#cruise-entertainment

#cruise-entertainment

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.

The button-up shirt is consistently my ultimate travel multitasker, bridging the gap between casual and sophisticated outfits throughout. The flowy silhouette keeps me cool during hot afternoons, but the crisp fabric looks polished enough for ship dining and evening strolls.

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.

For cruise lines, fuel is one of the single largest operating expenses. But not all three major operators are equally exposed. Carnival does not hedge its fuel purchases. That means every dollar oil climbs hits Carnival's margins directly, with no buffer. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line both have fuel hedges in place, which is exactly why they are holding up comparatively better today.

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.

I've been on lots of cruises, but my sailing to Alaska on the Disney Wonder really stands out. From the exciting excursions to the stunning views from the boat, the trip was unforgettable. I'd absolutely take another Alaskan cruise in the future. As a frequent traveler, I've sailed with several different cruise lines on itineraries throughout the Caribbean, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean. But out of everywhere I've been, my favorite vacation was an eight-night sailing on board the Disney Wonder to Alaska.

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.

I had only just stepped aboard the Riverside Ravel in Avignon, France, and it was already clear this would be no ordinary cruise. There were no lines, no waiting for my suite-just a butler offering to unpack in my room while I enjoyed a flute of vintage Taittinger. My husband and I were sailing the Rhône River from Avignon to Lyon, eating our way through the legendary towns of southeast France, including Arles and Dijon.

Because it's so immersive and theatrical, it's ideal for keeping kids entertained without requiring parents to plan every second of the day (which, frankly, already makes it feel like a win). This is not a cruise where you sit by the pool while your kids complain they are bored. It is a cruise where they disappear into kids' clubs, beg to stay up late for shows, and talk about the Hydra puppets and Cruella de Vil long after you are home.

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.

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?

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

From humongous megaships to luxurious yacht-like vessels, cruise travelers all love to grumble about the same thing-taking time out of their first day on board to complete the mandatory safety drill. Despite the efforts cruise lines have made to make them shorter and easier to complete, some guests are tempted to ignore the calls to report to their muster stations-especially in the rare occurrence of a full, in-person drill.

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.

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.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- If you're looking for more than just a boat ride, the Jungle Queen River Cruise in Fort Lauderdale delivers a full-blown tropical escape. This four-hour dinner cruise glides down the New River through Fort Lauderdale to the a "tropical isle." Floridas longest-running tourist attraction has been entertaining visitors since 1935, and its easy to see why.

Here's the thing: all-inclusive holidays have never been so in demand, with more and more of us seeking a slick and smart hotel that doesn't make us feel too frugal to order one more piña colada. During the summer months, it's the best all-inclusive resorts in Europe that see an influx of visitors, from couples and groups of friends to those travelling with kids.