Viator Travel Blog

Cruises to the Mediterranean are much-loved cruise sailings for a multitude of reasons. First off, the countries that call the Mediterranean home are stunning in their beauty, with cobblestoned roads, white and terracotta colored houses, and luscious gardens and hills bordered by sea water in various shades of teal and turquoise. Secondly, the people who live in the towns and cities of the Mediterranean are often welcoming and happy to introduce visitors into their laidback, pleasant lifestyle. And thirdly, there is a lot to do in the Mediterranean.

When people think of vacationing to South America, they don’t often think of exploring it via cruise. However, this is starting to change as more and more travelers are realizing why seeing South America by cruise is a great way to explore the continent – whether it’s your first time in South America or your tenth.

When packing for a Caribbean cruise, you’ll need to think of your wardrobe for your cruise vacation in three different components: days at sea, days in port and evening attire. What you’ll want to wear for each of these parts of your cruise will differ; here are tips on how to pack for each one to make sure all your cruise moods and activities are covered.

A cruise is much like a glorified resort at sea, and cruise lines realize this, which is why many of the top cruise lines devote a substantial amount of time and money to making sure the staterooms on their cruise ships are comfortable and inviting. That’s usually where the similarities end – even within a cruise line. When it comes to any one ship, though, you often have a variety of options to choose from that extend beyond the typical inside versus outside stateroom options.

The last several years have seen the debut of cruise ships that defy previous notions of what cruising is all about. From real grass lawns to ziplines to world class spas, cruise lines continue to innovate each time they debut a new cruise ship. This year is no exception. With improvements in stateroom layouts and amenities, and an impressive array of onboard entertainment, 2013 is continuing in the new tradition of cruise lines’ debuting inventive cruise ships with luxurious cruise ships – whether it’s sailing on an ocean or a river. So just what exactly is in store for cruise travelers this year on the newest ships? Read on to find out.

Cruising has many components that cater to adventure, fun, families and group activities, and those things are what most people think of when cruising pops to mind. However, cruising can also be ideal for a romantic couple’s vacation if you book the right the itinerary and destination. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon or special milestone trip, or simply want a stress-free way to see the world with your loved one, cruises offer plenty of opportunities for romance. Here are some of the best cruise options for a romantic trip.

Viator’s shore excursions site helps cruisers find the best tours and things to do in ports of call around the world, no matter which cruise line you choose. Now we’re excited to announce the addition of even more destinations! On the Viator Shore Excursions site, you’ll find exclusive cultural activities, unique experiences and things to do, and totally customizable private tours in more than 109 destinations, including ten new destinations in Central and South America.

Multigenerational travel is quite the buzz word in tourism these days, but it’s really just a fancy term for getting the whole extended family together for a trip. That’s not to say that this is easy though. Planning our 12-person, 3-generation cruise to Bermuda was one of the most difficult projects I’ve ever undertaken (and I was a Project Manager for 25 years!). But the results exceeded every expectation.

Most people have heard the stereotypes of cruising: buffet-style food, too many kids, feeling trapped on board, seasickness, subpar entertainment, no young people on board and jail-like accommodations.

While it’s true you can find those things on some cruise lines, it’s actually easier these days to find a cruise that has none of them – plus many more appealing aspects that are a good fit for your personality type and vacation style. The secret is doing your research and knowing which cruise line is going to best suit your personality. Let’s take a look at some common aspects desired in vacations and what cruise lines deliver them – you’ll find some debunking of the above cruise stereotypes in the process.

River cruises have rapidly grown in popularity over the past few years. For people who are avid cruisers it’s a way to see different cities they can’t visit via a traditional ocean cruise. However, the intimate and interactive nature of river cruising is now appealing to travelers who have never set foot on a cruise ship before. The reason for that is the ease with which a river cruise gets travelers into the heart of a country and the high level of education and interaction that occurs once in a river port-of-call.