Tagged: cruises

Nickel and Diming at Sea: Extra Charges for On-Board Entertainment

There have been times I've felt that someone should be paying me for sitting through the shows that pass for entertainment onboard some cruise lines. That being said, cruise ship…

Tired of My Gripes About Cruises? I Have a Few More--But Also Some Positive Suggestions

It may well be that America's infatuation with the ocean cruise is beginning to wane a bit.  Recent studies show a fair amount of worry about the safety of cruising.  People are…

There's Been a "Sea Change" in the Character of Ocean Cruises, and the Only Remedy Seems an Increase in What You Spend for a Cruise

Cruises are no longer what they used to be.  They are today so different as to make you consider several all-but-astonishing recent developments, as follows:…

Another Batch of Hot Cruise Deals for Less than $100 a Day

Periodically, we ask our friends at AllThingsCruise.com to fill us in on the best bargains in cruises at the moment. Here's what they suggested, where to book them, and what, in the…

Some Varied Comments About Recent Travel Issues and Developments May Have a Bearing On Your Next Vacation

The stern of Royal Caribbean's megaship Allure of the SeasProbably the most disturbing recent news in travel was the announcement by Royal Caribbean Cruises that their…

Trends and Tips on Traveling with a Disability From Candy Harrington, The Top Expert in this Field

Between 14% and 21% of North Americans have some sort of disability.  In the bad old days, that would have meant a stay-at-home life. Not so anymore. I sat down and spoke with Candy…

Today's Top 11 Cruise Deals from AllThingsCruise.com: Something for Every Budget

Princess Cruises' Royal Princess: In Europe Next SummerWe asked the folks at AllThingsCruise.com to fill us in on the best bargains in cruises happening between now and late…

What’s the Best Vacation For Your “Stage of Life”? How Age Can—and Should—Affect Your Travel Plans

“Man is by nature a social animal”, wrote Aristotle. And though he wasn’t commenting on vacations, his observation certainly applies:  who one travels with can be as important to the…

Another Cruise Line Extinguishes Smoking on Stateroom Balconies, and Good Riddance

USA Today reports that Disney is the latest cruise line to ban smoking on its stateroom balconies, joining Celebrity, Princess, Oceania, and Crystal.I'm all for the ban. Not…

Solo Travel: New Resources and a Few Tips

I’m a big fan of solo travel, but that may be because I don’t have to travel alone all the time. I have a husband and kids, so they come along when they can. But as a travel writer,…

Six Nights in the Azores from $999 per person with Air

This week's deal comes directly from SATA Airlines (tel. 800/762-9995; www.sata.pt), and it takes you overseas to the Azores from $999 per person with airfare and six nights of…

Smart Ways to Pay for Vacation Rentals

When it comes to vacation rentals and other non-traditional accommodations, how you pay is just as important as how much. The choice between offering up cash and using an online…

Oslo Travel After the Attacks: Where to Go, What to See

Tourism in Norway was at its height in mid-July when a bomb went off in central Oslo and a gunman opened fire a Labour Party summer camp on nearby Utøya island.The bomb demolished a…

How to Use Facebook to Plan Your Vacation

When Holly Jespersen's parents needed a Savannah restaurant for their 40th anniversary dinner, she did what is second nature to those who use social media: She asked her 800+ friends…

Travel Troubleshooter: Two Extra Kids Equals a €200 Surcharge?

Surprise! Marriott (www.marriott.com) demands an extra €200 when Hari Doraisamy and his family check into the Brussels Marriott. The reason? He's traveling with two kids. Does he have…

Travel Tips: What to Do When the Weather Doesn't Cooperate

My sister called me from her vacation, disgruntled. She had planned a long weekend in Gettysburg with her boyfriend, a history buff who wanted to walk the battlefields. They hadn't…

Tap Expat Knowledge for a Better Family Trip

"Dad, I want to play with some kids who speak English." It was a reasonable request, and maybe you've heard it if you've traveled abroad for more than a few days with your family. My…

Affordable Iceland, from $499 with Air

It's been almost a year since that impossible-to-pronounce volcano (Eyjafjallajökull) erupted in the tiny island nation of Iceland, disrupting air travel across Europe and beyond. Six…

Hudson River Valley: The Best Museums and Historic Sites

As park lovers know by now, not every area operated by the National Park Service is a National Park. There are national seashores, for instance, and national historic sites. Turns out…

Talking to Newly Appointed Park Service Head Jon Jarvis

Despite issues involving wildlife, employee morale, competing user demands, and insufficient funds, Jon Jarvis thinks the timing of his arrival in Washington, D.C. as director of the…

Shoulder Season in Yellowstone Country: How to Make the Most of 3 Days

If you yearn for a quieter Yellowstone -- perhaps one with fewer RVs, tour buses, and minivans -- consider visiting during the shoulder season month of September. Cooler weather makes…

Fly Away to London with Peter Pan

This summer is a exciting one for the young at heart visiting London, especially those who count themselves fans of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, the much-loved 1906 tale of the boy who…

Taking the Kids to National Junior Ranger Day

The best souvenirs are free. Just ask my young cousins Ethan Sitzman, 6, and his sister Hannah, 4, proudly showing off their National Park Junior Ranger badges in Arizona. Everyone who…

Photo Slideshow: Exploring Italy's Piedmont Region

Piedmont offers a little bit of everything: Skiing, wine, chocolate, artisanal cheese and other culinary delights, biking and outdoor activities galore, a bounty of natural beauty,…

Get Wild: 7 Parks for Spotting Wildlife

Which is the best national park in the Lower 48 to view wildlife? If you've ever been to Yellowstone National Park (www.nps.gov/yell), the answer is obvious, as this park…