As professional travel agents, it’s our job to stay up to date and keep you informed about the ever-changing world of travel. Below you will find our latest batch of travel tips to help you travel better. Please read on, and, if you have any additional questions regarding these topics or others, we’re only a phone call, email or text away.
Shore Excursions: Everything You Need to Know
With upscale restaurants, tranquil spas, giant water parks and Broadway-style theaters on board, modern-day cruise ships have become destinations themselves. But one of the best aspects of taking a cruise vacation is leaving these floating resorts and exploring the tropical islands and seaside metropolises your ship calls upon.
While some passengers choose to stroll off the ship and explore on their own, others venture out on a shore excursion to discover the very best a destination has to offer. Here’s a quick overview to help you decide if shore excursions are right for you.
Santorini, Greece
AmaWaterways biking tour by the Rhine River
What Are Shore Excursions?
Offered by the cruise line and other companies, organized shore excursions provide a wide variety of experiences, from a city tour or wine tasting to active pursuits like dogsledding or mountain biking. Cruise lines offer numerous excursions at each destination; however, if there is a specific experience you wish to have that the cruise line does not provide, our travel agency can set it up.
When Should You Book Your Excursion?
Tours can be booked either prior to the cruise or on board at the ship’s excursions desk. Pro tip: there is often a queue at the excursions desk during the first few days of the sailing, and some of the more popular excursions fill up, so it’s best to book beforehand.
Holland America excursion in Half Moon Cay
Cunard Wine tasting excursion
Benefits of Shore Excursions
With only a few hours to explore a new destination, it’s sometimes difficult for passengers to disembark, orient themselves on the crowded pier, consider various offers from local guides who may or may not be trustworthy and decide how to best experience this exciting new place. A shore excursion cuts through all this clutter, providing you with a licensed and reputable tour guide to take you straight to your desired activity. Plus, excursions booked through the cruise line are guaranteed to return before the ship departs.
Tour Types
Most shore excursions can be classified as either active or sightseeing. Active tours are great for those who want to have a distinctively exciting experience in a unique setting. These excursions can involve adrenaline-pumping activities like zip-lining through rain forests or snorkeling with stingrays, or cultural activities such as a cooking demonstration.
On the other hand, sightseeing excursions are generally bus, walking or sailing tours that take you to the highlights of the region, giving you a thorough introduction to its culture and history. Oftentimes these excursions involve low-key activities, such as stopping in a shopping district to peruse the local wares, a museum or spending a few hours at the beach.
Regent Seven Seas excursion in Rome
Silversea shore excursion in Cartagena
How to Get a Free Shore Excursion
Some luxury cruise lines, most river cruise lines and expedition cruises include free shore excursions at each port. These often range in style and activity levels, giving you a wide choice. Our travel agency also offers Distinctive Voyages sailings, which include complimentary amenities such as the services of a Distinctive Voyages Host, an invitation to a Private Welcome Reception and an Exclusive Shore Excursion. Guided by local experts, these Exclusive Shore Excursions are specially chosen to reveal the true nature of the people and places you will visit, helping you connect to the culture in a very personal and unforgettable way. Ask our travel agency for details.
Festive Destinations to Celebrate the Holidays
Sometimes the best way to celebrate is to see how the rest of the world does it. This holiday season, swap tradition for adventure — and find new traditions along the way. Here are five destinations that wrap the spirit of the season in lights, music and something a little unexpected.
Vienna, Austria
Few cities know how to set a festive mood like Vienna. Picture cobblestone streets with sparkling lights, cozy cafés serving velvety hot chocolate and Christmas markets that look like they fell out of a snow globe. The city’s famous markets — especially the one in front of City Hall — offer everything from handmade ornaments to roasted chestnuts. Add a classical concert in a grand palace and you’ve got a December straight out of a fairy tale.
Vienna, Austria
Rome, Italy
Rome, Italy
Christmas in Rome feels both sacred and spectacular. Wander past ancient ruins strung with twinkling lights, sip espresso under massive Christmas trees and take in a midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica if you’re lucky. Beyond the big moments, it’s the little ones — a quiet piazza, a perfect plate of pasta, a simple string of lights across a narrow alley — that make the holidays in Rome unforgettable.
Sydney, Australia
If you’ve ever dreamed of swapping your Christmas sweater for a swimsuit, Sydney is ready for you. Here, the holidays mean barbecues on the beach, surfboards under the sun and fireworks over the harbor. Bondi Beach turns into a Christmas Day hotspot, while the city’s lights displays and open-air caroling events add just the right amount of sparkle. It’s Christmas, but with sand between your toes.
New Year's Eve Fireworks, Sydney, Australia
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, France
Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg takes the holidays seriously — in the best possible way. Its centuries-old Christmas market fills the medieval streets with stalls selling everything from gingerbread to handcrafted gifts. Wander through the Grand Île with a mug of mulled wine and you’ll understand why it seems like Strasbourg invented Christmas magic.
Ready, Set, Woof: The Smart Way to Travel with Your Pet
Traveling with your pet can be one of life’s small joys — or a logistical nightmare dressed in fur. The good news? With a little planning, you can make it the former. Whether you’re road-tripping to the next town or flying across oceans, here’s what you’ll need to pack to keep tails wagging and stress levels low.
A Carrier from Home
New places can be overwhelming — a familiar carrier gives your pet their own personal VIP lounge. Choose one that’s sturdy and cozy.
Food, Water and Bowls That Actually Fit in Your Bag
Food and water? Obvious. Bowls? Often forgotten. Travel-friendly options like collapsible bowls save space and sanity. Bonus points if they don’t leak.
Paperwork: Vaccines, Tags and a Photo That Shows Their Good Side
Some airlines and hotels need proof your pet is healthy. Bring vaccination records, updated ID tags and a recent photo (preferably one where they look less like a wild beast and more like the angel they pretend to be).
Pet carrier keeps your pet safe and confortable
Pack their favorite toy to keep them feeling at home.
Leash and Waste Bags
Even the best-behaved pet needs a leash. Waste bags? Non-negotiable. And if you really want to feel like a responsible adult, get a tag with your mobile number — just in case your four-legged explorer goes rogue.
Bedding and Toys: Familiar Smells to Keep Them (and You) Sane
A favorite blanket or toy can turn a sterile hotel room into something that smells a little more like home, reducing the odds of panic chewing.
Medications: Because Fleas Don’t Take Vacations
Pack medications and anything else that keeps your pet healthy (and huggable) on the road.
Vet Info: A Lifeline You’ll (Hopefully) Never Need
Save your vet’s number and look up a clinic near your destination. You probably won’t need it — but if you do, you’ll be glad you’re not frantically Googling “emergency vet near me” at 2 a.m.
Microchip: The Tiny Insurance Policy
If your pet isn't microchipped yet, consider it. It’s quick, safe and could be the reason you’re reunited if something goes wrong.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget the Actual Pet
Smart prep means less stress — for you and your four-legged traveler.
The Joy of Longer Vacations
Many travelers are in the advantageous position to take longer vacations, from retirees and professionals taking sabbaticals to solo travelers and those who can work from anywhere in the world as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection.
Longer vacations — let’s say anything over two weeks — come with a heap of mental and physical benefits. During a shorter vacay, we tend to rush to check off all the to-dos and must-sees on our list. But when you chuck the clock out the window and stay longer, you can truly relax and sink into a calming vacation rhythm. This gives your body a chance to properly adapt to your new time zone.
Plus, with all the extra time at a destination, you can do more than just see the major sites. You’ll have ample time to hike, swim and keep your physical fitness levels up, as well as explore local sites and plan special events with your family or partner. Want to learn the local language? It’s easier with so much cultural immersion built into your trip.
Longer stays, deeper rest, real connection—travel without rushing back home.
Longer vacations give you time to explore
Here’s the fun part — your long vacation doesn’t have to be in one destination. In fact, our favorite way to enjoy an extended holiday is on a world cruise. Even though cruise itineraries come in many lengths, from long weekends to three-week expeditions and beyond, a world cruise of three to six months is the pinnacle of vacations. Imagine setting sail on a journey that circumnavigates the globe, visiting diverse cultures, historic wonders and breathtaking landscapes along the way.
However you decide to extend your vacation — whether by a world cruise, a stay in a villa on the Mediterranean or maybe in a well-priced hotel in a surfing village in Brazil — it’s a chance to embrace the unknown, step out of your comfort zone and create lasting memories. Contact our travel agency to discuss all the ways we can keep you out there enjoying the world.
