Buenos Aires is an amazing vibe city, specially at night

Highlights
If you do stop off on your cruise in Buenos Aires then you may feel slightly overwhelmed at the many amazing sights and activities on offer, so here is a round up of some of the main highlights to give you an idea where to start:
* Plaza de Mayo – this is the main square in the city and a great starting point for a sightseeing tour as it has a number of excellent examples of colonial architecture and is close to many of the main pedestrian shopping areas of Calle Florid and Lavalle.
* La Recoleta Cemetery – this is the main resting place of Argentina’s most famous daughter Eva Peron, and is a mecca for many Argentineans and also visitors interested in the often turbulent history of the country. This is often combined with a visit to the Museo Evita (Eva Perón Museum)

Plaza de Mayo is a good starting point for a Buenos Aires tour

* Docklands – Buenos Aires has a rich maritime history, and this area is full of historic buildings and museums and nearby is also Puerto Madero, one of the cities major regeneration projects.
* Jardin Japones – the translates to the ‘Japanese Gardens’ and is an oasis of calm and reflection in this sometimes chaotic city, so is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll.
* Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes - the National Arts Museum has an excellent reputation and there a number of wonderful exhibits on both South American arts and also important pieces of art from all over the world.

Shopping
Buenos Aires has a number of excellent shopping facilities, and this is one of the favorite pastimes of many of the more wealthy inhabitants of the city. You can buy almost anything you like here, including the latest designer clothing, antiques, stunning gold and silver jewellery and traditional leather handicrafts. For those shoppers that love a bargain there are also a number of thrift shops and markets filled with all kind of affordable trinkets, clothes and odds and ends.

Dining Out
Argentina is famous for its steak, and Buenos Aires has a number of excellent parilla (grill) restaurants ideal for meat lovers. There are also a good number of cosmopolitan restaurants and cafes also, with sushi and South Asian foods being very popular, and of course there are coffee houses all over the place selling fine freshly ground South American coffee. Local delicacies include empanada which are tasty little pastries sold everywhere and dulce de leche, a delicious sweet toffee.

Borges used to go at Cafe Tortoni, and nowadays he has a statue there

When to Go
Buenos Aires can get very hot and sticky in the summer, which can make it a little uncomfortable to go out sight seeing in the day, and the winters can get surprising chilly so the best time to visit is the spring, (Sept through to Nov) when the weather is warm and bright, and the city lively and full of seasonal festivals.

The World’s Largest Cruise ship by Royal Caribbean is more than a cruise. This ship blows other cruise lines out of the water (no pun intended) with its 15 different passenger decks, 10 restaurants, and several bars. The cruise boasts tons of activities and fun to be had, whether you are traveling with family, friends, or your significant other.

When you step onto the cruise ship you are whisked away into a fantasy world of bright lights, and things that are typically unimaginable to most of the world. The main area of the ship called the “Royal Promenade” is a vast area loaded with shops, restaurants, bars, dance clubs, and more. The middle of the room has a beautiful lighted bridge where extravagant parades are held at 12am every evening.

Other cruise ships have very few balcony or ocean view rooms. This cruise ship has a majority of ocean views and balconies. There are approximately 1,084 rooms with an ocean view! There are less than 600 rooms that do not have windows. The luxurious rooms in the presidential suite package include 4 bedrooms! You never have to worry about getting a low quality room on this cruise ship – because all rooms are equipped with great equipment, beds, and linens! All rooms have flat screen TV’s.

When you get hungry after having a busy day filled with activities, take time to relax at one of the delicious dining establishments on board. There is something for everyones taste buds, and if you prefer to eat cheap there are pizza and burger options too! Ice cream lovers will especially enjoy the Ben & Jerry’s located on the deck!

If you enjoy after hours fun, there are a few nightclubs to suit your tastes. All but one require that the passenger is over 21 to drink alcohol. If you prefer a non-alcoholic club then there is one that doesn’t serve alcohol. The pool on deck even converts into a dance floor at night, so you can dance under the stars and above the water. If partying isn’t your thing either, then perhaps the swanky Vegas-like casino will meet your needs! Who knows, you could strike it rich and take up permanent residence on the ship.

All other activities are just as incredible and breathtaking. You won’t be disappointed if you take a cruise with Freedom of the Sea, and you will definitely experience in a once in a lifetime opportunity to say that you have been on the “World’s Largest Cruise Ship.”

Montreal
Montreal is one of those fantastic Canadian destinations that has retained its European roots so authentically you will feel as if you have walked straight into a charming Parisian suburb, rather than a sprawling North American city. From quaint cobblestone streets through to pavement caves and leafy sidewalks there is a certain continental vibe to many parts of the city, and this combined with the French streets signs, high fashion boutiques and laid back Gaelic attitude will charm many visitors. Montreal has had a turbulent history and although many Canadian settlements were first founded by the French, the British took over following the French and Indian War. Montreal clung stubbornly to its French beginnings though and this has caused quite a lot of tension over the years, but has meant that this city has retained a very strong and authentic French culture, in fact there were some serious attempts during the 20th Century to have Montreal declared an independent sovereign nation from the rest of Canada, but inhabitants narrowly voted in favor of continuing as a province.

Looks like Paris, but is Montreal Old City in Winter

Montreal has many attractions for visitors and aside from the wonderful relaxed café culture and excellent shopping facilities the city has some lovely art galleries, museums, theatres and concert venues, and there are plenty of parks and gardens to stroll around and get away from the busy streets of the main city center.

The language in Montreal is mostly French, but you will also find a diverse multicultural population here and most people speak a bit of English. The currency is the Canadian dollar and there are plenty of ATMS and banks throughout the city for you to take out and exchange money.

For cruise day trippers ships dock directly at the Iberville Passenger Terminal which is just a short walk away from some excellent dockside attractions and also the historic old town. From here you can visit attractions such as the science center, IMAX theatre and also take jet boat trips along the scenic St Lawrence River.

Quebec
Another wonderful European city in the heart of Canada, Quebec is an enchanting place full of lovely plazas, graceful buildings and a relaxed café culture. Quebec celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008, and a deep sense of history and culture pervades the city creating a very distinctive and charming atmosphere, and is an essential stop over point on any Canadian cruise.

The weather in Quebec can vary dramatically throughout the year, with summers being quite hot and the weather starting to cool rapidly towards the fall and winter months, so make sure you pack appropriate clothing. Quebec has some stunning fall foliage, but is at its most impressive during the early spring months when the parks and gardens are full of luscious green foliage and colourful spring flowers.

French is the main language of Quebec although some English is spoken in the main areas, and the currency is the Canadian dollar.

Acapulco is a must do during a Mexican Riviera Cruise

The Mexican Riviera is also a popular destination for cruise ships, and is in fact in the top five most popular cruise destinations in the world, and is considered to be a very good alternative to the more traditional (and often more expensive) Caribbean cruises.

Year Round Cruises
The Mexican Riviera enjoys sunshine nearly 365 days of the year, and cruises are offered all year round by lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival, but the months of August and September can be very hot with temperatures reaching well into the 90’s, and this is combined with a surprisingly high level of humidity which can make things a little uncomfortable, especially at nighttimes.
Most cruises to the Mexican Riviera depart from Los Angeles, but there are some services from San Diego and San Francisco

Flexibility
One of the main reasons why cruises along the Mexican Riviera are so popular is that there are so may different choices available.
You can take short three to four night trips from Los Angeles to Ensenada with Carnival, which is ideal for those passengers who are new to cruising so that they can try a short trip to see if it suits them. These short cruises are also popular for special occasions and because there is a great party feel to Mexican cruises these short trips are ideal for wedding, retirement and birthday celebrations. Most cruise lines also offer seven, ten and fourteen day itineraries around the Mexican Riviera and typical ports of call include the popular Acapulco and Manzanillo, as well as the lesser known ports of Ixtapa and Ziguatanejo.

A beach in the fantastic Acapulco

Top Experiences
No cruise of the Mexican Riviera would be complete without a stop of the famous resort town of Acapulco, which has been for many years one of top tropical destinations in the world for the international jet set, and has some stunning beaches along with a plethora of luxury hotels, spas, restaurants and shops. Acapulco continues to prosper and grow and there are so many activities  on offer from water sports through to watching the famous cliff diving from La Quebrada that visitors will be spoilt for choice.

cabo san Lucas is a popular port pof call during a Mexico Cruise

Cabo San Lucas has a fine reputation as being a top party town, and alongside the beautiful beaches and scenery there are plenty of things to do in the day including snorkelling, diving and big game fishing (Cabo is famous for its marlin fishing) and there are also fine golf courses and other recreational facilities. Nights out on the town in Cabo are very lively, and this is a great place to go and let your hair down with a mainly youthful American crowd.

The marina in Cabo San Lucas

Here are just a few of the top ports of call that passengers can enjoy whilst on a Greek Island Cruise

Mykonos
Mykonos is one of the more rugged Greek islands and has some beautiful golden beaches and windswept terrains which are very popular with visitors, and there are many excellent hotels, bars and tavernas. Mykonos really comes alive in the summer and this is very much a party island with a good cosmopolitan feel, and a diverse range of people from all ages, cultures and sexualities are made to feel very welcome here.

Mykonos Island and the city of Chora

There are lots of thinks to see and do in Mykonos, from exploring the Byzantine cobble streets of the main town through to visiting the many fascinating red domed churches and quaint villages, and there are also some amazing historical sights on the nearby island of Delos, which is just a short boat trip away. You can get around Mykonos by bus, taxi or rental car and if you dock at Tourlos (just outside the main town) then shuttle services will be provided to take you into town, or you can walk as it is only 30 minutes by foot. Mykonos is a popular port of call on Greek island cruises, and most of the big ships stop here including the Royal Caribbean, NCL and Celebrity.

Mykonos at sunset

Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island and has some dramatic scenery thanks to a devastating eruption back in the 1400 BC, which caused the island to literally collapse in on itself, exposing a fascinating array of cliffs with multi hued strata of red, black and grey volcanic rocks, and this is also reputed to be the site of the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Santorini has some very unusual black sand beaches, which create dramatic contrasts against the beautiful blue waters and sunny skies, and there are also plenty of charming villages and towns with shops and tavernas, and there are banks and bureau de change services in Thera so you can change up your Euros.

One of the beaches of Santorini

Big cruise ships cannot dock at Santorini and so most anchor just off the coast and passengers tender in to Skala Fira, which is a small port near Thera, and there are some rather fun ways of getting up the steep path into Thera, and you can choose between the funicular or a donkey ride.

The volcanic caldera of Santorini is thought to be a piece of the ancient Atlantis

You can get around Santorini by bus and taxi, and it is easy to walk around the cobbled streets of Thera and explore all of the many little whitewashed buildings, crafts shops, cafes and tavernas. There are lots of stunning natural and historical sights in Santorini that will keep you busy during your shore time, and there are some fascinating excavations at Akrotiri that date back to 2000BC.

There is nothing that can prepare you for the experience of seeing the 1.5 billion dollar Oasis of the Seas for the first time. Truly a sight to behold, Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, with over 2,700 cabins and an occupancy of 6,000. Serving those guests is a crew of 2000; and impressive 3:1 ratio. To put it in perspective, it is almost 50% larger than the next largest ship! If that doesn’t give you an idea of size, check this out – there are actually neighborhoods on this cruise ship.

With varying themes such as “Central Park”, “The Boardwalk”, and “Youth Zone”, the Oasis of the Seas has nearly every amenity possible. For instance, in Central Park you’ll not only find restaurants and bars, it will be the first living park ever on a cruise ship, with an estimated 5,000+ plants to be planted upon it’s arrive in Fort Lauderdale. The Boardwalk has a giant freshwater pool, a carousel, and even a tattoo parlor. Finally, the Youth Zone is nothing like the arcades of old cruise ships, featuring computer gaming and a science lab for the youngins.

There is seriously too many amenities to even consider listing out in a blog post. However, let’s finish the amenities list with this: on top of the usual cruise ship amenities, the Oasis of the Seas also has: a miniature golf course, zip line, a whopping four swimming pools, a 1300 guest indoor theater, and even a theme park!

Of course, in order to have a ship this big, there’s got to be a port. Port Everglade teamed up with Royal Caribbean to design Cruise Terminal 18 to host these Oasis class cruise ships. Coming in at a cool 75 million, the terminal is a whopping 5.5 acres large and can support over half a million passengers a year. It is considered one of the most technically advanced cruise ship terminals in the world.

Oasis of the Seas is set to arrive in the United States on November 11. Maiden voyage is on December 5th. Cost is about $1000 to $4500 a person, and suites are booked up for several months. However, there are still balcony and oceanside rooms available, so book now for your chance to be a part of history.

Bora Bora is a stunning tropical island in the French Polynesia, and is known for its high end holiday facilities, popular with honeymooners and the rich and famous. This beautiful island has a lot to offer visitors and is surrounded by several other equally lovely islands including Taha’a, Raiatea and Huahine, and makes the perfect destination for a cruise around the balmy, tropical South Pacific Ocean.

Things to Do

One of the main reasons to visit Bora Bora is the simply stunning white tropical sands and turquoise blue lagoons, and a day spent relaxing on the beach is high on the agenda for most visitors. There are also plenty of other activities on offer, and there are facilities for snorkelling and scuba driving in the gorgeous clear waters around the island, and one of the best ways to get around is by bicycle which are widely available for hire, and you can easily get around the whole island in just a few hours, or take it slowly and stop to see some of the sights along the way. There are also a number of excellent shops and boutiques in the many resorts around the island, and there are many exceptional handicrafts on offer from hand painted Pareos (silk wraps) and the regions famous black pearls. Dining out in Bora Bora is a real treat and a night out at the Island’s the famous Bloody Mary’s Restaurant and Bar is a must do, as this fun, relaxing joint has some amazing views out over the water and some great classic dishes from cheeseburgers through to fresh island fish. Another favourite is La Bounty, which offers a great selection of Italian and French dishes at very affordable prices.

Getting Around
You can hire a car to get around the island more easily and both Avis and Europcar on the Vaitape pier, and there is also scooter and cycle hire. There are also public buses to some destinations on the island, but these can be a bit irregular and don’t run on Sundays as a rule. Taxis are the best option if you are only visiting for a day excursion, and a shuttle service operates between the pier and the main beach for $5 per person. The main languages of the island are French and Tahitian, but English is commonly spoken in all of the main tourist areas.

Cruise Stops
Cruise ships typically anchor near the main town Vaitape in Pofai bay, and you will get a tender across to the dockside. If you are only stopping in Bora Bora for a few hours then Vaitape makes the perfect destination, as there are shops and restaurants and you can also take excursions from here to the rest of the island. It is important to note that a lot of the shops and restaurants in Vaitape are closed on Sunday evenings, so make sure you have some alterative arrangements if you are visiting at this time, and it is also quite expensive here for dining out and hiring cars compare to some of the other destinations on the islands.

About Viking River Cruises
This cruise operator was established back in 1997 by a Swiss and Dutch Consortium and is currently the world’s forefront river cruise specialist, with over 20 ships serving the rivers of China, Egypt, Europe, Russia and the Ukraine. The average ship size is just 150 passengers, and this makes it easy for the cruise to stop at a number of smaller towns and villages along the routes, providing you with instant access to some of the most amazing and historic places in the world. As an added bonus many of the guided onshore excursions are all part of the cruise fare, and so you will not be expected to pay out every time you want to explore the ports and surrounding areas along your voyage.

Imperial Jewels of China Cruise
The Viking Century Sky is one of the largest vessels in the fleet, housing 305 passengers and provides a very popular service between Shanghai and Beijing, and this is one of the most comfortable and hassle free ways to see some of China’s greatest treasures including the terra cotta warriors at Xian and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China. This 10 day trip includes several transfer flights in order to connect to the boat, which are seamlessly arranged by Viking River Cruises and your luggage will be transported to your hotel for you and bus/taxi rides arranged also so that you can just sit back and relax. You can join the cruise itself at several points, depending on the time of year, river conditions and your individual ticket, but common embarkation points are at Chongqing and Wuhan.

Memorable excursions
There are some must do excursions included on the Imperial Jewels China Cruise and this includes a visit to several important UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Beijing section of the 3,750 mile Great Wall, which is over 2,000 years old and also the 6,000 strong, life size terra cotta warriors who were created to guard the tomb of Emperor Oin. You can also explore the other wonders of the Emperor’s tomb, including amazing bronze, silver and gold horse statues. The natural wonders of the Yangtze Rivers are also memorable, and you shouldn’t miss out on the traditional gathering on the Viking Century Sty Sun Deck to see dawn breaking over the spectacular Outang Gorge, with its dramatic 4,000 foot limestone peaks and magical misty atmosphere.

Tips for Cruise Passengers

• The traditional Chinese and Qigong spa treatments available on board are a real treat, so indulge yourself with a relaxing massage based on ancient Chinese therapies.
• There are many opportunities to shop as you stop at tourist sights and ports along the way, and US dollars are accepted in most places, but some sellers can be aggressive and pushy, so be prepared to hold your ground on price or move away to another stall if you feel pressured into buying something. Also watch out for imitation and fake designer goods, as these are prevalent in China, so if it seems very cheap then it is usually not the genuine item.

Panama Cruises
The main season for cruises down the Panama Canal runs from September to April, but travelers are advised to wait until after November to book their passage as September and October see the height of the rainy season and this can affect excursions. Cruises vary in price depending on the type of holiday you book and the length of your trip, but you can get cruises from around £1,150 which take you the full length of the canal, with its six impressive locks raising you up to 85 feet above sea level. Most of the major international cruise lines offer Panama trips, but the main one is Princess who provide over 40 scheduled departures most seasons.

Itinerary
The details of your Panama Canal cruise will vary depending on which operator you are using and how long your trip is for, but a basic package will include the standard itinerary which covers thet Florida to West Coast Route with stops at the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. The main departure point for these classic ‘coast to coast’ cruises are at Miami and Ft, Lauderdale, ending in either Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco on the West Coast. There are also a number of variations on the Panama Canal cruise such as the Silversea cruise which departs from Port Canaveral and travels up to Vancouver and there are also many partial crossings which take you through just a few locks along the Canal, and this gives you more opportunity to explore the scenery and local sights along the way that you would just wouldn’t have time for on one of the full Canal crossings.

Shore Excursions
There are some very memorable shore excursions on offer during a Panama Canal Cruise, and these will most likely need to be arranged in advance when you book your ticket, as there will be restricted numbers for many of the guided tours. Top excursions include:
* Puntarenas, Cost Rica – Costa Rica has some of the most amazing, unspoilt rainforest and tropical environments in the world, and there are many hot springs and live volcanoes to explore as well. From the port of Puntarenas you can take a number of nature based excursions such as trips to the cloud forest at Villa Blanca, where misty jungle landscapes create a sense of mystery and awe, and also trips to the stunning vegetation at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
* Colon, Panama – this port is the entrance to the canal and highlights here include guided treks around the stunning nearby rainforests and a visit to the historic Embera Indian Village on the shore of the Chagres River, which shows native Indian culture and traditions that have remained unchanged for centuries.

The Nile in Cairo

The Nile is a cultural landmarks for the african continent and for the world. The egyptian pyramids lie on the Nile, the former Egyptian capital of Teba and Luxor lie on the Nile. The big Aswan dam lie also on the Nile and produces the half of the household necessary energy in Egypt.  In the old egyptian civilization the Nile was considered a god, and it deserves this approach even today.

The dam from Aswa

The Nile is the longest river on the Earth, but its water volume is not impressive comparing to Amazon River. An explanation is of course the strong evaporation in the Sahara desert and the Sudd swamps from Sudan. There was a big dispute about the sources of the Nile, and major explorers like Stanley and Livingstone contributed to solve it. Fact is that the Nile has two sources: one of them is the Lake Tana in Ethiopia, giving birth to the Blue Nile; the White Nile has its origin in the equatorial East Africa. Those both Niles come together near Khartum, Sudan starting its Sahara adventure.

Nile swamp in Sudan

11 african countries are close tighten to the Nile since ancient times.Three  major wonders of the antic world are also tighten to the Nile (The library of Alexandria, The Big Pyramid of Kheops and the Alexandria Lamp). Meet the Nile through cruises on the Nile, as it is navigated, but only on segments. First segment is from Alexandria to Aswan, and on this part of the Nile you can go with a cruise ship ( e.g. the notorius ship Sudan) or by feluccas, the local yachts.

Feluccas on the Nile

The second sector lasts from Aswan up the the falls from Sudan, and the third from these water falls to the sources of the Nile. Another way to meet the Nile is much more adventurous, but also more rewarding: by paddling from the origins to its mouths forming a huge Delta. Whatever approach you take, be sure to have a wonderful unforgetable time along the Nile.