2001 Articles from About Cruises

12/09/01 - Goombay Gifts of the Season
The About Cruises Guide and the About Fishing Guide will be sailing December 17 on the beautiful Radisson Seas Mariner. Check out our itinerary and a preview of our experiences on this holiday cruise.

11/25/01 - Sunday in Amsterdam
Many cruises to northern Europe include Amsterdam as a port of call. This city of contradictions has something for everyone.

11/18/01 - A Visit to One of the Last "Virgin" Isles
Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands is small, private and accommodates only 30 guests. The island is a marvelous nature preserve and makes for a fascinating pre- or post-cruise Caribbean getaway. Its lack of development makes it one of the last true "Virgin" Isles.

11/14/01 - Top 9 Cruise Movies
Here are nine cruise movies that the About Cruises Guide has identified. They might not all have been filmed on a cruise, but a cruise ship or ocean liner plays an important role in them all.

11/11/01 - Top 10 Cruise Guidebooks - General Information
Books with general information on cruise ships, cruise lines and the cruise experience. Most of these books profile the ships and cruise lines to help you choose the right cruise for you.

11/11/01 - Top 9 Caribbean Cruise Guidebooks
The Caribbean is a favorite destination for many cruise lovers. These books will help you plan your time in the ports of call to make your stay a memorable one.

11/11/01 - Top 10 Coffee Table Books for Cruise Lovers
Most cruise travelers love to read about cruising and traveling. They also love to look at pictures of cruise ships. Here are some great books to use as reference materials and as conversation starters.

11/11/01 - Top 8 Cruise and Travel Magazines
If you are not cruising, the next best thing is to be reading and planning your next trip. These travel magazines will help you while away the time until you're back on the sea again.

11/04/01 - Before You Buy a Cruise
Ten things to decide before you buy a cruise.

10/14/01 - Alaska Cruises for 2002
It's not too early to start planning your cruise to Alaska next summer.  About 700,000 cruise lovers will be sailing on over 40 ships during the short cruising season.  Don't you want to "join the crowd"?

10/07/01 - A Day In Antwerp
Antwerp is a busy port city up the Scheldt River from the English Channel.  It is a popular cruise ship port of call and a fascinating place to spend the day--even if you don't buy one of their famous diamonds!

09/30/01 - Cruising Without Flying
If the recent horrific terrorism has you skittish about flying, it doesn't mean you have to give up cruising all together.  You can drive to an embarkation point, or take a river or coastal cruise and never have to even get near an airplane.  

09/16/01 - A Walking Tour of Bruges
Bruges is a wonderful medieval city and a tourist's dream.  It is full of museums, statues, canals and a delightful Gothic cityscape.

09/16/01 - Traveling After September 11 - What Can We Do Differently?
Our lives all changed this week.  What is the future of travel?  

09/09/01 - The Fairy Tale City of Bruges
Bruges was once one of the major trading centers of Europe, but by the middle 19th century was described as dead and mysterious.  Today it is a perfect port of call on a cruise to northern Europe or a visit to Belgium.

09/02/01 - Normandy and the D-Day Beaches - American Cemetery at Colleville Saint Laurent, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc
An afternoon spent at these three sites is sobering for all who visit.  

08/26/01 - D-Day Beaches - Arromanches and the Artificial Harbor
After spending the morning driving along the beaches invaded by the English and Canadian forces, we take a lunch break in the charming village of Arromanches.  I thought my history was pretty good, but I was unaware of the important role that Arromanches played in the success of the D-Day invasion.

08/26/01 - Normandy Beaches - Le Havre and Normandy, France
If you only have one day in Normandy while on a cruise, you have several options.  We decide to take a full-day shore excursion to visit the D-Day beaches of Normandy.

08/19/01 - Cruising from Dover to Le Havre on the Renaissance R6
Our anniversary cruise finally arrived!  The About Freshwater Fishing Guide and the About Cruises Guide travel to London and on to Dover to meet the R6.

08/12/01 - Travel + Leisure Readers Rank World's Best
Each year, Travel + Leisure magazine surveys its readers about their favorite travel resources.  What were the world's best cruise lines, cities, and islands for 2001? 

08/05/01 - Cruising Down Under
Australia may be an entire continent, but it is also a giant island and a great cruise destination for the cruiser looking for "something different".  The isolation of Australia and New Zealand from the rest of the world, coupled with the intrigue generated by movies and the 2000 Olympics will make anyone want to head down under.

07/29/01 - Fantastic Fall Cruises
The dog days of summer are upon us, so it's time to start thinking about a fall cruise.  Here are four ideas for fantastic fall cruises.

07/22/01 - Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel
Visiting the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's can fill a day (or more) of your pre or post cruise vacation.

07/15/01 - Exploring the Heart of Rome, the Ancient City
If you only have one day in Rome and want to experience the city on foot, you must choose between exploring the old city or crossing the Tiber and visiting Vatican City.  Here's what you can do in a day if you decide to stay in the heart of Rome.

07/08/01 - Mediterranean Ports of Call - Rome
Your cruise ship itinerary includes Civitavecchia as a port of call.  Where in the world is it?   Civitavecchia is the Mediterranean port closest to the wonderful city of Rome!

07/01/01 - Jekyll Island - One of Georgia's Golden Isles
Jekyll Island, off the southeastern coast of Georgia, was once the playground of the rich and famous.  The island is covered with live oaks, sea oats, and palmetto, along with some newly restored cottages from the early 1900's.  Small ship cruise lines sailing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway often make Jekyll a port of call, and it is a great choice for a beach vacation.  

06/24/01 - Cruising With Kids
Cruises make a great family vacation.  Cruise ships provide activities for travelers of all ages, and since almost everything is included, your vacation budget won't be challenged!

06/17/01 - Ship Profile - American Hawaii Cruises - SS Independence
Subsequent to the publishing of this article, American Classic Voyages, owner of the Independence, filed for bankruptcy in October 2001. The Independence was sailed to California in March 2002, and her fate is uncertain. 

06/10/01 - Ports of Call - Panama Canal - A Weekend with a Kuna Indian Family
A weekend side trip on a small island in the San Blas gives a close up look at the ways of the Kuna.

06/03/01 - Ports of Call - Panama Canal - San Blas
The picture-perfect San Blas Islands of Panama are home to the Kuna Indians, a fascinating indigenous tribe that still tries to protect its culture.  Cruise ships transiting the Canal often stop at one of the more populated San Blas to allow passengers to shop for the marvelous molas sewn by the Kuna women.  

05/27/01 - Ports of Call - Mediterranean - Florence, Italy
Spending only one day in Florence on a shore excursion from Livorno may seem overwhelming.  However, I was surprised just how much you can see and experience in one day. 

05/20/01 - Cruise Line Jobs - Job Descriptions of Common Onboard Careers - The Hotel Department
If you are looking for a job in the cruise industry (or any other), you must be able to match your skills to the employer's needs.  If you think a purser keeps up with a purse, you're partially right!

05/13/01 - Ports of Call - Eastern Canada - Atlantic Provinces - Quebec - The Gaspé
Have you ever looked carefully at a map of North America and seen that finger-shaped peninsula beckoning you?  It's called the Gaspé Peninsula, and it sits at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.  This area of Quebec is a great add-on to a cruise vacation that ends in Montreal, and can be reached via car or train.

05/06/01 - Ports of Call - Eastern Canada - Atlantic Provinces - New Brunswick
Not all cruises include beaches or tropical vistas.  New Brunswick, on the eastern coast of Canada, sits on one of the world's most interesting natural phenomena--the Bay of Fundy.

04/23/01 - Spas at Sea - On Board Activities - Cruise Ship Spas
A cruise is a great time to visit a spa for the first or the fiftieth time.  Some spas at sea are world-class and rival those you might find at a spa resort. 

04/15/01 - Ship Profile - Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess 
Two of the "R-class" Renaissance ships have been resurrected as the Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess. The decor and ambiance of these ships was superb when Renaissance was operating. There's no reason to think that Princess will change them for the worse.

04/08/01 - Book Review - Dusk to Dawn - Survivor Accounts of the Last Night on the Titanic by Paul J. Quinn
The anniversary of the most famous cruise ship disaster in history is this week.  I had the opportunity to read this haunting documentary that weaves survivor stories of the last night of the Titanic with drawings and photographs of the fated trip.

04/01/01 - Ports of Call - Mediterranean - Italy - Porto Venere
We found ourselves in this small village by accident--our cruise ship couldn't anchor at Portofino due to rough weather.  However, Porto Venere is a fascinating place to spend a day in port.  It has the charm that Portofino had 25 years ago, and it is also a gateway to the popular Cinque Terre villages of Italy.

03/25/01 - Cruising to Alaska
Four new large ships are joining the 25+ that sailed to Alaska in 2000, giving many new opportunities for cruising.

03/18/01 - Ports of Call - Caribbean - U.S. Virgin Islands - St. Croix
St. Croix is the largest Virgin Island, and has the most relaxed atmosphere.  Here's some things to do in St. Croix when you have one day in port.  The diversity of activities on this island may amaze you.

03/11/01 - Ship Profile - Norwegian Cruise Line - The Norway
A profile of a classic ocean liner who sails the Caribbean and is a favorite of those who love tradition. 

03/04/01 - Ports of Call - Hawaii - Maui - Haleakala Volcano National Park
If you have limited time on the island of Maui, a trip to the summit of Haleakala is one shore excursion that you must do.

02/25/01 - Spring Cruise Idea - Repositioning Cruises
Repositioning cruises are a great bargain and a great spring cruise idea. Sailing from the Caribbean to either Europe or to Alaska can be a relaxing way to start the busy spring and summer seasons ahead and recover from the long winter!

02/18/01 - Ports of Call - Monaco - French Riviera
A Shore Excursion to Eze on the French Riviera

02/11/01 - Ports of Call - Monaco - Monte Carlo
An Exciting, Historical Port on the Mediterranean

02/04/01 - Caribbean Fascination
Five "young", middle-aged women set sail for the Southern Caribbean on the Carnival Fascination.

01/28/01 - Dancing at Sea
Dancing is more popular than ever onboard, but has to compete for time and space with a greater variety of activities.  It's also great exercise!  Where can you find the best ships for dancing?

01/21/01 - Gay and Lesbian Cruising
Factors to consider when choosing a cruise vacation and links to gay cruise resources.

01/14/01 - Book Review-- Titanic At Two A.M.  By: Paul J. Quinn
Final Events Surrounding the Doomed Liner  - An Illustrated Narrative with Survivor Accounts
Riveting book for cruise lovers.  Combination of survivor stories, photos and drawings make for unforgettable reading.

01/07/01 - A Visit to a Black Pearl Farm
Black pearls are one of the main "crops" in Tahiti and French Polynesia.  I've always loved pearls and found this shore excursion to be very fascinating.

01/07/01 - Disembarkation and Our Final Day in Tahiti
If you're planning a cruise to paradise on the R3, here's some details about your last day on the ship. 

More Articles . . . 

Current 2003 Articles from About Cruises

Feature Articles from 2002

Feature Articles from 2000