This article about romantic hotels reminded me of my method of sampling luxury hotels without paying the expensive rates to stay overnight.

It’s simple: when your ship is in port, go to the finest hotel in town and have lunch at their restaurant or a drink in the bar. Then wander around confident that you are a “guest” and you belong there.

Here are a few of the hotels I have visited this way:

Amankila in Bali

Caneel Bay in St. John, USVI:

The Ritz in Lisbon:

Raffles Hotel in Singapore:

Don’t be afraid to walk into a wonderful, famous hotel and have a look around. For the price of a drink, you can be a part of it. And it feels fantastic!

Here is an interesting look at some smaller ships that cruise the Greek islands.

Aside from the advantages of sailing on a smaller ship, these cruises visit some fascinating and more out-of-the-way ports, too.

I’m going to have to look into Hebridean International Cruises, because from a brief perusal it seems like they are taking over where Swan Hellenic left off.

So, you spend a lot of money to have the experience of transiting the Panama Canal. Then the canal folks (who, according to local media reports, may have been hampered by an employee work slow-down) won’t let the ship go through until dusk.
At least one passenger is seriously peeved.

After putting some thought into this, I have to side with the cruise line. It appears that the fault lies with the Panama Canal authorities who held the ship up. What was Silversea supposed to do?

Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead?

Break on through to the other side!

I certainly understand how disappointing it was not to go through the canal in daylight. It was supposed to be the highlight of the trip. But on a cruise there are things that the company and the captain can’t control, like the weather or foreign bureaucracies.

Remember folks, despite all the comforts, cruising is still an adventure!

Are you thinking about a cruise vacation on a small ship? Are you getting a bit weary of the crowds and lines and impersonal service on a large ship? How about trying a romantic sailing ship with very comfortable accommodations, a casual yet elegant atmosphere, and exquisite service and cuisine?

I give you: Windstar, the alternative to the typical cruise ship experience.

After 8 or 9 cruises with Windstar, I can attest to the relaxed yet refined atmosphere you will find on board. (continued below the fold)

Continue Reading »

Have you ever wondered what happened to a famous classic cruise ship like the Winston Churchill or the Canberra? Or one that you sailed on years ago and haven’t heard about lately? Would you like to keep up to date on new cruise ships that are being built and launched?

This website has the answers to all your questions.

Since 2003, Paul Timmerman has been compiling an astonishing amount of information and photographs (interior and exterior) of hundreds of ships. He has researched the history of pleasure cruising from its earliest days all the way to what new ships are currently on order with shipyards around the world.

Do go visit Cruise Ship Odyssey — it’s fascinating!