#seabourn

#seabourn

Marisa Christensen, Holland America's associate vice president of food and beverage operations, directs guests to the line's Dive-In burger. 'It's made fresh to order, incredibly satisfying, and so easy to enjoy right after embarkation when you're settling in.'

AIDA's approach to IT infrastructure prioritizes availability through redundancy, with each vessel operating two physically separated data centers in different fire zones to ensure critical services remain operational.

These reefs are living, breathing snapshots of a watery world that you can peek into: refreshing oases where the noise of the land falls away; in its place, an intricate and utterly at-ease slice of life that you're lucky enough to witness.

"I fell in love with the elegance of the yacht and with the idea of [it] feeling lively and vibrant, like a natural extension of the destinations Ilma sails through."

The best all-inclusive hotels here are far removed from the buffet lines and wristband clichés that once defined the format. Instead, they offer thoughtfully designed spaces, ambitious dining programmes, excellent spas and an easy sense of Mediterranean leisure that suits the rhythm of island life.

I had booked the wrong room, packed the wrong clothes, and selected the wrong excursions. I went home with so many regrets that cost me money, sleep, and luggage space.

Our guests continue to tell us they value greater flexibility in how they spend their time on board, and Express Dining was designed with that in mind. The cruise giant says that the new dining experience is designed to offer a freshly prepared multi-course dinner experience in under an hour for groups of six guests or fewer.

When booking a seven-day cruise on Carnival Legend for my family of five, I decided to split us into two rooms. On past vacations, we've all stayed in the same hotel room. Once, we all crammed into the same tiny cabin on a cruise. This time, though, I had reserved two 185-square-foot staterooms on the Carnival Legend's Riviera deck for more space and privacy.

Whether you prefer river or ocean voyages, many of the best cruises for couples are all-inclusive, with unlimited food and alcohol, free Wi-Fi, plenty of onboard entertainment, and other perks. Some cruise lines even throw in unlimited shore excursions, free spa access, airfare, and private transfers-so there's no need to bring along extra cash. For a tranquil onboard vibe, couples can opt for an adults-only sailing or a ship with exclusive spaces for grown-ups.

This is something that was initiated and driven by our guests,

Both cruises and all-inclusive resorts promise stress-free vacations, thanks to upfront pricing and built-in entertainment. But despite similar perks, the travel experiences couldn't be more different. Choosing between a floating resort that whisks you between several ports and a property that promises everything in one place depends on personal travel style. Do you crave variety and a busy schedule, or prefer settling into a single destination? Do you thrive with structure, or prefer flexible days at your own pace?

Aboard the brand-new Star Seeker, there are 112 suites featuring either a veranda or floor-to-ceiling "infinity windows." This ship has new-to-the-line stateroom categories, including a pair of aft-facing, 548-square-foot Horizon Owner's Suites with wraparound balconies; 30 Infinity Suites with windows that slide downward from the top (as on expedition ships); and 10 Ocean-view Suites with mosaic glass showers. I was on board for the christening, but because the ship was sailing at full capacity, I was not able to tour them.

Formed to add nuanced intellectual depth to select itineraries, the alliance reflects a shared belief that exploration is most meaningful when it is informed. Dozens of itineraries-from the Mediterranean and Northern Europe to the Americas, Asia, Antarctica, and beyond-combine PONANT EXPLORATIONS ' expertise in small-ship exploration with Smithsonian Journeys' long tradition of educational travel. The resulting journeys engage guests with a destination's history and culture, environment and wildlife, in a considered and meaningful way.

Onboard/Offboard is a series that explores the can't-miss highlights of our favorite cruises-from the shore excursions to book to the spa treatments too relaxing to pass up. A new ship sometimes needs time to work out the kinks, but at this point-more than 100 vessels later- Viking has the routine down pat. In early November, I boarded the Viking Vesta, the line's 12th ocean vessel, in Istanbul, a few months into service.