Norway is the latest country to gain visa-free access to China.
10.09.2024 - 20:44 / cntraveler.com
Cruises can take you to amazing places, including bucket-list destinations like the Galápagos or Greenland and tried-and-true favorites like the Caribbean and the Med. But so much of the fun comes from being on the ship itself. Here, we’ve expanded on our long-running column Onboard Obsessions, spotlighting all the little things we’ve loved while cruising lately. From an unexpected plein-air performance and chic libraries to possibly the most unique New Year’s party of all time, these are the kinds of moments, big and small, that turn mere passengers into cruisers for life.
The freedom of a sea day allows you to do as little—or as much—as you please.
Die-hard cruiserati will tell you that sea days can be as exciting or relaxing as you make them. You can go wild and get inked at a tattoo parlor (now a thing, thanks to Virgin Voyages) or take care of your body with a satisfying hour-long run on a treadmill that seems to be floating on water aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Viva. I finally grasped the freedom of a sea day during a 15-day Oceania Sirena sailing in Asia. There were five of them. What was I to do? A ton, apparently. Cooking demos, painting classes, bridge lessons, Battle of the Sexes trivia, afternoon tea, ABBA dance parties, and karaoke powered by plenty of liquid courage. I joined oiled-up sexagenarians for sweaty laps around the top deck and nearly fainted during a reflexology session in the onboard spa when a soft-spoken sadist crunched my feet like Cheetos. Earlier this year, three port cancellations on Viking Venus’s sailing through the British Isles gave me time to sing sea chanteys with the chipper Scottish cruise director and line-dance on the pool deck.
Sea days, like cruises themselves, are about spinning a fantasy—of being someone I’m not, of being free. I can convince myself as I roll from one all-you-can-eat buffet to the next that I will never gain a pound. I imagine myself running off with the ship’s dashing Ukrainian pianist, exploring new ports of call and stealing private moments in pockets where the security cameras cannot reach. (Would his wife mind? Would my husband?) The reverie collapses, of course, when I actually talk to the crew. They tell me about the businesses they want to start back home and the side hustles they run to make ends meet, about the children whose birthdays they celebrate over WhatsApp. The Indonesian housekeepers, Zimbabwean massage therapists, Filipino bartenders, Bulgarian nose flutists, and humble Burmese waiters—they’re the real heroes of the sea day. Getting to know them as multi-dimensional people, I’ve come to realize, is more enriching than any shore excursion. – Ashlea Halpern
The ever-changing views from a private balcony never get old.
Norway is the latest country to gain visa-free access to China.
As a former social media editor and now travel editor, I’ll be the first to admit that my dedication to taking aesthetic holiday content often goes too far. On holiday with family Kefalonia earlier this summer, I racked up over 1,500 photos and videos in just one week. On a five-day trip to Tuscany with friends, I returned with just under 1,000. My camera roll is filled with curated restaurant tablescapes, postcard-perfect sunsets and highlight reels of recent trips.
Right now, American Airlines is offering some serious bargains on round-trip flights to some of Europe’s most iconic destinations, with prices starting at under $500. The sale, which runs through September 17, covers flights departing on select dates between now and May 2024. Travelers can take advantage of discounted flights to such timeless cities as Athens, Dublin, London, Lisbon, Paris, Venice and many more.
As summer ends, it's time to plan your holiday getaway. Whether you're looking for a family Thanksgiving in the sun, a unique Christmas experience for the kids, or a cultural New Year's celebration with your partner, we've got you covered.
British Airways is putting epic vacations on sale this fall with flights starting at less than $500 roundtrip.
Virgin Atlantic is expanding its network with the addition of three "new" destinations.
It's the scourge of travellers who fly long haul for business and pleasure alike, but jet lag is an inevitability for many.
In a bid to clamp down on overtourism and protect places of interest, popular holiday destinations across Europe and beyond have introduced various forms of a “tourist tax”. In recent years, this has come into play in destinations such as Venice, Lake Como, Brussels, and parts of Japan—and now, UK hotspots are following suit.
Even though the summer season doesn't officially end for another few weeks, American Airlines is already plotting big moves for next summer.
It is hard to believe, but fall—and the best points and miles deals for September—is here already, which means it’s time to begin planning trips for the holidays and get a head start on using those hotel points, airline miles, and credit card benefits for your next trip. To do that, however, you need a healthy stash of loyalty currencies to get you there. These are the latest promotions and credit card benefits to know for September.
Thanks to my job, I've crisscrossed the Atlantic dozens of times on almost every mainline carrier. My most recent treks were in economy on UK-based rivals British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Holidays for 18-to-30 year olds have traditionally been the stuff of infamy, with young people heading to party spots like Magaluf and Ayia Napa, often to drink to excess and dance until the sun comes up.