The Po River, the Canal Bianco, and surrounding waterways have always been working rivers used for trade, transport, agriculture, and manufacturing. That utilitarian past is still visible along many stretches of the waterways—so if you’re hoping for all-bucolic-all-the-time scenery, you should prepare yourself for some swathes of post-industrial detritus.
Still, for every rusting warehouse or…
While you can tour Iceland on a land-based trip, seeing the island of fire and ice by ship offers a special perspective, giving passengers front-row seats to the fjord-cut coastline and snow-capped mountain peaks. Located just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland abounds with stark beauty and dramatic landscapes that have appeared in numerous films and…
Travelers who long to spot the northern lights should consider booking a trip with Hurtigruten. The company, which has been shipping cargo and passengers along the coast of Norway since 1893, makes a "Northern Lights Promise" to anyone who books a sailing of 11 days or longer "during the auroral season," defined by Hurtigruten as…
Heidi Sarna is the cofounder of QuirkyCruise.com, a guide to small-ship cruising. Having taken river cruises all over the world—Southeast Asia, India, Europe, and North America—I know their advantages well. Everything is intimate and close up, from the scenery along the riverbanks to the convenient layout of the ship. Your cabin will never be…
It used to cost a small fortune if you wanted a cruise cabin to yourself, as you were basically paying the price for two people.
But then solo cruising became one of the hottest trends in travel.
Indeed, Google searches for “solo cruises” by U.S. users have recently more than doubled.
“I've seen an increase year…
Celebrity Ascent is the fourth ship in Celebrity Cruises' Edge class of ships—and if that sentence makes little sense to you, you're not alone. People who don't take cruises often may not realize that in today's industry, most new mass-market ships are no longer individually tailored. Instead, the major lines come up with a pattern…
Luxurious accommodations, upscale amenities, and a concierge to book all your reservations and shore excursions—does that sound like your idea of a perfect cruise vacation? Believe it or not, you don’t have to sail on a small luxury ship to get those exclusive perks. Top-tier suites on larger cruise ships include access to elite lounges—some…
Heidi Sarna is the co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com, a guide to small-ship cruising. India is a spectacular destination, but it can also be a challenging and overwhelming place to travel. A river cruise mitigates some of the tough parts so you can focus on the amazing stuff—ornate Hindu temples and Mughul-era mosques and citadels, colorful markets,…
The cruise industry is reporting record-breaking bookings this year, with many ships sailing at full capacity. Executives at cruise line after cruise line, including the multiple brands of Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Group, have been popping the champagne as they report new daily sales records all season. When cruise lines no longer…