Cruise Guide: Expedition-style voyages bring nature to life
By Michael Coleman While Europe and the Caribbean beckon cruise travelers like never before, expedition-style voyages to some of the world’s most captivating natural locales are drawing Baby Boomers in droves. Those seeking a respite from the packed, mass-market cruise experience need to look no further than two intimate,...
Cruise Guide: Industry rolls out global red carpet to woo cruise passengers
By Michael Coleman Cruise ship travel continues to gain in popularity – a record 10 million North Americans are expected to step foot on a major vessel this year alone. But it’s the economic impact on local communities across the globe that is propelling the industry to new heights Old piers are suddenly receiving...
Cruise Guide: Mexican Riviera: The new ‘it’ place in the sun
By Michael Coleman Flawless beaches, superb golf and fishing, great weather and an enriching cultural component may indeed be adjectives to describe coastal living in California or Florida but cruise ship passengers are flocking in droves to the new ‘it’ place in the sun: The Mexican Riviera. A major cruise association...
Cruise Guide: Da Vinci code, Cannes Film Fest, Monaco Grand Prix entice passengers
By Mike Coleman Taking a Da Vinci Code-based tour in Rome, hob-nobbing with the stars in Cannes or hearing the roar of Monaco’s famed Grand Prix are just a few of the heady perks awaiting cruise passengers in the Mediterranean this summer. Capitalizing on the fame of bestselling author Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code, …...
Cruise Guide: Luxury cruise lines to ring in New Year with a bang
The top luxury cruise lines in the world will not be resting on their collective laurels in 2006 and that’s good news for savvy cruise passengers. Look for a slew of new itineraries to the far reaches of the globe and improvements to a host of top-shelf, onboard amenities. The 19 members of the Cruise …...
Cruise Guide: Crystal Cruises unveils 2007 world cruise itinerary
By Mike Coleman The cruise industry, like all of us, will soon be ringing in the new year but a world cruise aboard Crystal Serenity scheduled for 2007 is creating a buzz this holiday season. Just over a year from now Crystal Cruises, the Los Angeles-based luxury operator, will offer its 12th annual world cruise. …...
Cruise Guide: Cruise passengers aide Cozumel’s recovery efforts
By Mike Coleman Cozumel, Mexico Cruise ship passengers have returned here with a vengeance just weeks after Hurricane Wilma devastated this tiny, sun-drenched locale. Instead of docking at the island’s three cruise ship terminals Muelle Punta Langosta, Muelle International and Muelle International Puerta Maya line’s have been...
Cruise Guide: Cozumel’s woes; the best from Berlitz
By Mike Coleman Hurricane Wilma may not be a thing of the past after all. Mexican tourism officials and major cruise line executives say that it could take up to three months before ships could return to Cozumel. Ouch. Close to three million cruise passengers visited the popular port last year alone. The lack of …...
Cruise Guide: The world is yours – Cruise lines unveil global itineraries
By Mike Coleman The world of luxury cruise ship travel has never looked better. We have yet to say goodbye to 2005 and three major players in the luxury field have already announced ambitious plans for world cruises in 2007. Silversea, Radisson Seven Seas and Holland America are wowing potential guests with impressive globe-trotting...
Cruise Guide: Repositioning cruises becoming popular
By Mike Coleman The cruise industry has a secret. Seasoned travelers on the high seas have known about it for years, but today, the secret’s out. The “repositioning” cruise, a favorite of educated passengers for years, is slowly but surely becoming a popular voyage option for the masses. Cruise lines will soon be...