Cruises travel tips

For the vast majority of travelers, a cruise is anything from a weekend getaway to a 7- or 14-day vacation in the sun. Some people can afford the time and money to splash out on a longer trip, perhaps an intensive month-long historic tour of the Mediterranean, or the Caribbean and Central America. But for the fortunate few, there is another option.

Campaign captures the essence of a vacation with MSC Cruises, celebrating human connection, unforgettable experiences and outstanding destinations

The brand offers innovatively-designed ships, outstanding service and a focus on active shore excursions and wellness through their signature EmeraldACTIVE program.

56 travel industry awards won in 2023.

In 2024, the cruise industry expands significantly with 14 new ships, featuring state-of-the-art design, luxurious amenities, and environmentally conscious technology

MSC Cruises is a Swiss global cruise line that appeals to many avid cruisers on a wide variety of budgets. With their attention to detail and fun itineraries, it’s easy to see why. And, if you’re looking for luxury experiences, many can be found on any MSC Cruises ship, too.

My passion for tall ship travel is fueled by unique masted vessels that exude serenity, grandeur, intimacy and plenty of maritime personality. There is romantic allure as well, a nod to majestic windjammers of yore. While standing at the bow of a tall ship as it slices through waves, I always feel at one with the sea, inspired by possibilities on horizons ahead. There is an inimitable thrill in watching crew raise and lower sails by hand, as they climb knotted rope ladders and deftly edge themselves across wooden yards (spars on a mast from which sails are set) to unfurl thousands of square feet of canvas that catch wind, billow out and propel the craft forward, sustainably powered by nature. And it is a special joy when that sailing rush is also graced with modern amenities and luxuries—fine cuisine and wine, well-appointed staterooms, exacting service. Intrigued? Exclusive Sea Cloud Cruises, which harkens a renowned yesteryear, is bucket-list vacation bounty—the stuff of which memorable sea-faring dreams are made. Its full 2024 season has recently been announced in a photography-abundant, 95-page brochure, Authentic Sailing Journeys, which spotlights 80 voyages from four to 16 days.

There’s a growing appetite for expedition travel, including cruising, among intrepid families. From gazing at serrated teal icebergs in Antarctica to island-hopping in the Galápagos, there are a slew of exhilarating expedition voyages designed to meet the needs of families looking for more meaningful shared travel experiences. As an added boon for parents, some even offer onboard kids programming, nature guides for younger travelers, and interconnecting cabins to accommodate larger broods.

The cruise industry is seeing a surge in demand for expeditions that bring us closer to the diversity of wildlife inhabiting some of the most pristine parts of our natural world. From journeys through Arctic waters, expeditions in the Amazon rainforest and island-hopping in the volcanic Galápagos archipelago, we round up 11 of our favourites for the year ahead.

When you think of a cruise vacation, you probably imagine sailing the tropical waters of the Caribbean, or navigating around the Greek islands. Your brain likely isn’t conjuring images of the sandswept deserts of Saudi Arabia. But Saudi Arabia strives to make itself more attractive for international tourism — making the process of getting a visa very easy, and establishing tourism-specific destinations like NEOM and AlUla. And thanks to its efforts, it’s become a desirable new destination for Red Sea cruises. Since the first cruise to Saudi Arabia in January 2022, sailings to the kingdom have multiplied. Right now Jeddah is the country’s main cruise port, though as tourism development continues throughout the region, more ports are likely to open. Whether you’re a cruise enthusiast or a newbie, now’s the time to consider a Saudi Arabia cruise.

Standing astride a bike on a sunny morning in Austria, I waved goodbye to the AmaSonata, the river cruise ship I’d been on for the last few days, as it continued sailing west on the Danube River.

My father is a gearhead. Growing up, we’d travel to famous racetracks in the UK and Monaco to watch legendary drivers like Senna, Mansell, Coulthard, and Schumacher do what they do best.

Travelers sailing to Antarctica with Quark Expeditions next season can sip free drinks and surf the web while gazing out at passing icebergs and watching for whales. The expedition travel company is offering complimentary Wi-Fi and alcohol to all guests starting with its 2024-25 Antarctica season, it announced today.

Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast! 

Does gliding past medieval villages, vine-clad valleys, and historic landscapes as you explore communities along storied waterways like the Danube and the Rhine sound appealing? If so, river cruising could be for you.

Cruise Critic just announced its annual list of the Best Cruise Lines of The Year. This is the 15th iteration of the list compiled by the online cruise community’s international team of cruise experts.

Officialy named by its co-Godmothers – Bravo TV’s Captain Sandy Yawn and her sister Michelle Dunham.

In this beautiful place, you’ll find a variety of cruises tailored to couples, ranging from luxurious to budget-friendly, classic to contemporary.

These days, there are many travel companies out there that boast wonderful luxury offerings, but there are some brands whose names have become completely inseparable from the very concepts of style, class, sophistication and supreme indulgence.

Expedition cruising to the cold destination of Antarctica is becoming hotter than ever before. More brands are entering this segment offering travelers options to check off a visit to the “White Continent” from their bucket list.

MSC Cruises' is getting into the holiday spirit by extending its Cyber Monday all the way to Sunday.