Articles

Heidi Sarna

Article / Student

Cruise U: Setting Your Mind Adrift with a Purpose

It's safe to assume St. Augustine, who said 'The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page,' would have approved of The Scholar Ship, a sea-going university.

Article / Local Experiences

24 Hours at the Cheapest Four Seasons in the World

Looking for five stars worth of luxury for under $175 a night? You can find it, but you'll have to go to Thailand.

Article / Cruise

Cruise Smarter with the Oceans' Best Speakers and Lectures

How to indulge your curiosity, meet and mingle with experts, and walk away smarter from your next cruise experience.

Article / Cruise

An Early Peek at Fall Foliage Cruises

In the spirit of 'it's never too early to start planning,' it's time to noodle on some September and October leaf-peeping cruises along the coast of New England and Eastern Canada.

Article / Cruise

Making Magic in the Med with the Mouse

'Is this ship more fun for kids or adults?' my son asked me one day. The answer was an obtuse and emphatic, 'yes.' We could all have our cake and eat it too.

Article / Family & Kids

Sticking Around NYC for a While? Where to House the Family

The pros and cons of hotels, furnished apartments and other long-term options for an extended stay in Manhattan.

Article / Miscellaneous

How Big Can a Ship Get Before Sinking?

Ever marvel at how exactly ships float? It seems impossible, considering today's cruise ships are gigantic steel-encased cities carrying thousands of passengers, crew, and everything…

Article / Cruise

The Inside Scoop on Doing the Med with the Mouse this Summer

Ten things you need to know before joining the Disney Magic for its first season in Europe.

Article / Cruise

Overnight and Overland, Port Experiences Get Serious

Sure the idea of a cruise appeals to you -- the convenience, the security and all those cushy amenities -- but you may be worried about the port experience. Can you possibly really see…

Article / Cruise

How Old is Your Cruiseship? Does it Matter?

What does it take to keep a vessel ship shape for as long as possible? To find out, we had a chat with a leading Norwegian ship architect and expert.

Article / Cruise

Costa Marina: a European Cruise, No Matter the Itinerary

There are different ways to explore the Far East by sea, but Genoa-based Costa Cruises caters to a pan-European clientele. By the end of a recent round-trip out of Singapore I was…

Article / Hotels

The Rubdown in Chocolate Town: Spa Time in Hershey PA

The Mediterranean-style 232-room Hotel Hershey is set on a hill overlooking town. As old-world as the hotel is, it's managed to be edgy too, marrying the must-have spa concept with the…

Article / Packing & Luggage

21 Packing Rules for Traveling with Kids

First rule of traveling with kids: You'll be better off when you face the fact that your own needs and preferences have nothing to do with packing for the family's vacation.

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

Caribbean Ports of Call: Dock or Drop Anchor?

When a ship visits a port of call, it either ties up alongside a dock or it anchors offshore: The difference can sap hours from your excursion. Here, then, is a port-by-port guide to…

Article / Miscellaneous

What to Expect (and How to Save) on an Ultra-Luxe Cruise Line

The bottle of chilled champagne wrapped in a stole of white linen and leaning jauntily to the side of its silver bucket was the first of many iconic symbols of luxury that greeted us…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

Why You Should Buy Insurance Before Your Next Cruise

It's not difficult to imagine all of the things that could go wrong on a cruise: hurricanes, political upheaval and a sudden illness are just some of the snafus. On the other hand, how…

Article / Cruise

5 Insider's Tips for Finding the Best Cruise Deals

Getting the best cruise deal boils down to luck—being at the right place at the right time—and strategy. Find the cruise of your dreams at a price you can brag about with…

Article / Honeymoons

Rest Your Weary Bones for Less at Singapore's Luxury Spa

There are plenty of things to do there, from a visit to Underwater World to see sharks and other sea creatures to the Images of Singapore museums and the panoramic sky ride and luge.…

Article / Miscellaneous

10 Ways to Make a Cruise More Romantic

Our favorite Hallmark holiday is nearly upon us. Let's take a moment to ponder the ten most romantic things about a cruise.

Article / Cruise

How to See Southeast Asia By Boat

So you've decided you want to see the Far East by ship. Smart move: a cruise is an excellent way to get an overview of the region. From the stunning temples to the golden Buddhas,…

Article / Cruise

What Happens on a Two-Week Down Under Exploration

On a two-week cruise from Auckland to Sydney, Holland America's un-mega ship Statendam proves to be a throwback to more elegant times.

Article / Cruise

11 Ports That Your Kids Will Love

We parents like to pretend we're in charge. But letÂ?s come clean already: Our kids rule the roost. Here are eleven of the world's best ports for keeping them happy.

Article / Beach & Water Sports

10 Tips to Help You Plan Your Cruise Down Under

Cruises between Australia and New Zealand are all the rage. Well, it's all relative: In these parts there's rarely more than one cruise ship in port at a time -- thank god -- but…

Article / Beach & Water Sports

Top 10 Ports for Beach Lovers

If you prefer a tasting menu over a main course, cruise ships are a great way to sample the world's best bands of powdery sand without being tied down by one.

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

All Hands Off Deck! A Hands-On Guide to Fighting a Shipboard Norovirus

On board viruses start like this: One infected passenger comes aboard, leaves his germs on a handrail and all of a sudden everyone's sick -- just like kindergarten. Though major…