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Carnival Cruise Line To Operate Largest Bermuda Season Ever

Carnival Pride
Carnival Cruise Lines' 88,500-gross-registered-ton Carnival Pride sailes off Cocoa Beach, Fla. The vessel's on-board amenities include four swimming pools, water slide, Internet cafŽ, duty-free shopping mall, an elegant two-level restaurant and a steakhouse-style supper club. Photo by Andy Newman/CCL

Carnival Cruise Line is planning to operate its largest Bermuda season ever in 2019-2020. With more than 40 voyages visiting the nation, including eight week-long cruises departing from Baltimore and Charleston next year.

In total, six different Carnival ships – Carnival BreezeMagicPrideRadianceSunshine and Sunrise – will offer four- to nine-day Bermuda cruises from five homeports along the eastern seaboard between now and next year.

Warwick Long Bay in Bermuda
Beautiful beach with waves in Warwick Long Bay in Bermuda

Carnival is the only cruise operator to offer round-trip Bermuda cruises from Charleston, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale.  Nine-day Bermuda departures have also been added to the New York-based schedules of the totally transformed Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Radiance that include four-day cruises to the island as well.

Carnival’s diverse Bermuda schedule not only encompasses a wide range of cruise durations and homeports but also a variety of ship sizes and amenities, providing consumers with unprecedented opportunities to visit the popular destination.

“Guest feedback on our Bermuda program has been nothing short of sensational and we’re delighted to expand our offerings to provide even more guests an opportunity to experience all this tropical island paradise has to offer,” said Fred Stein, Carnival’s vice president of revenue planning and deployment.

The seven week-long cruises to Bermuda from Baltimore will be offered aboard Carnival Pride and spend three days in Bermuda, while a seven-day  cruise from Charleston aboard Carnival Sunshine will feature two days on the island along with a visit to the private Bahamian destination of Princess Cays.  Baltimore departure dates include May 31, Aug. 2 and 23, Sept. 6 and 20, and Oct. 4 and 18, 2020.  The cruise from Charleston departs Oct. 17, 2020.

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While in Bermuda, guests can relax on the island’s legendary pink beaches, enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and other water sports, and visit historical landmarks such as Royal Naval Dockyard and Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere.  Numerous shopping, dining and golfing experiences are also available.

Carnival Cruise Line To Operate Largest Bermuda Season Ever | 16

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.


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Playing Casino Games While on a Cruise Vacation

What Makes Cruise Ship Casinos So Appealing
What Makes Cruise Ship Casinos So Appealing

Playing casino games during a cruise vacation can be an entertaining and relaxing way to enjoy the greater holiday experience. It can positively distract holiday makers during the long journeys towards popular cruise destinations. This of course does not mean that everyone knows what to expect before starting to play. It is always a good idea to try and understand what cruise ship casinos have to offer and of course what alternatives one can find online. 

Cruise Ship Casino Games and Playing Online

Paying a visit to the casino while on board a cruise ship has become somewhat of a tradition for many holiday makers. People enjoy playing slots, placing bets on roulette tables and challenging blackjack dealers. But considering the amazing sea views, the fresh air and the comfort of a sunbed, why would you spend your time indoors when you can play your favourite casino games online being on the deck of an amazing cruise ship?

Luckily, nowadays online gaming has made it possible to play your favourite cruise ship casino games, anywhere, anytime and from any device. Once you are on board and your cruise ship is on its way, all it will take is just a few clicks and you will be ready to play the best casino games in South Africa and of course the rest of the world. 

Popular Slots

There is a plethora of Ancient Egypt-themed slot machines on most cruise ships. Slot games such as Pharaoh’s Treasure Deluxe, Age of Egypt and Queen of the Pyramids will keep players entertained for hours with their beautiful graphics, hieroglyphic wilds and bonus rounds. Such multi-reel and multi-payline slot games can also be found online. Even if the screens are smaller on your phone or tablet, the user experience is equally enjoyable. 

Another slot game option that is available both in cruise ship casinos and online is progressive jackpot slot games. By playing popular titles such as Leprechaun’s Luck, Age of the Gods – Ruler of the Sky and Gladiator Jackpot, players have the opportunity to earn a share of the amounts that the game accumulates progressively. 

Table Games – The Online Experience

It is true that when it comes to casino table games, the interaction of the player with other players and with the dealers is part of the overall experience. However, there are players that might feel uncomfortable because of the large groups of people on their left or right side. This is why online casino table games are a good alternative even during a cruise vacation

Players can easily navigate through the pages and categories of an online casino and find numerous table games such as Premium Roulette French, Baccarat, Craps, Caribbean Stud Poker and of course dozens of Blackjack variations. As for knowing when to quit, online casinos make it slightly easier to stop playing before it is too late through wagering limits and of course the choice of self-exclusion. 

Should I Play in the Casino or Online?

There are many different opinions among casino fans in regards to playing on actual casinos or online. Many believe that playing online does not provide the same thrill as physically being in a casino and playing slots or table games. On the other hand, there are those that prefer playing privately, without worrying about being distracted from things that happen around them. In the end of the day, it is all a matter of how every person feels more comfortable.

Allegro Cozumel All-Inclusive Resort Day Pass

We recently worked with Resort for a Day to tell you about our visit to the Allegro Cozumel All-Inclusive Resort in Cozumel.

All-Inclusive Resort

The Allegro Cozumel Resort offers a beautiful beach and several pools. We loved the attentive and friendly service. We found ourselves thoroughly relaxed during our visit. The attentive servers kept our family cool under the hot sun by keeping us well stocked with cool drinks during our stay. The swim up bar was a great place to get a nice drink and make new friends.

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All You Can Eat and Drink

When you get hungry, you will enjoy the included buffet lunch. It features a great selection of authentic Mexican and American dishes the whole family will enjoy. Watch this video to learn more.

How To Book This?

If you would like to book this for your next cruise visit Resort for a Day at https://www.resortforaday.com


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Things to Consider Before Booking a Cruise with Your Kids

The WaterWorks aqua park on Carnival Two guests on the Carnival Magic a main feature of the ship's WaterWorks aqua park, a 312-foot-long Twister waterslide (entrance on right), and the DrainPipe slide attraction (left). The Twister slide is the longest side in Carnival's fleet. Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Lines

Millions of parents each year choose to make their annual holiday a cruise in the company of their kids.  Several cruise lines, most notably The Disney Cruise Line, specialize in family cruises and can cater for up to a thousand children on each voyage.  Before taking your children on a cruise you need to do your research and ensure that the cruise that you have selected is the right one for you and your children.  It’s important that everyone in the family is going to have a good time, so if there’s a significant age range in your family, ensure that the cruise caters for everyone.  The facilities for toddlers might be great, but what about teens? Here are a few things to consider before you take to the high seas.

Entertainment

‘You mean we’ll be stuck on a ship for two whole weeks!’ If your kids have never been on a cruise before they might be justifiably sceptical about the range of activities available.  On board entertainment will vary from ship to ship so choose a cruise line that offers a wide range of activities appropriate to the age of your children. They’ll be plenty of pool-based activities and sports but also look for activities which cater for specific age ranges.  Are there family activities? Are kids welcome at adult activities? Will the shore excursions be appropriate?

Safety

Children on a cruise usually experience a level of independence that they have never known before, the rationale being ‘Well, they can’t leave the ship and there’s plenty of staff around’.  This is true, cruise ships are generally speaking a very safe environment. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give your child clear guidance at the outset of the trip though. They should never go into someone else’s cabin or accept a drink from a stranger.  They should check in regularly with you and you should know where they are at all times. If your child is engaged in lots of pool activities, sunburn is an ever-present risk. Ensure that you are using a sunscreen that does not wash off and reapply it regularly.

Your Destination

Have you chosen a child friendly destination?  Will it be too hot or too humid?  Will your child enjoy the shore excursions and are you confident that they will be safe in this location?

Seasickness

It’s very unusual to experience seasickness on a cruise ship but take along some children’s medication just in case.

Essentials

Top of the list needs to be a quality sunscreen and an After-Sun such as Aloe Vera.  A hat is also important in hot climates.  The glare from the ocean can be very strong and even if your child doesn’t usually wear sunglasses, you would be well advised to get them a pair.  A pair of trendy Junior Clubmasters which you can customize to your kid’s taste is always a good option.  Be aware that some pools are filled with salty water, so a pair of swim goggles is probably a good idea also.

Best Outdoor Activities That Will Keep You In Shape

Kayaking In Alaska

There are a number of different outdoor activities that will help keep you in shape and can be beneficial for your health. With so many options to choose from, however, how can you be sure that you are selecting the best sport or physical activity? 

This article will go over a few options for outdoor activities that you can not only do at home but while you are traveling, as well. If a particular pastime makes you happy and improves your wellbeing in the process, why wouldn’t you adopt this habit into your weekly routine? 

Running

Running is an easy outdoor activity that does not require you to go far from your home. You could even choose to go for a run around your neighborhood, and you will still reap the benefits from this endeavor. 

Swimming

When the weather is warm, what could be better than taking a dip outside in a lake, the sea, or a swimming pool that is nearby to where you live? Swimming is a fun and healthy activity that people of all ages can enjoy.

Playing Golf

Golf is a popular outdoor hobby for people to do while they are on vacation and during regular and daily life. Some even choose to host business meetings over a game of golf.

It is seen as a more luxurious sport, and if you choose to start playing it, don’t forget that you need to invest in the proper equipment for the game. If you purchase a golf club that isn’t durable, you are also increasing the likelihood that you will injure yourself in the process. The solution, then, is to find the most forgiving irons, and the overall best quality equipment.

You also know that when you purchase these essential items, you can bring your clubs with you anywhere in the world, so long as you have a golf course to play on. 

Hiking

Hiking is a classic activity to do outdoors, and for good reason. It can easily boost your sense of creativity due to the fact that you are surrounded by beautiful nature, and it’s an equally valuable pastime for improving your physical wellbeing, as well. 

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Cycling

So long as you purchase a bicycle, you can bike anywhere you feel inclined to go. It’s the perfect way to change up your usual routine and to spend more time outside while enjoying the benefits of cycling

Kayaking

Kayaking is a more of a special outdoor activity that you can’t necessarily do everywhere, considering you need a larger body of water, and preferably a lake for it. Still, if you are ever in an area where you can try kayaking, you should consider it as an option as the health benefits of kayaking should not be ignored.

The activities mentioned thus far are only the tip of the iceberg for pastimes that you can do outside, but they are some common and popular choices that people tend to spend their time on. If you have yet to try golf or even kayaking, why not include this into your upcoming weekend plans?


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7 Unique Things You Can Try on Your Cruise

Blend

Cruises are attractive vacation options because they offer a broad range of features that appeal to all kinds of travelers. We all know about the exotic destinations that you reach via your cruise ship, as well as all the entertainment, dancing, food and activities available onboard. Plus, a cruise is worth the price alone just for the chances to sit back and relax under the sunshine by the pool or in the quiet calm of your balcony at sunrise or sunset while sipping a coffee or cocktail. 

These are all traditional staples of the cruise experience. But cruises also offer several unique amenities and services that you might not know about. When you want to take a little break from all the food and sunshine, you might be interested in some of these lesser-known things available on a cruise. 

Portrait Photo Sessions 

Most major cruise lines have professional photographers and photo services available on their ships. Roaming photographers get shots of your group at the dinner table and set up backdrops in the atrium and other areas throughout the ship to get snaps to document you when you look your best on formal nights or as you exit into a new port<span data-contrast=”auto”>. (You know, that smiling pic of you with a menacing pirate?) 

These pros also can set up studio sessions (for a fee) to get you a package of intimate couples or family portraits. Many cruise ships also have dedicated studio spaces with special lighting and backgrounds that end up providing fantastic photos.  

src=”https://cruiseaddicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/facial-treatments-carnival-1024×367.jpg” alt=”Facial on Carnival Cruises” width=”1024″ height=”367″ /> Cruise ship spa services offer more than just massages. You can get facials, teeth whitening treatments and more.

Spa Services 

Your cruise ship spa is much more than the place for a massage. These days, there is a huge range of unique treatments available aimed at making you look and feel your best. You can try some of these offerings at the cruise ship spa: teeth whitening, Botox, facials, shaving, acupuncture, cellulite reduction treatments, reflexology, scrubs and wraps. Beware that the therapists will be fairly persistent in trying to sell you spa products to take home, stressing how you “need” them for your continued maintenance and care. Just politely decline if you aren’t interested and enjoy your new glow. 

Personal Training 

Cruise ships come outfitted with fitness centers, some as large and as well-equipped as those you would find on land. This means that you can get in a good workout while on your cruise. The larger cruise lines also offer one-on-one training sessions with the expert staffers working in the gyms onboard.  

You can purchase one session or a package of sessions aimed to keep you on track with your training regimen or as an incentive to get started with a new program that you can continue when you get back home.  

Royal Caribbean FlowRider
Some ships give you the chance to learn a new sport. On Royal Caribbean ships, you can try the FlowRider surfing simulator, a skydiving simulator or even learn to scuba dive from a certified instructor.

Sports Specialties 

Royal Caribbean has more than two dozen ships in its fleet, and these cruises are geared toward adventure. Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line to offer an onboard certified PADI scuba diving program. Instructors can teach newbies how to dive and also provide refresher courses. Dive excursions are offered in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and Australia. 

Several Royal Caribbean ships also feature the Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulators (a 23-foot-high glass flight chamber) and the FlowRider surfing and wakeboarding simulator. You can even book private sessions for the FlowRider to help you master a new sport.  

To Dry For blow dry hairstyling facility on Navigator of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean has added a To Dry For blow dry hairstyling facility on Navigator of the Seas.

Hair Styling 

Stylists can give your hair that just-right look for formal night or any special occasion at the To Dry For blow-dry bar on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. Your styling and blow-dry session becomes a social event as you are served glasses of bubbly while a stylist get you glammed up for the night. 

The hair blowouts and styling might be just what you are looking for after a day in the sun, wind and salty sea. Look for the venue to appear on more Royal Caribbean as part of the line’s “Royal Amplified” refurbishment program.  

The Blend venue on Holland American Line's Koningsdam
The Blend venue on Holland American Line’s Koningsdam lets you craft your own wine style to be bottled and enjoyed onboard or back home.

Wine Blending 

Cruisers who love to sip, savor and pair fine wines with their meals can try their hands at blending their own with innovative wine blending classes. Holland America Line features Blend, a purpose-built wine-blending venue in partnership with Chateau Ste. Michelle, the oldest and highly acclaimed vineyard in Washington state. Blend is available on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, and the facility has a tasting table that accommodates 10 cruisers who create mixes from a selection of five barrels of single-vineyard red wine. During the blending process, you also get pro tips from the ship’s wine expert 

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Lifelong Learning and Enrichment  

You can find enrichment programming available on a number of cruise lines. Princess Cruises’ “Scholarship@Sea” program offers edu-tainment, such as guest lecturers, computer skills classes and photography. The program offers several classes per cruise covering four key areas: culinary, computers, visual arts and photography. 

Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line and Azamara all offer computer skills classes. Crystal also offers classes to help you become more proficient in social media. Other lines offer programs to teach you things such as ballroom and other dance disciplines, foreign languages and golf instruction.


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Sailing with Emerald Waterways on the Rivers in Germany

Emerald Waterways operates a fleet of 15 ships that sail itineraries in Europe, France, Portugal, Egypt, Asia and Russia. I sailed on the 182-passenger river ship Emerald Destiny on a “Legends of the Moselle, Rhine and Main” voyage and learned what the line is all about. 

I discovered that Emerald Waterways offers its passengers a fun experience with a great variety of activities — all while sailing on a ship that features friendly and attentive service and ample spaces to relax and enjoy the views offered on your journey. 

I’ll break down this trip with the key things you should know about a cruise with Emerald Waterways along with information about the destinations you visit while sailing on these rivers in Germany. 

A dining room view aboard Emerald Destiny
The ships offer amazing views through plenty of windows, even in the main dining room. This way you can fully enjoy the scenes that unfold along the rivers in Germany.

The Itinerary 

We embarked in Bernkastel on the Moselle River. (This small port is reached after a two-hour bus ride from the Frankfurt airport.) 

Bernkastel is a quiet little village and a popular vacation spot for Germans in the summer. The town is located in the heart of a respected wine-growing region in the Moselle Valley and features a Medieval Marketplace, historic town center, a picturesque bridge and the Burgruine-Landshut castle ruins (looming high on the hill). 

After an overnight, it was time to sail. On this itinerary, the ship visited Cochem on the Moselle before stopping at Koblenz, which sits at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. This was our lone stop on the Rhine, but we had an overnight visit and a morning of touring the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress before a long stretch of scenic sailing in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This is always a highlight of Rhine cruises. We were fortunate to have sunny weather as we gazed upon vineyards, castles, ruins and steeple-filled villages for miles.  

Then, we entered the Main River and Main-Danube Canal portion of the trip, which visited Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg and Nuremberg, where we disembarked at the end of our voyage. 

Cruisers looking at this itinerary should know that once your journey reaches the Main River and Main-Danube Canal, access to the sun deck is severely limited because of the numerous locks and low bridges that the ship must traverse (over the course of three days on my sailing).  

Emerald Destiny and the other Emerald Waterways’ “Star-Ships” make this inconvenience tolerable, though, with a few key design elements that I outline in the next section.  

The lounge view aboard Emerald Destiny
The main lounge features wonderful views throughout

A balcony cabin view aboard Emerald Destiny
The cabins offer a balcony with floor-to-ceiling window views.

Yoga Class available aboard Emerald Destiny
The EmeraldACTIVE lineup includes yoga classes.

The Ship 

The spacious top Sun Deck is the place to be during periods of scenic sailing when the weather and other conditions cooperate. Canopies offer shade, and seating is available the full length of the ship on a soft green turf surface. The Sun Deck also offers putting greens and a walking track (6.5 laps to a mile).  

Emerald Destiny is unique among river cruise ships in that is has a large pool (the water is 4.5 feet deep) at the back of Deck 3, and this area offers 270-degree views through floor-to-ceiling glass, a retractable sun roof, dozens of cushioned chairs and loungers and a bar area. This is an amazing place to sit back (or swim up) and watch the world glide by. Additionally, this pool area is converted to a theater (seating up to 24 people) on certain nights to show movies on a big screen.

Inside, Emerald Destiny has a large lounge area with a library nook offering books, games and magazines as well as a bar, coffee machine and dance floor. This is the main hub of the ship where passengers gather to grab a coffee, tea, wine or cocktail and chat or read a book. Regular enrichment and entertainment activities take place here, too, along with the cruise director’s daily port talk. For examples of enrichment, we saw dance and glass-blowing performances on our sailing.  

The lounge is designed with glass throughout for constant views of the outdoors, and at the very front of the space, you can sit at a long bar-top surface looking straight out over an outside deck at the bow. Head out to the deck to enjoy the fresh air or an up-close look at the operations within a lock. These main lounge spaces and the pool area at the back offer fine alternatives for when the Sun Deck is closed to passengers.

Standard cabins on Decks 2 and 3 are designed with a flexible indoor/outdoor “balcony” space that converts with the flip of a switch to drop down a large window to a fixed railing. The interior space is comparable to that of most river ships i have sailed on. Closet space is tight, but dressers offer a large amount of drawer space for clothes. Trekking poles and umbrellas are provided. Bathroom space is tight. 

Cabins are also available on Deck 1, and the ship features two cabins built specially for solo cruisers. There are 92 cabins in all, for up to 182 passengers. 

Wi-Fi service is included in your fare, and service was spotty on our itinerary. The ship has a small fitness center with a recumbent bike, rowing machine, hand weights and yoga mats but no treadmill. Emerald Destiny offers massage treatments and a hair salon.

Activity Manager Harry Jordan aboard Emerald Destiny
Activity Manager Harry Jordan performs during one of his two cabaret nights, belting out a tune by Neil Diamond.

Pilate led by Activity Manager Harry Jordan aboard Emerald Destiny
Harry also led Pilates classes on the Sun Deck.

A long bike ride in Bernkastel with Emerald Waterways
We had a long bike ride in Bernkastel along the Moselle River.

Entertainment and Activities 

Emerald Waterways has Activity Managers on their ships as part of their relatively new EmeraldACTIVE program. The position serves as a sort of co-cruise director, and our Activity Manager Harry Jordan oversaw a whole host of fun events that gave passengers a nice mix of things to do onboard and onshore. 

The EmeraldACTIVE program replaces some of the traditional fare that we have seen over the years on river cruises, primarily the piano player in the main lounge. Instead, Harry, a trained singer and dancer, gave thrilling cabaret performances of classic songs by Neil Diamond and members of the Rat Pack during performances on two separate nights. He also led dance classes and yoga, stretching and Pilates classes. 

Passengers are also able to jump into the pool for water aerobics or take part in golf putting competitions and games of soft petanque on the Sun Deck or trivia in the lounge. Our cruise culminated with an epic Disco Night, with more than 70 passengers sharing the dance floor when DJ Harry spun especially popular tunes from that era. 

Shore excursions included the traditional city tours to see the castles, fortresses and visit wine cellars in our destinations. But the EmeraldACTIVE options offered more challenging hikes, bike rides (the ship carries a fleet of cycles) or walks in some of these spots, including a morning nine-mile ride followed by an afternoon hike to Burgruine-Landshut in Bernkastel to see the amazing views over the Moselle Valley. 

Cuisine aboard Emerald Waterways
The chef and his team on Emerald Destiny prepared a four-course meal for the passengers each night.

The Food 

Emerald Destiny offers an early-risers and late-risers light breakfast, as well as a lighter lunch option in the main lounge. The main dining room features a buffet breakfast and lunch. Lunch also includes a selection of daily specials and everyday menu items (seafood, steak, chicken and vegetarian) that can be ordered from the kitchen. Lunch was my favorite meal because of the live cooking station that served up fresh pasta (it offered omelets at breakfast) and the fresh-made ice cream available every day. 

Dinner is a seated and plated meal ordered from a menu in the open-seating venue. The chef and his team prepared four-course meals that included items like beetroot carpaccio and veal meatballs as appetizers and Chateaubriand and sliced duck breast and leg as main courses. Each dinner also offered a fish and vegetarian dish.  

The same everyday items also available at dinner, and I really enjoyed the steak and fries when nothing appealed to me among the main menu choices.  

Emerald Waterways cruise fares include beer, wine and sodas during lunch and dinner in the main dining room. Drinks ordered elsewhere are charged to your account. Drinks packages are available. 

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The Bottom Line 

Emerald Destiny offers cruisers a good value proposition, with a casually elegant feel (not luxury) in sleek and attractive spaces that connect you well to the outside views. The best part of my cruise was the fun vibe that emanated throughout the week as passengers — a mix of North American, U.K. and Australian cruisers — quickly bonded over a range of fun activities. The friendly crew played a big part in creating the proper mood for fun as we explored Germany.


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Honfleur Cruise Port: A Picture-Perfect Port for River and Ocean Voyages 

Honfluer marina
The pretty port of Honfleur in the Normandy region of France can accommodate river and ocean ships.

Honfleur is a small coastal town in northwestern France that can be reached by cruisers coming by both ocean and river ships. The ocean ship pier sits on the Seine, and the smaller ships on Seine river cruise itineraries in France can navigate right into the center of the coastal town through the Morelle Canal that reaches the ancient Norman port area. 

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The quaint village in the Normandy region sits at an estuary where the Seine connects to the English Channel. Honfleur also is across the waterway from Le Havre and is a wonderful cruise destination because of it small-port charm and 1,000 years of history on display.  

Here is our guide for your cruise visit to Honfleur, France. 

 

Honfleur Cruise Port: A Picture-Perfect Port for River and Ocean Voyages  | 16

A Postcard-Worthy Port 

Honfleur has more than 1,000 years of history and is known for its Medieval architecture, cobbled alleys and the half-timber, slate-covered homes that line the Old Port, the Vieux-Bassin. The city inspired legions of impressionist painters, including Claude Monet and Eugene Boudin, who each came to document the unique beauty of the city. 

Gateway to Normandy 

This port offers a gateway to the beaches at Normandy. Cruise excursions from here take about nine or 10 hours to go there and back, but this stop offers travelers the chance to visit the sites and learn the history of the D-Day invasions just up the coast that turned the tide for the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. 

Honfleur Cruise Port: A Picture-Perfect Port for River and Ocean Voyages  | 16

Who Goes There? 

Both ocean and river ships call at Honfleur, so you can pick your preferred style. Crystal Cruises, Silversea, Azamara, Windstar and Ponant are luxury lines that visit regularly. # and CroisiEurope offer Seine river cruises that pull right into Honfleur’s Old Port.  

Honfleur promenade
A wide promenade follows the Seine toward the beaches in Honfleur.

Honfleur Cruise Port: A Picture-Perfect Port for River and Ocean Voyages  | 16

Plage du Butin
The Plage du Butin beach area at the end of the promenade.

Walk or Run to Town (and the Beaches) 

The ocean cruise pier has a well-marked path that guides visitors right into the town. It’s a less than 25-minute walk until you reach the Vieux-Bassin. This old Norman port is notable by the marina filled with yachts and the tall narrow buildings surrounding the quays. You can continue to walk or run to town and right on through to the promenade that leads all the way to the beach area. If you’re a runner, you will enjoy the easy two miles to get to the beach as it goes along the city canal, the Seine and past the Jardin des Personnalites on the way to Plage du Butin and Honfleur Beach.  

Normandy Bridge in Honfleur
The Normandy Bridge connects Honfleur and Le Havre.

Dont Miss 

You actually can’t miss the Normandy Bridge, a stunning white span that reaches more than a mile across the Seine to connect Le Havre and Honfleur. The Normandy Bridge is an icon of the region. 

St. Catherine's Church
St. Catherine’s Church is the largest wooden cathedral in France.

St. Catherine’s Church is the most popular attraction. The 15th century Catholic cathedral is the largest and oldest wooden church in France. The double-roofed structure is a rebuild after the original church was destroyed in the 100 Years War. The town’s shipbuilders constructed the cathedral from wood gathered at a nearby forest. 

Notre Dame de Grace is a lovely chapel that dates to the 17th century. Inside, decor includes lovely paintings and ship models. The esplanade outside the chapel offers panoramic views of the Seine. 

Le Jardin des Personnalites
Le Jardin des Personnalites is a gem at the port of Honfleur

 

Le Jardin des Personnalites
The garden is perfectly manicured and offers a serene place for a nice walk.
Garden of Personalities in Honfleur
The garden is full of interest statues of painters, artists and navigators.

Le Jardin des Personnalites (the Garden of Personalities) is an exquisitely maintained city park filled with sculptures honoring significant people who have lived in our spent time in Honfleur. These personalities include Monet and other painters, artists, navigators and historical figures. The park is located at the edge of town and along the promenade. It offers a great place for a picnic on a sunny day and is an ideal spot to have a walk around and escape the crowds when the town is bustling with visitors. 

Other Highlights 

Honfleur boasts a fine culinary scene, with Michelin-star restaurants and scores of delightful creperies, cafes and wine bars. The town also features art galleries, museums and plenty of shops to buy items such as Calvados, an apple or pear brandy indicative of the Normandy region.  

Staying overnight? Try one of Honfleur’s jazz clubs. 


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Cruise Luggage Tags (8 Pack) FREE Give Away

We are excited to offer our first FREE Give Away! You can enter to win this (8) Pack of Cruise Luggage Tags by clicking here or the link below. We recently used these same luggage tags on our cruise. I was so impressed by them I wanted to share them with you all. Just enter our give away today! You can enter multiple times!

Cruise Luggage Tags – Zip Seal – (Clear) Etag Holders & Steel Loops (8 Pack) by Shacke

  • Cruise Luggage Tags (8 Pack) FREE Give Away | 16
  • Contains 8pk Cruise Ship Luggage Tag Holders 7.25 x 3.5 in. Size & Heavy Duty Metal Wire Strap Cruise
  • Use them for Princess, P&O, Norwegian, Costa, and Holland America cruises. Whether you’re going to the Bahamas, Europe, Mexico or South America Your bags will be safe.
  • Made from Thick Clear PVC Plastic – Soft, Flexible, and Durable
  • Zip Top Seal – Protect Your Paper from Rain or Falling Out
  • Stainless Steel Metal Loop To Prevent Your Tag From Detaching

You can enter by clicking HERE!

Good Luck!

Carnival Cruise Line And Thrillist Partner To Create “Island Hoppers”

Carnival Cruise Line And Thrillist Partner To Create “Island Hoppers”
Carnival Cruise Line And Thrillist Partner To Create “Island Hoppers”

New Digital Series Features Aspiring Comedians Vying for a Coveted Spot at Carnival’s Punchliner Comedy Clubs

Carnival Cruise Line and Thrillist have teamed up to launch “Island Hoppers,” a first-of-its-kind comedy competition show at sea, aiming to find the cruise line’s next comedy star to perform at its shipboard Punchliner Comedy Clubs.

The mobile-first series is hosted by award-winning actor James Van Der Beek and was filmed during a recent Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Horizon. Over seven episodes, Van Der Beek takes viewers on a journey as three up-and-coming comedians compete in entertaining challenges, judged by longtime Punchliner Comedy Club veterans Billy D. Washington, Jodi White and William Lee Martin. “Island Hoppers” will air June 11, on Thrillist’s Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter channels.

Hilarity ensues as the challengers show their creative cocktail-making skills at Carnival Horizon’s Alchemy Bar while having to perform a comedic act and offer their best one-liners as they traverse the heart-racing Mystic Mountain Jamaican bobsled ride during a call in Ocho Rios.

“I’m not really a host, and I’m definitely not a standup,” said Van Der Beek. “But this show is so unique I feel like that worked in our favor. As a writer and actor, I have a huge appreciation for what it takes to get up in front of a room full of strangers and make people laugh, so it was a joy to jump in and play with a group this talented and hilarious. Plus, we all got to be on the Carnival Horizon, which just made everything fun.”

“Entertaining 5 million guests across 26 ships is not an easy job. We’re always looking for top talent to add to our roster, so finding the perfect comedian is quite the task,” said Chris Nelson, Carnival’s vice president of entertainment. “That’s why we’re really excited to partner with Thrillist on this new and creative way to bring new comedians to our comedy club roster. Our guests love fun – comedy is part of our DNA – so we’re particularly thrilled that we are able to showcase incredible talent on every sailing.”

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“Travel and fun is at the heart of what we cover every single day at Thrillist and ‘Island Hoppers’ is a perfect extension of that. We’re excited to bring this new series to our audience and offer them an entertaining and unique view of all of the fun that can be had aboard a Carnival ship,” said Thrillist President Ocean MacAdams.

Carnival’s Punchliner Comedy Clubs are the largest purveyors of comedy in the world with 27,000 shows annually across the line’s 26-ship fleet. Boasting more comedy performances than any land-based comedy club in the world, the Punchliner Comedy Clubs feature a lineup of top-notch talent who perform 30-minute shows, including family-friendly and adults-only sets, multiple times each voyage. All performances are offered on a complimentary basis.

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.


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