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STAR CLIPPERS CRUISES TRAVEL GUIDE

editor — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 17:00:00 +0000

Tall Ships: Real tall-masted sailing ships how cool is that? Unusual Itineraries: Because of their size, these ships can get into small ports, and the line takes advantage of that well. Heavily Impacted by Weather: Itineraries can change quickly if the weather shifts, and heavy swells are felt more on these ships than on larger ones. Europe-centric: North American guests will find themselves the minority on these cruises, which draw heavily on European passengers even in the Caribbean. Overview These sleek clipper ships have all the amenities of the sailing yacht experience, but with tall masts, white sails, and the

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JAMAICA CRUISES

editor — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 19:12:00 +0000

A favorite of North American honeymooners, Jamaica is the third-largest of the Caribbean islands after Cuba and Hispaniola, with dense jungle in its interior, mountains rising as high as 2,220m (7,282 ft.), and many beautiful white-sand beaches along its northern coast, where the cruise ships dock at either Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, or Falmouth. Montego Bay has better beaches, shopping, and restaurants than Ocho Rios, as well as some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean. Jamaica’s history is rooted in the plantation economy and some of the most impassioned politics in the Western Hemisphere. The island is also

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TRAVEL TO CABO SAN LUCAS CRUISES

editor — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 12:36:00 +0000

Cabo San Lucas is one big bar-and-beach scene perched at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the mouth of the Sea of Cortez on the other. (Its quieter twin, San Jose del Cabo, is about 21 miles away, down a resort-lined corridor.) After 1973, when the Transpeninsular Highway finally linked the town to the rest of North America, the Mexican government began pumping in money for new highways, a larger airport, golf courses, and modern marine facilities. There’s almost nothing of cultural or historic significance here, beyond the party atmosphere; shore

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NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CRUISES TRAVEL GUIDE

editor — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 06:00:00 +0000

Flexible Dining: Norwegian’s dining policy lets you sit where and with whom you want, dress as you want (within reason), and dine when you want, again within reason (dinner is served 5:30-10pm; guests must be seated by 9:30pm) at a wide variety of restaurants, including one that’s open 24 hours. Room service is also available, o Above-Average Entertainment: In addition to quality musical groups and Vegas-style shows that are actually good (a rarity in the cruise biz), NCL also has comedy shows by the Second City comedy troupe aboard its newer ships, and performances by the Blue Man Group, o

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VANTAGE DELUXE WORLD CRUISES TRAVEL GUIDE

editor — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 14:36:00 +0000

Vantage Deluxe World Travel caters to older and solo travelers similar to Grand Circle but with some newer, shinier ships (the two companies are actually owned by members of the same family but they are completely separate entities). Pros Aggressive Prices: Vantage is all about throwing out the 2-for-1 deals and free airfare to motivate bookings. Lots of American Niceties: Expect North American power outlets, English-language news programs on television, and meals that are European in nature, adapted for the American palate. Yes, you can have a hamburger if you’d like to. Cons Gimmicky: The onslaught of 2-for-1 sales and

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Customs & Immigration Cruises

editor — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 12:24:00 +0000

If your cruise visits foreign ports, you’ll have to clear Customs and Immigration, which usually means that your name goes on a list that is reviewed by authorities. You must fill out a Customs declaration form, and you may be required to show your passport. After that, you’ll collect your luggage and exit the terminal. Note that not all ports have the same requirements; the state of Texas charges cruisers disembarking in any Texan port levies on cigarettes and alcohol, regardless of nationality or home state. You’ll need cash on hand to pay for that. over the Easter Bank Holiday

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COSTA CRUISES

editor — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 05:48:00 +0000

Italian Flavor: Entertainment, activities, and cuisine are presented with European (mostly Italian) flair. Plus, most of the officers are Italians, too. Very Active, Very Fun: There are a lot of activities, and Costa passengers love to participate, creating a festive and social environment morning to night (could be all those espressos that keep the adrenaline up!). Budget-Friendly: These cruises start out at prices that won’t break the budget, and there are often discounts available that make them even more reasonable. Family-Friendly: Much like Carnival, Costa caters to families with kids of all ages with dedicated Kids and Teens programs and

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ALASKA CRUISES

editor — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 01:24:00 +0000

There are three basic types of Alaska cruises: Inside Passage voyages that begin and end in Vancouver; Alaska cruises that depart roundtrip from Seattle; and so-called Gulf of Alaska voyages that typically sail one-way, northbound or southbound, between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier, the two turnaround ports for nearby Anchorage. Gulf cruises offer the most flexibility. You can book them back-to-back to create a 14-day roundtrip journey, or you can use them as the springboard for combination land-and-sea packages, which have grown increasingly popular (and increasingly elaborate) over the decades. (See the box on p. 72 .) The downside to

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HOLLAND AMERICA LINE CRUISES TRAVEL GUIDE

editor — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 14:24:00 +0000

Expertise That Comes with Experience: Holland America’s ships may be young, but the line sure isn’t. Formed in 1873 as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company, it’s been around more than 141 years, a lot of time to learn a little about operating oceangoing vessels, o Warm Interiors: Holland America ships, especially the more recent ones, tend to be inviting, and easy on the eye. Nothing garish here, o Great Service: HAL’s primarily Indonesian and Filipino staff is exceptionally gracious and friendly. Signature of Excellence: The multi-year, mega-upgrade program has enhanced a lot of the shipboard features and activities to create a

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What Entertainment Does the Cruise Ship Offer at Night?

editor — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 12:12:00 +0000

Forget the old jokes about the so-so quality of cruise ship entertainers: Productions at night are de rigueur on all but the smallest vessels, and they’ve gotten a lot better in the last few years. Now, on large the big ships, you’ll find Broadway-caliber productions complete with sets that rise and turn, smoke, lighting effects, and directional sound. Sure, the Tribute to ABBA! shows crop up every now and again, but they’re gradually fading into the sunset in favor of smarter and more elaborate productions. Live music is also making a comeback on board many big ships. Carnival’s Fun Ships

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