VIDEO: You Can’t Book a Room on this River Cruise Ship
Take a video tour of the new cruise ship – the first of a whole new cruise line - that’s based on a premise you might find surprising. It means you can’t book a single room on this ship! Transcend Cruises launched in 2026 with a very different idea: charter-only river cruises in Europe. If you thought that chartering a river cruise...
Holland America Line Hosts 1st Pro Pickleball Invitational on a Private Island
The pickleball takeover of cruising seems complete with news that Holland America Line is set to host the first-ever Professional Pickleball Association – yes, there’s a Professional Pickleball Association! – competition on a private island. The Professional Pickleball Association Invitational takes place in March, 2027 on Holland America Line’s private island beach resort in The Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, during a...
VIDEO From the Bridge: Meet the Captain of the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti
What’s it like to captain a ship that sails year-round in exotic French Polynesia? I got to ask the captain of the Paul Gauguin during a visit to the bridge on a week-long voyage around the Islands of Tahiti. It’s a bucket-list trip for many of us – and rightfully so. Nowhere in the world compares with the tropical romance of...
European Cruising After the Christmas Markets: River and Ocean
What cruises give you the warmest welcome in Europe’s coolest months? River and coastal ocean cruising doesn’t completely stop when the Christmas holidays start. In fact, Europe’s “quiet season” is becoming a season of its own for cruisers. It’s true that most Christmas markets pack up around Christmas Eve, although some extend through the holidays. But then come New Year’s celebrations,...
D-Day Landing Beaches Achieve Overdue Milestone; How to Make Your Own Pilgrimage
82 years after what Winston Churchill called “the most complicated and difficult” military operation in world history, Normandy’s D-Day Landing Beaches finally achieved long overdue recognition of their place in the world as we know it today – plus the protection needed to ensure their lessons live on for future generations. LEARN MORE IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Normandy Landing Beaches Designated...
How Low Can They Go? Historic Water Levels and the Future of River Cruising in Europe
I adore river cruising. I constantly recommend river cruises to viewers and followers. But river cruising is facing an industry-changing crisis. And I think it’s time to face it head-on with new solutions that will benefit everyone. A NEW LOW Low water levels on Europe’s major rivers – including the Rhine and the Danube – are making headlines around the world. I was at...
Top “Coolcation” Travel Destinations
Record-breaking summer heatwaves throughout Europe have more travelers looking for cooler destinations to spend the holidays. I have some favorites. By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert Some like it hot! And since Coco Chanel made it stylish to spend even scorching summers on the French Riviera, heat-loving travelers have flocked to the Mediterranean during the season. Those who couldn’t brave Mediterranean...
Crystal’s New Ship Doubles Down on Family-Focused Spaces
When Crystal Grace launches in 2028, she’ll have more dedicated family spaces and programming than ever. That sets Crystal apart from most other cruise lines in the luxury space, which either permit but provide few age-specific amenities – or simply ban a younger passenger set. Not so Crystal Grace. Existing ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity have a playroom for kids...
VIDEO: Wine and So Much More on a Scenic Bordeaux River Cruise
I say ‘Bordeaux,’ and you think: wine. It’s true Bordeaux is one of the most fabled and beloved wine regions of the world, and a trip to France to spend time exploring the wineries of Bordeaux is a bucket list trip for many of us. But ‘Bordeaux’ has another meaning. Translated, it means ‘at the water’s edge.’ And a river cruise...
Christmas in July Question: Which Christmas Market River Cruise to Choose?
It’s never too early to start counting down the days until Christmas – or plan a holiday getaway. Christmas in July reminders are a great opportunity to think about how you want to celebrate or travel to get into the spirit of the season. And for me, Christmas market river cruises may be the very best way. First, you get the...
