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ashore and classic cruising flair. These unique longer voyages feature a limited series of special sailings that’s made to amaze, starting with great destinations

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like Bermuda, Hawaii and the Caribbean. From authentic eats and onboard celebrations of local culture, to a throwback 80’s party, these are just some of

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Carnival Journeys Inside Prices Starting From:

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11 Night EAsTern Caribbean October 4, 2015

Carnival Dream

Sailing from New Orleans, LA to San Juan, Puerto Rico

Oceanview from $749 Balcony from $849

11 Night EASTERN Caribbean November 28, 2015

Carnival Sunshine

Sailing from Port Canaveral, FL to San Juan, Puerto Rico

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10 Night EASTERN Caribbean January 23, 2016

Carnival Glory

Sailing from Miami, FL to San Juan, Puerto Rico

Oceanview from $829 Balcony from $1029

10 Night SouthERN Caribbean January 28, 2016

Carnival Pride

Sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Baltimore, MD

Oceanview from $849 Balcony from $1049

11 Night SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN October 24, 2015

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3 Night Bahamas November 27, 2015

Carnival Ecstasy

Sailing Roundtrip from Miami, FL

Sailing from Galveston, TX to San Juan, Puerto Rico

Oceanview from $899 Balcony from $1299

Oceanview from $269 Balcony from $399

6 Night Exotic EAstern Caribbean January 3, 2016

Carnival Conquest

Sailing Roundtrip from Ft.Lauderdale, FL

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7 Night Exotic WESTERN Caribbean January 31, 2016

Carnival Dream

Sailing Roundtrip from New Orleans, LA

Oceanview from $569 Balcony from $759

7 Night Mexican Riviera January 9, 2016

Carnival Miracle

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8 Night Exotic EASTERN Caribbean January 8, 2016

Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Triumph

$229

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and get the Lowest Rates available on your next Carnival cruise vacation! Cruise rates are in US dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Offer is capacity controlled and is not combinable with any other discount or promotional offer. Rates may vary by ship, stateroom type and sail date. Changes made to the reservation may result in the assessment of cancellation penalties or service fees. Category restrictions and exclusions apply. Carnival reserves the right to withdraw and/or change offer at any time without prior notice. Offer is for the cruise fare only and does not include Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses range from $40.44 to $222.82, and are assessed on a per guest basis for all guests according to the itinerary. Guest may select the stateroom, but a minimum purchase of category 4A is required. Cancellation penalties apply. Offer bookings made as part of a group will include amenities. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas, Panama & Malta. The Early Saver fare is subject to availability and is capacity controlled. Cruise rates are in US dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Category restrictions, exclusions and cancellation penalties apply. Full names are required for each guest. Carnival reserves the right to withdraw and/or change offer at any time without prior notice. Price Protection applies to the cruise fare only and does not include Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses range from $40.44 to $222.82, and are assessed on a per guest basis for all guests according to the itinerary. Early Saver fare is backed by a unique price protection policy (only available to bookings made in USD currency) that allows you to adjust your cruise fare to the best available fare for a like category stateroom (no downgrades allowed) advertised by Carnival and available to the general public. Price protection will be subject to the prevailing Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses and/or fuel supplement if applicable. Carnival will honor your request for price protection if the reduction on the total amount paid for your booking results only from a lower cruise fare and not from the booked ancillary services, such as air, transfers, pre-paid gratuities, or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. The guest is responsible for increases to ancillary services such as air, resulting from changes to ship and/or sail date, or adjustments to cruise fare. Early Saver price protection does not apply to group rates, membership programs, charters, select promotional fares, travel agent rebates, or other travel agent promotions not offered by Carnival to the general public. When re-pricing to a new promotion, guest assumes all terms and conditions of the new promotion and may forfeit any or all features associated with the original fare, such as cabin assignment, onboard credit, an upgrade, special deposit and payment terms, etc. A $50 change fee per guest will be assessed for ship and/or sail date changes made prior to final payment due date. Remaining funds are nonrefundable/nontransferable and will be held as a future cruise credit to be applied to your cruise fare on a sailing within 24 months from the date of cancellation. Unused portions are forfeited. Request Early Saver. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas, Panama & Malta. © 2015 Carnival Cruise Line. All rights reserved

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contents | summer / fall 2015

features

Mekong River: Water for dragons

Exotic river cruising at its finest is showcased on AmaWaterways’ beautiful ship the AmaLotus as we sail along the remarkable Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. Marvel at the many small towns and villages, many of which have remained relatively untouched by the passage of time as well as the way of life of the people who make the river their home.

The uncommon Caribbean

New ships ignite the Caribbean

Cruise to the natural wonders of Mexico

departments 8 Cruise News 16 Interludes 24 River Cruising 63 Travel Tips

Here’s a taste of some of our favorite, smaller and less well-known islands that we find to be absolutely beautiful jewels in the crystalline Caribbean Sea. Enchanting and somewhat off the beaten path, we know, if you desire a beach vacation with great style and charm, one of these destinations will perfectly fit the bill. As cruise lines continue to raise the bar and build more new, innovative cruise ships we take a look at some that stand out from the crowd. Igniting more interest and becoming destinations unto themselves these beautiful, gleaming vessels will soon be sailing from American ports – here’s a look at our inside report and what to expect. A perennial traveler’s favorite, whether on land or by sea, the many diverse areas of Mexico have much to offer every vacationer. Read about some of the most popular cruise ports to visit in Mexico as well as various itineraries from which to choose as well as some of the U.S. home-ports where you can embark your cruise.

Celebrating the success of cruising

We take a fond look back at two iconic cruise companies as each commemorates a very special anniversary in 2015. Celebrating these milestones along with their successes and contributions to the evolution of cruising we highlight Cunard Line and Princess Cruises and their unique journeys over the years.

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Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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C R U I S E N E W S

WINDSTAR FINDS A NEW HOME IN TAHITI Recently named World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler, Windstar Cruises expanded their fleet this past May from four yachts to six with the addition of two small, 212-guest all-suite ships, the Star Breeze and Star Legend. Both were christened in Europe after undergoing major renovations and are now sailing in the Mediterranean before cruising back to the Caribbean region in the Fall to join their sister Star Pride which was christened in 2014. The expansion doubles the size of Windstar’s fleet of three upscale sailing yachts, making the company a leader in small ship cruising with 300 or fewer guests. The three original sailing yachts, Wind Surf, Wind Spirit and Wind Star have long been guest favorites cruising in the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama in the winter and in Europe in the summer. With this fleet expansion comes opportunity to undertake new itineraries and so the 148-guest Wind Spirit is now home-porting in Tahiti year round sailing on various cruises in the stunning French Polynesian islands. Visiting such legendary islands as Bora Bora and Moorea in the Society Islands on 7-day voyages, the yacht also goes further afield to the Tuamotu Islands on several longer, 10 and 11 night sailings. This is a marvelous cruise for honeymooners, romantics of all ages and those who wish to dive and snorkel in the crystalline South Pacific.

NORWEGIAN OFFERS ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISING ON THREE AND FOUR DAY CRUISES Starting in 2016, and only on the Norwegian Sky sailing from Miami, Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing a program which oﬀers free, unlimited premium open bar on its three and four day port-packed itineraries to the Bahamas. Now, along with a cruise oﬀering that includes all meals, a choice of many fabulous restaurants and award-winning entertainment on board the Norwegian Sky, the cruise line is testing the waters with this added-in drinks premium. All cocktails, liquors, wine by the glass and beer up to a value of $11 a glass will be included. This also applies to the private island day on Great Stirrup Cay where guests can lounge on the beach, in the water and enjoy the sun while sipping on a specialty drink or any kind of alcoholic beverage – all included in the price of the cruise. Right now there are no plans to roll this program out on other ships but this may change depending on how popular this becomes with cruisers on these short sailings.

INTRODUCING REGENT SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER With extravagantly designed lounges, showplaces, and lavish gourmet restaurants including the delectable new French dining experience Chartreuse, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will set a new standard for luxury vacations with the launch of Seven Seas Explorer in summer 2016. Carrying just 750 guests, the all-suite, all-balcony ship will boast the highest space ratio in the cruise industry, and will be the most luxurious ship ever built. Each suite category will feature elegant design, as well as the largest verandas in the cruise industry, but the opulent two-bedroom, 3,875 sq. ft. Regent Suite will be unique. The ship's showplace will be the ornate 694-seat Constellation Theater, which will pay homage to Hollywood's golden age while the Observation Lounge will celebrate the glamour of the Great Gatsby era. Seven Seas Explorer’s maiden voyage will be July 20, 2016 from Monte Carlo to Venice, after which she’ll remain in Europe, crisscrossing the Mediterranean and visiting destinations such as Barcelona, Ibiza, St. Tropez, Venice, Istanbul, Alexandria (Egypt) and Jerusalem. 8 WORLD TRAVELER SUMMER / FALL 2015

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Viking Star Winter Garden

VIKING DEBUTS NEW VIKING STAR OCEAN-GOING VESSEL With much fanfare, Viking Ocean Cruises has been launched with the christening of the modern and Scandinavianinfluenced Viking Star which set sail in the Spring of 2015. Long-anticipated, the ship was carefully designed to cater largely to the baby-boomer audience who have also embraced the Viking River Cruises array of river ships cruising many of the world’s most wellknown rivers. The ship carries just 930 guests in all veranda staterooms and suites and oﬀers semi-inclusive pricing with a complimentary shore excursion in every port, included Wi-Fi on the ship, beer and wine at lunch and dinner and all port charges and taxes included in the cruise fare. Two more ships, the Viking Sea and Viking Sky will join the fleet in the next few years. The cruise line’s focus is on destination cruising and the ships will sail in Scandinavian and Baltic waters as well as to the Eastern and Western Mediterranean and oﬀer more al fresco dining options as well as an infinity pool amongst many other shipboard amenities.

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SAVOURING SEABOURN'S NEWEST PARTNERSHIP Seabourn recently announced the creation of a partnership with world-renowned American chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller, the culinary genius behind a trio of Michelin-starred restaurants – The French Laundry, Per Se, and Bouchon. Bringing his award-winning French and American cuisine to the ultra-luxury cruise line, Chef Keller will be developing an array of dishes, ranging from appetizers to entrées to desserts for dining venues aboard Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, and Seabourn Quest. Guests will be able to experience and taste these mouth-watering dishes beginning this fall. Seabourn and Chef Keller will also introduce a new signature restaurant to be revealed in the spring of 2016 on Seabourn Quest before being rolled out to the entire fleet including the two new builds, Seabourn Encore in 2016 and Seabourn Ovation in 2018. "There is really no chef more accomplished or held in higher esteem than Chef Keller, and we are both honored and delighted to have a restaurateur of his stature take our onboard culinary oﬀerings to an even higher level," said Seabourn President Richard Meadows.

PRINCESS EXPANDS “DOWN UNDER” Recent news from Princess Cruises has them expanding their presence in Australia and New Zealand as they will home port five of their ships in Australia in 2016/17. This is the largest program ever oﬀered and will include the introduction of the 3,082 guest Emerald Princess to the market, with the Golden Princess returning to sail from Melbourne and Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Dawn Princess rounding out the vessels plying this area. Guests wanting to cruise with Princess from Australia can ask their travel professional to make bookings now for the season which runs from October 2016 through April 2017. A highlight will be the fantastic 84-day Circle South America Voyage on Sea Princess departing Sydney in January 2017. As well, on the Sun Princess there will be more ways to see New Zealand, longer South Pacific Cruises and Circle Australia voyage options. And they are also oﬀering Land and Sea Vacation packages to ensure adventure-seekers with time to spare can enjoy some of these beautiful and diverse destinations. Cruise-goers can choose from 120 cruise options, in total visiting 113 destinations in 39 countries and see one of the world’s most amazing continents as well as a host of remarkable countries as the ships journey to and from the land down under.

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i n t e r l u d e s Whether you’re thinking of heading south for some sun or planning a trip to Europe, our descriptions of some favorite hotels may help you in your choice.

dreams tulum riviera maya, Mexico – If your ideal vacation paradise conjures up images of sugar-white sand beaches, an exotic locale with a sprinkling of culture, and elegant accommodations amidst a resort with an all-inclusive concept then perhaps look no farther than the Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa. This is a great spot for a beach getaway but as it is also close to the historic town of Tulum in the Riviera Maya you can also enjoy exploring the ancient Mayan ruins as well as the stunning XelHa natural aquapark and a host of other attractions nearby including a variety of shopping opportunities and golf. The expansive resort covers 44 acres of lush gardens and offers a variety of room types with more than 400 rooms and suites, all tastefully decorated in contemporary Mexican décor with marble floors. And 222 of these rooms have recently been refurbished with some in an adultsonly section of the property. Perhaps you’ll choose a Junior Suite Oceanview or Preferred Club Swimout accommodations – and for the latter you’ll enjoy complimentary bar service between 4 and 7pm each day. All rooms offer complimentary Wi-Fi, a restocked daily mini-bar with soft drinks, juices and beer, 24-hour room service, flat screen TV and other in-room amenities. And of course all meals daily are included with a choice of six à la carte restaurants, including

French, Italian and authentic Mexican, a buffet, a café and the Barefoot Grill by the beach with no reservations required for any dining choice. There are seven bars and lounges all offering you unlimited top-shelf wines and spirits and a host of activities and entertainment options too. Families with children are welcome and there is a supervised kid’s club at the property. And naturally there’s a spa for pampering. This property is also a great choice for romance celebrations including weddings, anniversaries and honeymoons.

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R I V E R C R U I S I N G UNIWORLD’S NEW LUXURY SHIP AND FAMILY CRUISING There’s a great deal of activity at Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and much of that is focused on activities for families who have decided a river cruise is an ideal vacation option. Voted #1 River Cruise Line for families by Travel + Leisure for the past three years in a row, the company’s all-inclusive multi-generational cruises feature a kid-friendly menu as well as special onboard activities and amenities for families and a travel experience geared especially for the younger set. These cruises are scheduled during summer and winter school breaks and a Family Host will be available on all of those sailings and some are oﬀering special savings for the kids too. Uniworld also recently announced a stunning new all-suite, 56-guest ship that will sail on India’s Ganges River commencing in January 2016. The Ganges Voyager II will oﬀer a land and river option of 13 days with seven nights on board and time onshore at three fabulous Oberoi Hotels. Guests will experience some of India’s most iconic cities and landmarks including New Delhi, the Taj Mahal at Agra and Jaipur.

VIKING(S) INVADE AMERICA! Still flushed with the excitement of entering the world of ocean cruising, Viking is diving into yet another new travel forum – river cruising in the U.S. Beginning with two vessels that will set sail in 2017, Viking River Cruises will soon have a total of six new river cruise ships that will call New Orleans their homeport. To be built in U.S. shipyards and crewed by American citizens, all six riverboats will feature the high-end facilities and amenities that are Viking’s signature and each will accommodate 300 guests. The new cruises will sail the Mississippi River from their docking facilities near the French Quarter in New Orleans, stopping in St. James, East Baton Rouge and West Feliciana Parishes; Memphis, Tennessee; and St. Louis, Missouri or St. Paul, Minnesota, depending on the season.

Panorama Suite

Avalon Waterways has built a number of beautiful Suite-Ships which are sailing on many of Europe’s rivers and they have found a winning combination with their spacious Panorama Suites and Open-Air Balconies. The rooms have been created to oﬀer guests the utmost in thoughtfully designed accommodations by placing the bed facing towards the sliding, 11-foot wide seven-foot-tall wall of glass that aﬀords spectacular views from the comfort of your room. Unobstructed views can be had whether resting on the bed or sitting in a chair or loveseat by the window. These unique Suites are also about 15 percent larger than many staterooms on other ships and also have really lovely marble and granite bathrooms with a large shower. There’s a flat screen TV mounted high on the wall, lots of cupboard space and rooms are beautifully decorated in a soothing and welcoming color palette. Avalon recently christened two new vessels the Avalon Tapestry II and Avalon Tranquility II, have also announced several new itineraries, as well as two more river ships which will join this very modern fleet in 2016 in Europe as well as a beautiful 36 guest suite-ship in Myanmar on the Irrawaddy for later this year.

MARCDEOLIVEIRA / THINKSTOCK

AVALON HIGHLIGHT’S THEIR SUITE DIFFERENCES

French Quarter, New Orleans

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Fishing at dusk on the Mekong River.

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Water for dragons Opening up worlds of Asian adventure, the AmaLotus cruises from Cambodia to Vietnam down the mighty Mekong River.

pcruciatti / Shutterstock

tim johnson

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Tim Johnson

It’s my first day on the Mekong, and I am touring a village – but it is unlike any settlement that I’ve ever seen. Sitting aboard a narrow tender, we sweep up and down its streets. Kids swim and splash by us in the water, gondola-like taxis paddle on either side, their drivers waving to us happily, while women flag down one of the many market boats that also ply these aquatic alleys and streets, selling everything from salt to rice to gasoline. This is one of the many “floating villages” that line this great river, a stilted community of some 8,000 souls that depends on the Mekong’s muddy waters for every facet of its life. As we take in our surroundings, our cheery Cambodian guide drives home the point with unbridled enthusiasm. When we pass a stilted school, he tells us: “The children learn – on the river!” When we steer close to a floating church, he explains: “They gather to worship – on the river!” And when an unpainted wooden boat, heavy-laden with bananas, slows to sell its wares, he almost cheers: “The families shop for groceries – on the river!” Long off-limits to travelers due to years of regional war and political unrest, the Mekong – one of Asia’s greatest rivers – is now safe and open for cruising. Flowing some 2,671 miles from its headwaters on the Tibetan Plateau down to the famous Delta in Vietnam– sustaining the lives of the some 60 million people that line its banks – the Mekong provides equal parts natural beauty and human drama. Sitting on the balcony of a river ship for a week, you can take in a lifetime of experiences, but the best adventures can be had by taking advantage of the daily excursions that are a staple of any river cruise, which delve deep into the day-to-day life that pulsates around this mighty waterway. I was cruising from Siem Reap, Cambodia, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, aboard the RV AmaLotus, which was launched in 2011 and is

Tim Johnson

Steffen Hoppe / Shutterstock

This page: Above: A giant face carved in stone at Bayon Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Visitors are warmly welcomed in the small villages along the Mekong, places that have remained relatively untouched by the passage of time. Facing page: A woman navigates the “streets” of a floating village in Cambodia. Many boats on the Mekong have intimidating eyes painted on their bows to scare the monsters that swim below.

one of the most luxurious vessels cruising the Mekong. The 300 ft. ship, owned and operated by AmaWaterways, is outfitted to match its exotic surroundings, with dark teak interiors infused with distinctive Khmer touches. Standard staterooms are roomy, with 226 sq. ft. of space, and range up to the grand, 624 sq. ft. Indochina suites. Almost 90 percent of the 62 staterooms boast outside balconies. While the look of the ship certainly suits its far-flung location, the AmaLotus nonetheless maintains many modern, and even luxurious amenities – all staterooms include individually controlled air conditioning, and each features a flat-screen television and DVD player, mini bar, sitting area, desk, and even plush robes and slippers. The ship also offers a sundeck with a swimming pool and three massage rooms, and in the galley, the ship employs both an executive chef and an Asian chef. You can enjoy the gourmet tastes of the region without having to leave behind the comfort foods of home. With just a two-meter draft, the AmaLotus is able to navigate even relatively small channels and inlets, transporting guests into worlds of wonder that are often off limits to those bound to the land. The larger centers along the way certainly provided great fascination, as well as some sobering doses of history. We experienced the ancient pleasures of the 800-year-old temples around Angkor Wat, near Siem Reap. We heard stories of the Killing Fields in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, illustrated by a visit to the museum at Tuol Sleng, a former high school in the city center that was transformed into a prison camp during the terrifying 1970s reign of Pol Pot’s genocidal Khmer Rouge. And we visited vestiges of the “American War,” touring a former Viet Cong military camp at Xeo Quyt as well as the bustling streets of old Saigon – now the modern Ho Chi Minh City, a hopeful place surging fast into the future.

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river cruising in southeast asia More and more river cruise lines are building small, beautiful vessels to mark an increasing presence in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The exotically named ships are ideally suited to sailing leisurely and captivating voyages along the Mekong and the Irrawaddy Rivers offering guests a taste of the remarkable sights and sounds along these fascinating waterways.

Lyndon Giffard / Alamy

Rachael Bowes / Alamy

The people who live near the Mekong depend wholly on it for their existence, calling it their Mother (derived from the Khmer word mae, which means mother). They fish, transport goods, and ply its waters in floating homes, which also serve as places of business for thousands.

Avalon Waterways Avalon Myanmar launching in 2015 on the Irrawaddy for 36 guests in suite accommodations with 14 to 16 day itineraries along with pre and post hotel options. Avalon Siem Reap a 36 guest, all-suite ship with a high crew to guest ratio sailing on the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia, launched in 2014.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Uniworld River Orchid launched in 2013 for 56 guests sailing two week plus voyages on the Mekong River.

Viking River Cruises The Viking Mandalay in Myanmar, the Viking Mekong sailing in Vietnam and Cambodia and the new Viking Orient â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sister ships with 60 guests sailing two week plus itineraries in the region and also offering pre and post stays.

AMAWaterways AmaLotus with 124 guests sailing the Mekong on two week plus voyages including pre and post hotel stays. AmaPura an all-suite 56 guest vessel sailing along the Irrawaddy on 14 to 16 day itineraries. AmaDara launching in 2015 on the Mekong with 62 suites and staterooms all with twin balconies.

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Photos Courtesy Amawaterways

mekong | amalotus

The luxurious AmaLotus is outfitted to match its exotic surroundings, with dark teak interiors infused with distinctive Khmer touches.

Perhaps the most memorable adventures came about in the smallest villages along the way, places that have remained relatively untouched by the passage of time. We took oxcart rides down bumpy roads and entered grand, ornate temples to receive Buddhist blessings from the resident monks. We visited tiny textile villages with no proper roads and were invited into people’s homes, walking around the small, stilted wooden structures, being treated to demonstrations of the time-honored technique of weaving textiles by hand on wooden, foot-operated looms. The most enduring memory of my time on the Mekong came on one of the last days of the journey, just over the Cambodian border, near Tan Chau, Vietnam. In the 1970s, this part of the borderlands became a refuge for hundreds of Cambodians, who fled to a long, low island in the middle of the river to escape the murderous Khmer Rouge. Their descendants now pooled in small groups, gathering at the river to greet us, the children waving excitedly, even jumping up and down to welcome our ship’s arrival. We offloaded into the tenders and buzzed along the Mekong’s murky, chocolatecolored water, passing the boats of families who live on the river in rugged vessels packed to the gunnels and moving low in the water with frightening-looking eyes painted on each side of their bows to scare off the monsters that swim below.

Our Vietnamese guide, Thinh, explained that, like those in the floating village back in Cambodia, the people here who live near the Mekong depend wholly on it for their existence, calling it their Mother (its name is derived from the Khmer word “Mae,” which means “mother”). They fish, transport goods, and ply its waters in floating homes, which also serve as places of business for thousands. We landed near a small village, and a pack of young children engulfed us as we disembarked the tender, doling out cheerful high fives, swarming those in our group who were thoughtful enough to bring along bags of candies, and using their limited English to tell us their names and ask us where we were from. They welcomed us to their village, sometimes holding our hands as we were escorted down its tiny main street. This is a place that the landlocked never get to see – there are no bridges to the mainland, and ferry service is provided in local boats, if at all. Women sat under coned hats and busily husked corn, while men swung in hammocks and waved to us as we passed by. Time moves slowly in places like this, and we marveled at the openness of the people – in some cases, a literal thing. The homes in the village have no front walls – every place is an open book, with the gaping fronts revealing all, from beds to bags of rice for cooking, to photos of grandkids hanging on the wall. We proceeded from there to Tan Chau, a larger city on the mainland, and, after visiting a busy little silk factory we were chauffeured through town on rickshaw-like bicycle taxis left over from the days of French Indochina – an experience made all the more memorable when what seemed like the entire population of the community emerged from their homes and shops to wave and smile as we passed, the children smiling and yelling: “Hello! Hello! Hello!” Soon, the journey was over, and as we offloaded the ship and boarded a coach, passing over the many canals and tributaries of the Mekong Delta enroute to Saigon, I reflected on the journey just completed. The previous day, on the way to the island village, Thinh had shared with us a 4,000-year-old Vietnamese legend. Those living along the river, he said, see the dragon as their father. Every dragon needs water and that water is provided by the river. No longer would I think of the Mekong as a place of strife, or a famous site of 20th century war. Rather, it is the mother…it is lifeblood…it is water for dragons. n

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enter between:

July 30th and September 30th, 2015

LOOK ON THE BACK COVER TO ENTER TODAY! 1. To Enter: No purchase necessary. Complete the official online registration form. Limit one entry per person. CruiseOne, Inc., Cruises Inc. and World Travel Holdings are not responsible for telephone, network, electronic or computer failures of any kind, or for entries that are incomplete, garbled, delayed by mail or computer transmissions, misdirected or otherwise ineligible. All entries become the property of CruiseOne, Inc. & Cruises Inc. and will not be acknowledged or returned. The Win a Free Cruise Sweepstakes will begin on July 30th, 2015 at 12:00 AM Eastern Time and end September 30th, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. All entries must be received during this time frame to be eligible. 2. Selection of Winner And Eligibility: Winner will be chosen on or about October 1st, 2015 in a random drawing from all eligible entries received. Winner will be notified by phone /email within 30 days of the drawing. Winner will be required to sign and return to CruiseOne, Inc. an affidavit of eligibility and liability and publicity releases within 14 days of notification. Traveling companion of Grand Prize Winner will be required to sign a liability and publicity release before ticketing. If any prize notification is undeliverable, or in the event of non-compliance with each of these requirements, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate Winner will be selected at random from the remaining eligible entries. The total number of entries received determines the sweepstakes winning chances. 3. Prize: Grand Prize (1): Grand Prize includes one double occupancy oceanview stateroom on a 7-night Norwegian cruise. Prize may not be exchanged with another cruise line, ship or vacation type. Airfare, transportation to and from the port city, ground transfers, pre-post-hotel, government taxes, fuel supplement, gratuities; shore excursions and other personal expenditures are the responsibility solely of winner. Offer is not transferable and is not redeemable for cash or any other form of value added compensation. Sailing date based on availability and block out dates may apply. No guests under the age of 21 will be booked in a stateroom unless accompanied by an adult age 21 years or older, except for married couples under the age of 21. Winner and travel companion are solely responsible for obtaining valid passports and any other documents necessary for international travel. Travel restrictions, conditions and limitations may apply. Other restrictions may apply. The Grand Prize is non-transferrable and cannot be resold. Cruise must sail before December 24th, 2015 or the prize will be forfeited. Approximate retail value of Grand Prize is US $3,000. 4. Disclaimer: Winner assumes all liability for any damages caused or claimed to be caused by his or her participation in the Sweepstakes and/or the acceptance and/or use of any prize, and releases CruiseOne, Inc., Cruises Inc., World Travel Holdings, National Leisure Group and their respective officers, directors, and employees from any such liability. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use Winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, city, state, likeness and/or voice for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity without additional compensation. Participants of this sweepstakes will provide information to CruiseOne Inc. and Cruises Inc. only. This sweepstakes is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. 5. Additional Rules: This sweepstakes is sponsored by CruiseOne, Inc. or Cruises Inc.; 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309. Employees, Franchisees and Independent Contractors of CruiseOne Inc., Cruises Inc., World Travel Holdings, and National Leisure Group their affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and members of their immediate families are not eligible. All federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations apply. Contest open to residents of the United States only. Void in any jurisdiction(s) in the United States where participation is prohibited. In the event this contest is compromised in any way, electronically or otherwise, that is beyond the control of CruiseOne Inc. & Cruises Inc. CruiseOne Inc. & Cruises Inc. reserves the right to withdraw the transmission of this sweepstakes and award all prizes from among entries received prior to the date of the withdrawal. Entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules and by the decisions of the CruiseOne Inc. & Cruises Inc., whose decisions are final. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from this sweepstakes promotion. For the name of the Grand Prize Winner (available within 60 days of the date of the drawing), send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: CruiseOne, Inc. & Cruises Inc. 1201 W Cypress Creek Rd, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Attn: Win a Free Cruise Sweepstakes.

discovering the

uncommon caribbean

With dozens of islands, hundreds of beautiful white, sandy beaches and thousands of miles of perfect, azure-blue water, the Caribbean is a varied and fascinating place. While some places â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; receive a lot of the attention, the finest islands are sometimes off the beaten track. Here are three of the very best. tim johnson

Beachfront villas at CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa, Anguilla

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photo courtesy anguilla tourist board

Anguilla

View of Sandy Ground

Stay: CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa offers stunning, Mediterranean-style whitewashed villas, a beautiful beach, and the world’s first resort hydroponic farm, which is harvested daily to provide the freshest ingredients for on-site restaurants and spa treatments.

Day beds at CuisinArt

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photo courtesy Cuisinart

Golf Course at CuisinArt

photo courtesy Cuisinart

Play: Designed by Greg Norman, the Course at CuisinArt, 7,063 yards of fairways and greens skirting Cove Bay and overlooking some stunning scenery: mangrove thickets, a saltwater pond stocked with bonefish, and sweeping views out to the dark, looming mountains of St. Maarten. In some ways, Anguilla can feel like an exclusive club, a secret place sealed off from the general public and only known to insiders. Appropriately enough, Food & Wine once called this beautiful little island in the British West Indies “the swank club in the Caribbean with no sign on the door.” But in many ways, this place is defined by what it does not offer—Anguillans are proud to call it their “no list.” No high rises. No chain stores or fast food outlets. And, importantly, no allinclusive resorts—which is to say, no excuse to limit yourself to a single resort for your stay rather than wandering about the island to explore and taste all of the best that this chill destination has to offer. Most guests arrive via ferry, which spirits visitors to Blowing Rock—just 45 minutes from Dutch St. Maarten, and 15 from Marigot, the capital of French St. Martin. From there, you won’t have to go far to get onto the water. You’ll find 33 beaches

in all here, some of which have been ranked amongst the world’s best. Check out Maunday’s Bay or Shoal Bay, where the sand feels as fine as icing sugar, and the water is just a little bit bluer than you can possibly imagine. A series of coral reefs serve divers and snorkelers, or try your hand at sailing—boat building is Anguilla’s national tradition, and boat racing its national sport, so it’s very easy to find lessons and the opportunity to rent a boat for the day. Or book onto a boat and do some deep-sea fishing for wahoo, marlin and swordfish. Then head to Sandy Ground, a thin strip of land sandwiched between Anguilla’s main harbor and a large salt pond. From the Pump House to the Elvis Beach Bar – which is housed in an actual racing sailboat that was shipwrecked on the beach there – these spots offer a nice way to unwind after a busy day. A nice drink, sipped with wave upon wave washing up at your feet.

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Eden Rock St. Barths

Laurent Benôit / Comité du Tourisme de Saint-Barthélemy

St. Barths

photo courtesy eden rock

caribbean | off the beaten path

Stay: The fabulous Eden Rock on St Jean Bay balances on a rocky promontory between two stretches of beach and offers the perfectly named “On the Rocks” restaurant as well as their famous beach spot – the Sand Bar.

Sunday brunch at Le Gaiac

Shopping in Gustavia

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Laurent Benôit / Comité du Tourisme de Saint-Barthélemy

here are laid back, often earthy, and usually offer a warm welcome to one and all. A duty-free port with more than 200 boutiques, make sure to bring your credit card. Shop for French high-end brands in Gustavia, then head to St. Jean, the only other town on the island. Here, just steps from some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, there’s an easy mix of high and low amongst the small shops – Karl Lagerfeld boutiques next to dive shops, that kind of thing. And then there’s the food. Any bakery on the island will serve up a mouth-watering brioche, and Sunday brunch at Le Gaiac is a hallowed St. Barths tradition. This lovely, open-air restaurant (part of the posh Le Toiny resort) overlooks a sheltered, secluded cove, a perfect setting to down eggs, champagne and caviar. And for dinner, try Bonito, which features a beautiful view over the twinkling lights of Gustavia and a full menu of fresh ceviche.

Laurent Benôit / Comité du Tourisme de Saint-Barthélemy

A tiny speck amidst the shimmering waters of the Caribbean, this diminutive island – just five square miles of green, mountainous terrain – has become one of the most popular destinations for the global glitterati, especially over a twoweek period around Christmas and New Year known locally as “the season.” During this time, movie stars and other top celebs jam the stunning harbor in Gustavia, the island’s capital, which still bears the moniker bestowed upon it during a brief period of Swedish colonization. But this island—usually known by its shortened, Anglicized name, St. Barths – is very much back in French hands, and all for the better (that is, if you enjoy good food, great wine, and excellent shopping). Much quieter and easier to navigate during the 50 weeks of the year that sit outside “the season,” St. Barths brings together all the best of that belle pays and puts it in the middle of a beautiful blue sea – the locals

photo courtesy le gaiac

Play: Make sure to include a late night at Le Ti, a chic hilltop spot that offers a live cabaret show, feathered chandeliers and “flirtinis” on the menu.

Laurent Benôit / Comité du Tourisme de Saint-Barthélemy Laurent Benôit / Comité du Tourisme de Saint-Barthélemy

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Sailing yachts in Gustavia’s harbor

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International Photobank / eStock Photo

Mount Nevis Hotel on the former Round Hill Plantation

photo courtesy mount nevis hotel

Pinneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beach on the island of Nevis

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Nevis

Mount Nevis Hotel

photo courtesy mount nevis hotel

International Photobank / eStock Photo

caribbean | off the beaten path

Stay: Located on the former Round Hill Plantation, Mount Nevis Hotel offers spacious suites and the best views on the island.

Mount Nevis Hotel

photo courtesy mount nevis hotel

A view of Nevis in the distance from neighboring St. Kitts

ATGImages / shutterstock

photo courtesy mount nevis hotel

Play: Funky Monkey provides the most unique way to see Nevis—pile into a s0uped-up golf cart, and head off-road, to the hidden middle of the island.

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On Nevis, they have a saying: “You’re only a stranger once.” And with just 12,000 permanent residents, a scattering of small resorts – many of them situated on former sugar plantations—and one main road ringing the island, it’s easy to feel at home very fast. The sister island of larger and busier St. Kitts, Nevis is reached by a 45-minute ferry from Basseterre, St. Kitts’ capital, or via a six-minute water taxi from Reggae Beach, the closest point—here, just two miles of water separate the two islands. At first glance, Nevis can seem a bit sleepy – a quiet paradise where nothing moves too quickly. And, to a certain extent, that’s very true. Wild donkeys – set free when motorized agriculture reached the island – now seem to outnumber people, and “monkey crossing” signs (which provide safe passage to a large resident population of green vervet monkeys) line the streets. And a visit to its small capital, Charlestown, can feel like a step back in time. Drivers still wave to each other on the street, and people greet one another on the sidewalks, something you can do as you browse the

old-school shops and take in the traditional “skirt and blouse architecture,” as well as Alexander Hamilton’s birthplace and the home of Horatio Nelson, who was stationed here as a young sea captain and took the daughter of a plantation owner as his bride (the spot where they wed is marked by a historical plaque, and Nesbit Plantation is now a lovely seaside hotel). Indulge in the laid-back pace. Head to the Hermitage on a Wednesday night for their legendary pig roast, a generations-old tradition—the owners of the hotel roast the pig themselves, on a spit, under a mango tree, and serve it up midweek with lobster fritters, Johnny cakes, grilled marlin and other island favorites. And take a cruise with Leeward Island Charters, who will spirit you across the channel that divides Nevis from St. Kitts to some excellent snorkeling in the sheltered waters off the latter island, before heading to Sunshine Beach for some sunbathing. If you’re lucky, Sunshine himself will be there at his famous beach bar to serve you a Killer Bee, a rum cocktail that’s stung more than a few patrons. n

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N s ignite the Caribbean A proud flotilla of new ships, from various cruise lines, are about to bring a much needed jolt of adrenaline to the Caribbean cruise world. LIZ FLEMING

Norwegian Cruise Line’s NORWEGIAN ESCAPE – will sail weekly seven-day cruises from her year-round homeport of Miami to the Eastern Caribbean, from November 14, 2015 to April 30, 2016. Destinations include St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. For July and August 2016 she offers six, eight, thirteen and fourteen-day western and eastern Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean’s ANTHEM OF THE SEAS – sailing year-round from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J., with Caribbean cruises commencing December 2015, offering choices of seven and eight-night Bahamas cruises and eight to twelve-night Bermuda and Bahamas, eastern, western or southern Caribbean cruises during the 2015/16 winter season.

Holland America’s MS KONINGSDAM – commences sailing from Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale from November 2016 to March 2017 with a variety of Caribbean sailings and durations from fourday cruises to the Bahamas to seven, ten and eleven-day itineraries to a diverse array of islands including eastern and southern Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean’s HARMONY OF THE SEAS – will commence sailing from Ft. Lauderdale in November 2016 to April 2017 and offers seven night cruises to either the eastern or western Caribbean.

Carnival’s CARNIVAL VISTA – commences sailing from Miami on November 2016 through April 2017 offering four, five, six, seven and eight-day cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean.

ELIKS / SHUTTERSTOCK

In the next year, Caribbean cruising from several ports will be somewhat reimagined as a fresh generation of new ships begins making the journey the destination with a wealth of dining, entertainment and outdoor activities that could convince you never to go ashore at all. From to-die-for dining, to extreme onboard adventure and over-the-top entertainment, a new generation of ships is about to unleash a tidal wave of excitement. Perhaps, depending on the itinerary chosen you may spend a magical day on one of several private cruiseline owned Bahamian islands, such as Royal Caribbean’s Coco Cay, Disney’s Castaway Cay, Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay, Princess Cruises’ Princess Cay or Holland America’s Half Moon Cay – all glorious little pieces of paradise that oﬀer the feel of a tropical island with the amenities of a top-notch ship. These exciting innovations, combined with the warm turquoise waters and endlessly smiling people we’ve always loved – from Tortola to Antigua to Jamaica, Barbuda, the Bahamas and beyond –will inject a whole new excitement into these Caribbean cruises in the years to come.

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Active life

Those Caribbean beaches are fabulous but onboard activities – many of them ‘firsts’ of their kind – could keep you so busy you might never put a toe in the sand.

Not to be outdone in the fun department, Norwegian Escape C will feature a three-story, 99-component ropes course with elements like sky rails (a zip track to glide you through the air) and even two beams that hang over the side of the ship so daredevils can walk the plank. The largest aqua park in the fleet will also be on the Escape, featuring a Free Fall water slide, the Aqua Racer, in which competitors race side by side in tubes and water cannons and buckets to deliver surprise drenchings to the unsuspecting! Other great activities on Escape will include a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed nine-hole, mini-golf course and a bocce ball court.

Eliks / Shutterstock

A Royal Caribbean’s newest Quantum Class ship, Anthem of the Seas A will offer huge onboard fun with three multi-story waterslides, the FlowRider surf simulator, RipCord by iFly – a skydiving simulator, and a Bionic Bar with robot bartenders. SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space on any ship promises bumper cars (only on Quantum class ships), a full NCAA basketball court, and inline roller-skating. Swing on the trapeze at the circus school, play table tennis, badminton, air hockey or Xbox while a floating DJ booth hovers above the court and a food truck serves gourmet hot dogs. Speaking of hovering, North Star, a gondolatype glass capsule on a mechanical arm will transport you 300 feet above sea level, over the deck and out to sea for incredible views. In 2016, Harmony of the Seas – a 16-deck addition to the line’s Oasis Class and the third Royal Caribbean ship to launch over an 18 month period – will add something extra to the multi-deck water experience – a Champagne bowl through which guests will swirl on their way down.

On the Carnival Vista B groundbreaking activities such as SkyRide, the cruise industry’s first suspended, open-air cycling experience, as well as the world’s first shipboard IMAX Theatre, and an expanded water park featuring the Kaleid-O-Slide – the line’s first raft-riding tube slide will make every day a party!

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caribbean | new ships

Food fantasies Food is at the heart of every great trip and these new ships will be serving up the very best in dining. Fabulous food is always a must on any Norwegian Cruise Line ship and the norwegian Escape A will offer two complimentary dining outlets as well as enhanced offerings in the Ginza Asian restaurant, O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, and the Moderno Churrascaria, a Brazilian-style steakhouse. The Escape will also feature the Sugarcane Mojito Bar and Norwegian’s first Five o’Clock Somewhere Bar where passionate Parrotheads will enjoy the “Who’s to Blame Margarita,” ice cold LandShark Lagers and more – all the creative result of Norwegian’s first exclusive partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margarita ville. Well-known Miami restaurateurs the Pubbelly Restaurant Group will be represented at Food Republic, a “modern, upscale food emporium” featuring a small plate experience of global cuisine ranging from Asia to Central Europe and the Mediterranean”. Carnival Vista B will wow guests with the Seafood Shack, a New England inspired eatery and the RedFrog Pub, the line’s first onboard brewery.

B ms Koningsdam C guests will enjoy fine dining in restaurants that include Sel de Mer, a new French seafood brasserie; a new farm-to-table dinner experience in the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine; a re-designed casual Lido Market with themed serving stations; and favorites such as Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto Italian restaurant and pan-Asian Tamarind.

Anthem of the Seas D will offer a wealth of dynamite restaurants. Of special note is Jamie’s Italian, modeled after British Chef Jamie Oliver’s renowned restaurants in the UK, and Michael’s Genuine Pub where award-winning chef Michael Schwartz will offer tasty pub fare and his namesake craft beer. Be sure to try Wonderland – also a feature on Harmony of the Seas – for its imaginative décor with fantastic food offerings.

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The cruise experience is all about onboard entertainment and the new ships are all vying for top billing.

That’s entertainment Anthem of the Seas A entertainment options will range from dazzling Broadway shows, to Las Vegas-style theatrical productions, to live musicians, tribute bands, a piano bar and more. You’ll be entertained in the Royal Theatre and the Music Hall, but most spectacularly, in the Two70° lounge, which provides the backdrop for one of the most unusual performances you’ll see anywhere. By day, it’s a lounge for enjoying great views through floor to ceiling windows that reach almost three decks high, but by night, this multi-level, multi-purpose room will become a theatrical backdrop for spectacular signature shows. A massive Vistarama screen stretching more than 100 feet wide will combine with six agile Roboscreens rising, spinning and soaring on a special gantry, to form a fusion of technology, stunning visuals, special effects and talented performers, dancers and singers. Anthem of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas will both offer the fastest Wi-Fi at sea as well as the Bionic Bar where one of two robots, powered by Makr Shakr, will serve your drink in style as you order from a tablet. Anthem will feature Royal IQ stations in strategic spots to enable guests to make show and dining reservations – technology at its best!

Norwegian Escape B will feature two Broadway hits: After Midnight, a jazz revue, and celebration of The Cotton Club and Million Dollar Quartet, a “jukebox” musical inspired by an impromptu jam session recorded in 1956 by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. A new supper club will also tempt guests: “For The Record presents Dear John Hughes” an homage to the late, great director of 80s film classics such as The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. Cutting-edge technology will also be at work on the Norwegian Escape with innovative touch screen digital signage enabling guests to order specialty items, get directions and reserve dining and shore excursions simply by scanning stateroom keys. Aneese / iStockphoto

B C

Entertainment will also hit new heights on the ms Koningsdam C with the energetic Music Walk area. All genres of music will be showcased in venues including the Lincoln Center Stage featuring chamber music nightly; Billboard Onboard where live musicians will rock the crowd with top forty faves and B.B. King’s Blues Club, bringing the best of Memphis music to sea. The main showroom at the World Stage will implement 270-degree LED projection, immersing the audience in a panorama of sight and sound. n world traveler summer / fall 2015 47

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Cruise to the Natural Wonders of

Mexico Cruising to Mexico offers much more than sun, sand and sea. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a winning combination of the warm-hearted people, tasty local cuisine and the culture and traditions that make it a desirable vacation destination.

Douglas Peebles Photography / Alamy

aaron Saunders

Carnival Splendor in Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

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mexico | cruise hot spots

Both ports, however, are less-well known than the granddaddy of all Mexican ports: Cozumel. Cozumel has been satisfying cruisers of all types for decades now. Historicallyminded visitors will want to stroll the city’s Old Town, or head across the strait to Playa del Carmen on the mainland for a trip to Tulum: the only ancient Mayan fortress to be built above the azure-blue seas. Families will love Xcaret Park, which has been designed as part nature preserve, part entertainment venue. Xcaret offers over 40 different on-site attractions that range from river rafting along Paradise River to exploring a reconstructed Mayan village to wine tasting sessions at the Vino de México Wine Cellar. There’s even a butter fly pavilion and a separate nature preserve known as Jaguar Island. Others will want to make the crossing by ferry (offered by all the cruise lines) over to Playa del Carmen for a day of shopping in nearby Cancun. Beach break excursions offered in conjunction with major resorts are offered by most cruise lines, as are tequila tasting tours. Increasingly, food and art-themed tours are also being offered to individuals, couples and families. On both the mainland and Cozumel Island, there is no shortage of outdoor activities, from diving and snorkeling to paragliding and zip lining. You really can do it all in Mexico!

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Photos courtesy Experiencias Xcaret

maodesign / iStockphoto

Ancient Mayan ruins at Tulum

Vilainecrevette / Shutterstock

with land-based vacationers, Mexico is almost an afterthought of Caribbean cruising. Less famous than its Eastern Caribbean counterparts St. Thomas and St. Maarten, Mexico has hidden largely in the shadows of the Western Caribbean for decades – until now. Looking for diversity in their itineraries, more and more cruise lines are making Mexico their first priority – and they’re also managing to cater to those who’d rather drive, not fly, to their port of embarkation. Mexico’s eastern coast and Yucatan Peninsula offer an enormous amount of activities for cruisers. Ports like Progreso serve as jumping-off points for excursions to the spectacular Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is on-par with Rome’s Coliseum and Egypt’s pyramids in terms of impressiveness. Dating back to 900 AD, most cruise lines that call on Progreso offer full-day tours to Chichen Itza that come complete with a boxed lunch and plenty of time to roam the sprawling site with your guide or on your own. Perhaps most surprisingly, cold beer is available for sale on-site. For those who have seen the Mayan ruins, Progreso itself offers the average visitor more than might be expected – provided you take the (free) shuttle to the end of the pier, which stretches out for miles into the ocean. This is arguably small-town Mexico at its most authentic, and shopkeepers and restaurateurs are eager to please. In fact, some of the best guacamole and chips we’ve ever had were in Progreso. Others, like Costa Maya, have been specially designed for the cruise industry. With long finger piers located next to small villages featuring duty-free shopping, beach front bars and even an on-site aquarium, casual visitors don’t have to look far to find their own slice of Mexico. Excursions offered include beach breaks, tequila tasting, snorkeling, glass-bottomed boat rides, and even trips in a semi-submersible. Increasingly, cruise lines are also offering excursions to visit local artisans as passengers look for experiences beyond cervezas at Señor Frogs.

holbox / Shutterstock

despite its popularity

Photos courtesy Experiencias Xcaret

A great way to sea mexico

Visitors floating down the underground river at Xcaret.

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SIME / eStock Photo

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mexico | cruise hot spots

Skyfish/shutterstock

Not keen to fly? You might be able to drive to your next Mexico cruise. Carnival Cruise Line is repositioning its best and brightest ships not to Miami, but to an almost unlikely port: Galveston, Texas. The trendsetting 2006-built Carnival Freedom is already there, and she’ll be joined by the line’s flagship, Carnival Breeze and her 2,974-guest fleet mate, Carnival Liberty, in 2016. Together, the trio will offer a variety of three, four, five, and seven-night cruises to the Western Caribbean, most of which offer a distinct focus on Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. Royal Caribbean is also making Galveston a priority, deploying Navigator of the Seas to the city on mainly weeklong runs to the Western Caribbean. Their focus isn’t as Mexico-centric as Carnival’s is, but Cozumel is a staple on nearly every Western Caribbean port offered by the massive ship. Norwegian Cruise Line, meanwhile, is pinning their hopes on nearby Houston, banking that cruisers won’t want to make the twoplus-hour journey south to Galveston from both of Houston’s main airports: William P. Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental. Both Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Jewel will sail right from Houston’s own cruise terminal, calling on the Mexican ports of Cozumel and Progreso in addition to other Western Caribbean ports like Harvest Caye, Belize and Roatan, Honduras.

steve bly / Alamy

Drive-Up Cruising

Facing page: Tour boat gives visitors a close look at The Arch (El Arco) at Land’s End, Cabo San Lucas. Above: Pastel colored sidewalk cafés in Mazatlan’s Old Town. Below: Colorful traditional costumes at a Mexican folkloric performance.

Don’t Forget the West Drive-up cruising doesn’t begin and end in Texas: the Mexican Riviera is rapidly recovering after a recent downturn in cruise departures. Now, sailings to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and vibrant Puerto Vallarta are running full steam ahead. Mexico’s Pacific Coast is a very special, unique place. From the arid desert landscape surrounding Cabo San Lucas and the Sea of Cortes to the lush mountain ranges that bookend Puerto Vallarta like some Alaskan port of call transported to warmer climates, the Mexican Riviera holds something for everyone. Mazatlan’s Centro Historico – or Old Town – is unparalleled, as is a stroll along Puerto Vallarta’s picturesque Malecon, with its numerous sculptures and statues. Cliff divers perform impossible feats, and the romantic Los Arcos (The Arch) in Cabo San Lucas draws lovers and photo graphers alike to admire its perch on the Pacific. At the head of the pack, Carnival Cruise Line is restoring confidence in these classic West Coast sailings, offering year-round departures from Los Angeles (San Pedro) aboard the 2,124-guest Carnival Miracle. She offers a variety of itineraries, including the “classic” Mexican Riviera cruise calling on all three major ports, along with voyages that offer two days in Cabo San Lucas, plus a day in Puerto Vallarta. Norwegian Cruise Line offers even more variety, with the 2005 Norwegian Jewel

offering four separate itineraries ranging in length from six to eight days, all of which depart roundtrip from Los Angeles (San Pedro). Further to the south, the intimatelysized Norwegian Sun whisks 1,936 guests on longer 11-day voyages from San Diego that call on Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Together, both ships offer more dining and entertainment venues than any other ships in the region. For a slightly more upscale offering, Holland America is sending their 1,350guest ms Veendam on weeklong runs to the Mexican Riviera from San Diego in November and December of this year. It’s the perfect getaway for those who want to celebrate the holidays with sun and style on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Don’t forget a nice cold glass of Pacifico on-deck! The “Love Boats” also make their triumphant return to the Mexican Riviera, with Princess Cruises sending the big-butbeautiful Crown Princess and her 2008 sister, Ruby Princess, to operate weeklong sailings from Los Angeles (San Pedro) throughout the 2015-2016 Winter season. These include a total of three days at sea and port calls in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. The Caribbean may be the most wellknown destination in the cruising world, but Mexico is quickly emerging as the true diamond in the rough. n world traveler summer / fall 2015 53

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Proud Princess Above: The new Regal Princess at sea. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge christened the Royal Princess in 2013 in Southampton. Below: Princess’ first ship, the Princess Patricia, was launched in 1965. Gavin McLeod played Captain Stubing on the television sitcom The Love Boat. Diana, Princess of Wales christened the original Royal Princess in 1984, also at Southampton. Facing page: The original cast of The Love Boat reunited in Ft. Lauderdale in 2014 to christen the new Regal Princess. Fifty bottles of champagne were deployed in honor of the cruise line’s 50th anniversary.

It was 1965 when Princess Cruises launched their first vessel – the Princess Patricia. This year, with 18 ships in the fleet, Princess has recently christened the lovely Regal Princess and the line now sails itineraries around the world, including Alaska and the Mayan Riviera – one of the first cruise lines to do so. Always innovative, Princess Cruises was ahead of its time in offering cruises through the Panama Canal on the Princess Italia, in pioneering a Chef’s Table experience onboard, movies under the stars and providing 24-hour dining. Though their ships have changed over five decades, what has remained constant is Princess’ dedication to providing cruisers with an exceptional onboard experience. Since 1968, Princess ships have been known for their iconic Seawitch logo but what riveted public attention on the Line most passionately was a popular television series first aired in 1977. During its ten-year run, The Love Boat, filmed aboard several Princess

ships, spun a romantic shipboard fantasy and put cruising at the top of everyone’s holiday list. Stars such as Gavin McLeod, Charo and Jack Jones from The Love Boat were on hand to celebrate the 50th in style, sailing on the Regal Princess’ inaugural cruise. Original cast members served as the Godparents for the ship, christening her with 50 bottles of Champagne and one more for a final flourish on the top deck! Those stars weren’t the first to serve in such a role for Princess. Famous Godparents of the past have included such luminaries as Princess Diana – Godmother of the first Royal Princess; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and wife of Diana’s son Prince William – Godmother of the second Royal Princess; Hollywood notables including Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal from Love Story, Bachelorette couple Trista and Ryan Sutter who christened Ruby Princess in 2008 and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher – certainly a star on the political stage. The Love Boat-style christening was only the start of a year of celebrations for

Princess. “Cheers to 50 Years” has been the theme for 2015, a year that has seen everything from Love Boat Disco Deck parties to specially themed cocktails, a Seawitch West Coast IPA beer, Chocolate ‘Journeys’ created by master chocolatier Norman Love, a series of “Let Us Entertain You” events in the signature Piazza, balloon drops, a Princess trivia game, an anniversary song, celebratory décor, commemorative keepsakes, 50th anniversary tote bags in each suite and a cruise giveaway each month until December 2015. Not a detail has been missed in toasting this first half-century. What lies ahead for Princess? A third Royal class ship will join the fleet in 2017, welcoming 3560 guests with such signature elements as: a soaring atrium with a multitude of dining, retail and entertainment venues, an adults-only sanctuary, and the very popular Movies under the Stars on deck each evening. And just announced, this ship will sail directly to China where she will home-port there for at least her inaugural season.

photos courtesy princess cruises

princess | celebrating 50 years

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photos courtesy princess cruises

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Kudos to Cunard Above: For the first time, Cunard’s three queens gathered together in Liverpool in May 2015 to celebrate the line’s 175th anniversary in spectacular fashion. Here, Queen Elizabeth leads her sister ships Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria up the Mersey. Below (left to right): 1920s postcard of the Cunard White Star RMS Queen Mary. 1875 Cunard Line poster. “For safety and comfort take the old reliable Cunard Line. Established 1840. Sailing 4 times a week for all European points. Between New York and Liverpool.” Cunard has long hosted such luminaries as Elizabeth Taylor. Facing page: Nostalgic entertainment during the festivities in Southampton.

IN 1839, Halifax businessman Samuel Cunard was a modest man with a spectacular dream: to create a fast, reliable means of delivering mail from England to the Americas. Adding passengers to his loads of freight some years later was merely a means to boost his income. Little did Cunard know that his mail ships would one day become the world’s most recognized and long-lived cruise company, sailing the globe with signature style and elegance. A stunning fleet of ocean liners – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, all synonymous with luxury and elegance – still offer the only regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service. In 2015, Cunard is commemorating 175 years – a spectacular achievement and one that’s being celebrated in high style. The festivities began in Southampton with an explosion of fireworks and marching bands as Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth embarked on World Voyages that featured a constellation of stars and guest speakers. Guests have been

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enjoying Gala dinners with souvenir menus, “Black, Red and Gold” themed Balls in the Queens Room on each ship, 175th anniversarythemed cocktails, craft beers and blended wines, and themed cakes and desserts served at afternoon tea and dinner. Anniversary entertainment on the Queen Mary 2’s transatlantic crossings will include a specially written show by the RADA Theatre group commemorating the quirky side of sailing with Cunard, quizzes testing cruisers’ knowledge of the line’s proud history and more. Cunard has played an important role, not only in the cruise milieu but also in world history. From the loss of 20 ships during the WWI deployment, to the transport of horses for the Charge of the Light Brigade, to the rescuing of survivors from the Titanic, to the vital movement of troops in WWII, to the starring role the luxurious ships have played in the world of fashion and glamour, hosting such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor and Royalty. Though the rest of 2015 will continue to be filled with anniversary celebrations, one stellar event has already taken place. For 100

days, a digital clock at the Mersey Ferries Pier Head Terminal counted down the minutes as the big day approached – then on May 25th, an unprecedented gathering of the Cunard fleet took place in Liverpool, the port considered Cunard’s ‘spiritual home.’ It was a magical mixture of threes. Thousands of people gathered on the banks of the Mersey for the threeday “Three Queens, One Magnificent City” event culminating with the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – performing maneuvers in close formation in sight of the Three Graces on Pier Head waterfront, home to the Cunard Headquarters for fifty years. Guests onboard these three magnificent ocean liners were treated to the usual top quality Cunard hospitality and one can only envy them the elegant service of the famed Grill suites and specialty dining rooms, the Champagne bar and other lovely entertainment venues, the 10,000 volume library, the therapy pool in the Canyon Ranch Spa, the netted areas for golf, tennis and cricket, and of course, the Queens Room, the largest ballroom at sea. Cunard tops the bucket list of many cruisers who long to experience the old-style elegance of the worlds’ most famous and luxurious line, but it’s important to note that nothing in the way of modernization has been sacrificed in the name of tradition. Cunard has stayed relevant in the highly competitive world of cruising. The company’s three stunning vessels offer such cutting-edge facilities as the first Todd English restaurant at sea and the only floating planetarium (both aboard the Queen Mary 2) – as well as thermal suites and expanded spa facilities in combination with the aforementioned and renowned Canyon Ranch Spa, and many state-of-the-art facilities throughout each ship that would not have been considered even 25 years ago. Keeping pace with the desires of today’s cruiser is top of mind for Cunard as they celebrate their past but recognize the desires and needs of today’s cruise guest. n

photo courtesy cunard

ANT CLAUSEN / cunard

cunard | celebrating 175 years

wikimedia commons photo courtesy cunard

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photo courtesy cunard

In our transient, ever-changing world, there is something admirable about companies that stay the distance, providing ever-better service and exceeding the expectations of an increasingly demanding, savvy audience. To Cunard and Princess we offer our congratulations and our hopes for many more years of success on the seas.

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PREFERRED PRICING PROGRAM

DON’t Miss Your Opportunity To book this ridiculously low pricing As a loyal customer of Cruises Inc., you can take full advantage of the benefits that our buying power provides. In this case, we are offering you special pricing on specific Norwegian Cruise Line sailings to some of the most popular cruise destinations. Our Select Pricing Program rates are lower than other agencies and even the cruise lines themselves. This inventory and pricing is exclusive to us because we have purchased large volumes of cabins in advance. This allows us to pay very low rates and pass the savings on to our customers.

Why is our pricing so low? As part of World Travel Holdings, the largest vacation retailer in the United States, Cruises Inc. has access to cabin space that has been purchased in volume and reserved ONLY for our customers.

Why Norwegian Cruise Lines? Winning Elite Travel Agency of the Year, along with being a member of Norwegian’s President’s Club Elite, is a great testament to the strong partnership we have with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Is this ALL of Cruises Inc.’s inventory? No! We purchase almost 18,000 cabins every year, which is equivalent to 10 cruise ships. This is just a sample of sailings in our Select Pricing Program.

Their Prices from

7 Night Western Caribbean Norwegian Jade December 5, 2015 Departs From New Orleans, Louisiana visiting Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan (Isla Roatan), Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

7 Night Western Caribbean Norwegian Dawn November 15 & December 13, 2015 Departs From New Orleans, Louisiana visiting Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan (Isla Roatan), Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

7 Night Western Mediterranean Norwegian Epic November 1 & 15, 2015 Departs From Barcelona, Spain visiting Naples, Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy; Cannes, France; Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands

7 Night Western Caribbean Norwegian Getaway December 6 & 27, 2015 Departs From Miami, Florida visiting Great Stirrup Cay (Cruiseline Private Island), Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico

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Fares are shown in U.S. Dollars. Fares are cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy. Guests who cancel and rebook must accept this promotion’s Terms and Conditions. Government taxes & fees, and onboard service charges are additional. Offers are based on availability, are capacity controlled, and combinability with other offers is subject to change or cancellation at any time per Norwegian Cruise Line’s discretion. Onboard credit amount is per stateroom, in U.S. dollars based on category booked and will be applied to 1st and 2nd guest in stateroom. Other restrictions may apply. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement without prior notice should the closing price of West Texas Intermediate Fuel increase above $65 per barrel on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index). In the event a fuel supplement is charged, Norwegian Cruise Line will have sole discretion to apply the supplementary charge to both existing and new bookings, regardless of whether such bookings have been paid in full. Such supplementary charges are not included in the cruise fare. The fuel supplement charge will not exceed $10.00 per passenger per day. Norwegian is not responsible for typographical errors or omissions. ©2015 Norwegian Cruise Line Corporation LTD. Ships’ Registry: Bahamas and United States of America.

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7 Night Eastern Caribbean

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Norwegian Escape November 28 & December 12, 2015

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7 Night Bahamas & Florida Norwegian Breakaway November 8, 2015 Departs From New York, New York visiting Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida; Great Stirrup Cay (Cruiseline Private Island), Bahamas; Nassau, Bahamas

Departs From Miami, Florida visiting Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Nassau, Bahamas

7 Night Eastern Caribbean Norwegian Getaway October 24, 2015 Departs From Miami, Florida visiting Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Nassau, Bahamas

7 Night Bermuda Norwegian Breakaway October 18, 2015 Departs From New York, New York visiting Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, Bermuda

7 Night Bermuda Norwegian Dawn October 23, 2015 Departs From Boston, Massachusetts visiting Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wharf, Bermuda

How do I book? Because these exclusive rates are so low, they get booked very quickly. Contact your Vacation Specialist who can help you find the right cruise at the best price available.

travel tips | ask the experts

Travel tips

Travel Tips

The Sanctuary, Royal Princess

The travel experts at Cruises Inc. offer advice on how to make every second of your vacation amazing. This edition is dedicated to maximizing comfort.

How can I find peace and quiet on a large cruise ship?

Cruising provides the most stress-free travel experience possible.

First, head to the promenade deck. These outside spaces are usually farremoved from the bustling lido deck and often aren’t in areas with heavy foot traffic. So you can pull up a deck chair, settle in and gaze out across the ocean.

On these vacations, everything is taken care of. There’s no intricate planning to do and the entire trip is designed to be incredibly easy. But nevertheless, it’s important to be 100% certain that your voyage will be amazingly comfortable. So we’ve tackled a few of the questions that many cruise travelers have about what to expect when they set sail. Give them a read to ensure your vacation is as smooth as possible.

The quintessential cruise ship vibe is often lively, exciting and always fun. But sometimes, you need a spot where you can just kick back, relax and escape all the commotion for a while. Finding your little oasis is actually easier than you might think.

You’ll also find soothing spots at the adults-only areas. Sink into a cushy lounge chair or unwind beneath a cabana while enjoying a break from all the action. For example, Princess Cruises offers The Sanctuary for those looking to escape, while Carnival Cruises provides an adult-only retreat called Serenity. But perhaps the easiest way to uncover a little quiet time is to simply do what everyone else isn’t doing. Go to a restaurant earlier than most patrons or hit the gym at off-hours. Head to the ship’s indoor amenities when the main pool area is crowded and settle into places like libraries or lounges that are normally only busy in the evening. Bottom line: even if you’re on one of the liveliest ships at sea, you’ll still find plenty of ways to escape. world traveler summer / fall 2015 63

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