Tag: Cruises

The 5 Best NYC Dinner Cruises for Food & Views
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The 5 Best NYC Dinner Cruises for Food & Views

When you're strolling the streets of Manhattan, it can be difficult to grasp the magnitude of the city, with its skyscrapers and densely packed landmarks. The solution? A boat ride. A breezy sail in New York Harbor can feature everything from an elegant dinner to a live jazz band to tacos and tequila. Read on to discover the top-rated options for evening cruises as determined by travel expert opinion and recent reviews.City Cruises New York Bateaux Premier Dinner CruisePrice: From $144Duration: 3 hoursStandout perk: This all-glass boat delivers panoramic skyline views.Climbing aboard the Bateaux feels like stepping into a greenhouse, with its glass-enclosed structure and water views in every direction. There are no bad seats on this boat, but as an upgrade you can reserve a window table f...
The 26 Best New Cruise Ships for 2024
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The 26 Best New Cruise Ships for 2024

Cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism, with passenger numbers projected to reach 37.2 million by 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Cruise lines are responding to this growth by building new (and often, larger) vessels with all the bells and whistles, including technological advancements that are more environmentally friendly and create the capability to use alternative fuels.U.S. News has compiled this roundup of new cruise ships that have just set sail or are scheduled to launch later in 2023 and in 2024, plus a preview of new ships coming in 2025 and beyond. The list includes everything from expedition and luxury yacht-style vessels to reimagined ships and megaships – plus the debut of a brand-new cruise line.Oceania Vista: May 2023(Co...
6 Cruise Lines Making Progress
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6 Cruise Lines Making Progress

Cruising comes with a lot of positives – it's fun, relaxing, convenient and often relatively affordable. But when it comes to the environment, it isn't all smooth sailing. According to recent research, a large cruise ship can result in a carbon footprint greater than that of 12,000 cars. Another study found that an individual traveler's carbon footprint is roughly eight times greater than the carbon footprint of a person vacationing on land."When we measure sustainability, it's important to look at the whole picture, and overall, cruise ships are too big, too dirty and too invasive to pristine ecosystems to be considered sustainable or environmentally conscious," says Marcie Keever, director of oceans and vessels at environmentalist group Friends of the Earth. "Their significant carbon fo...
The 8 Top Gay Cruises for 2023 | Travel
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The 8 Top Gay Cruises for 2023 | Travel

When it comes to gay cruising, gone are the days of discreet "Friends of Dorothy" meetups. The term – a euphemism that dates back to the 1950s – was once used to indicate gay social events on daily cruise line programs, without explicitly calling out members of the community on board. It's a far cry from today's LGBTQ cruising industry, which loudly and proudly celebrates passengers from all walks of life.According to experts, LGBTQ cruising is a market that will only continue to grow. Travelers can take their pick between cruise operators tailored specifically to the queer community or hop aboard some major cruise lines that offer festive Pride celebrations and inclusive onboard entertainment. As travel on the high seas continues to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, gay and lesbian...
9 Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
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9 Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees

Cruises are an often dreamt-about retirement goal, especially for long-time cruise lovers who have always been short on time. Retirement can be the ideal season of life to sail off into the sunset for several weeks, whether to far-off lands like Antarctica or a peaceful journey down the Danube. In some cases, seniors embrace their golden years by booking epic, monthslong voyages around the world.Many small- and medium-sized ships cater to the over-60 crowd, but that doesn't mean guests will be relegated to shuffleboard and bingo games. Today's seniors still have plenty of adventures to experience and memories to make, both on board and on shore. The following cruise lines offer the top bucket list sailings for seniors and retirees.Windstar Cruises(Courtesy of Windstar Cruises)Anyone who h...
Alaska Cruise Packing List: 36 Must-Have Items
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Alaska Cruise Packing List: 36 Must-Have Items

Alaska is one of the most stunning places to visit on Earth. The vast pristine wilderness, ever-changing landscapes and opportunity to view wildlife – including bear, moose, Dall sheep, caribou, wolves, and marine mammals such as orcas and humpback whales – are just a few of the reasons it's one of the most popular cruise destinations.An Alaska cruise, however, can be difficult to pack for with big swings in temperatures, rainy days in the forecast and even experiencing four seasons in one day ashore. You'll need a strategic plan to pack for your trip especially if you're cruising during the colder months of April and October at the tail ends of the Alaska cruising season. U.S. News has compiled a list of essential items and ones you'll be glad you brought to round out your cruise packing...
Daytime, Formal Nights & More
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Daytime, Formal Nights & More

When it comes to cruising in style, packing the right attire for every occasion is essential. Including a few key versatile items on your cruise packing list will prevent your suitcase (and the limited closet space in your stateroom) from becoming overcrowded – and keep you looking appropriate for all events.Although most cruise lines outline their suggested dress codes in the FAQ sections of their websites, be sure to also review the specifics of your cruise itinerary. Not only will the destination and weather factor into what you should wear on your cruise, but you'll also want to know if formal nights require black-tie attire, themed dress parties need costumes or shore excursions necessitate unique clothing or footwear.Whether you'll be lounging by the pool or attending a glamorous di...
Your Options by Cruise Line
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Your Options by Cruise Line

Cruise drink packages can provide incredible value for people who plan to regularly imbibe on their voyage and want the convenience of an unlimited open bar package – whereas they may not be a good deal for light drinkers. Other options include alcohol-free drink packages, which let cruisers indulge in soft drinks, hot chocolate, specialty coffees and a range of other nonalcoholic beverages.Whether or not to get the drink package is a question all cruisers face, and there's no perfect answer for everyone. Read on to learn about the drink packages offered by the major cruise lines and what each beverage package includes.Expert tip: The price of each beverage package will vary from sailing to sailing and may change at any time. Also note that cruise drink packages are almost always nontrans...