Cruise Guide: Crystal tees up golf, culinary packages
By Michael Coleman Golf may not be at the top of ones agenda when traveling in Asia but Crystal Cruises is providing guests with a rare opportunity to tee it up at renowned links in Thailand and Vietnam. Its the first time that Crystal has expanded its golf theme cruises to the continent. The lines …...
Cruise Guide: Classic Stockholm a must-see port
By Michael Coleman STOCKHOLM, Sweden – This cosmopolitan city, while still clearly embracing its past, has transformed itself into one of the world’s must-see cruise ship destinations. It features pedestrian-friendly shopping, gastronomic delights and a cultural component unlike any other place on the planet. From the...
Cruise Guide: Cunard aids PBS monarchy series
By Michael Coleman The Cunard Line has underwritten a new PBS television series which begins airing this month. Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work is a six-episode special that provides an exclusive look inside the modern British monarchy. Authorized by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, filmmakers were granted exclusive access...
Cruise Guide: New cruise ships poised for debut
By Michael Coleman The cruise industrys top players will be positioning five of their latest ships in Fort Lauderdale this winter. The amenity-laden and technologically-advanced passenger vessels ever constructed, at a combined cost of some four billion dollars, will each offer roundtrip Caribbean voyages from Port Everglades. Heres...
Cruise Guide: Eco-friendly cruises on rise
By Michael Coleman Passengers may choose a cruise vacation for a host of reasons but in todays green world the sheer size and scope of Mother Natures canvas remains a top drawing card. Chilean fjords, the tropics, Alaskas wilderness and even Antarctica beckon cruise ship passengers like never before as do the untouched landscapes, rare...
Cruise Guide: Cunard liners set for epic voyages
By Michael Coleman Cunard Line has unveiled a pair of 2010 world cruises fit for a queen. The voyages might still be 15 months away but the companys two modern luxury liners, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, are gearing up now for the ultimate cruise experience. Queen Mary 2s Royal Route of Exploration will chart …...
Cruise Guide: Guests to christen Seabourn Odyssey
By Michael Coleman A new ultra-luxurious yacht, set to debut in June 2009, will be christened by each of its guests prior to its maiden voyage. Typically the role of a woman to ceremoniously wish the ship and all who sail on her good luck Godmothers of ships have ranged from queens to movie stars …...
Cruise Guide: Oasis of the Seas set for big debut
By Michael Coleman A new Royal Caribbean cruise ship is set to turn the industry on its ear when it debuts in late 2009. Its not just the sheer size of the vessel which is turning heads this week some 220,000 tons, 5,400 passengers and 2,700 staterooms but rather what Royal Caribbean will do within …...
Cruise Guide: Luxury lines unveil shorter itineraries
By Michael Coleman Short cruise getaways are now being offered by many of the worlds leading premium and luxury brands. Best known for in-depth itineraries and longer days at sea, premium lines like Celebrity and Holland America and luxury brands (Cunard, Regent, Silversea) are tapping into consumer demand. Celebrity Century, for...
Cruise Guide: Short cruise getaways in vogue
By Michael Coleman As cruise ship travel continues to grow, so too is the opportunity for vacation-challenged local residents to enjoy short cruise getaways. Carnival, for instance, the worlds largest operator, offers the industry’s broadest two- to five-day short cruise program. Look for cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean from...