Amsterdam Took a Major Step Toward Banning Cruises—What It Means for Upcoming Voyages

Amsterdam doesn’t know a low season. There’s the perpetual high season, and then there are two highest seasons: April (tulips!) and July (summer!). Despite the city pulling out all the stops in recent years to limit the number of tourists, the Dutch capital continues to lure visitors by the millions. And understandably so — you’re meandering along the canals one minute, mingling with a van Gogh the next. It’s all fun and games, until you’re elbowing your way through Dam Square.

On Monday 14 August, when the tide is right, an antique sailing ship will manoeuvre through the lock of Plymouth’s historic Sutton harbour and point herself south-west towards the Canary Islands. It will be the start of a two-year voyage around the world taking in 32 ports and involving thousands of people in a groundbreaking geographical project, Darwin200, which aims, among other things, to inspire the environmental leaders and scientists of the future.

Upon its christening in May, Swan Hellenic’s new SH Dianasailed north from Amsterdam to explore some of the lesser visited spots along Norway’s seemingly endless coast. Thanks to the expedition ship’s small-size, its 10-night Norway Explored voyage went deeper into fjords than most cruise ships can manage (the first leg of the voyage is covered in this post).

Norway’s coast may run 1,650 miles in length, but taking the country's countless fjords and islands into account, the actual shoreline adds up to some 62,000 miles. Upon its May christening in Amsterdam, Swan Hellenic’s new SH Diana expedition ship sailed north on a 10-night Norway Explored voyage to go deeper into those fjords than most ships can manage and explore some of the lesser visited spots in this Nordic geological wonder.

From major European cities to small US ports, coastal communities around the world are attempting to curb the number (and size) of massive cruise ships looming over their shores. 

Ever dreamed of packing up everything and moving to another country? Here are the most livable cities in the world, according to a study by The Economist.

Enter the Conde Nast “Readers’ Choice Awards” sweepstakes by June 1, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a 15-day Viking River Cruises trip for two from Amsterdam to Budapest, including air and transfers.

Enter the Draft Publishing “Bon Voyage Belgium” sweepstakes by September 5, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a seven-night beer cruise between Amsterdam and Brussles, including air between New York and Brussels, train between Brussels and Amsterdam, meals, brewery tours, and tastings.

Enter the Visit St. Pete Clearwater “Get Amped Getaway” sweepstakes by September 8, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a five-day trip for four people to St. Pete, Florida, including four nights at the Loews Don CeSar Resort, a $250 resort credit, first-class air, $500 gift card, and private car hire.

Enter the Copa Airlines “My Paradise” sweepstakes by July 5, 2016, for a chance to win the grand prize: a four-day trip for four to Nassau, Bahamas, including air, transfers, hotel, some meals, and a dolphin swim.

Kayak is out with its Travel Hacker Guide for 2018, led by its list of the top trending destinations for 2018. There aren’t any out-of-left-field locales—they’re all pretty well-known destinations—but they have “the greatest percent increase in searches year over year.”

Summer, also known as high season for travel, is almost here. And according to AAA just about everyone is poised to hit the road. The organization predicts two-thirds of what it categorizes as “leisure travelers” plan to take vacations this summer, meaning millions of Americans will be hitting the road.