There are a lot of restaurants in Avalon where you can grab a quick lunch during a cruise ship visit. Some are better than others and luckily, we had the opportunity to do some first hand research during a foodie trip to the island last month. Based on our findings, we now have some favorite lunch spots that you guys need to check out.
Read more: Where To Grab A Great Lunch When You Visit Catalina Island
There are a lot of reasons why Holland America Line is our top pick for west coast cruises from San Diego as well as Alaska cruises. While there are a lot of options out there where you can spend a few days relaxing on a beautiful ship with fabulous food, drinks, and service - Holland America Line as a company goes further. This is clear from small things like the fact that their ships are constantly being cleaned, repainted, and updated while in port and it is even more evident from a corporate responsibility perspective as well. That's why we were so excited to be there earlier this month when they donated $450,000 in aid to Ukraine to California-based Direct Relief.
Congratulations! If you're reading this article about planning a proposal aboard a cruise ship then that means you are probably in a strong relationship and looking for the right way to take things to the next level. Whether your idea of the perfect proposal is getting down on one knee in the dining room on a formal night or popping the question from the comfort and privacy of your private cabana, this is going to be a big moment for both of you.
Read more: How To Plan Your Perfect Marriage Proposal On A Cruise
Last week we talked a bit about the incredible opportunity that will be coming up next year to view the 2024 total solar eclipse from one of the most sunny places in the entire world, one that also happens to be in a fabulous cruise region - off the coast of Mazatlan, Mexico. While there are multiple options for big ship cruises, one option that we think will appeal to those looking for something more adventurous is to join UnCruise adventures for a Sea of Cortez sailing aboard Safari Voyager.
Read more: UnCruise Offers The Ultimate In Total Solar Eclipse Adventure Cruising
Almost every cruise line now offers some sort of exclusive area that is separate from the crowds that are endemic to the rest of the ship. On some lines this exclusive space is part of a comprehensive suite of benefits that include butlers and expedited boarding, while others such as Holland America Line offer it on a sort of ad hoc basis. While they have two components that offer different aspects of this exclusivity - Club Orange and the Retreat - it is the latter than I'm absolutely addicted to and should be a part of your next cruise if you love to relax.
Read more: Holland America Line's Retreat Cabanas Are The Best Deal At Sea For Relaxation
Theme nights, especially Gala dinners, are something almost every cruise line has had since the beginning of time. It should come as no surprise then that Holland America Line does too and theirs is tied directly to the Dutch heritage they proudly display throughout the cruise experience. Instead of a "white party" or a "scarlet night", the color orange is the focus here during Holland America Line's Orange Party. This is because it is the color most associated with the Netherlands and virtually everything on Orange Party night will embrace this theme. Throughout the evening, guests will celebrate in style with a dutch-inspired dinner, orange drinks, and are encouraged to dress for the occasion as well, while enjoying one of the best music programs at sea and maybe even getting up and dancing a bit too!
Read more: What To Expect During The Orange Party On A Holland America Line
If you’re looking for a unique and exciting summer vacation, look no further than an Alaska cruise. Want to make it better? Add a land tour to extend your opportunity to explore the Alaskan wilderness at whatever pace matches your style by staying in one of the lodges and resorts offered by cruise lines like Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. With its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich culture, Alaska is the perfect destination for a one-of-a-kind land and sea adventure.
Read more: A Cruisetour Is Your Ultimate Opportunity To Explore Alaska This Summer
Have you ever wanted to experience the excitement of the Klondike Gold Rush? Well, now you can with Holland America Line's Alaska cruise tours. These special cruises take you to some of Alaska's most beautiful and historic locations, including Whitehorse, Dawson City and Skagway. You'll get to explore the stunning landscapes, learn about the rich history of this area, and maybe even find some gold yourself!
Read more: Explore The Yukon Gold Rush Experience With Holland America Line Alaska Cruisetours
While we'll take any opportunity to kick back and relax on a cruise ship, some cruises are bucket-list adventures that you just know you need to book early or risk being left at the dock. That's why I'm so excited about the upcoming total solar eclipse next year. On April 8, 2024 a truly remarkable astronomical event will occur: a total solar eclipse! While this isn't exactly a once-in-a-lifetime event (partial solar eclipses happen two to three times a year and total eclipses about every 18 months), this time is special. Unlike other opportunities to view one, the 2024 total solar eclipse combines three very important factors: Location, Weather, and Prime Cruise Area to make it an amazing cruise experience.
Read more: Are You Ready For A 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Cruise To The Mexican Riviera
San Diego is blessed with a pleasant climate all year round, making it an ideal destination no matter the season! From its warm and sunny days in summer to its mild temperatures in winter, San Diego's weather is highly sought after by tourists and that of course includes cruise visitors.
Read more: What Cruisers Need To Know About The Weather In San Diego
Embarking on a cruise vacation from the beautiful port of San Diego? Choosing the right hotel can make all the difference in creating those unforgettable pre or post-cruise memories.
Read more: The Best Cruise-Friendly Hotels In San Diego For Your Next Vacation
It's a sad reality for many people, but covid tests and masks have become required traveling companions for most folks these days when we cruise. While governmental guidelines and cruise line requirements have changed to open everything up so we can go "back to normal", a search of any cruise "roll call" group will show that COVID is still widespread on cruise ships right now - and that will only increase this fall and winter. As such, we like to have the best test and be able to get fast, accurate results as well as a pathway to get appropriate treatments prescribed quickly. That's why we love this new Lucira Health rapid COVID test.
Read more: We Tried Lucira Health's PCR Quality "At Home" Check It COVID-19 Test
Good shoes are one of the most important things to bring with you on any cruise. While people think first of jackets for Alaska cruises and swimsuits for warm weather voyages - a good solid pair of shoes for wearing around the ship is essential. While cruise lines do an excellent job of making sure that wet surfaces are dried quickly ... damp outdoor decks are subject to weather and the area around pools is notoriously slippery due to dripping wet swimwear. Ultimately though, the challenge is finding a great pair of shoes that is stable enough for these situations that is also comfortable enough to wear all day long and yet still be appropriate to wear to dinner.
Read more: These Huk Classic Brewster Shoes Will Help You Avoid Slipping On A Wet Cruise Ship Deck
Fall and Winter are a great time to cruise ... sailing to warmer waters of the Mexican Riviera, Sea of Cortez, and of course, the Caribbean Sea as well. However, this is also prime sports time. For men who "can't miss" their favorite game taking a cruise could be a major obstacle to booking a voyage. Don't worry though. No matter what your favorite sport, chances are you can still catch your favorite game on your next cruise!
Read more: Five Ways That You Can Enjoy Watching Football On Your Next Cruise
As we enter fall and the weather starts turning cooler, you may be thinking about finding a way to escape to a warmer place. If you are, don't worry ... we are all having those thoughts and luckily this is the begining of one of our favorite times to cruise. Holiday cruises are some of the most fun and unique voyages that you can plan because unlike the rest of the year, this is a time when you'll experience something fun and unique as almost every cruise line rolls out something special to celebrate the season.
Read more: Why You Should Consider A Holiday Cruise This Year
We just came back from our second Alaska cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. Our first was in 2018 aboard Norwegian Jewel but this time we were on Norwegian Encore, the newest (at the time) ship in their fleet and one that we knew that we loved sailing on in the Caribbean. However, I was a bit nervous about cruising in Alaska on such a huge vessel when my "Alaska Cruise Expert" friends all said that smaller vessels were better and as a new-comer that NCL wasn't going to be the best option. Well ... all I can say is that Heather and I had an absolutely incredible time on both of our Alaska cruises but Encore really surprised me with how good it was for cruising in this part of the world!
Read more: Why We Loved Norwegian Encore For An Alaska Cruise
While we heard about the new elevated bar program onboard their newest ship, Vista, which will be debuiting on May 20, 2023 - we're thrilled to hear that they are also taking their rum and whiskey program to the next level in a fleet wide roll-out. This new program will feature a collection of iconic Macallan expressions, a flight program, chocolate pairings, ice cream cocktails, and a new Tea at Sea mixology class featuring Brugal 1888 Doblemente Añejado Rum.
Read more: Oceania Cruises Is Taking Their Rum And Whiskey Program Fleet To The Next Level
Cruise ships are an environment unlike any other when it comes to the spread of disease. You have sometimes as many as 9,000 people from all over the world crammed into a boat together for a week or more. That means that each elevator button, handrail, tongs in the buffet, countertops are touched thousands of times each day. Unfortunately, not everyone is 100% healthy. While you can protect yourself from others, sometimes it is YOU who is the sick one. Here's what to do if you catch a cold while on a cruise ship.
Read more: What to Do If You Catch a Cold, Flu, or Virus On a Cruise Ship