A cruise ship selling the promise of a permanent life at sea has come to an abrupt stop. Villa Vie Residences, which operates the residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey, announced on Tuesday that it had suspended operations in Cambodia amid steep increases in fuel costs. The company said its monthly fuel expenses per cabin,
One of the most distinctive things about cruising is that most meals, snacks, and drinks are included in the cruise rate. However, on Wonder of the Seas and many other mega-ships, more than a dozen restaurants with specialty offerings, such as sushi, are not included and incur additional charges, either as a one-time fee or
At our first dinner on Hurtigruten’s MS Trollfjord, my parents and I spent most of the meal imagining what my 3-year-old son would have thought. Aksel would have picked at the bread, asked how many courses of “real food” were left before dessert, and probably driven his Hot Wheels through the butter. Instead, he stayed
When one of my most anticipated trips turned out to be one of my most frustrating, it was entirely my own fault. I travel professionally for a living, but I still get caught up in excitement and unrealistic expectations when planning. Like many travelers, I’d been dreaming of Greece for years. I watched “Mamma Mia,”
My first cruise on the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady was much better than I expected. Justin Lee Despite my lifelong fear of the ocean, I decided to face my anxieties and book my first cruise. As an introvert, I was surprised that the Virgin Voyages ship offered activities beyond partying. I was also relieved that
I don’t spend much time with anyone over 50, besides my parents. As someone in my early 30s, I find myself interacting primarily with people in a similar stage of life: completing graduate degrees, building careers, and discovering adulthood. I also usually take my trips alone and connect with other travelers my age while exploring.