About Cruises Articles from 2002  

12/29/02 - Ship Profile: Radisson Seven Seas Navigator - Part 1 - Common Areas and Facilities
This luxury ship provides exceptional service and a relaxing atmosphere while it sails its passengers to interesting exotic itineraries around the world. 

12/29/02 - Ship Profile: Radisson Seven Seas Navigator - Part 2 - Dining Options and Cuisine
The presentation, preparation, and quality of the food make dining on the Seven Seas Navigator a real joy. 

12/22/02 - Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean - Which Cruise Itinerary Is Best for You?
Many cruise vacationers choose to cruise for 7-days to either the eastern or western Caribbean. What are some of the differences?

12/01/02 - Unraveling the Mysteries of the U.S. Government Inspection Process - Part 1
All persons arriving at a port-of-entry into the United States via land, sea, or air are subject to four types of inspections. Part 1 of this article addresses the first two types of inspections--public health and immigration.

12/01/02 - Unraveling the Mysteries of the U.S. Government Inspection Process - Part 2
All persons entering the U.S. are inspected by the U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The "duty free" allowance was increased to $800 per person in November 2002. Here's what you need to know about going through customs and how to determine what you may have to pay in duty taxes.

12/01/02 - Ten Tips on Overseas Shopping to "Know Before You Go" from the U.S. Customs Service
The regulations on what and how much you can bring into the United States from overseas are very complex. The U.S. Customs Service has Ten Tips to "Know Before You Go" with useful links to Web pages of information.

11/23/02 - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Ft. Lauderdale is a great place to embark or disembark on your next cruise. Port Everglades is right next to the airport, or if you choose to drive, the parking is covered and ample.  As a bonus, Ft. Lauderdale has some good hotels and restaurants to keep you entertained while waiting on your cruise ship.

11/22/02 - Key West, Florida
This little slice of the tropics has long been a haven for writers, artists, musicians, and tourists from around the world. Although Key West is in Florida, its ambiance, architecture and pace make it seem like another country. Connected to the mainland by one of the most fascinating drives in the United States, Key West is a wonderful cruise port of call.

11/20/02 - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are a favorite port of call for many cruise ships sailing to the Western Caribbean. The islands are a banking capital, but they also are surrounded by wonderfully clear water, perfect for diving or snorkeling.

11/18/02 - Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
Puerto Limon is the most important Caribbean port of Costa Rica and is near where Columbus first landed in the country. Costa Rica has become a great tourist destination and has some wonderful shore excursion options for cruise lovers.

11/15/02 - Manta, Ecuador
Manta is a big Ecuadorian fishing port. It is also a starting point for many exciting shore excursions into the interior of Ecuador or to the islands off the coast of Ecuador. Manta is near Montecristi, the home of the "Panama" hat, so be sure to pick up an original while you are there.

11/14/02 - A Day at Sea on the Seven Seas Navigator
A day at sea on a cruise is a perfect time to recharge your batteries for the next port of call. It's also a great time to enjoy life onboard, whether it's the spa, casino, library or pool.

11/13/02 - Port of Call - Salaverry and Trujillo, Peru
The Incas were not the only ancient civilization to call Peru home. The Chimu and Moche cultures settled northern Peru long before the Incas. Today there are over 2,000 archeological sites near Trujillo, many of which are open to the public. In addition, the city of Trujillo has not lost its colonial charm, with many interesting mansions and buildings featuring wrought-iron grillwork and pastel colors.

11/11/02 - Lima, Peru - Capital City on the Western Coast of South America
Many visitors only see Lima as an entry point to the archaeological and natural marvels further inland. However, this sprawling city does hold interest for those who enjoy museums, colonial architecture, or shopping. 

11/10/02 - Machu Picchu - Lost City of the Incas
Neither the Spanish conquistadors nor the Incans had any records of this mysterious Incan city. Its beauty and spectacular, intricate stonework intrigues all those willing to make the trek high into the Andes.

11/09/02 - Pre-Cruise Extension to Cuzco, Peru
According to the Lonely Planet Guidebook to Peru, "Going to Peru and missing Cuzco is as unthinkable as visiting Egypt and skipping the Pyramids." That is enough for many cruisers visiting South America to book a pre-cruise extension to visit Cuzco, high in the Andes Mountains and the gateway to Machu Picchu.

11/03/02 - Preview of a Cruise on the Radisson Seven Seas Navigator from Lima, Peru to Ft. Lauderdale
Join the About Cruises Guide on an exciting journey from the land of the Incas through the Panama Canal and across the Caribbean to Ft. Lauderdale. This article previews the November 11 - November 23 cruise.

10/20/02 - What's Your Favorite Caribbean Port of Call?
Caribbean Travel & Life magazine polled its readers to see what is their favorite Caribbean port. Find out what the "winners" are from their November 2002 issue and vote in the About Cruises poll.

10/13/02 - Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands
Keukenhof Gardens are ablaze in the spring with brilliant bulb flowers. If you are visiting the Netherlands on a spring river cruise or tour, it is a must to see.  The tulips are terrific, and the daffodils are dynamite!

09/29/02 - Hotel La Mamounia in Marrakech, Morocco
If you look at a map, you will see that Marrakech is not on the coast of Morocco. However, cruise lovers can visit Marrakech and stay at the famous La Mamounia Hotel on an overnight shore excursion. That's what the About Cruises Guide did in August 2002 when she sailed on the Silversea Silver Whisper. Join her on a visit to this fantasy hotel.

09/22/02 - Dining on the Silver Whisper
Do luxury ships REALLY have better food? The About Cruises Guide recently sailed on the Silversea Silver Whisper. This 6-star ship has wonderful cuisine and exceptional service. 

09/15/02 - Her Name Is Silver, But This Ship Is Gold!
The Silversea Silver Whisper is elegant, luxurious, and will provide a memorable cruise experience.

09/01/02 - Travel + Leisure Announces 2002 "World's Best" Awards
Each year Travel + Leisure magazine surveys its readers to get their opinions on the world's best travel resources. This article shows the favorite cruise lines, cities, and islands chosen by Travel + Leisure's readers.

08/31/02 - Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Lanzarote may be one of the oldest Canary Islands, but it is home to the latest volcanic activity in the archipelago. Want to ride a dromedary camel across a desert? You don't have to go to the Sahara.

08/30/02 - Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Tenerife is one of the youngest Canary Islands and is dominated by the 12,000-foot Mount Teide. The ride from the sea to the mountain passes through a diverse landscape from palms to pines. 

08/29/02 - Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Madeira is Portugal's island of eternal springtime, enjoying a perfect climate in a rugged setting of mountains and sea coast. Madeira is also home to two items that carry its name--embroidery and wine. 

08/28/02 - Porto Santo, Madeira Islands, Portugal
Porto Santo is Madeira's unspoiled beach island, including one golden strand over five miles long. Porto Santo's other claim is that Christopher Columbus once lived on the island before he sailed for the new world.

08/27/02 - Safi, Pottery Capital of Morocco
Safi is famous for two things--pottery and sardines. The small city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco has a large fishing fleet and ceramics for sale everywhere you look.

08/26/02 - Exotic Casablanca
Except in the old town, little remains of the Casablanca of Bogart and Bergman. Today this mysterious Moroccan city is a blend of modern and traditional, with a magnificent mosque and bazaar bargains.

08/24/02 - Mallorca (Majorca) - Playground of Europe
No matter how it is spelled, Mallorca is a tourist's dream, with magnificent scenery, cosmopolitan resorts, and lively nightlife. 

08/23/02 - A Day in Tarragona, Spain
Tarragona, Spain is just south of Barcelona on the coast, and this port of call is a great one for history buffs. It was once a key port of the Roman empire, and few other Spanish towns have as many artifacts from the Roman civilization. 

08/21/02 - Five Shore Excursion Options in Barcelona
Barcelona is a fascinating port of call, with many options for sightseeing. Here are five ideas on how to spend your day in Barcelona.

08/11/02 - Hideaways and Idyllic Isles
The About Cruises Guide will be sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon on the luxury small ship the Silversea Silver Whisper on August 20. Here's a preview of this exciting, interesting itinerary and 48 photos from Silversea.

07/28/02 - Back to School = Time to Cruise
The phrase "back to school" may bring mixed feelings to many, but to empty nesters and those without children it signals the start of quieter, less expensive fall cruise vacations. 

07/14/02 - St. Maarten or St. Martin - Island With a Split Personality
The island of St. Maarten (Dutch) and St. Martin (French) in the eastern Caribbean is a popular port of call for cruise ships for a good reason. It has two distinct separate cultures, beautiful beaches, and great shopping.

07/14/02 - America's Cup Regatta - Great St. Maarten Shore Excursion
This exciting and fun shore excursion on St. Maarten will teach you that grinding is not always accompanied by bumping!

06/30/02 - Cruising from Amsterdam to Volendam
Small river cruise ships like the Viking Europe give their passengers an up-close look at the picturesque countryside and quaint villages of the Netherlands.

06/16/02 - Danish Castles and Countryside
If you have an extra day in Copenhagen, why not use your time to explore outside the city? The countryside is interesting, and there are three large, historically important castles all within 25 miles of the city.

06/02/02 - Are You a Travel Junkie?
If you love to travel as much as I do, then you might be interested in trying to qualify for membership in this fascinating club--The Travelers' Century Club. You ONLY need to visit 100 countries to join.

05/26/02 - Hiking in the El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
San Juan is one of the busiest ports and most exciting cities in the Caribbean. If you enjoy hiking and are looking for a shore excursion that is a little more peaceful, consider a day trip to the only tropical rain forest in the United States at El Yunque National Forest.

05/19/02 - Floriade 2002
One of the prime reasons I wanted to visit the Netherlands in 2002 was to have an opportunity to visit the Floriade. This Dutch horticultural exposition is held once every ten years at a different location in the Netherlands. 

05/05/02 - Ship Profile: The Viking River Quadruplets
Viking River Cruises launched four identical ships in 2001--Viking Europe, Viking Neptune, Viking Pride, and Viking Spirit. I sailed on the Viking Europe in April 2002, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Here's a look at a different type of cruise ship, accompanied by 18 photos from around the ship.

4/21/02 - Embarkation Day of the Viking Europe
Today we board the Viking River Cruise ship the Viking Europe for our cruise around the countryside of the Netherlands.

04/14/02 - Tiptoeing Through the Tulips - A Preview of Our Dutch Journey on the Viking Europe
The About Cruises Guide will be leaving this week on a journey to see the tulips and other spring sights in the Netherlands. Here's a multi-page preview of our Viking River Cruise.

03/24/02 - Copenhagen - A Great Scandinavian City
There's much to do and see in Copenhagen. It's a favorite city of cruise ships visiting northern Europe. Copenhagen is a compact city, making it perfect for walking and exploring. 

03/17/02 - Nassau - An Easy Port of Call
Nassau is close to the United States, and is a wonderful mix of colonial history, varied activities, and picturesque beaches. It's a great place to either take a short cruise getaway or stopover as part of a longer cruise.

03/03/02 - Golf and Cruising - Great Travel Companions
Cruise lines have opened the golf courses of the world to the golf enthusiast. You can play on every continent except Antarctica! Most major cruise lines offer golf shore excursions wherever possible, and small barges sometimes provide golf-themed cruises where you and your friends can enjoy interesting and unusual courses.

03/03/02 - Silversea Cruises Offers Two Special Golf Options
The luxury cruise line Silversea has two unique golf opportunities. The Silver Links Golf Series is 8 golf-themed cruises for 2002. The Silver Links 365-Day Golf Program is offered on every Silversea Voyage in 2002. You can come home from your cruise a better golfer!

02/17/02 - Oslo, Norway - Vikings and Norwegian Explorers
A visit to Oslo must include a stop at the museums dedicated to the voyages of Norwegian explorers from the Vikings to Nansen and Amundsen to Thor Heyerdahl. Each of these museums is fascinating and includes some of the explorers' ships.

02/10/02 - Oslo, Norway - Land of the Midnight Sun
Many cruise ships sailing to the Baltic and to Northern Europe include the picturesque city of Oslo, Norway as a port of call. 

02/03/02 - Book Review: Offbeat Cruises & Excursions
Len Barnes' book is not really a travel guide, but is a "wish book". He has two dozen cruise destinations that he writes about in the book.  I wish I could travel to them all!

01/20/02 - Spring Cruises - Dutch Tulips and the Floriade
The Floriade is a once-every decade horticultural event in the Netherlands, and it runs from April 6 through October 20 of 2002. This year may be a great year to take that Holland Tulip cruise you have always wanted to do. You can sail the waterways of the Netherlands, looking for windmills and tulips, and only have to unpack once.

01/13/02 - Ship Profile: Radisson Seven Seas Mariner - Part 2
The common areas and restaurants of the Mariner are interesting and contemporary. The food is varied and the dining venues are exciting. Here's part 2 of a look at the Mariner, accompanied by 67 pictures of the ship.

01/06/02 - Ship Profile: Radisson Seven Seas Mariner - Part 1
The About Cruises Guide sailed on this new all-suite, all-balconied cruise ship in 2001. This ship is absolutely elegant and wonderful. Here's a look at the different cabin categories.

01/01/02 - New Year's Resolutions from a Cruise Lover.
We all love to make (and break) New Year's resolutions.  The About Cruises guide is going public this year in an effort to make the resolutions "stick".

More Articles . . . 

Current Articles from 2003

Feature Articles from 2001

Feature Articles from 2000