Blog – Avid Cruiser Cruise Reviews, Luxury Cruises, Expedition Cruises

First look: Viking Cruise’s New Purpose-Built Polaris

Julie L. Kessler November 10, 2022 No Comments

The newest ship to voyage the White Continent is Viking Cruise’s new Polaris. Built in 2022, this 666-foot length, 30,150 gross ton ship, specifically built for remote outposts is a Polar Class 6 ice ship. It was named in Amsterdam late last month, then repositioned via Madeira, Portugal. It arrived at Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, sometimes called, “the end of the world.” Here in late October, I embarked for Polaris’ inaugural voyage to Antarctica, courtesy of Viking Cruises. This voyage had the added panache of being the first ship of Antarctica’s season.

Twenty-Four Hours At 25Hours Hotel Copenhagen

Julie L. Kessler October 9, 2022 No Comments

For an incredibly cool, hip, and colorful hotel in Copenhagen’s heart, 25Hours Hotel Copenhagen is a real gem.

The Test Case Of Brittney Griner: An Important Lesson For All International Travelers

Julie L. Kessler August 11, 2022 No Comments

When traveling the world it is critically important to be mindful of and respect local laws. If not, the result may be that the contents of your toiletry bag gets you free lodging. In jail. Julie L. Kessler reporting.

First Look: Oceania’s Nautica Gets A Nearly $100 Million Makeover

Julie L. Kessler August 5, 2022 No Comments

Oceania’s Nautica underwent a nearly $100 Million facelift with top-notch designers making this perfect size great ship chic and sleek. Our writer Julie L. Kessler reports from the Mediterranean.

Oh Wow! Silversea Snaps Up Endeavour

Ralph Grizzle July 18, 2022 No Comments

Today from Monaco, Silversea Cruises added the former Crystal Endeavour to its fleet. Renamed Silver Endeavour will enter service in November 2022, replacing Silver Explorer from the 2022/2023 Antarctica season—including the ship’s highly popular Antarctica Bridge sailings.

U.S. Ends Testing For International Air Travelers, Effective This Weekend

Ralph Grizzle June 10, 2022 No Comments

One minute after midnight tomorrow, the U.S. removes one of the most challenging aspects for its citizens traveling abroad: the requirement to test negative for Covid-19 one day before returning home.

Silversea’s 10th Addition To Its Ultra-Luxury Fleet Arrives As Silver Dawn Sets Sail

Guest Post May 7, 2022 No Comments

Our writer Monte Mathews attends the naming of Silver Dawn and finds a lot to love about Silversea’s newest ship

12 Things I Did Right When Traveling To Europe Last Month & One Thing I Got Wrong

Ralph Grizzle May 6, 2022 No Comments

Through nearly five decades of travel and three decades of cruising, I’ve learned a lot – much of it through trial and error. This post details a dozen things that I did right on my trip to France this past April and one thing where I goofed. What about you? Care to add to my list?

First look: Ultra-Luxury In The Galapagos With Silversea’s Newest Grand Dame, Silver Origin

Julie L. Kessler March 12, 2022 No Comments

For those who enjoy the marvels of the natural world, few locales compare with Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands. Happily, for those who wish to have this experience on an ultra-luxury, truly all-inclusive ship, Silversea’s newest expedition ship, the destination-specific Silver Origin is just the ticket. Julie L. Kessler reports from the Galapagos.

SeaDream Yacht Club Unveils New Images of Yacht Renovations

Ralph Grizzle March 12, 2022 No Comments

SeaDream Yacht Club recently announced a more than $10 million dramatic upgrade and renovation project for twin yachts SeaDream I and SeaDream II. The project is now complete on board SeaDream II, and on March 26 SeaDream I goes into drydock for 54 days in Lisbon, Portugal to undergo identical renovations as SeaDream II.

Crystal’s Woes: Parent Genting Hong Kong Files For Insolvency

Ralph Grizzle January 19, 2022 No Comments

Crystal is suspending operations for its ocean and expedition ships through April 29, 2022, with river cruises suspended through the end of May 2022. Is this the end of Crystal? Perhaps not.

Our Readers Respond To, Is This The End Of Cruising As We Know It?

Ralph Grizzle December 3, 2021 No Comments

Not long after pressing the “publish” button for Is This The End Of Cruising As We Know It?, I received several comments from our readers. Some offered words of encouragement; others, words of caution. Let’s start with the words of caution from T.J. and Sherry.

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