the spa, shops, pools or casino. (more…)

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Save time and money with a close-to-home cruise

Friday, September 17th, 2010

The Celebrity Solstice arrives at Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale.

By Kim Windyka

Want to set sail on an amazing cruise vacation? Planning it may be much easier than you think. Forget about taking an expensive flight to the port and stressing about making it to the ship on time – some of the best cruise deals can often be found right in your backyard … or at least within driving distance!  With 21 U.S. ports to choose from, your dream getaway might very well be right around the corner. Plus, you can snag great extras like dining deals, free onboard spending and more when you book now during our Fall & Holiday Sale!  Check out the cruise options from your area as well as some handpicked itineraries that are unique to your region.

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Alaska cruises offer cool sights, activities

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

By Kim Windyka

Despite its nickname, “America’s Last Frontier,” Alaska is the first destination on many cruisers’ wish lists, and with good reason: There aren’t many other vacations that can include a glacier hike, dogsled ride, and rainforest zip-line adventure all in the span of a few days. An Alaska cruise can absolutely be the trip of a lifetime, but I’d recommend keeping a few things in mind to ensure extra-smooth sailing.

When to go

While other cruising locales — say, the Caribbean — are paradise all year round, Alaska obviously has a smaller window for optimum weather. The Alaskan landscapes are surely just as gorgeous in January, but the frigid temperatures are less than ideal. Alaska cruises typically depart from May through September, with May being a popular choice since it’s the driest month. It can still get a bit chilly — even during the summer months — but dressing in layers should have you covered.

Picking an itinerary

Alaska's Inside Page

Sailing the Inside Passage

The itinerary you select really depends on what’s most important to you. While there are a wide variety of specialized cruises, all Alaska cruises are at least 7 nights, and the two main voyage types are an Inside Passage sailing and a Gulf of Alaska cruise. Cruising the Inside Passage, a channel located in between the Pacific Ocean and mountainous landscapes, is a great option for cruisers looking for convenience since these cruises depart and return to the same port; this means less hassle when choosing flights.

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