Cruise Guides

Porto: The Most Visited City in Portugal

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal and the one that gave the country its name. Since 1996, its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a city with historical monuments, century-old bridges, parks, and the magnificent Douro River. The region’s typical cuisine includes famous local specialties such as the Francesinha, […]

Cruise Guides

Oceania Cruises Unveils Details of the Crêperie

Oceania Cruises has revealed details of the Crêperie, a new culinary venue set to debut aboard Allura, which is scheduled to launch in July 2025. The Crêperie, located next to Baristas, will offer a tempting selection of French crêpes, Brussels waffles, and bubble waffles, along with Italian gelato sundaes. From mid-morning to afternoon, guests will […]

Cruise Guides

Uruguay: The Famous Mate and Gastronomy

Uruguay is a country deeply connected to nature, boasting a wide variety of landscapes and numerous tourist attractions. However, one distinctive feature that makes this destination unique is undoubtedly its gastronomy. When visiting any city in Uruguay, it is impossible not to hear about mate, as it represents an irreplaceable beverage for Uruguayans and serves […]

Cruise Guides

Salamander Voyages: Luxury Gulet Travel

As well as WiFi, Ipad docks, bedside UBG plugs and Lloyd’s certification, handsome deckhands, a private chef, a Ringo, a JOBE, and mat least , one O’Brien are all now luxury travel essentials these days. Maybe a Seabob too. Especially if you like to gulet. And “blue cruise” in style. An inflatable donut is optional. […]

Cruise Guides

Discovering Salto: Uruguay’s Hidden Gem

Located in the northwest of Uruguay, Salto is a city that often flies under the radar of international tourism but definitely deserves a spot on the list of must-visit places for those seeking an authentic and captivating experience in Uruguay. Known for its hot springs, the city offers a unique blend of history, culture, and […]

Cruise Guides

Bolhão: The Vibrant Heart of Porto

Located in the heart of Porto, the Bolhão district offers a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. With its historic architecture and lively atmosphere, Bolhão is especially known for its iconic market, the Mercado do Bolhão, which remains one of the city’s main landmarks. The Mercado do Bolhão, inaugurated in 1914, is a must-see attraction. […]

Cruise Guides

Martina Valachova: AmaWaterways’ Cruise Manager

The allure of river cruises in Europe is undeniable, and today there are many companies offering itineraries across the continent, providing a wide range of excursions and discovery opportunities on all the major navigable rivers. AmaWaterways, the company with which I experienced a wonderful itinerary on the Loire a couple of years ago, is one […]

Cruise Guides

Royal Caribbean: the History of the Cruise Giants

Royal Caribbean International, initially known as Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, was founded in 1968 as a consortium of three Norwegian shipowners who wanted to enter the burgeoning U.S. cruise market. Edwin Stephan had designed a cruise ship specifically for warm seas and presented the plans to Anders Wilhelmsen, I.M. Skaugen and Gotaas Larsen. On January […]

Cruise Guides

Cape Town: one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa

Framed by majestic Table Mountain on one side and the blue Atlantic Ocean on the other, picturesque Cape Town is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa looking very European. The climate in Cape Town is year-round mild Mediterranean that graced us with long summer days (October to March) to explore what this interesting […]

Cruise Guides

Oceanwide: Unmatched Offerings in the Heart of Nature

For three decades, Oceanwide Expeditions has been providing direct access to polar nature, not just simple explorations, guiding guests through the most remote and breathtaking landscapes on Earth where adventure meets the beauty of the wild. There are many reasons to choose Oceanwide. First and foremost, their goal is to maximize time spent on land, […]

Cruise Guides

La Paloma: A Natural Paradise in Uruguay

La Paloma, a picturesque seaside resort located on Uruguay’s Atlantic coast, stands out for its tourism offering that harmonizes with nature and local culture. With 20 kilometers of unspoiled beaches, La Paloma is an ideal refuge for those seeking to escape routine and immerse themselves in a natural and relaxing environment, far from the massification […]

Cruise Guides

Foz do Douro: Where the River Meets the Ocean

In the heart of Porto, there’s a corner that enchants with its beauty and exclusive charm: Foz do Douro. Located on the western coast of the city, this captivating area is not only a meeting point between the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean but also one of Porto’s most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods.  With […]

Cruise Guides

Exploring Ilulissat: The City of Icebergs

Ilulissat, overlooking Disko Bay and located in a UNESCO World Heritage area, is known as the world’s iceberg capital, as 10% of Greenland’s icebergs originate here. The very name Ilulissat comes from the Inuit word “iluliaq,” which means iceberg.  Ilulissat is the third-largest city in Greenland, with about 4,000 inhabitants, and is situated roughly 350 […]

Cruise Guides

Cunard: A New Series of Menus by Michel Roux

Cunard, the luxury British cruise line, has announced that chef Michel Roux will return to Norway in 2025 for a new exclusive series of menu residencies titled “Le Gavroche at Sea”. The two-Michelin-starred chef has been selected to oversee four Le Gavroche menu residencies on four exciting fjord voyages next year, two aboard the new […]

Cruise Guides

An Essential Guide to Cruising with Kids on a Budget

Embarking on a cruise with young children can be as challenging as it is exciting. But with the right preparation, it can also be a wonderfully memorable experience without draining your bank account or your energy. In this guide, we’ll explore top tips for making your family cruise adventure both budget-friendly and stress-free.  Choose the […]

Cruise Guides

Saga Cruises: All-Inclusive Cruises at Sea and on Rivers

Saga Cruises, based in Folkestone, England, caters to travelers over 50 and offers both river and ocean cruises. Its fleet includes some of the most modern ships in the world, thanks to the recent introduction of two new vessels and the retirement of those in operation until 2019. A significant moment for the company was […]

Cruise Guides

Vila Nova de Gaia: History, Wine and Unique Views

Vila Nova de Gaia, one of Portugal’s most dynamic and significant cities, sits on the left bank of the Douro River, directly across from Porto’s famous Ribeira district.  With a population of about 300,000, it is the country’s third-largest city and plays a crucial role in the nation’s history and economy. Known as the heart […]

Cruise Guides

Piriápolis: An Unexpected Tourist Destination in Uruguay

Piriápolis is a charming Uruguayan tourist town located on the Atlantic Ocean coast. It is less well-known compared to the more famous ports of Montevideo and Punta del Este (which are now familiar stops for cruise ships) but is equally interesting for its beautiful beaches, calm and crystal-clear waters, and temperate climate. A visit to […]

Cruise Guides

Swan Hellenic: Maris Gourmet Cruises

Swan Hellenic, a pioneer in cultural cruising, presents its 2025 Gourmet Cruises Maris with an exciting new lineup of Michelin-starred chefs from JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, aboard the elegant SH Diana and SH Vega ships. For 2025, Maris offers a selection of 10 captivating expeditions, ranging from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. Nine of these will be […]

Cruise Guides

Gondomar: Attractions Around Porto

Gondomar is a Portuguese municipality with a population of 164,096, located in the Porto district, extending into the countryside on the right bank of the Douro River. It offers various museums, churches, and natural scenery. Although it is a small municipality, it is definitely worth visiting when in Porto. One of the most historic landmarks […]

Cruise Guides

Durazno: A Hidden Gem of Uruguay

The charming city of Durazno, the capital of its eponymous department in Uruguay, is situated along the Yí River and is rich in cultural treasures and natural wonders. Durazno is indeed a gem nestled in the heart of Uruguay, offering travelers an authentic Uruguayan experience away from crowded tourist spots, full of cultural treasures, yet […]

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Waste Heat Recovery on Board Cruise Ships

Climate change caused by human activities is a well-established fact. According to the Fourth IMO Greenhouse Gas Study by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), shipping CO2 emissions account for just 2.89% of the global total. Despite this relatively low percentage, the IMO is committed to reducing its environmental impact and has incorporated this goal into […]

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Natalia Rodrigues: Environmental Officer at Celebrity Cruises

In this space dedicated to uncovering the important roles played by women in various positions within the cruise industry, there is undoubtedly a particular curiosity about those who work on board. It is undeniable that, while many significant positions work “behind the scenes” to make the wonderful cruise experience possible, the figures who accompany us […]

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Plantours: MS Hamburg in a New Guise

Plantours introduces, on the occasion of its relocation from Bremen to Hamburg, the innovations concerning the ship, the itinerary, and the corporate image. There are many novelties for 2024 at Plantours: a new corporate design, including a fresh livery for the Hamburg, a new headquarters in Hamburg (previously in Bremen), and numerous new routes and […]

Cruise Guides — 7 | Cruising Journal