#regent-seven-seas

#regent-seven-seas

Marisa Christensen, Holland America's associate vice president of food and beverage operations, directs guests to the line's Dive-In burger. 'It's made fresh to order, incredibly satisfying, and so easy to enjoy right after embarkation when you're settling in.'

These reefs are living, breathing snapshots of a watery world that you can peek into: refreshing oases where the noise of the land falls away; in its place, an intricate and utterly at-ease slice of life that you're lucky enough to witness.

I had booked the wrong room, packed the wrong clothes, and selected the wrong excursions. I went home with so many regrets that cost me money, sleep, and luggage space.

Our guests continue to tell us they value greater flexibility in how they spend their time on board, and Express Dining was designed with that in mind. The cruise giant says that the new dining experience is designed to offer a freshly prepared multi-course dinner experience in under an hour for groups of six guests or fewer.

From ordering a Singapore Sling at Raffles to taking a scenic dip at the floating swimming pool on Lake Como at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, hotels have long enticed guests via destination restaurants, bars and swimming pools.

When booking a seven-day cruise on Carnival Legend for my family of five, I decided to split us into two rooms. On past vacations, we've all stayed in the same hotel room. Once, we all crammed into the same tiny cabin on a cruise. This time, though, I had reserved two 185-square-foot staterooms on the Carnival Legend's Riviera deck for more space and privacy.

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

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

Whether you prefer river or ocean voyages, many of the best cruises for couples are all-inclusive, with unlimited food and alcohol, free Wi-Fi, plenty of onboard entertainment, and other perks. Some cruise lines even throw in unlimited shore excursions, free spa access, airfare, and private transfers-so there's no need to bring along extra cash. For a tranquil onboard vibe, couples can opt for an adults-only sailing or a ship with exclusive spaces for grown-ups.

Aboard the brand-new Star Seeker, there are 112 suites featuring either a veranda or floor-to-ceiling "infinity windows." This ship has new-to-the-line stateroom categories, including a pair of aft-facing, 548-square-foot Horizon Owner's Suites with wraparound balconies; 30 Infinity Suites with windows that slide downward from the top (as on expedition ships); and 10 Ocean-view Suites with mosaic glass showers. I was on board for the christening, but because the ship was sailing at full capacity, I was not able to tour them.

Both cruises and all-inclusive resorts promise stress-free vacations, thanks to upfront pricing and built-in entertainment. But despite similar perks, the travel experiences couldn't be more different. Choosing between a floating resort that whisks you between several ports and a property that promises everything in one place depends on personal travel style. Do you crave variety and a busy schedule, or prefer settling into a single destination? Do you thrive with structure, or prefer flexible days at your own pace?

Onboard/Offboard is a series that explores the can't-miss highlights of our favorite cruises-from the shore excursions to book to the spa treatments too relaxing to pass up. A new ship sometimes needs time to work out the kinks, but at this point-more than 100 vessels later- Viking has the routine down pat. In early November, I boarded the Viking Vesta, the line's 12th ocean vessel, in Istanbul, a few months into service.

Formed to add nuanced intellectual depth to select itineraries, the alliance reflects a shared belief that exploration is most meaningful when it is informed. Dozens of itineraries-from the Mediterranean and Northern Europe to the Americas, Asia, Antarctica, and beyond-combine PONANT EXPLORATIONS ' expertise in small-ship exploration with Smithsonian Journeys' long tradition of educational travel. The resulting journeys engage guests with a destination's history and culture, environment and wildlife, in a considered and meaningful way.

If any corner of the world is synonymous with paradise, it's French Polynesia's scattered, sparsely inhabited islands, buttercream palm-fringed beaches, and glass-clear waters. The region is best visited by water, yet, when it comes to cruising, the islands around Tahiti remain surprisingly uncharted territory: the region welcomed 110,000 passengers in 2024-compare that to the Caribbean's 15 million or the Mediterranean's 5.8 million for the same period.

Although most vintage train enthusiasts are familiar with the Orient Express for its renowned Paris-to-Venice route, they may not know that the brand has another branch dedicated to exploring Italy by rail. As a Rome-based journalist, I was lucky enough to be one of the first passengers aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express to experience its "Taste of Tuscan Vineyards" journey from Rome to Montalcino.