—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Art at Sea: From Auctions to Appreciation
Monday, July 4, 2011
Six Best Summertime Cruises Beyond the Mediterranean
(I hope you all enjoyed the Fourth of July holiday! I spent the long weekend going through my photos from our recent Windstar Wind Surf Rome to Nice cruise. Look for my complete review later this week.)
This time of year, just about everyone who's anyone takes a Mediterranean cruise and with good reason. The ports in the Med are some of the most fascinating. There's history and fine architecture, modern art and fashion, and excellent cuisine! There are so many other itineraries to consider though! Here's a list of my six favorite summertime cruises that go beyond the Mediterranean.
This time of year, just about everyone who's anyone takes a Mediterranean cruise and with good reason. The ports in the Med are some of the most fascinating. There's history and fine architecture, modern art and fashion, and excellent cuisine! There are so many other itineraries to consider though! Here's a list of my six favorite summertime cruises that go beyond the Mediterranean.
10 Days Discovering Norway's Fjords
Azamara Club Cruises | Azamara Journey
While the Mediterranean is gorgeous all year round, the high temperatures in the summer really do me in. Cruising the Norwegian Fjords is the perfect antidote to the hot and crowded ports of the Med. Azamara offers a knock-out roundtrip itinerary out of Copenhagen, Denmark that roams Norway from Bergen, Olden, and Geiranger to Molde, Alesund, Flam, and Stavanger. You'll be on the trail of Vikings as you're treated to snow-covered mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and charming, little villages.
10-Night Arctic Circle Exploration
Silversea | Silver Explorer
If the Norwegian Fjords intrigue you but you'd like something a bit more exotic, consider Silversea's Arctic Circle voyages. You'll travel aboard Silver Explorer, one of the most beautiful and well-appointed expedition ships at sea. Voyage highlights include the spectacle of massive glaciers and icebergs while on the lookout for whales, polar bear, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox, bearded seal, and puffins.
Intimate Yacht Adventure from Amsterdam to Bordeaux
SeaDream Yacht Club | SeaDream I
SeaDream's a winner in terms of service (top notch and friendly without being over the top or intrusive) and cuisine (hands-down the best meals we've ever enjoyed at sea). This itinerary swings from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to several French ports, including Caen/Normandy, St. Malo, Belle Ile, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux. There'll be plenty to keep you busy on this cruise—there's so much history at these ports. But when you want to take a break, head to the top deck, order a drink, and repose on the comfy Balinese beds.
Alaska's Inside Passage with an Overnight Inside Glacier Bay National Park
American Safari Cruises | Safari Spirit
One of our favorite cruises of all time was our week aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Spirit 8-passenger yacht. We hiked, dipped in warm springs, got within mere feet of whales and brown bear from the ship's skiff. Not only that but we met several couples with whom we've remained friends and travel buddies ever since. We love American Safari and their approach to Alaska's Inside Passage is tough to beat. It's you and a few other like-minded travelers aboard intimate ships that are crewed by Americans. The onboard naturalists know their stuff and you'll make plans to visit Alaska again before you've even disembarked the yacht.
A Fortnight in Paradise: South Pacific Style
Paul Gauguin Cruises | m/s Paul Gauguin
Okay, I have to admit that there's no bad time to visit French Polynesia, but summertime is especially beautiful. The seas are calm, the palm trees sway gently in the breeze, and the climate is temperate. I'd opt for the two-week itinerary that calls upon the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Society Islands. The highlight of the trip is the beach party at Motu Mahana—Paul Gauguin Cruises' private island off Taha'a.
Wild Australia—Kimberely Region
Orion Expeditions | Orion
Exploring Australia's wild and remote Kimberely Coast with Orion Expeditions is on our to-do list. I've been told that this cruise, aboard Australian-based expedition ship Orion, is like nothing else. Orion's team of expedition leaders will introduce you to inspiring sights like waterfalls, deep river gorges, indigenous rock art, and sandstone cliffs. Embark from Broome in Western Australia and end your adventure in Darwin, Northern Territory.
Azamara Club Cruises | Azamara Journey
While the Mediterranean is gorgeous all year round, the high temperatures in the summer really do me in. Cruising the Norwegian Fjords is the perfect antidote to the hot and crowded ports of the Med. Azamara offers a knock-out roundtrip itinerary out of Copenhagen, Denmark that roams Norway from Bergen, Olden, and Geiranger to Molde, Alesund, Flam, and Stavanger. You'll be on the trail of Vikings as you're treated to snow-covered mountains, waterfalls, glaciers and charming, little villages.
10-Night Arctic Circle Exploration
Silversea | Silver Explorer
If the Norwegian Fjords intrigue you but you'd like something a bit more exotic, consider Silversea's Arctic Circle voyages. You'll travel aboard Silver Explorer, one of the most beautiful and well-appointed expedition ships at sea. Voyage highlights include the spectacle of massive glaciers and icebergs while on the lookout for whales, polar bear, walrus, reindeer, Arctic fox, bearded seal, and puffins.
Intimate Yacht Adventure from Amsterdam to Bordeaux
SeaDream Yacht Club | SeaDream I
SeaDream's a winner in terms of service (top notch and friendly without being over the top or intrusive) and cuisine (hands-down the best meals we've ever enjoyed at sea). This itinerary swings from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to several French ports, including Caen/Normandy, St. Malo, Belle Ile, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux. There'll be plenty to keep you busy on this cruise—there's so much history at these ports. But when you want to take a break, head to the top deck, order a drink, and repose on the comfy Balinese beds.
Alaska's Inside Passage with an Overnight Inside Glacier Bay National Park
American Safari Cruises | Safari Spirit
One of our favorite cruises of all time was our week aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Spirit 8-passenger yacht. We hiked, dipped in warm springs, got within mere feet of whales and brown bear from the ship's skiff. Not only that but we met several couples with whom we've remained friends and travel buddies ever since. We love American Safari and their approach to Alaska's Inside Passage is tough to beat. It's you and a few other like-minded travelers aboard intimate ships that are crewed by Americans. The onboard naturalists know their stuff and you'll make plans to visit Alaska again before you've even disembarked the yacht.
A Fortnight in Paradise: South Pacific Style
Paul Gauguin Cruises | m/s Paul Gauguin
Okay, I have to admit that there's no bad time to visit French Polynesia, but summertime is especially beautiful. The seas are calm, the palm trees sway gently in the breeze, and the climate is temperate. I'd opt for the two-week itinerary that calls upon the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Society Islands. The highlight of the trip is the beach party at Motu Mahana—Paul Gauguin Cruises' private island off Taha'a.
Wild Australia—Kimberely Region
Orion Expeditions | Orion
Exploring Australia's wild and remote Kimberely Coast with Orion Expeditions is on our to-do list. I've been told that this cruise, aboard Australian-based expedition ship Orion, is like nothing else. Orion's team of expedition leaders will introduce you to inspiring sights like waterfalls, deep river gorges, indigenous rock art, and sandstone cliffs. Embark from Broome in Western Australia and end your adventure in Darwin, Northern Territory.
What's your idea of a perfect summertime cruise? Let me know!
—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible
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