When river cruise giant Viking Cruises turned its attention to wider horizons by launching its first sea-going ships, charismatic owner Torstein Hagen promised to restore elegance to the world of ocean cruising. Penthouse Junior Suite Even though it was virtually unheard of for cruise lines to cross the divide from rivers to oceans, Viking was... When river cruise giant Viking Cruises turned its attention to wider horizons by launching its first sea-going ships, charismatic owner Torstein Hagen promised to restore elegance to the world of ocean cruising. Penthouse Junior Suite Even though it was virtually unheard of for cruise lines to cross the divide from rivers to oceans, Viking was...
Alaska – famously America’s 49th state – is a place where nature calls the shots; welcoming visitors to thousands of miles of remote, unspoiled terrain and spectacular scenery along with an awe-inspiring range of mammal species, birds and sea life that few other destinations can match. Here, whales and dolphins come to feed in the...
Adding an action-packed stay in Florida to a laidback sailing through the Caribbean creates a classic yin and yang experience. One day, you are screaming yourself hoarse on the scariest of white-knuckle rides in America’s theme park capital, Orlando; the next you are sipping a sweet rum punch while gliding serenely through the tropical isles...
Royal Caribbean International is an undisputed giant of the cruising world. Not only does it boast the world’s largest ships – the biggest of which holds a whopping 6,780 passengers – it is continually pushing back the boundaries of ocean-going attractions in an ever-more imaginative way. Wind back the clock one or two decades and no...
In an arena dominated by American names, MSC Cruises brings a welcome breath of la dolce vita to the cruising world. Unashamedly Italian in style and spirit, this Geneva-based line – the glamorous spin-off of the giant family-owned MSC container shipping empire – has always promoted its continental credentials. MSC Sinfonia pool deck As its...
Do you fancy a Double Dragon or a Wee Heavy? Or perhaps you’d like your taste-buds tickled by a Bikini Blonde or a Good Old Boy? Anyone who doesn’t know their brews will be understandably baffled at this point (as I was originally!), but lovers of the amber nectar may well be salivating at the...
Untamed tropical jungle, vibrant wildlife and evocative colonial cities set against that backdrop of a heady Latin beat make Central America an intoxicating destination for cruisers. This narrow strip of nations that connects North and South America is conveniently close to Florida’s main cruise ports, yet has a suitably exotic spiciness that makes these countries...
If there is one topic guaranteed to spark heated debate among cruisers, it is the thorny issue of tipping and service fees. For first-timers, extra charges can come as a nasty shock and while seasoned cruisers are more accustomed to the gratuity system, traditionalists resent the relatively high amounts charged by some (mainly American) lines....
There is no mistaking Norwegian Pearl; the wild and wacky artwork on her hull isn’t only hard to miss, but reflects the lively, fun feel you will find on-board. The atmosphere is all very exuberant American, but not as in your face as some lines – and there are places to escape to if the...
Norwegian Cruise Line is your ultimate flexible friend when it comes to cruising. This is the company that pioneered “Freestyle” cruises and freedom dining – introducing the concept when the cruise industry was stuck in a rut of formal main restaurants with fixed sittings. But NCL blew that stuffy tradition out of the water and...