New Ships Debut on Two Sensational Rivers: France’s Rhone and the Nile
More and more travelers are tuning in to the charms of river cruising through the hearts of some of the world’s most fabulous destinations. Two new ships have just debuted that will make exploring France’s fabled Rhone River and Egypt’s legendary Nile even more appealing. VIKING ATON With the August, 2023 launch of the Viking Aton, the ocean, expedition and river cruise line now has 4 ships plying the historic waters of Egypt’s legendary Nile River. The new, 82-guest ship is identical to...
Viking Becomes the First River Cruise Line to Sail Year-Round in Europe
Viking has announced a new river cruise itinerary, debuting in December, 2023, making it the first river cruise line to operate year-round on Europe's rivers - which comes with some benefits for travelers opting into river cruising at that time of the year. Viking's new 'Treasures of the Rhine' cruises will allow guests the opportunity to experience Europe’s rich culture during winter, even after the region's famous Christmas markets have closed. In 2022, Viking already dedicated more ships to late November and December Christmas...
This is How One River Cruise Line is Marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, From London to Paris
2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings of Allied troops in France to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. For travelers with family members who served in Normandy, as well as those keen to immerse themselves in history, one river cruise line has created an itinerary to commemorate the milestone with perspectives from both sides of the Channel. I've made a river cruise pilgrimage to Normandy and visited the American, British and Canadian D-Day Landing Beaches. It was not...
Top 10 New Ships to Watch for in 2023
The New Year comes with the anticipation of another exciting 12 months of new ship inaugurals, which will introduce design, technology, cruise lifestyle and environmental innovations that will shape the future of how we cruise. In 2023, $11 billion worth of new ocean ships alone will debut around the world, adding close to 40,000 new berths to the global cruise fleet.Here's our top 10 list of 2023's new ships we think will really 'float your boat!'1. Explora IThe luxury, small-ship new...
Viking's Newest Ocean Ship Named by NASA Astronaut and Aquanaut Godmother
Viking Neptune, the river and ocean cruise line’s newest ocean ship, has been ceremonially named by her godmother, retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist, Nicole Stott. The ship’s naming ceremony was a highlight for its World Cruise guests. Viking Neptune arrived in Los Angeles on the morning of January 8 and departed for Honolulu following its naming ceremony, continuing its voyage from Fort Lauderdale to London spanning 138-days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities. The naming...
New USPS Stamp Collection Salutes Mississippi River Cruising
They don’t call it the “Mighty Mississippi” for nothing. From Lake Itasca’s trickling overspill in Minnesota, the Mississippi travels the length of the continental U.S., growing as it flows for 2,300 miles until it empties into the Gulf of Mexico with waters added from tributaries in 31 U.S. states. The Mississippi is at the core of American heritage, and is often also referred to as “America’s backbone.” It’s also the country’s heart and soul, and one of the most epic...
Bubble Cruising? Yes, You Can Cruise Close to Home
COVID's impact on travel is having one brilliant effect: it's shining a spotlight on the boom in cruising on the waterways of North America, with new ships and new itineraries to appeal to every cruise traveler's interests.'Bubble' travel is the first step in the return to travel.Lynn Elmhirst, Producer/Host of BestTrip TV and cruise expert, explains the unique highlights of 6 river and fresh water small ship cruises from the West Coast to the East - plus one cruise line...
Viking Sets Sail on the Mississippi
From rivers, to oceans and lakes… and now to America’s heartland. Viking Cruises has announced it will cruise the Mississippi between St. Louis and New Orleans beginning in 2022.The company’s first custom vessel, purpose-made in America for these iconic river itineraries, is named Viking Mississippi and debuts in August 2022. It will be the largest and most modern ship in the region. In signature Viking style, the 193 stateroom, 5-deck state-of-the-art ship features the clean lines of Scandinavian style. In the case...
Why Travelers in the Know are Booking A Douro River Cruise in Portugal
Have you taken a river cruise in Europe yet? The 'Big Three' river cruises are the Rhine, the Danube and the Rhone/Saone. You may have heard about cruising on the Seine, even Main and Moselle cruises.But for a little 'off the beaten track' river cruising in Europe, Portugal's Douro river is enjoying its day in the sun. Warm-weather Portugal, in the heart of the Porto wine region's, scenic villages, history and picture-perfect vineyards, is an idyllic spring, summer and fall river cruising destination....
8 Facts About the Panama Canal
Panama is one of the fastest-growing destinations in Central America, and the Panama Canal is the country's star attraction. Although it's on everyone's list of things to experience, the canal is more important as a global shipping transit than tourist experience. Whether you sail the canal on your next cruise or watch in action from land, here are 8 things you need to know about this wonder of the modern world.1. It's a short cut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.The...