Despite what many “consumer advocates” tend to say, travel insurance is not a bad deal at all. In fact, at least a few of its former critics are coming around, as evidenced by Caroline Mayer’s recent article in Forbes. And the truth is that taking travel insurance does make sense most of the time, especially for international travel, because its not just about protecting against cancellation penalties, but about making sure that there’s protection from the unforeseen when traveling abroad. Read more...

Just announced today, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, one of the premier luxury cruise lines will be introducing its first new ship in a decade in 2016! This is pretty exciting news for the three ship fleet that has ushered in the age of the all-inclusive luxury cruise. Read more...

Does your little princess or pirate want to look the part on a Disney Fantasy cruise? A new magical boutique aboard the ship can help them do just that.

For the first time at sea, at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the Disney Fantasy, aspiring young princesses and pirates receive the full fairy tale treatment with pixie- dusted and piratical makeovers at this very special salon. Read more...

When my grandson Logan and I went on a Disney cruise, we often left our cabin headed in different directions.

As a 22 year old, Logan was going to the pools, the clubs and all the young folks’ activities.

I was usually going off with my camera and notebook to interview someone or take photos of all the shipboard fun. In my free time, I went to the shipboard programs and the spa. In fact, I went to the spa every day. Aah, so relaxing! Read more...

With all the pomp and ceremony befitting such a royal occasion, The Duchess of Cambridge officially launched the new Royal Princess cruise ship this morning, June 13.

“I named this ship Royal Princess,” The Duchess pronounced. “May God bless her and all who sail in her.” Read more...

We don’t normally talk about the physical ports here. After all, a destination isn’t normally defined by the building travelers pass through on the way in or out of a city. But the story behind Hong Kong’s new cruise terminal is too excellent not to share. As of this week, what used to be one of the world’s most dangerous airports has become one of the most amazing cruise ports. Read more...

Several years ago, I was driving through the Mississippi cotton fields looking for juke joints. I wanted to hear some true Delta blues.

When I pulled into the teeny town of Indianola, I got a real surprise. Pulling up at the same time was the ultimate bluesman – B.B. King himself. Turns out that Indianola is King’s hometown, the place where he is honored with a fascinating museum. He stops by there every once in a while. Read more...

The Galapagos made the news this week with Celebrity’s Xpedition ship getting its hand slapped for unauthorized lobster. Really, this is a thing down there! The Galapagos Islands are one of the most pristine places on earth where you can still visit, and whose environment the government of Ecuador fiercely protects. We expect the luxury 99 passenger yacht that Celebrity Cruises operates to be back fully on track shortly, but there are some other more intimate options worth considering as well, including the very small group cruises that adventure travel company G Adventures offers. Read more...

The writing is on the wall, room service is doomed! What used to be considered a luxury is fast becoming a tool for the lazy. Average food at best, delivered to the hotel room – lukewarm, and just a depressing reminder that of all the amazing food options that fill any city, the best that this hotel has to offer is a not so great Caesar salad attached to a dried out and overpriced hamburger. And with the foodie revolution offering options for different flavors everywhere, some hotels are doing what’s right – quietly killing off room service – just like the Midtown New York Hilton is doing this year. This is news today, because one of the largest four star hotels in New York has decided that there’s just no need for it. Read more...

Haven’t planned a summer vacation yet? Sometimes the best deals happen by making plans at the last minute. In fact, the next few weeks feature some of the best buys of the year for vacations! We’ve found three surprising locations where the deals are good, but act fast because the sale season for these destinations can be surprisingly short. Read more...