Just south of San Diego, on a strip of land that more than 12 million years ago decided to go its own way, travelers can find a region of the world that has evolved into a natural paradise. The Baja California Peninsula in Mexico features a desert landscape that stretches for almost 800 miles — from Tijuana in the north to Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip.

Separating the peninsula from the mainland is a magical waterway known as the “Aquarium of the World.” 

The Sea of Cortés, also called the Gulf of California and the Vermillion Sea (for its majestic brilliant red sunsets), is where I spent a week hosted by UnCruise Adventures, joining 53 fellow travelers who reveled in the chance to dive deep into the history, culture, and adventures available at this special destination.

Here’s why I loved experiencing the Sea of Cortés with UnCruise and why you will, too.

Editor’s Note: To learn more about the Sea of Cortés and why it’s called the Aquarium of the World, check out Jo-Anne Bowen’s 4 Favorite Small Ports To Experience Along Baja’s Sea Of Cortes.

1. A Superb Learning Opportunity

Look at a map and you’ll notice the long finger of land below California that sticks out into the Pacific Ocean. This is a result of tectonic plates crashing together oh so many millennia ago. The Baja California Peninsula was once part of the North American Plate, but it has since been ripped away after a collision with the Pacific Plate. It’s slowly being pulled away from the mainland and eventually will become an island, a detail that we learned during enrichment chats with UnCruise expedition team members during our sailing. 

The result is that the Sea of Cortés and the region feature a mix of characteristics and climate that makes it a fantastic haven for marine and land-based biodiversity. An expedition cruise is an ideal way to explore this place, and UnCruise has been coming here for more than 2 decades on its intimate sailings. 

During your small-ship cruise in the Sea of Cortés, members of the expedition team constantly offer up interesting bits of history about the region, and they are especially keen to feed you knowledge about the marine wildlife and mysteries of the desert while snorkeling and kayaking in the waters and hiking in the rocky hills (more on these activities below). 

We had a guide who took us through the town of Loreto and told us about the history of the first capital of Baja California and its historic mission, which Jesuits started in the Spanish territory in 1697. Today, you can visit the beautiful church that has been here since 1744. 

Each evening on the UnCruise Adventures cruise ship Safari Voyager, a member of the expedition team gave an enrichment talk. The passionate guides are experts in topics like marine biology, photography, sustainable tourism, and more. We learned about whales, birds, the stars and planets we could see in the night sky, and the culture and indigenous people of the region during various enlightening sessions. 

Of course, getting out each day for our adventurous activities delivered even more information for our curious group of travelers. 

2. Whale Watching 

Whales migrate each December to the region off the Pacific Coast of Baja California. The mothers come to the area because it provides a great haven for birthing and feeding newborns. We saw hundreds of whales in the waters close to shore as we hugged the coast for more than an hour during a drive from San Jose del Cabo (our arrival airport for the trip) up to La Paz (where we joined the ship for our voyage). 

This preview of the great creatures meant that there was a definite buzz among my fellow cruisers when it was time to head to Puerto Alfredo Lopez Mateos for a whale-watching tour in Magdalena Bay. We piled into panga boats, eight at a time, to motor out to see dozens of gray whale mothers and calves active in the safe harbor. Many of these impressive animals emerged time and again close to our boats to splash around and blow spouts of mist into the breezes. It’s a memorable and moving experience. This was all on top of the several humpback whale sightings that we enjoyed from the outer decks of Safari Voyager during our week in the Sea of Cortés. 

Pro Tip: Bring a good, brimmed hat, plenty of sunscreen, and a scarf or buff (neck gaiter) to help protect from the sun. These come in equally handy when you’re out on excursions or outer decks of the ship. 

3. Snorkel With Sea Lions 

Snorkeling in the Sea of Cortés is wonderful, of course. But diving in and hanging out with playful sea lion pups had us screaming with delight. UnCruise arranges a great snorkeling day at Los Islotes, a small islet that serves as a California sea lion colony at the end of Isla Espiritu Santo, which sits just off the coast of La Paz and is among more than 240 islands designated since 2005 as a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. 

UnCruise Adventures offers two options for enjoying this site: Cruisers can stay on a small boat and explore the waters and rocky outcroppings on a photo safari, snapping pictures and watching the massive adult sea lions lazing on the rocks or wrestling for dominance while they keep a close watch on the boisterous pups in the water. 

I elected to try the second option, choosing to squeeze into a wetsuit and jump into the sea for a thrilling swim with the sea lions. The pups are curious and bursting with energy; they zoomed around us, blew bubbles in our snorkel masks, and nibbled at our flippers. We spent almost an hour in the water led by guides who explained the rules of engagement with the animals and how the encounter would play out. 

We slid off the boat and into the water, and almost immediately were surrounded by youngsters eager to show off for their guests. We watched them dive and spin and twist and leap from the water. We were so transfixed by the encounter, amazed that we were able to see them so close in their habitat that the time flew by, and most of us groaned when told we had to head back to the boat. 

4. Challenging Climbs

And More Gentle Hikes And Walks, Too

Exciting off-the-grid hikes are embedded in the DNA of the UnCruise experience. Sure enough, the guides scout out some great ones in Baja California Sur, as well. 

At Espiritu Santo, we scrambled up an arroyo (a dry creek or stream bed that fills up during rains) that is littered with big boulders and loose rocks before we scaled the hillside to reach a windy overlook. Down in the bay, we saw the green waters, skies filled with puffy clouds, and our ship, Safari Voyager, awaiting our return for lunch. 

Two more hard hikes were featured during our week. The expedition team also finds more gentle hiking options, so people have choices. This means you can find something to suit your abilities or mood each day. 

We enjoyed a thrilling (and grueling) 7-mile quad-burner during our port stop at Puerto Escondido when 16 of us went off to pick our way up Tabor Canyon (also called Steinbeck Canyon because the author hiked here during his time on the coast of Baja). The boulders were even bigger and we used our hands and feet to forge our way through the beautiful canyon before reaching a big water hole, where a few of us jumped in for a refreshing dunk. 

Pro Tip: Bring sturdy footwear that gives good ankle support. UnCruise provides walking poles to use during hikes. You’ll also want to be sure to wear layers (long-sleeve shirts and hiking pants) that you can peel off. This is because temperatures vary in the ravines and up on the top of the mountains where you will hike. There might be cactuses and other plants that can scratch you up if you are wearing shorts or a skirt rather than pants. 

5. Delicious Eats

UnCruise offers an incredible array of delicious cuisine on its modest small ships. This includes regional specialties and a mix of creative options with meat, seafood, and vegetarian options available at every meal. We fueled our big hikes and other activities (or replenished afterward) with great dishes like red snapper, portobello stuffed with quinoa, grouper, short ribs, ratatouille, duck with raspberry and white wine reduction, Baja-style roasted chicken, and black bean sopes. The list goes on.

Plus, the pastry chef kept serving up jaw-dropping sweet treats like passionfruit cheesecake and banana cake with chocolate mousse topped with salted caramel popcorn. We also flocked to the lounge daily for 3 p.m. cookie time, when we could grab pecan sandies, chocolate chips, peanut butter, sugar cookies, and chocolate brownies. Breakfast also came with goodies like lemon-glazed strawberry fritters and cinnamon rolls the size of your face.

Are we hiking so much to burn off the calories, or eating so much to have energy for our excursions each day? You can look at it any way you like. It just works out as the perfect formula for a pleasurable trip.

6. Jawdropping Sunrises, Sunsets, And Scenery

The sunsets and sunrises over the Sea of Cortés by themselves are worth the journey. During our week-long cruise in early February, I would rise each day for my morning workout and stretch at the small gym area on the ship’s sun deck. Often, the only company I had for those first few moments before 7 a.m. was the sun rising between mountain peaks and the bright moon still visible in the other direction.

It was a great way to start the day. The sunrises and sunsets are both brilliant in the Sea of Cortés, with colors ranging from pink and purple-hued pastels to bright reds.

The surrounding mountains, blue skies, shapely bays and coves, and brown pelicans following our ship on the breezes provided a magical setting in each new spot we sailed. We also had several occasions when we could see mobula rays flying from the sea, humpbacks slapping their tails in the distance, and pods of dolphins just passing by.

Pro Tip: Carry your binoculars around when out on the deck (the ship provides two pairs in each room) because you will often see wildlife at play.

I have been on several cruises and travel adventures around the world, but recently, I’ve felt the need to focus on discovering great destinations closer to home. The U.S. is filled with countless experiences that travelers can unlock, and a river cruise offers the chance to see so many things in an efficient, hassle-free, and fun way.

Our summer cruise on the Ohio River took us from Pittsburgh to Louisville, and the itinerary included stops in Marietta, Ohio; Huntington, West Virginia; Augusta, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Madison, Indiana, before reaching Louisville.

I had been on voyages on the Mighty Mississippi River and even a couple in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake rivers that traverse through Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. These itineraries are fairly well known, but I was fascinated to see what an Ohio River cruise was all about. I was happy to accept an invite from American Queen Voyages to review this special itinerary.

As it turns out, it’s filled with memorable experiences and a range of fun ways to spend your days. The best part about our trip, though, was how we got there. American Queen owns a special charm and an incredible river cruise program that makes it a favorite way to cruise within the U.S. Here’s why.

1. An Itinerary With Small Towns And Big Cities

Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

American Queen Voyages offers a pre-cruise hotel stay in Pittsburgh, and it was nice to explore the City of Bridges for a day. We had lunch at the famous Primanti Brothers, diving into our hearty sandwiches — complete with fries stuffed onto the pastrami between slices of Italian bread. And we washed it down with a couple of Iron City beers.

The embarkation pier for the riverboat sits at the doorstep of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football stadium, making for a scenic sail away from the confluence of the three rivers (Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela).

Cincinnati, Ohio

The cruise also features a stop in Cincinnati and wraps up in Louisville, so travelers have opportunities to explore these interesting big cities and all they have to offer. We went for a bike ride on the riverfront, explored the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, and had lunch and craft beers at Moerlein Lager House.

Louisville, Kentucky

In Louisville, cruisers can explore city highlights like the famed Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby track) or the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory before catching flights back home.

These big cities are nice, but it’s the small towns that really make this trip shine. Residents gather along the banks of the river to cheer our arrival or give us a friendly sendoff each day. Each riverside destination, no matter how small, loves to show off its slice of American history and regional attractions, such as quirky museums, pretty churches, and, of course, its local shops and eateries.

Marietta, Ohio

In Marietta, Ohio, attractions included Mound Cemetery, one of the oldest in the original Northwest Territory, the Ohio River Museum, and the Childen’s Toy & Doll Museum.

Huntington, West Virginia

When I went ashore in Huntington, West Virginia, the hop-on, hop-off bus loop took us to the Touma Medical Museum, a delightful little open-air railroad museum (a yard filled with colorful old rail cars), Ritter Park Rose Garden, and the Marshall University Campus, which features a wonderful grounds filled with statues, sculptures, trees, and flowers.

Augusta, Kentucky

In Augusta, Kentucky, AQV passengers were able to walk just a few hundred steps from our spot on the river to explore the Rosemary Clooney Museum. This is the former home of actress, singer, and aunt to superstar George Clooney. Highlights of this charming town also include Bates Garden, the 1811 Jail, and Baker-Bird Winery.

Madison, Indiana

There was another railroad museum to see in Madison, Indiana, and the town also lists the Schroeder Saddletree Factory, the Broadway Fountain, and Lanier Mansion as top attractions for visitors to check out.

2. Enriching Entertainment

While each port stop features a variety of things for cruisers to explore, this fancy riverboat offers a daily program with a mix of musical performances, trivia competitions, movies, bingo, and variety shows. 

Music, trivia, and enrichment talks are held in American Queen’s majestic Grand Saloon theater space. During our cruise, we saw Phil Westbrook several times, as the singer and piano man performed a tribute to Frank Sinatra as well as entertained passengers at the intimate Captain’s Bar just outside the main J.M. White Dining Room.

We also dropped by the theater for shows by guitarist Logan Reeves and a song and dance variety production on TV theme songs from the American Queen Ensemble and the Steamboat Syncopators house band. The shows draw on plenty of nostalgia but definitely favor an era more familiar to cruisers 70 and older. However, the overall mood is quite fun.

A hip vibe can be found nightly at the Engine Room Bar, where the ship’s musicians get the crowd dancing with a great mix of blues and rock tunes.

3. Regionally Inspired Cuisine

The American Queen chefs kept us well-fed. Meals are served in the main dining room and in the casual eatery called the Front Porch, which offers wonderful views as you cruise on the river. When the weather is nice, it’s worth having at least one dinner outside there to enjoy the sunset and sailing.

The menu includes items like chicken fried steak, frog legs, and a variety of steak and fish preparations. The cuisine is more hearty than healthy, but you can find some fresh fruits and salads in the mix at the lunch buffets. We were always tempted by the mouth-watering selection of homemade pies and slices of chocolate cake set out each day at lunch. There always is a delicious soup, gumbo, or chili available, too.

If you need a snack, you can swing by the Front Porch for a bag of fresh popcorn, a couple of cookies, or a soft-serve ice cream cone or dish.

4. Set Your Own Pace

As a person who loves his daily workouts, I’m happy that a river cruise on American Queen makes it easy. Not only is there a well-equipped gym, but the ship carries a fleet of bikes. Colleen and I started several days with a run along the riverside trails through small towns or by grabbing a couple of bikes to go exploring independently.

In general, river cruising allows travelers the chance to explore on their own in a hassle-free way. It’s so easy to stroll onto and off of the ship at your leisure, and the towns and cities are mere steps away. You can go set your own schedule for the day if you’re not interested in rigorously following the ship excursion program.

Pro Tip: Ask crew members for their insight on nice places to eat or go shopping — or for their favorite places to get a coffee or craft brew. We received great insight from lead butler Adam, who is a coffee connoisseur and loves to find and frequent local cafes along all the river towns he visits.

5. Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours

American Queen Voyages provides a wonderful service in its hop-on, hop-off bus routes in each city and on each river itinerary that it operates. Passengers walk off the ship and straight onto waiting buses with clear signage at each stop along the route at the attractions in town.

Cruisers love being able to have peace of mind that they will see a nice mix of highlights in each port without worrying about transportation. You can get off at each spot or pick and choose what you are interested in on the loop.

6. Plenty Of Space Onboard

American Queen itself is an attraction. Built in 2012 and carrying up to 417 passengers, this is the largest steamship ever built. The décor takes you back in time to a golden era of steamship travel. The Grand Saloon resembles a 19th-century opera house with private boxes wrapped around the theater and hanging over the main level and the stage adorned with a large red curtain.

Chandeliers fill the main restaurant, rocking chairs line the railings on the front porch, and gingerbread ornamentation accents the staircases and stateroom patios of the bright white ship. The signature big red paddlewheel churns at the stern of the ship helping to power the voyage along the river.

American Queen features a large Mark Twain Gallery that serves as a reading room (with a small computer area). It’s outfitted with vintage lamps and antique chairs and all kinds of mementos of a bygone time, including river ship models, paintings, books, vases, and other collectibles.

There are two parlors at the very front of the ship ahead of the Main Twain Gallery, and these spots also are carefully decorated and ideal for working on puzzles, reading, or enjoying the river views while relaxing with friends.

7. Scenic Sailing

I found the periods of sailing from town to town one of the most relaxing and satisfying parts of this river cruise. It was fabulous to watch the world floating by, with the pretty evening sunsets, flowing waters, and subtle bends in the river. We would pass under a variety of bridge styles and see trains on adjacent tracks and tugboats pushing coal barges.

Cruisers also enjoyed the process of watching our big riverboat pass through the locks along the way.

Pro Tip: Make sure to head up to the top deck for sail aways each day. Crowds gather along the banks of the river to wave you off and wish you well on the journey. And one of the musicians will come out to play some tunes on the boat’s steam calliope. It’s a fun spectacle!

They say everything’s bigger in Texas. That now includes cruises. 

Royal Caribbean has opened a brand-new cruise facility in Galveston, Texas, and it recently moved one of the world’s largest vessels to the port. 

I headed to Royal Caribbean’s new $125 million, 160,000-square-foot facility to cruise on the massive ship. Allure of the Seas, which carries 6,700 passengers at maximum occupancy, once held the title of being the largest cruise ship in the world. (It sits in the fifth spot as I write this, though, as Royal Caribbean has continued to build ever-larger ships with its new launches in the years since Allure of the Seas first hit the oceans in 2010.) 

On my hosted trip, Royal Caribbean was celebrating placing this vibrant vessel in its new homeport. I was joined by my friend Kevin, and this cruise was particularly interesting for me because I got to see a mass-market cruise on one of the big ships through the eyes of a newbie. You see, this was Kevin’s very first cruise. I, on the other hand, have been on more than 100 sailings. 

Having his perspective was incredibly refreshing because I have found myself becoming a little set in my routine while on my voyages, taking much of the joy of cruising for granted. 

For this trip, we dove into all that these big and feature-packed ships have to offer, revisiting a lot of the experiences that I probably wouldn’t have on my typical cruise these days. It was all exciting and new to Kevin, and it was a joy to see him marvel at discovering a new venue, activity, or design detail at every turn. 

We definitely kept busy trying as much as we could during our 4 days onboard. 

Here is what I rediscovered about cruising while sailing on Allure of the Seas. 

1. You Have Food Choices Galore 

The bigger cruise ships feature tons of spaces and activities. The idea is to ensure that a diverse group of passengers can always find something to do. The program will keep them entertained and well fed — two essentials on a good cruise vacation. 

Allure of the Seas takes that concept and cranks it up to 11. First, the food.

The ship offers a gut-busting array of food options with its restaurants and eateries. Allure of the Seas offers a steakhouse (Chops Grille), Mexican eateries (Sabor and Loco Fresh), Italian (Giovanni’s), pizza (Sorrento’s), hot dogs (Boardwalk Dog House), cafeteria-style eateries (Cafe Promenade and Park Cafe), Brazilian (Samba Grill), sushi, sashimi, and hibachi (Izumi), tapas (Vintages wine bar), tasting menu dinners (150 Central Park), four main dining rooms, a diverse buffet, and a Johnny Rockets diner. And ice cream and doughnut shops. 

Okay, so that covers the food and desserts. Most eateries are included in your cruise fare, and some are added-fee restaurants (more on those later). We were definitely well fed during our trip. Kevin and I booked specialty dining (added fee) at 150 Central Park and Giovanni’s. 

Plus, we had a nice dinner with new friends at American Icon Grill and made frequent stops to pick up a slice of pizza at Sorrento’s or cookies and other treats at Cafe Promenade. We also enjoyed one fast-casual dinner of burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes while sitting outside on the bustling boardwalk at Johnny Rockets. 

2. There Is Something For Everyone 

Allure of the Seas is loaded with a dizzying number of activities and entertainment options to fill up your daily schedule. 

The daily program offers things like trivia competitions, a Puzzle Break (like an escape room experience), theater shows, a Battle of the Sexes game show, comedy acts, and a range of fun attractions around the ship, such as sports courts (for basketball, soccer, and pickleball), miniature golf, ziplining, surfing and wakeboarding, and rock climbing. 

We joined a few trivia sessions and even won once to claim the highly sought-after prize of luggage tags. (I think having bragging rights is even more important to most cruisers.) 

Amber Theater is the main show venue, and the headliner was Mamma Mia, the smash Broadway musical. We also made it to the ship’s dedicated comedy club, Comedy Live, to watch a pair of comedians at the late-night show. 

Of course, there is always live music at the bars and lounges during the afternoons and evenings. The British pub, Bow and Stern, featured a guitar player, and the Royal Promenade had a country music trio. Live music also can be found at the pool decks (we had a DJ and a steel drum band) and at Central Park, Boleros (which features a salsa band), Dazzles, and the Schooner Bar (which has a piano singer), among others. There is also a dedicated jazz club, Jazz on 4.

We were able to sprinkle in only a few of these experiences on our sailing. But that’s the thing with these huge ships. The cruise lines aim to entice cruisers to come back again and again. The idea is that you’ll never be bored or run out of choices of fun things to keep you occupied. 

3. You Can’t Do Everything 

This was definitely the case on our cruise. We passed on plenty of stuff on the schedule but still found plenty to keep our schedules filled with great activities. We took a turn ziplining across the ship — soaring over the boardwalk from the very top of the ship — and we squared off for nine holes of mini golf. Kevin enjoys gambling a bit, so he was happy to learn that the ship has a huge casino. We spent a few sessions in front of the slot machines at Casino Royale, and he even won a little extra money by the end of the cruise. 

The ship also has an ice skating rink! It’s in Studio B down on Deck 4, and passengers can enjoy open skating sessions. We didn’t skate, ourselves, but we went to the dynamic “Ice Games” skating show that features a cast playing out a storyline to upbeat pop music. 

We also grabbed a seat at the large Aqua Theater located at the very back of the ship. This venue is at the end of the boardwalk and it is home to the OceanAria aqua show in the evenings. This show combines incredible acrobatics, dives from high platforms into the small pool, music, light, and comedic elements to create a high-energy spectacle under the stars. 

As you can see, the ship has earned a reputation as an attraction itself, and many cruisers even choose to stay on board instead of visiting the ports during many of the port stops. 

4. Allure Of The Seas Is Perfect For Friends And Family 

This huge ship is ideal for multigenerational families as well as larger groups of people who want to get together for a getaway vacation or special occasion. With all of the restaurants and a daily program packed with all sorts of entertainment offerings and fun activities, people of all ages and interests can easily find something to do. 

Grandparents will love this ship, for example, because they can take their grandkids on a cruise vacation without having to worry about not being able to keep the teens or children happy. Allure of the Seas features a complimentary Adventure Ocean program with specially trained counselors who take care of junior cruisers (segmenting them by age groups 3–5, 6–8, 9–12, and teens and tweens). 

These young cruisers get their own programming and facilities, so they can hang out together, make new friends, play video games, participate in sports, and even eat together. The teens can hang out at The Living Room, Fuel Teen Club, and at an arcade to enjoy games, dance parties, and movie nights. 

5. A Lot Is Included In Your Fare 

Cruising is popular for many reasons, and one of the main benefits is that so much is included in the base fare. 

The comedy shows, live music, and Mamma Mia, for example, all are included. You also get meals at most of the restaurants and some non-alcoholic drinks, like water, iced tea, juices, coffees, and teas. Also complimentary: the kids clubs and all of the fun activities (like the FlowRider surf simulator, zipline, and rock climbing) as well as the pool areas, loungers, and hot tubs. 

The ship also has a massive fitness center featuring all the accessories and equipment you might expect at a high-end health club on land. It also has the best jogging track at sea, a half-mile, enclosed two-lane track on Deck 5 that encircles the ship. It’s covered to protect you from the sun, but it also has openings that bring in fresh air and views from the ocean. 

6. Extras Can Add Up Quickly 

Specialty dining comes with added costs, like cover charges or a la carte pricing. These premium restaurants on Allure of the Seas include Chops Grille, Sabor, Izumi, 150 Central Park, Giovanni’s Table, and Johnny Rockets. You also will pay extra for sodas and alcohol. The ship also has a Starbucks and ice cream shop that cost extra. 

Allure of the Seas offers a nice spa and thermal suite, so you can treat yourself to massages and other treatments at an extra fee. Plus, there are a number of boutiques and other shops onboard selling souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and more. 

The casino, of course, can quickly drain your bank account, too, if you’re not careful. Shore excursions also cost north of $100 per person at most destinations. 

Being one of the world’s largest cruise ships, Allure of the Seas allows cruisers a huge amount of flexibility to enjoy their vacations in any way they choose.

I’m in my own little sanctuary on Norwegian Prima, and I’m loving it. Or am I? 

Norwegian Cruise Line leads the way for solo cruisers with its innovative Studio cabins. These are the first staterooms specifically designed and priced for solo travelers, and I chose one of these cabins during my cruise with NCL, a hosted trip that I enjoyed on the line’s brand-new ship as it sailed from Galveston, Texas. 

Norwegian Prima is the first ship in the new Prima Class for NCL, and it offers 73 Studios, which are small inside cabins (no balconies or windows) that measure a compact 94 square feet and provide a great option for solo cruisers who ordinarily would have to book a regular cabin and foot the bill for the full double-occupancy price. (Most cruise lines charge a single supplement, which amounts to a surcharge on the solo cruiser who is in a room meant for two.) 

The Studio concept is not new for Norwegian Cruise Line, though. The line has been the industry leader with these cabins on several of its ships. Other cruise ships feature solo cabins, but NCL has made the largest allotment on its ships, with dozens of Studios, and also creates a kind of ship-within-a-ship complex with its exclusive Studio Lounges. 

I had heard a lot about these staterooms and wanted to try the Studios on Prima so that I could share my experience. There is a large interest in solo cruising, but the cost can be prohibitive for many people who effectively pay an extra full fare to get on board. 

I spent four days and nights onboard Norwegian Prima living the Studio life, and here’s what I learned. 

Things I Loved Cruising Solo 

1. Smart, Simple Design 

These little staterooms measure less than 100 square feet, but they put every inch to smart use. On Norwegian Prima, the décor offers a modern look, with blue, gray, and black as the primary colors.

There is plenty of storage, with two closet spaces and a tall open rack that allows for easy organization and access to items like computers, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, chargers, and cameras. A little cutout in the wall next to the bed serves as a sort of nightstand, with light switches, a little shelf, and a USB outlet. You can stick your luggage under the bed, and the TV is attached to the wall with an arm that lets you telescope the TV away from the wall and spin it into a variety of positions for viewing. 

There is no mini-fridge, however, which is something you get in all other cabin categories. 

The bathroom is an open concept, with see-through glass to keep the room from feeling small. After all, you don’t need bathroom privacy in a cabin for one. Half of the space in the bathroom is dedicated to providing a large walk-in shower, which is a big plus. 

2. A Bigger Bed 

The room is small, indeed. But your bed is bigger than you would get in a standard cabin. The Studio staterooms on Norwegian Prima feature full beds. On a cruise ship, I am used to the typical twin-size bed, which is about 15 inches narrower. You can really feel the difference, and it offered a welcome upgrade in comfort. 

3. The Studio Lounge 

This is the shared exclusive space on Norwegian Prima for passengers staying in the Studio cabins. The area is a fantastic retreat where you can hang out and meet fellow solo cruisers. I enjoyed coming down to do a little work on my computer and watch the World Series game between the Phillies and Astros showing on the large TV. 

4. Peace And Quiet 

The lounge features two comfy living room–style rooms, and these spaces offer couches, chairs, art on the wall, a large-screen TV, and bookshelves filled with homey décor, like photo books, vases, and board games. You can even order room service to the Studio Lounge. It’s a wonderfully serene space to come to read or play a game or chat with new friends. 

5. Snacks And Drinks 

The Studio Lounge is just steps away from the cabins. In addition to the living rooms, it features a large cafeteria-style snack room with tables and a large communal counter seating area that offers goodies throughout the day. The small buffet features fruits, yogurts, and pastries at breakfast, and little sandwiches, apples, bananas, and cookies the rest of the day. 

There are plenty of drink options, as well. It features complimentary coffee, espresso, and juices. Separate machines require you to swipe your room card to pay for self-service beer, wine, margaritas, and sodas. 

It was a fantastic convenience to pop down for a drink, and I’ll admit to having far too many chocolate chip cookies during my short cruise. 

Things I Didn’t Like Cruising Solo

1. The Darkness 

With no window or balcony, the Studio cabins offer no natural light. This can make it a little disorienting because it’s always dark inside the cabin. This makes for a great night’s sleep, but for people, like me, who like to wake naturally to the sunrise creeping into the room, this might be a little frustrating. 

Pro Tip: Tune Into The Sunrise

A fellow cruiser gave me a great tip for helping with this issue. Almost every cruise ship offers a TV channel dedicated to showing the “bridge camera view.” When cruising in these Studio staterooms — or an inside cabin in general — you can turn your TV to this channel at night and allow the sunrise to gradually wake you up via the TV screen. Norwegian Cruise Line has considered this, it seems, because these cabins offer a “virtual porthole” channel on the TV that gives a live view of the outside. 

2. The Tiny Space 

While I mentioned that it is well designed and I had no problems organizing and storing my items, the space in the room is a bit cramped. It offers a desk area with a little stool. However, it’s not a spot that I would use (or envision any cruiser really sitting there). Instead, you will spend most of your time in your bed while in the cabin. This is nice and relaxing for the most part, but the floor space is also tight around the bed, especially for a person my size (6′ 4″ and 190 pounds). 

The shower is a nice size, but the bathroom space for the toilet and in front of the sink can be tight, too. 

Pro Tip: Move slowly and deliberately while in your studio (especially large people) so you don’t end up banging your knees or elbows. 

The Verdict

All in all, I had a wonderful and relaxing time staying in my — albeit tiny and windowless — Studio cabin on Norwegian Prima. While there wasn’t as much interaction with other cruisers in the lounge as I might have hoped, this probably was more a function of the number of solo cruisers staying in these staterooms on my particular sailing. This ship was not full, and I only saw a few others who were booked in the Studio rooms with me.

However, it was definitely nice to be able to escape to my exclusive retreat space whenever I wanted to get away from the hubbub of the main public areas. 

You’ll Find A Tiny Slice Of Paradise In Bonaire

Way down in the southernmost reaches of the Caribbean Sea, sitting slightly north of Venezuela, you’ll find a tiny slice of paradise. Bonaire is located just to the east of its more famous neighbors of Aruba and Curaçao, and these three form the group called the ABC Islands. This region is also a fantastic place for land-based vacations for travelers seeking active adventures, a little time to relax, or a nice mix of both. 

Aruba is a popular destination on Southern Caribbean cruises, and you can find several cruise itineraries that also include Curaçao. But Bonaire is a little gem that far fewer cruise voyages visit. 

Like its neighbors, Bonaire, which is a special municipality of the Netherlands, sits below the turbulent hurricane belt, so visitors are less likely to have their vacations ruined by nasty weather. It’s an idyllic part of the world, with daily temperatures at 80 degrees or higher all year. It has a desert-like climate with little rainfall. 

As much as some of us would like to keep Bonaire as our own off-the-radar secret, I couldn’t help but want to share some of the special reasons you need to consider checking out this wonderful island for your upcoming travel plans. 

Diving And Snorkeling 

The island offers a unique landscape much different from the sandy beaches of Aruba. Most of the shoreline is a rugged and coarse mix of crushed shells and coral. It also features some of the best shore diving in the world. 

Much of the island’s shore on the leeward side is just a few yards from a beautiful coral reef garden. So this is an excellent destination for beginners and experts alike, who can skip the cumbersome boat rides and simply slip into the warm waters from the shore and be immediately transported to a massive natural aquarium. 

Kralendijk

Bonaire’s capital is Kralendijk, home to about half of the 23,000 residents on the island. The city features a number of diving outfitters and dive resorts that can set you up for your scuba-focused vacations. 

Bonaire National Marine Park

Kralendijk is right across a thin stretch of the Caribbean Sea from Klein Bonaire (which means Little Bonaire in Dutch), and that stretch is a protected area called Bonaire National Marine Park, one of the oldest marine reserves in the world. The reserve is the hot spot for diving and snorkeling. 

You can book a snorkel trip by boat or do it yourself by taking a water taxi (about $15 per roundtrip, and they run all day) over to Klein Bonaire to No Name Beach. This little island is uninhabited, but visitors use it for relaxing during the day and as a base for getting into the water to “drift snorkel.” Drift snorkeling is a brilliant way to snorkel because the natural currents let you float easily through the vibrant waters. 

It gets deep quickly after you drop over the edge of the reef near the beach, and the sea comes alive with colorful fish, green turtles, and bright coral. 

Island Culture

Islanders speak English, Dutch, and Papiamentu, which is a Spanish creole language that also contains a mix of Dutch and Portuguese. “Bon dia” means good day.

The official currency is the U.S. dollar. Kralendijk is the main hub of the island, with a number of restaurants, shops, cafes, and even a fantastic craft brewery right in the city center. 

Local Cuisine

Lionfish is a regional specialty. The invasive fish is caught and used for lionfish burgers, lionfish pizzas, lionfish fritters, and lionfish soups. You can also try popular local favorites, like pastechis (deep-fried pastries filled with meat), kabritu stoba (a hearty goat stew), and sopi kadushi (a soup flavored with seafood, cured meats, and the island’s candle cactus). 

Shopping On Kaya Grandi

Plaza Wilhelmina is the center of the city, and you will find a craft and produce market as well as shops, monuments, and a church. 

Kaya Grandi is the main street for shopping and restaurants in Kralendijk. Look for local art and jewelry, items made from driftwood, aloe products, sea salt, sweet candies, and Bonaire liqueurs. 

Hotels And Resorts Near The Marine Reserve

There are a variety of hotels, resorts, beach clubs, and apartments for vacation rentals along the west side of the island in Kralendijk, right next to the marine reserve. These include the Courtyard by Marriott Bonaire Dive Resort, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino, and Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire. 

La Cantina Cervecería

Craft beer lovers will want to check out La Cantina Cerveceria, which is home to Brewery Bonaire, the island’s first craft brewery. The signature beer is Bonaire Blond. Pop in to escape the sun after a day of adventures and try some of the flavorful creations. The restaurant features a broad menu for lunches and dinners, offering burgers, seafood, and snacks. 

History And Sightseeing

Washington Slagbaai National Park 

The town of Rincon is on the northern end of Bonaire. This is where you’ll find Washington Slagbaai National Park. The park makes up almost 20 percent of the island, offering hiking trails, hills, serene bays, and cactus fields to explore. 

Mangazina Di Rei Cultural Park In Rincon

Mangazina di Rei Cultural Park in Rincon is a museum outlining some of the history and culture of the island and how Bonaire was a Dutch slave plantation beginning in the early 17th century. In fact, the Old Slave Huts can be seen around the island and have been preserved as a reminder of this era. These tiny huts were sleeping quarters for up to six enslaved people who were forced to mine salt around the island. 

Other top sights to see on Bonaire include: 

• The Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire, which provides shelter and care for orphaned and sick donkeys on the island
• The Perkelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, one of four places in the world where flamingoes breed
• Fort Oranje, which was originally built in the early 17th century and rebuilt and fortified in the early 1800s; the former governor’s house also features a lighthouse and is the oldest building in Bonaire. A designated historical monument, it now serves as the courthouse. 

Do you have dreams of Tahiti? 

It’s a far-off paradise with warm waters, gentle breezes, year-round sunshine, and beautiful and welcoming people. So of course you do! 

Well, when you finally decide to make those dreams come true and plan a trip to this magical region of the world, you want to make sure to do it right. 

I was invited to sail with Windstar Cruises on its small motor yacht Star Breeze. We spent a week in Tahiti visiting islands for adventures at stunning beaches and in blue waters. Along the way, we learned about the culture and history of this fascinating place. 

This cruise line is celebrating 35 years of offering immersive travel in French Polynesia on its small ships, and I found a number of great things to love about a cruise to Tahiti with Windstar. 

It all starts with the incredible islands you visit. 

1. Moorea 

After sailing away during the night from Papeete, the capital city and home port for cruise ships in Tahiti, we woke up in what appeared to be a Gauguin painting. 

Moorea — with its craggy volcanic mountains and soft inviting beaches — was our first destination, and Star Breeze anchored in gorgeous Cook’s Bay for the day, with Mount Rotui majestically overlooking the ship. 

Windstar’s shore excursion program in Tahiti is packed with adventures and unique cultural experiences. At each island throughout the week, cruisers were faced with an abundance of choices, like snorkel safaris, 4×4 Jeep off-road tours, exploring the waters on wave runners, stingray or dolphin encounters, and beach cookouts. 

We opted for a whale-watching outing in Moorea. This was an afternoon excursion, so we had a morning to enjoy Star Breeze and play at the ship’s marina. We jumped in for a swim, then tried out kayaking, paddle boarding, jumping on the trampoline, and lazing on floating mats. 

We set out for our whale safari after lunch at the ship’s Veranda buffet restaurant. Dr. Michael Poole, who has been living on Moorea and studying whale activity for more than three decades, was our guide, and he brought us right out to a spot where we watched a mother humpback and calf swimming and jumping for about an hour. Whales breed in this part of the world, then migrate to feed in Antarctica. 

We learned so much during our 3-hour trip out toward the coral reef at the edge of the lagoon and had such a wow-worthy time watching these great animals up close. 

2. Bora Bora 

Star Breeze spent two days in Bora Bora, again anchored in a stunning lagoon. 

We found ourselves waking up each morning, looking at the surroundings, and stating, “Oh, just another day in paradise.” 

That’s how it goes in Tahiti, where every spot, while special in its own way, is indescribably beautiful. 

At Bora Bora, which is located northwest of Tahiti and known for its sandy little islets filled with coconut trees (called lotuses), we went off the ship to the city of Vaitape for an “Aqua Safari.” This was a fun helmet dive that sent us 12 feet below the surface, right next to a coral reef, to walk on the sandy bottom and interact with colorful reef fish and a curious sting ray. 

For a helmet dive, guides place an 80-pound helmet over your head to rest on your shoulders and provide all the oxygen needed to breathe and relax while you stroll under the sea. 

Windstar also offers excursions like glass-bottom boat tours, jet tours, snorkeling with stingrays, cultural, discovery tours, and scuba diving introductions in Bora Bora. 

On our second day, we enjoyed a deluxe lagoon tour that was a nice small-group ride out to the edge of the reef on a speed boat. We had a snorkel stop and swim break in clear blue waters, with fresh fruit and rum punches served up while we splashed about. We also were lucky to see a pod of about three dozen dolphins frolicking by the boat on our way back to shore. 

During the evening, we were ferried to a motu (a reef islet) for Windstar’s signature Destination Discovery Event, which was a festive dinner on our own private island. More on this later. 

3. Raiatea And Taha’a 

Windstar visits these sister islands for two days of adventures. 

While at Uturoa, Raiatea, we took the chance to go on an outrigger canoe voyage up the Faaroa River, the lone navigable river in the Society Islands. Meeting our guide, Tihoti, at the cruise pier, our group set off to the small marina to hop in an outrigger for a thrilling ride out to sea, cruising past pearl farms and luxury homes in a secluded bay before we arrived at the mouth of the river. 

Tihoti is an icon in Tahiti. He’s a noted historian, tour guide, and tattoo artist, with his own body filled with art pieces that tell the tales of his ancestry and his island nation. During our tour up the serene river, we were able to stop off to buy bananas, coconut water, and vanilla beans from farmers who set up little shops on the banks of the waterway. Tihoti told us about how much he loves the natural beauty of the islands — “We don’t have snow!” — and did a chant and played a nose flute to show us how he connects with his surroundings and pays homage to all that nature provides. 

The next day, at Taha’a, we went out for a drift snorkeling adventure, with a boat taking us out to the edge of the reef. We walked out into the waters, slipped on our masks and flippers, and glided with the current over a beautiful coral garden. Then, the boat dropped us off at a motu to join our fellow cruisers for a day at the beach and a big barbecue lunch. Colleen and I enjoyed a bit of kayaking around the postcard-perfect little island. 

You definitely can get your fill of all kinds of activity on a Windstar cruise in Tahiti. 

Pro Tip: Take an afternoon nap. We had a nice lay down every afternoon and felt refreshed for the evenings. The days of sunshine and excursions can wear you out. 

4. Destination Discovery Event 

Tahiti is one of two destinations in the world where Windstar features a signature Destination Discovery Event. This is a big off-the-ship bash — a cultural immersion with a dinner and a show at an epic locale. (The other place Windstar holds this is at Ephesus in Turkey.) 

Our party took place on a remote motu while we were visiting Bora Bora. Passengers arrive on a special ferry boat and are greeted with leis and Tahitian music as they stroll ashore on their own private island. We enjoyed some swimming and gazing at the sunset while wandering the sands and listening to the live music performed by a local group playing drums, a ukulele, and guitars. 

After a sumptuous dinner buffet featuring lobster, fish cooked in banana leaves, ceviche with coconut milk, and desserts such as poe, sweet potato cake, and rice pudding, the festivities really gained energy. 

Our group of about 150 (plus Star Breeze crew) was transfixed by a show that included hula dancing, fire dancing, feats of strength (men stripping a coconut with their teeth and bare hands), and fire eating to close out a fantastic celebration of the Tahitian and Polynesian culture. 

5. Spa Time 

Star Breeze is a small ship with big spa energy. Windstar has dedicated a large space to its impressive World Spa facility. The ship features several rooms where you can receive a range of massages, as well as a salon for hair and nail treatments and a big thermal suite area with a sauna, ceramic loungers, relaxation room, and experience shower. There is also a nice locker area with a changing room and shower. 

Cruisers can even book a couple’s “Massage Under the Stars” on an outer deck during the evening. Colleen and I indulged and treated ourselves to a Swedish massage out on the bow of the ship in a serene setting that was pure romantic bliss, complete with a glass of Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries afterward. 

6. The Star Breeze

A Ship That Fits The Destination 

Star Breeze carries just 312 people max — and on our cruise, the ship only had 150 cruisers. It’s a motor yacht that blends in nicely with the surroundings. Residents we spoke with mentioned that they liked that it’s not one of those huge cruise ships that overwhelm many destinations with thousands of people streaming ashore. 

With the marina at the back of the ship, it is also perfectly equipped to jump right into the waters and marvel at the scenery as you swim or paddle around idyllic bays and lagoons. 

Star Breeze features a lot of outdoor space with natural teak decking. It really is a yachting lifestyle onboard, with a duo of singers performing while cruisers gather at the Star Bar for sunset cocktails. Others like to use the pool and hot tubs or bliss out on the loungers and comfy couches available all over the top of the ship. 

We also loved the chance to dine al fresco for almost every meal at the ship’s Star Grill or Veranda eateries. 

The program also brings on residents from the islands to give talks and share stories about life in French Polynesia. We had an especially fun time one afternoon learning how to make leis and dancing with the Mamas and Papas group, who played Tahitian music in the ship’s Compass Rose lounge. 

Pro Tip: Bring plenty of sunscreen, a good hat and sunglasses, and comfortable beachwear so you can be well protected from the plentiful sunshine. 

7. Delicious Cuisine

Speaking of the ship’s dining, Star Breeze offered an overall outstanding culinary experience, with items offered throughout the day to suit any taste. The main dining room is Amphora, which serves dinner in a pretty space with a more formal dress code. The menu offers gourmet creations using regional ingredients, such as marinated octopus with grapefruit and fennel or pan-roasted Pacific cod. You can also get classics like salmon, chicken, and steak dishes. 

Veranda is the ship’s buffet eatery, open for breakfast and lunch with a wide variety of delicious entrees, salads, and desserts. Made-to-order eggs are cooked perfectly at breakfast, and the chefs work at carving stations or serve up pasta or stir-fry creations as you watch. 

At night, the space becomes Candles, a wonderful steak restaurant where passengers eat outside in the balmy breezes under moonlit skies. 

Windstar has partnerships with renowned chefs for two more restaurants on Star Breeze. 

Star Grill by Steven Raichlen is the al fresco eatery at the top of the ship offering lunches and dinners from a menu that features rotisserie and smoked meats and vegetables. During our Tahiti cruise, we enjoyed bourbon-brined smoked turkey breast, chicken wings, beef brochette, and a variety of fish dishes. You can also get a nice juicy burger or hot dog here. 

The ship also offers Cuadro 44 by Michelin-star chef Anthony Sasso, who has created a Spanish tapas restaurant with a New York flair on Star Breeze. The menu features delights such as grilled octopus and chorizo, paella croquettes, sea bream filets, pork belly, and lamb chops, as well as the most delicious churros with chocolate dipping sauce. 

Star Breeze covers every base, with food, entertainment, cultural enrichment, and shore excursions so you can really choose how to enjoy your time in paradise. 

With the launch of Emerald Azzurra, river cruise operator Emerald Cruises made an impressive debut on the oceans. This 100-passenger beauty is not your typical cruise ship, either. I’d call it more of a luxury superyacht, with a beautiful profile and intimate, elegant spaces on board — plus service that shines.

When you take a cruise on Emerald Azzurra, you just might feel like a member of the jet-set crowd cruising the Mediterranean with a big gathering of your newest friends. I know this because I was invited onboard and hosted by Emerald Cruises during a weeklong sailing in the Western Med that took us all around charming small port towns in Italy. 

Here is a batch of my best experiences aboard the new Emerald Azzurra. 

1. Charming Port Stops

Port stops on our voyage included the quaint towns of Monopoli and Otranto in the southern region of Italy called Puglia (you know it as the heel of the “boot”). We also visited Crotone and Giardini Naxos in the Taormina region of Sicily, as well as Amalfi and Sorrento on Italy’s western coast, before disembarking in Civitavecchia in the Metropolitan City of Rome.

We were always the only cruise ship in the ports we visited, and our small group of about 95 allowed us to blend in with the locals seamlessly. 

These places offer a wonderful mix of shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as cathedrals, museums, and other points of interest that you can thoroughly enjoy without feeling like part of a herd coming through town. 

Monopoli

The ship docks at ports or anchors offshore close to historic old towns and pretty marinas. 

My wife Colleen and I took a bike ride in Monopoli (the ship carries a fleet of e-bikes) and pedaled through town to a pretty beach filled with residents swimming and having family picnics on a Sunday.

Otranto

We delighted walking the maze-like alleyways of Otranto. This seaside community on the Salento Peninsula is home to a pretty marina and a couple of historic attractions: the 15th-century Aragonese Castle and 11th-century Otranto Cathedral.

Crotone

Crotone offered a chance to shop with the chef. Azzurra Executive Chef Li and a couple of team members took our small group into the market area, and it was a joy to see the process of picking fresh ingredients and haggling over prices.  

The haul of squid, clams, mussels, octopus, chilis, and cheeses was brought back to the ship, and just a couple hours later, we sampled what the chef and the rest of the galley team were able to put together using exotic items like squash blossoms (made into a delicious, crispy fried tempura filled with dill and ricotta) and water pumpkin. 

This is how it went for the entire voyage, with additional stops in Taormina, Amalfi, and Sorrento bringing daily delights like a “Godfather Tour,” adventure kayaking, and a city tour and gelato tasting in each destination.

Pro Tip: It’s easy to load your schedule with formal shore excursions, booked through the ship or independently, but give yourself a break and leave a day or two open. You’ll appreciate a more casual pace, and you’ll have time to walk through some great old town centers. 

2. Delicious Restaurants

Emerald Azzurra offers two restaurants: La Cucina and Agua Cafe.

La Cucina

La Cucina is the main restaurant. It serves breakfast and lunch buffet style, then dinner with open seating and a menu featuring meals made with regional ingredients and a selection of daily favorites. 

Aqua Cafe

We favored having lunch each day outside at the Aqua Cafe up on Deck 6, right by the pool. Aqua Cafe is a small eatery that seats about 30 people in comfy chairs and banquettes. Having a meal in the fresh air is fantastic and really enhances the fact that this is a yacht and not a cruise ship. Our captain, Julian Burgess, was always proud to point that out as we interacted with the incredibly engaging and highly visible master of the vessel all week. 

Aqua Cafe is a casual eatery that serves a continental breakfast for early risers and offers a nice menu with a fantastic array of comfort foods for lunch. 

This is where you can order one of the creative flatbreads topped with meats, veggies, cheeses, and even seasonal fruits. The offerings also include juicy gourmet burgers or hot dogs with crisp fries. 

The eatery is open throughout the afternoon, and the selection of sandwiches, salads, and fruit cups was always enticing. The best, for me, though, were the chewy gourmet cookies (chocolate chip, white chocolate chunk, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter), rich brownies, creamy gelatos, and decadent macarons (six varieties!). 

Pro Tip: Can’t decide on what to order for dinner? Emerald Azzurra encourages sharing midmeal courses — typically risotto or pasta. They even have gluten-free options.  

3. Next-Level Shore Excursions 

While Emerald Azzurra features several included shore excursions during your voyages. Several stops featured a nice city tour, and we joined one of these in Sorrento that included a walk around the new and old districts with our friendly guide, Patty. Plus, we got to attend a gelato demonstration and tasting at Gelateria David to close out the tour. The things they can do with lemons in this region of the world are amazing.

Premium Offerings

I liked leveling up my cruise experience with the premium DiscoverMORE options.  

They cost $150 or more. We picked a kayaking expedition around Amalfi, and several of our fellow cruisers enjoyed small-group visits to spots like Pompeii, Positano, and Capri. 

4. Infrared Sauna & Elements Spa

All passengers on Emerald Azzurra are given access to the spa facility’s relaxing infrared sauna room. This is a nice perk and a great way to relax after a busy day ashore. The sauna uses red-light therapy, and it has five seats that allow the heat to warm up your spine and emanate through your body to ease tension. 

Spa manager Ozay and his team take wonderful care of cruisers, preparing herbal teas and waters to enjoy in the facility. 

The ship also offers a range of massages, such as hot stone and deep-tissue treatments, as well as facials. You can also stop by the salon for haircuts, styling, manicures, and pedicures.  

The wellness area is so nice that we made sure to schedule time there daily, often waking up to join Mahesh, who taught a morning yoga class, or hitting the attached fitness center for a workout (the gym has treadmills, a rowing machine, an elliptical, and weights). Then, we would return at the end of the day for time in the infrared sauna to relax and ease our muscles before getting ready for dinner and the rest of the evening. 

5. E-Bikes And Water Toys

E-Bikes

The ship carries electric bikes that cruisers can use in port. They even get them ashore at destinations that require taking smaller boats in while the ship is anchored offshore. We biked in Monopoli to go to Porto Paradiso, a popular beach in a beautiful cove. At Giardini Naxos, we took a challenging ride up to Taormina (thank goodness for the e-assist feature).

Water Toys

When Emerald Azzurra anchors offshore at picturesque destinations, the marina is open and all the toys are put out in the water. We had a blast using the trampoline, laying on the floating mats, tooling around in the kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, and even trying out Seabobs for the first time. These are a kind of water scooter that propels you through the water — and even below it — like a dolphin. 

Pro Tip: The marina platform itself is a destination. When it’s open, it serves as a sundeck, where you can chill waterside, taking a dip in the sea as the need arises. 

6. Relaxing Outdoor Spaces 

Emerald Azzurra offers such lovely outdoor spaces that the ship truly feels like an intimate yacht chartered by a group of friends. We found ourselves spending hours outside during the day, having lunch at Aqua Cafe on Deck 6, which also features a large infinity pool with huge floating pillows for ultimate relaxation. 

I caught several of my fellow cruisers napping on the loungers and day beds that encircle the pool area. The Sky Deck one level up at the very top of the ship also has welcoming seating with incredible views over the seas. This is where you find the big hot tub, the Sky Bar, and more inviting seating areas ideal for lazing about as you sail with new friends. 

The Observation Lounge on Deck 4 is a quiet space with 270-degree views through the huge windows. The space also opens up to an outer deck area at the bow. Inside, you can enjoy a game of chess or read from the library of books and magazines.   

The deck outside is the location for yoga classes led by members of the spa team. We joined instructor Mahesh there for a wonderful session as the sun rose over Monopoli. 

With all of this, Emerald Azzurra delivers on the promise of that luxurious yacht life you’ve always wanted to enjoy.

When Viking launched its purpose-built Nile River cruise ship in August 2022, voyages through the heart of Egypt immediately became more accessible, luxurious, and exciting. 

Viking Osiris carries up to 82 passengers on five spacious decks, and the ship is outfitted with roomy staterooms, lounges, restaurants, bright public areas, and a beautiful open sun deck.  

While this comfortable new ship certainly sets the standard for Nile River cruising, it’s only part of what makes a cruise on Viking in Egypt such a wonderful experience. 

We sailed on one of the first voyages on this new ship and found a host of great activities that travelers will love. 

1. The Great Pyramid 

Viking’s Nile River cruise program starts with three nights at a luxury hotel in Cairo. You begin your immersive journey in Egypt’s capital, where you have a comfortable place to eat and relax — and even enjoy the pool, spa, restaurants, and fitness center — after your long flight to Egypt. 

While here, you meet your Viking Egyptologists, who will take you to one of the highlights of the overall trip, the Great Pyramid Complex of Giza. This is the world-renowned attraction of three massive pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu.  

These three structures, built more than 4,500 years ago, make an amazing spectacle in the hot desert. The symmetry and size offer a testament to the architectural mastery of ancient Egyptians who built these fantastic tombs for the pharaohs. You can even venture inside the Great Pyramid, creeping along a tight and hot passageway to the King’s Chamber. 

Pro Tip: Our guide for the journey on Viking Osiris warned us that there would be a lot of high-pressure hawkers selling trinkets and souvenir items at the Great Pyramid Complex (as well as at several sites and temples during our voyage). Her best tip was that we simply do not engage with them in any way if we were not interested in buying anything at that time. 

2. The Great Sphinx On Camelback

Viking covers the fee for a short camel ride and photo opportunity during your visit to the Great Pyramid site. It’s thrilling to nestle on top of one of these fascinating animals and feel it lift you high above the Sahara and saunter along the sand for about 15 minutes. You can set up an iconic photo of you astride your camel with the stunning pyramids in the background. 

Adjacent to the pyramids is the Great Sphinx. Your day in Giza continues with a visit to this famed attraction, too. 

Pro Tip: Be ready with your camera or cell phone to hand it over to your camel guide so that he can take a few pictures for you during your ride. 

3. Valley Of The Kings

The Viking Osiris Nile River cruise itinerary visits Luxor for some of the most-anticipated days of adventure. Viking offers a premium shore excursion that is that rare one-of-a-kind experience.  

The early-morning balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings (and the Valley of the Queens) allows you to see the sun rise and illuminate the vast mountain range and valley that was the final resting place for Egypt’s great pharaohs, including Rameses II and King Tut. 

You get up around 3:30 a.m. to head across the river to the West Bank and watch the balloons inflate and take shape before they rise majestically into the sky. Seeing the colorful balloons floating all around you as the golden sun emerges on the horizon makes for a jaw-dropping spectacle. 

Pro Tip: Dress in layers for this activity and bring a water bottle. It’s cool in the morning before the sun rises in the desert, but it quickly heats up throughout your ride. You can peel off layers as needed. 

4. King Tut’s Famous Burial Site  

While in Luxor, you also will be able to visit King Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Viking takes cruisers over for a full tour of the impressive burial sites, with the tombs carved deep inside the mountains.  

You wander down long passages to visit chambers, with every wall ornately decorated with colorful murals. The art depicted the daily life and religious doctrine of ancient Egyptians.  

King Tutankhamun’s mummy is on display within the tomb, and you can also visit the crypts of some of the most notable pharaohs of ancient Egypt. These include Ramses I, Ramses III, Seti II and Merenptah. 

5. The Grand Temples Of Karnak And Luxor 

These two historic sites are nearby, and cruisers get to visit them both during Viking’s time in Luxor.  

The Luxor and Karnak Temple complexes are filled with a mix of well-preserved and decaying chapels, massive pylons and columns, and other structures on which construction began more than 4,000 years ago. These sprawling sites are filled with carvings, statues, and engravings that depict stories and cultural aspects of society at the time. 

Karnak Temple is one of the largest in the world and the second-most visited tourist site in Egypt, ranking behind the Great Pyramid Complex. 

Pro Tip: Hats, scarves, water, and good walking shoes are essential for visiting these sites and all temple sites in Egypt. 

6. Abu Simbel And Other Incredible Temples 

While the temples of Karnak and Luxor are notorious as two of Egypt’s most famous temples, cruisers on a Viking Nile River voyage will get to see many other spectacular temple sites along the journey. 

In Quena, a town right on the river, you’ll be amazed by the blue colors of the murals and art on the walls of the well-preserved Dendera Temple of Hathor. At Esna, you can explore the temple dedicated to the water god Khnum, who was worshiped as the guardian of the Nile’s headwaters. 

Edfu is fun to visit, especially because you can enjoy a ride to the Temple of Horus on a traditional horse-drawn caliche.  

When in Aswan, though, I highly recommend Viking’s premium excursion (added fee) that takes cruisers to Abu Simbel. The Temples of Abu Simbel are a marvel for their beauty and scale. Plus, the story of the rediscovery and a massive relocation project to preserve them is fascinating.  

Abu Simbel was built in the 13th century and honors Ramses II. Lost to the sands of time, it was uncovered in the early 19th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site was moved in 1968 to accommodate the construction of the Aswan Dam that controls the flow of the vital Nile River.  

Abu Simbel was moved more than 200 feet higher and 650 feet farther inland. 

It sits in its new place with a striking facade of four enormous statues of Ramses II guarding the entrance of the sandstone temples. 

7. The Nile River

The best thing about traveling right through the heart of Egypt on your Nile River cruise is that you get to see the landscape and scenery from a different perspective. As you sail from port to port, you also will be happy to call a luxury river boat such as Viking Osiris your home.  

The top Sun Deck offers plenty of comfy seating areas to take in the green banks of the river that are framed by the brown mountains in the distance. You also will be enticed to enjoy a sunset cocktail in the aft infinity pool as you cruise the exotic and historic waterway. We were charmed by the young children seen playing and swimming along the Nile’s banks, waving excitedly to greet us as we sailed past. 

8. The Egyptian Museum 

In Cairo, Viking includes a tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. This is where you can see tens of thousands of pieces from the times of the ancient pharaohs. These include magnificent sarcophaguses, statues, tools, jewelry, murals, writings, and the famed golden mask of King Tut. 

9. Bustling Markets 

Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, and Esna all offer opportunities to visit small and large souks (marketplaces), where you can shop for souvenirs, regional foods, spices, or other items of interest. Here, you’ll get to engage with very friendly people who rely heavily on tourist dollars for income.

Pro Tip: Don’t agree on the first price offered. Egyptians love to negotiate, and they welcome the chance to haggle a bit before you both agree to a fair price. 

10. Aswan Dam 

Viking spends two days in Aswan, and this is a chance to learn about the High Dam project and how it was built in the 1960s to provide stability to the fertile lands along the Nile. Before the dam, the region had problems with flood conditions ruining crops and leading to famine. The High Dam created the 300-mile-long Lake Nasser, which now offers irrigation and electricity. Cruisers can tour the dam and later ride a traditional wooden felucca boat on the Nile River.

Alaska is vast and wild, a place where travelers can explore miles and miles of remote coastlines, parks, and forests. The Last Frontier sits at the very top of the destination wish list for many people. When you go to a place that is such a special mix of impressive geological formations and fascinating creatures, it’s best to do it in a way that gets you up close. This is where an expedition cruise shines. Some places in the world are best explored via small-ship cruising. Think Antarctica, the Galapagos, the fjords of Norway, and, of course, Alaska!

I sailed on an expedition cruise to Alaska on the new 186-passenger ship Ocean Victory from American Queen Voyages. Our 10-day sailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Sitka, Alaska, delivered a mix of delightful experiences that revealed why cruisers are flocking to adventure voyages.

Dozens of expedition ships have been built and debuted over the past few years, and the number of travelers taking expedition cruises has grown dramatically during the past decade (2012 to 2022), rising from just under 70,000 people to more than 367,000, with the number expected to approach 500,000 annually by 2027, according to a market report by Cruise Industry News.

I have taken expedition cruises on a variety of cruise lines, including the incredibly active and immersive off-the-grid voyages with UnCruise Adventures in places like Alaska and Costa Rica, as well as luxurious sailings around the Galapagos with Silversea and to Antarctica with Ponant.

My trip on the small ship Ocean Victory represented more of a light expedition adventure. This is an ideal journey for people of all ages and ability levels who are seeking their dream trip to Alaska but want to avoid the large crowds of mass-market ships.

Here is why.

1. You’ll See Wildlife On Display

As we pulled away from Vancouver on Ocean Victory, I could feel the sense of anticipation among the 124 cruisers onboard as they wandered the outer areas of the eight-deck ship and made new friends. Members of the expedition team, led by Liz Gifford, introduced themselves and explained what we would be doing during our voyage.

The animals were going to be the primary entertainment, of course.

We spotted seabirds, Steller sea lions, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and a large pod of humpback whales bubble-net feeding as we sailed for two days from Vancouver toward Ketchikan. 

Brown bears, mountain goats, orcas (and several other whales), otters, seals, and eagles are the big ones you’ll be on the lookout for. Cruisers also get a chance to spot a wide array of marine birds and other creatures in the tidal zones and rainforests like sea stars, anemones, and banana slugs.

Pro Tip: Book your expedition cruise for May or June if you want to see the best wildlife activity. Bears are awakening from hibernation and very active feeding along the shorelines. This is also when birds fill the skies and forests and flowers come into bloom. The colors and sights are most vibrant as Alaska awakens during the spring.

2. You’ll Get A Chance To Explore Remote Fjords And Historic Port Towns

Small expedition ships can reach deep into fjords or navigate to remote bays and islets that the large cruise ships can’t reach. This means that you’ll be up close to glaciers — and often get a chance to move even closer via Zodiac tours or kayaking outings. 

Our skiff tour into Tracy Arm Fjord during our cruise on Ocean Victory brought us up close to South Sawyer Glacier. The ship stayed in the bay all day as we went out to see mountain goats scrambling along the hillsides, waterfalls streaming down the cliffs and blue ice calving from the glacier wall and crashing into the water with the sound of thunder.

We also kayaked around Punch Bowl Cove during our full day at Misty Fjords National Monument. This day was pure bliss. The weather was clear and sunny, and we were the only people in the majestic fjord surrounded by steep granite walls and birds lazily tracing circles overhead. The only sounds while we paddled — other than chatter among our small group of kayakers — were gentle swooshes of the kayak strokes dipping into water that was as smooth as glass.

At Port Malmesbury, we got into the waters to see bald eagles, otters, and whales. American Queen Voyages offers a mix of expedition days and port visits with shore excursions on its trips to Alaska, and we enjoyed port stops in Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, and Sitka, where the program included excursions like forest walks and museum visits. In Wrangell, for example, passengers on Ocean Victory joined a cultural discovery tour to visit a Tlingit tribal house followed by a tour of Wrangell Museum and a stop at Petroglyph Beach to see ancient rock carvings.

Some expedition lines, such as UnCruise Adventures, offer more intense activities, including long hikes and bushwhacking outings in old-growth rainforests. You can even do things like tidepooling (shore walks at low tide), snorkeling, and standup paddleboarding in beautifully serene locations.

Pro Tip: Check the lineup of activities available during the cruise itinerary to find the right expedition cruise line for you.

3. You’ll Savor The Scenery As You Sail

Your expedition voyage is built around beautiful destinations, and ships like Ocean Victory are designed with spaces that seamlessly connect the inside with the outdoors. We enjoyed the top sun deck with its loungers and two hot tubs located aft of the ship. This is the perfect spot at sunset for a drink at the bar and to slide in for a soak to soothe your body after a day full of adventures.  

The ship also has large glass windows in the main lounge and restaurant, as well as an Observation Lounge on Deck 8 and innovative bow viewing platforms on Deck 5. Additionally, there are open deck areas on Decks 5 and 6, so passengers have a great variety of spots to see the outdoors or pop outside to watch birds or whales, as we did many times during our voyage.

You can borrow binoculars for use throughout your cruise, and Ocean Victory features scopes on tripods placed strategically in the observation areas so you can zoom in on the shoreline or scan the skies for animals.

Pro Tip: Be dressed and ready to go to the outer decks when announcements are made that animals are in sight. You might see bears feeding at the shoreline or humpback whales bubble-net feeding. Carry around your camera, binoculars, hat, and jacket in case conditions call for them, so you can quickly move to a nice viewing area. Also, consider booking a cabin with a balcony or direct access to an outer deck. This way, you can fully enjoy the outdoors and have opportunities to spot wildlife and incredible scenery at all times.

4. You’ll Share Intense Experiences With New Friends

Small-ship cruise travel brings together groups of well-traveled people who share common interests. There are no casinos or production shows onboard most traditional expedition ships. 

Ocean Victory offers a main lecture lounge where naturalists and guest lecturers give talks on subjects like humpback whales, the indigenous people of Alaska, or the Tongass Forest. We’ve made new lifelong friends on these trips, and you’re likely to, as well, because you meet like-minded travelers with similar interests, such as a passion for active travel and learning. 

It’s a blast to join trivia contests and sing-a-longs after dinner or just sit and chat about each day’s wonderful activities with new friends over dinner or while having drinks at the bars or lounges.

5. You’ll Wander Beyond Your Comfort Zone

An expedition cruise is a great time to try something new. It might be your first time in a Zodiac zipping around in the waters with the wind in your face and riding the gently bucking waves. You might catch a splash, too, if you’re seated right up front. Try kayaking. Get on a paddle board or venture out on a hike into the forest. You’ll be on the lookout for bears, deer, and birds. You might even get the chance to jump in the frigid waters if your cruise ship offers a polar plunge. We did the Punch Bowl Plunge on Ocean Victory to cap our day at Misty Fjords, and dozens of people gleefully participated.

Pro Tip: Pack the right kind of clothes. Typically, you’ll want to have the proper footwear, rain gear, and you’ll need clothes that you can wear in layers. Consult the pre-trip packing list provided by American Queen Voyages, and take it to heart.

6. You’ll Enjoy An Immersive Way To Learn Something New

The expedition leaders onboard these cruises have a passion for the environment, travel, and active adventures. On Ocean Victory, we had a team of 18 naturalists, kayak guides, and Zodiac drivers who together had a wealth of information. Many had degrees or certifications in topics covering marine science, conservation, or backcountry survival.

Our crew on Ocean Victory hosted daily enrichment talks, hands-on science sessions, and informal post-dinner “after hours” chats. We learned about plankton, algae, humpback whale migration, seals and sea lions, and how to tie a series of knots. A guest lecturer also joined the cruise to give talks about indigenous culture in Alaska and the art and history of the Haida and Tlingit people.

Of course, you’re constantly experiencing wonderful new things off the ship, such as engaging with your guides and new friends when out in the wild spotting animals, or visiting quirky towns and villages in Alaska. We had great chats with residents in Petersburg and Kake to learn what life is like in such a remote and harsh part of the world.

7. You’ll Be Inspired To See Even More

Once you’ve visited Alaska on an expedition cruise, you’ll be hooked. It’s one of my favorite destinations (likely my favorite). The continuous animal activity, beautiful scenery, and daily chance to get out to do something active and exhilarating make it a breathtaking experience.

The French Riviera in summertime delivers a dreamy, romantic string of uninterrupted days filled with blue skies and mid-80s temps. When the sun sets, the skies take on shades of pink and purple before yielding to starry nights and warm gentle breezes. 

This idyllic setting is why travelers flock to the south of France, and we’re enthralled, too, as we sit on a teak deck below the billowing sails of Star Clipper, our four-masted sailing ship. Star Clipper is a three-ship boutique cruise line that sails all over the world on Star Clipper (170 passengers), Royal Clipper (227 passengers), and Star Flyer (also 170 passengers). 

This is small-ship cruising at its finest. While Star Clipper carries up to 170 guests, we’re sailing with just 122 during our weeklong journey. This beautiful ship feels like a new home, our private yacht for the week as we create new friendships and countless memories. 

It’s intimate. It’s romantic. It’s a carefree way to enjoy your vacation. 

Star Clipper offers a program that fits travelers who enjoy options but aren’t too thrilled about following a strict schedule. This is your cruise to enjoy your day, your way. 

Our fellow passengers came from a variety of places, with American and British passengers trailing in numbers behind the French and Germans. It’s a delightful mix that gives quite the international flavor. 

Read on to learn what we loved about small-ship cruising off the coast of France. 

1. Blissing Out On Beach Days 

Star Clipper stopped in a port every day on our round-trip voyage from Cannes, and at each destination, cruisers had the option of hitting the beach for some swimming, sun worshipping, snorkeling, or enjoying a range of water sports. 

The ship visited Portofino, Italy. Then, L’Ile Rousse, Calvi, and Plage Saint Antoine, Corsica, as well as Cavalaire sur Mer and Saint Tropez. We wandered the marina and followed the coastline to find beautiful beach spots at L’Ile Rousse and Calvi. 

After time swimming and snorkeling in the blazing hot conditions, we found relief at a beachside tavern on L’Ile Rousse with cold beer. The days at Plage Saint Antoine and Cavalaire Sur Mer were also designed around getting ashore for time at a beach — or your own leisure near the marina at Cavalaire Sur Mer. 

The Star Clipper activities staff bring ashore the toys from the ship, such as kayaks, sailboats and paddle boards, soccer balls, volleyballs, and a football. So there are all kinds of ways to be active at these beach outings. Or, as many did, you can simply enjoy the views, take refreshing little dips in the surf, and nap under an umbrella. 

Pro Tip: To get ashore, you’ll take tender boats from the ship, which requires some agility. Pack lightly when going ashore, wear solid footwear, and keep your hands free so you can grab onto the tender boat and helping hands from crew members.

2. Exploring Enchanting Port Towns 

In Portofino, we were charmed by the bustling horseshoe-shaped marina. Little restaurants and pizza eateries lined the area, which has centuries-old stone walkways. Passengers are tendered ashore to all but one of the port stops during this cruise, and at Portofino, we had not taken more than 20 steps from our drop-off point before we spotted rock and roll legend Rod Stewart and his wife making their way through the crowd (almost unnoticed by all except my sharp-eyed wife) to a megayacht. Turns out, Sir Rod and his wife, Penny Lancaster, wed on the island years ago and often return for summer visits. 

A few of our new friends from the ship set out for a hike to the lighthouse at Portofino, while we decided we would get a pizza and beer for lunch. When in Italy, I have to get a Margherita pie, of course. A little lunch, people watching, a stroll for some window shopping, a nice gelato, and a celebrity sighting. Not a bad day in Portofino. 

We had no bad days, in fact, at any of these stops, with each charming historic town offering a few fun things to do.

3. Enjoying On-Shore Experiences With Fellow Passengers

At Calvi, we hiked to the Citadel before heading to town, where we bumped into a couple from our ship, Brooke and Tyler Sellhorn from Fort Wayne, Indiana, who gave us a heads up about a pub serving craft beers. 

Colleen and I ducked into the busy cobblestone alleyway, passed the long line of people getting gelato, and found tables outside Loch Ness Pub, where the friendly bartender appreciated my fumbled attempts at ordering in French and suggested a couple of fine brews to quench our thirst. 

We made our visit to Cavalaire-sur-Mer into a fun lunch date with new friends. Our group found a nice spot among the various dining options at the pretty marina. Our walk into town took us past a Ferris wheel and a group of residents engaged in a lively game of petanque, the popular game of Provence that is most similar to lawn bowling or bocce. 

Our crew found a restaurant with open-air seating, a nice view of the yachts and fishing boats at the marina, and a diverse menu to suit all of our preferences. A couple of us chose pizzas, Colleen nabbed a big bucket of fresh mussels, and others picked fresh seafood and an appetizer of foie gras.

Again, it was quite warm, so we needed gelato to refresh. Can you really say that you’ve been sailing in France and Italy without your daily gelato serving?

4. Boutique Experiences In Larger Ports Of Call

While most ports on this itinerary are remote and quite serene, passengers did enjoy the chance to see Portofino and Saint Tropez, both of which ensured a great variety of beach time, shopping, sightseeing, and gourmet cuisine. 

Saint Tropez offers a marvelous coastal trail, Sentier du Littoral, that goes for miles and takes you through a stunning and huge marine cemetery. The modern area of the city has nice parks and stores, while the Old Town area winds into a hillside with narrow cobbled streets. 

We went off the ship for a dinner, and our group of five lucked into seats on a busy Friday night. We chose the popular Thai restaurant Koh Petrie and settled in for appetizers, bellinis, and beef, shrimp, and chicken curries.

The cooler night temps and gentle breezes didn’t deter us from having a gelato night cap, obviously, as we strolled the lively street scene and gawked at the massive yachts in port.

Pro Tip: If you’re planning to eat dinner off the ship in busier towns like Saint Tropez or Portofino, do some research and make a reservation online ahead of time so you aren’t left disappointed — and hungry!

5. Diving Right In For Water Sports 

Star Clipper cruises feature a number of included water sports activities for passengers to take on. The activities team brought the equipment to the beach a few times but also dropped it in the water just off the side of the vessel so that we could spend a good portion of the afternoon tooling around in the shadow of our picturesque sailing ship.

Snorkeling masks were provided at the start of the trip and are yours to keep for use at your leisure during time ashore (the masks are returned at the end of the voyage). 

When the paddle boards, kayaks, and sailing boats are put in the water, cruisers donned life jackets and descended the gangway to hop on their toy of choice to navigate the waters around Star Clipper. 

Many simply wanted to hop in for a swim in the pleasant blue waters, and you could often look over the side of the ship during these times to see your fellow cruisers blissfully bobbing in the ocean like the happiest little corks you can imagine.

6. Unleashing My Inner Sailor 

One of the distinct charms of a sailing ship like Star Clipper is the chance to be on the decks amid the massive white sails and what seems like miles and miles of ropes. 

The rigging and pulleys are all around you, and cruisers can even have a go at hoisting the mainsail during the late-afternoon sail away. 

Grab the big wheel and make like you’re steering the ship for the perfect photo op to make your friends at home envious and to bring out that sailor spirit in you.

I was especially looking forward to climbing the mast up to the crow’s nest. Star Clipper has a steep rope ladder that starts at the edge of the deck and rises more than 50 feet above the deck for the most incredible panoramic views.

Brave wannabe pirates are harnessed in before they boldly scale the heights to crawl through a small opening and emerge onto a viewing platform. This is the spot to grab a picture with a bird’s-eye view of the ship’s deck below.

Pro Tip: If you have your heart set on climbing the mast, show up early — at least 30 minutes before the scheduled signup time — so you can guarantee a timeslot for that day.

7. Dancing The Night Away

The sun goes down, but things keep on cooking onboard Star Clipper, with theme parties that flow right into disco and line-dancing marathons. On our sailing, a core group of passengers gathered each evening after dinner on the teak floor of the Tropical Bar at the top of the ship. 

The bartenders served up Champagne, beers, and drinks of the day, like powerful rum punches, to fuel the activities. We thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Pirate Challenge and music-themed trivia contests. Select cruisers and crew members even wowed us during the talent show at the end of the week. The tender drivers from Goa, India, performed a traditional dance routine; our bartender Robert belted out a powerful song from his homeland in the Philippines; and we saw a magic act and a couple from Austria who tore up the dance floor with a steamy tango performance.

Even our yoga instructor Astrid put her beautiful voice on display when she teamed up with resident DJ and musician Kirby for a fantastic version of the hit song “Shallow.”

Nights typically lasted until 1:30 a.m., when the last few people finally left the dance floor.

8. Savoring The Sun Deck 

Star Clipper represents a style of small-ship sailing or yacht-style cruising that is designed to get you outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air. The ship has two small swimming pools and loungers splashed all around the top of the ship. When not ashore, cruisers scatter around the decks to relax and get plenty of sun. 

I alternated dips in the pool with time on a lounger under one of the shaded canopied areas. 

The ship also has a masseuse, and the treatments were reasonably priced at 60 euros for an hour-long massage. The massage therapist Abigail did such a nice job that many of the cruisers, Colleen and myself included, went two times. The location of the treatment tent on the very top of the ship allowed us to escape with the gentle sounds of the ocean and refreshing breezes entering through the flap.

Star Clipper also was cruising during our week with a guest yoga instructor, and Astrid, from Belgium, led well-attended morning and afternoon classes. We attended almost every day, and it was a brilliant way to get our minds and bodies right for the day’s activities.

The activities team also offered fitness classes outside on the sun deck by the Tropical Bar.

Star Clipper Captain Dominique Rollin also offered a talk about the sailing life and how the ship performs.

Indeed, the outdoor space on a sailing ship is always a highlight and a prime reason travelers book this type of boutique cruise experience.

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