The Avid Cruiser

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When you spend $23.5 million on something, you want to show it off. That’s just human nature. And that’s just what Crystal Cruises did a few weeks ago for the travel trade and press. The cruise company had doled out that princely sum to upgrade its 12-year-old Crystal Symphony, and they invited us to come take a look.But has the upgrade improved the passenger experience? Crystal Cruises President Gregg Michel thinks so.

I sat down with him during our sailing to talk about how the investment made Crystal Symphony a better ship.

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This is Ralph Grizzle, editor of The Avid Cruiser magazine. Yesterday, I talked about my cruise on SeaDream II, which carries only 110 lucky passengers. After disembarking SeaDream II in Nice, I made my way back to Rome to board Regent Seven Seas Voyager. Continue Reading »

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An interview with Regent Seven Seas Voyager’s Hotel Director Engelbert Lainer-Wartenberg about how the company’s new alcohol-inclusive policy has changed the social dynamic of the ship.

In preceding posts and podcasts, I’ve talked about cruising back-to-back on four ships during the month of May. It was an incredible experience.

After disembarking Emerald Princess in Venice, I flew to Barcelona to board one of the cruise industry’s smallest ships. In fact, my second cruise could not have been more of a contrast. Continue Reading »

Straddling the seat of a motorbike, my driver and I weave in and out of traffic as we make our way to Ho Chi Minh City’s central market. Traveling at a slow pace, the ride is nonetheless invigorating, with few traffic lights and apparently no traffic laws to impose order. Intersections are chaotic, with motorbikes, cars, busses and pedicabs all competing to make their way through. My driver skillfully brakes, accelerates and toots his horn to glide with astounding finesse through the clutter. ‘You go to market,’ he says, looking over his shoulder at me. ‘I waiting for you.’

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While it’s possible to do a segment of a world cruise, going all the way is a badge of honor for some. After all, completing a full world cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (except for those like the Zimmermans, who have done multiple world cruises - you’ll hear from them in a moment.)

Cruise lines reward those who dole out the dollars for the industry’s highest-ticket item. Book a full world cruise and receive generous discounts and perks that can include private car transfers between home and the airport, exclusive shoreside events, complimentary wine and spirits, shipboard credits, all gratuities and more. Continue Reading »