Cruising to Exotic Asia

There’s no denying it. The more people cruise, the more they search for new and exciting places to cruise to! That’s no surprise considering that cruising is not only a trouble-free, delightful way to explore the world, but it also offers the traveler the best value for their dollar! So what part of our big wide world is suddenly making everyone’s bucket list? It’s cruising to exotic Asia!

Alluring, exciting and unfamiliar, its no wonder cruises to Asia are growing in popularity with every cruise line. Not long ago only luxury cruise lines ventured to this part of the world.   However, taking a look at 2016 and beyond, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as the premium and luxury lines offer a broad selection of Asia itineraries. Wondering why?

The Culture: Many Asian cultures work very hard to maintain their ancient rituals and practices, even as modernity races through the regions. On a cruise to Asia there is a myriad of traditions, languages, lifestyles, fashions, beliefs and customs to immerse oneself in and explore. Colorful dress, opulent architecture, exotic music and art all make for a travel experience like no other.

The History: Boasting scores of World Heritage Sites, Asia isn’t short of impressive historic landmarks. This was the stomping ground of some of the oldest civilizations of the world and a lot of these ancient societies left remarkable structures and relics behind. Imagine seeing The Great Wall of China, the ancient ruins at Angkor built between the 9th and 13th centuries, or the Terracotta Army in Xian? And then there’s the modern history that so many people go to discover. In the twentieth century alone the region experienced the Vietnam War, the Tiananmen Square Massacre and the terror of the Khmer Rouge.

The Cities: Some of the worlds most modern and dynamic cities are located in Asia. Metropolises like Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok are home to glittering modern skyscrapers starkly juxtaposed with colorful, traditional pagodas and temples. It’s this dichotomy that makes the cities here so intriguing! And I haven’t even hinted at the incredible shopping!

The Food: The thing I love best about cruising to new places is indulging in each port city’s authentic cuisine! Deliciously diverse, Asian cuisine is as varied as the countries on the continent. The clever use of cooking techniques and spices has transformed what were originally humble peasant food dishes into specialties that are now known the world over. Chinese dim sum, Japanese sushi, Vietnamese spring rolls, pad Thai and Malaysian laksa soup…I’m making myself hungry thinking about the possibilities!

Home to some of the world’s oldest cultures, pulsating cities, intriguing history, and delicious foods, Asia ticks all the right boxes for a fascinating, beguiling vacation. And although it may seem like a hugely ambitious adventure, more and more travelers are discovering just how easy and pleasurable it is to cruise to exotic Asia!

DreamWorks Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas

Looking to mingle with movie stars on your next cruise?  How about  Po from ""Kung Fu Panda"" Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots from ""Shrek"" and Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien and the Penguins from ""Madagascar?""  You can find them all aboard the soon- to- sail Anthem of the Seas.


Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas will feature the DreamWorks Experience already found on select ships within the fleet. From trivia, to scavenger hunts, to photo ops, to 3D movie screenings in the ship's Royal Theater and dining with the characters, it will be a boatload of fun!

Anthem of the Seas will home port at Cape Liberty, New Jersey starting in November 2015.  Late fall and winter itineraries include 7- and 8-night Bahamas cruises, as well as voyages to the Caribbean.

Top Reasons to Cruise to Bermuda in the Fall

In a few weeks I will be cruising to Bermuda, and I can't wait! The fall is a great time to visit this lovely island!

• Bermuda benefits from a semi-tropical climate and only two seasons. In the fall, temperatures are still beautiful, averaging in the mid-to-low 70’s during the day and the mid-to-low 60’s at night. Water temperatures are also reasonably warm, typically staying in the 70s.
• Hurricane season lasts officially from June to November, but fewer tropical storms pound Bermuda than the U.S. mainland. Bermuda is also less frequently hit than islands in the Caribbean. In fact, Bermuda has been lucky that except in rare occasions, severe hurricanes have mostly got diverted away from the island.
• Cooler temperatures are better for enjoying delicious Bermuda fish chowder. Legend has it that fish chowder was invented on the beaches of St. George's, in cauldrons placed above bonfires. Today, just ask a local to recommend his favorite restaurant for a bowl of this national dish. Try this wonderful blend of seafood and spices with a loaf of warm, crusty bread!  Yum!
• September and October is perfect golfing weather and Bermuda offers more golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world. The island boasts eight spectacular courses (sea views complimentary!) with something for everyone from novices to pros.
• You can’t afford not to go! While cruise prices and crowds peak in July and August, thankfully, both wane significantly in the fall! So if you like far less crowded beaches and better opportunity to enjoy Bermudian hospitality, then Bermuda during the fall may just be the right time for you.

The Importance of Choosing the Correct Cruise Line

If you’re a first time cruiser you may think that all cruise lines are alike.  In fact, nothing could be further from the truth!  Prospective cruisers need to find a cruise line that matches their personality.  That’s where an experienced cruise consultant (like those at Direct Line Cruises) can really help. If the cruiser / cruise line match is a good one, it will turn into a life-long relationship.  Pick the wrong cruise line and you may never cruise again!  

There are different “tiers” of cruise lines.  Luxury cruise lines can be quite expensive, but generally offer an all-inclusive experience, including alcoholic beverages and maybe even shore excursions. You can expect personalized service, upscale cabins and suites and stimulating enrichment programs.  The well- to- do clientele is often a bit older.  Although some of the luxury lines welcome families, I’d have to say that children would have more fun elsewhere.  Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn, Regent and Cunard come to mind.

There is a blurred line between some luxury and some premium cruise lines. Oceania and Azamara Club Cruises offer a country club, easy elegance.  They’re itinerary driven, offering longer and overnight stays in ports. For those looking for longer cruises, the many back-to-back cruise options let you decide how long you want to be away.  You can equate these cruise lines as well as the more purely defined premium cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Cruises, and Princess Cruises with sumptuous cuisine and extraordinary service. They are all definitely family friendly and offer many of the activities of a mainstream line but without the same over-the-top bells and whistles.

Cruising During Hurricane Season

Is Caribbean cruising during hurricane season a bad idea?  In all honesty, I don’t think so! The Atlantic Hurricane season is officially June 1st through November 30th, with peak storm activity from August through October. That’s an awful long span to disregard cruising due to a somewhat irrational fear!  Besides, the cruise lines do everything they possibly can to ensure that a hurricane has little to no impact on your vacation.

Cruise lines have the best, up-to-the-minute weather forecasts at their disposal 24/7. Sophisticated radar, modern satellite equipment…no worries!  They’re on top of their game and would never put passengers, their crew and even their ship in harm’s way.

When a hurricane directly threatens a ship's itinerary or a Caribbean port of call, the cruise line will simply change their itinerary to avoid a storm. These deviations may be focused on avoiding the path of the storm or avoiding the aftermath of the storm for example.  It is not uncommon for a ship to skip a particular port of call or extend its time at sea to avoid a storm passing through the area.

The ship’s captain may accelerate or delay a cruise ship's itinerary to work around the storm. And isn’t it comforting to know that ship's move faster than hurricanes. A typical hurricane will mosey along at a speed of about ten knots, but cruise ships can move at twice this pace.  That means that even the largest cruise ships are able to move quickly away from the path of any hurricane.

Worried about a bit of rockin’ and rollin’?  It’s definitely a possibility but keep in mind, you’re not cruising on the SS Minnow (remember...Gilligan’s Island)! Today's cruise ships all handle rough seas quite well thanks to stabilizers, those large, underwater “wings” on the sides of the ship. The newer the ship, the more advanced the stabilizers, which will keep the vessel steady in stormy weather.  Nevertheless, it’s always smart to have some bonine or sea bands with you.

Booking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season may even work out to your advantage, but not for the reason you may think! Travel deals often abound during September through November. Reason being that kids are back to school so families put the brakes on family cruise vacations leaving the cruise lines with lots of empty cabins to fill.

So tell me, are you going to let a little weather get in the way of your Caribbean cruise?