The ships that make this lovely journey belong to the Blount line and are the 96-passenger Grande Caribe and its sister ship the Grande Mariner. These ships are equipped with retractable pilothouses which allow them to pass under the low bridges along the picturesque cruise.

(photo credit: nostri-imago)

The first trip took place in the summer of 2011 when the Grande Mariner, at 184 feet long, sailed from Toronto to New York City via the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Lake Ontario and the Hudson River. The cruises take 10 days to complete and there are three of them scheduled for the summer of 2012.

The ships feature 48 cabins and the trip is quite casual. There’s no need to wear your Sunday best for dinner and it’s easy to get to know the fellow passengers. In addition, passengers are invited to take their own alcohol with them. However, there is a small bar onboard with soft drinks, juices and other mixers and the first and last night of the cruise features wine with dinner and a complimentary open bar.

The multi-purpose lounges of the ships provide excellent panoramic views and are ideal locations for lectures, workshops, and onboard entertainment. The cabins are divided into four different categories and range in size between 90 and 114 square feet. They all come decorated in a nautical theme and have storage room, a bathroom and shower.

The ships don’t have elevators, but stair lifts can be used to get from deck to deck. The top deck is quite popular as you can relax in sun chairs and watch the world go by. When it comes time to eat, the dining room features open seating and the kitchen can accommodate special requests. Along the way, the cruise stops at four Canadian and six American ports. Along the way, you’ll witness a lot of natural beauty, rich wildlife, cottages, lighthouses, yacht houses, and a castle.

Passengers are treated to history lessons along the way via lectures and videos. These are used to teach passengers about the culture, wildlife, and history of the day’s destinations. One of the stops is the famous Niagara Falls, where passengers can tour the nearby vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake. There’s also a bus tour of historic Kingston, Ontario where you can visit Fort Henry and take a haunted walking tour of the city.

When stopping in Troy, New York, you can enjoy another guided historic walk and visit St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. In Ogdensburg, New York, there’s a trip to the Remington Art Museum. The scenery on the Hudson River past West Point is quite spectacular and when docking in New York City you’ll be able to spend a night onboard the ship while it’s docked close to the Chelsea Market.

The ships are operated by Blount Cruises and the dates of the 2012 trips are June 10 from Toronto and June 21 and July 25 from New York. The cabins are for double occupancy and the shore excursions are optional.

You’ll be able to find some amazing deals on cruises these days, especially in the Mediterranean between October and February, but if you’re paying full price you might want to look at some ways of saving a bit of money.

The great thing about a cruise is it gives you a taste of several destinations. You might not have a lot of time in them, but it’s a great way to choose which places you’d like to go back to someday for a longer look. You’ll be able to explore some pretty diverse cities within a week and get a quick look at the local culture, history, and traditions. In addition, you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking each time you stop in a new port.

Cruising is still considered to be one of the least expensive ways of visiting Europe. If you’re lucky, you can often do it for about $100 per day, which includes everything other than spending money in town. You’ll find if you want to add on alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, internet access, casino games, and excursion trips than the costs can get pretty high.

In fact, if you’re not careful, the additional expenses could end up costing more than the cruise itself. It’s a good idea to check your additional costs every day to see exactly how much you’ve spent on board the ship.

The trick to keeping the costs manageable is to try not to buy anything on the ship unless it’s necessary. You’ll usually find the same things are cheaper on land. This means you can visit an internet café while in town to check your emails and try local shops away from tourist areas for your souvenirs.

In addition, unless there’s something you absolutely have to see while you’re in dock, you may want to stay away from the shore excursions that are booked through the ship. They’re an ideal way of seeing the sites, but you may find the same type of tour a lot cheaper in town. In addition, if the sites you want to see are in the port city you can usually reach them on your own via a taxi or public transportation. If the attraction is too far away or too complicated to get to by city transportation, then an excursion could be your best choice.

If your cruise ship has specialty restaurants that come with additional costs, you can save money by eating at the buffets and the main dining rooms. The food is all cooked on the same ship with the same ingredients, so you’re not really missing out on anything. If you’re heading out for a long day in the city you should eat a big breakfast and you’ll be able to make it through the day on a snack until you get back onboard for dinner.

If soft drinks are extra on the ship you may be able to buy some in town to take to your cabin, it all depends on the rules of the cruise line though. However, most of them don’t have any problem with this. Some even allow you to take on specific amounts of alcohol, while other cruises will sell drink packages for the duration of your cruise.

There are also other ways to take advantage of the ship, such as checking out games and books from the vessel’s library and utilizing all of the free activities that are offered. Make sure you read the ship’s daily program as it’ll alert you to what’s going on and to any specials and discounts onboard. If you can manage to control your urges, a cruise can often be one of the best travel deals you’ll find anywhere.

 (photo by rsgranne)

1. Tortola, the British Virgin Islands

Tortola is the largest of all the British Virgin Islands and is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. The island has a lot of charm and character as well as fabulous West Indian restaurants and white-sandy beaches. Scuba divers are drawn to Tortola’s excellent diving sites and marine parks with Smuggler’s Cove being among the most popular. Many divers come here to see the shipwreck of the Rhone, which met its fate back in 1867.

2. Cape Horn to Cape of Good Hope

This adventurous cruise takes you from South America’s Cape Horn all the way to the Cape of Good Hope, which lies on Africa’s southern tip. The scenery along the way is fascinating. One of the most amazing sights is seeing colonies of king penguins when you sail past Antarctica.

3. Rovinj, Croatia

The Venetians ruled this gorgeous Adriatic island for centuries and it’s easy to see that the Italian influences are still quite visible. For example, bell tower on the island is a replica of the bell tower in Venice’s St. Mark’s Church. Rovinj is now a pretty fishing port and is well worth exploring.

4. Picton, New Zealand

The port of Picton lies on the South Island of New Zealand in Queen Charlotte Sound. The area is filled with close to 700 miles of rugged coastline that’s quite pleasing to the eye. Along with all of the natural beauty you’ll be able to taste some excellent local wines in the area’s vineyards. There’s also a good chance you’ll get to witness some lovable dolphins swimming by in the nearby waters.

5. Maputo, Mozambique

Maputo is the capital city of the eastern African nation of Mozambique. It’s quite an exotic center with a cultural combination of Bantu, Portuguese, Arab, Chinese, and Indian influences. The food is out of this world as are the beaches and scenery. You’ll also find some wonderful traditional arts and crafts when exploring the city’s vibrant markets.

6. Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe

Pointe a Pitre lies in the Caribbean and is known as Guadeloupe’s biggest city. The city and island offer the best of the old world combined with the best of the modern world. It’s a very charming place that has been influenced throughout the years by African and French cultures. There’s plenty to see and do and the weather’s usually beautiful all year long.

7. Gozo, Malta

Many travellers have heard of Malta, but not of Gozo, which is the second largest Maltese Island. It’s tucked away in the warm Mediterranean waters between Africa and Sicily. There’s plenty to explore on this historic island, such as its splendid sandy beaches, prehistoric temples, and amazing citadel.

8. Skagen, Denmark

This charming Danish resort town has a rich history, especially with writers and artists who come here for inspiration. In the 1800s it was a well known destination because of its beautiful North Sea landscape. It’s a very charming and picturesque spot that’s still as scenic, intriguing, and inspirational as ever.

9. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

The port of Victoria sits on the Pacific Ocean in western Canada. It offers a relatively mild climate and has numerous parks and colorful gardens on display, such as Butchart Gardens. If you head to the Strait of Juan de Fuca you’ll have a good chance at spotting some of the area’s amazing local whales.

10. L’Anse-aux-Meadows National Historic Site, Newfoundland, Canada

This UNESCO World Heritage site sits on the east coast of Canada in the ruggedly beautiful province of Newfoundland. It has a rich Viking history and is considered to be one of the earliest New World settlements. It’s also well known for its archaeological findings.

Here are 10 of the biggest in the world and all of them were constructed after 2000. Many of them also have sister ships that are just as big.

(photo by steamboatsorg)

1. Royal Caribbean-Oasis of the Seas

This ship weighs 225,282 tons, is 1,187 feet long and has an official capacity of 5,400 people. Oasis of the Seas is so big that’s it can’t sail through the Panama Canal. Not only is it too long for the waterway, but it’s also too tall and wide. There’s plenty to do on board with rock climbing walls, Broadway shows, and zip lines. It carries a crew of about 2,400 members.

2. Cunard-RMS Queen Mary 2

This ship weighs 151,400 tons, is 1,132 feet long and has an official capacity of 2,620 people. The Queen Mary 2 is longer than 40 double-decker buses that are lined bumper to bumper. You could place a football field on each end of the ship and still have room to lay Big Ben down on the deck. When it was christened back in 2004 it was the largest ship in the world. There are only 1,310 staterooms on board, meaning there’s plenty of room for guests.

3. Disney Dream

This ship weighs 130,000 tons, is 1,115 feet long and has an official capacity of 2,500 people. The Disney Dream cruise ship is a miniature version of Disneyland, at sea. It comes with a 3-D movie cinema, visits from famous Walt Disney characters, and a 765-foot long water coaster known as Aqua Duck.

4. Royal Caribbean-Freedom of the Seas

This ship weighs 160,000 tons, is 1,112 feet long and has an official capacity of 3, 634 people. Miss Congeniality is sometimes compared to a floating water park. There are several swimming pools and hot tubs as well as a surf simulator. You’ll also find sculpture fountains, waterfalls and a children’s water park called the H2O Zone. There’s even an ice skating rink on board.

5. MSC-Splendida

This ship weighs 137, 936 tons, is 1,1094 feet long and has an official capacity of 3,274 people. The Splendida offers close to five million square feet of space on board. It’s bigger than Minnesota’s Mall of America and if it was stood on its end is taller than Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

6. Norwegian-Epic

This ship weighs 155,873 tons, is 1,081 feet long and has an official capacity of 4,100 people. The Epic was christened in July of 2010 and it had to take five lifeboats down just to fit into New York Harbor. There are 20 different options for dining on board including 24-hour pizza delivery to your cabin. The ship also features a bar made out of ice.

7. Celebrity-Eclipse

This ship weighs 122,000 tons, is 1,033 feet long and has an official capacity of 2,850 people. If you lined up four 747 jets they still wouldn’t be as long as the Eclipse. The ship comes with 19 decks and the top one comes with a grass lawn where travellers can play games such as croquet and bocce.

8. Royal Caribbean-Voyager of the Seas

This ship weighs 138,000 tons, is 1,020 feet long and has an official capacity of 3,114 people. The Voyager of the Seas was basically the first modern supersized cruise ship to be built. It comes with a television studio, concert theatre, and in-line skating track. It also has a miniature nine-hole golf course.

9. Carnival-Dream

This ship weighs 130,000 tons, is 1,004 feet long and has an official capacity of 3,646 people. The Dream is compared to a floating amusement park due to all the fun and games it offers. It also comes with a 12 by-22-foot LED-screen movie theatre.

10. Princess-Diamond

This ship weighs 116,000 tons, is 964 feet long and has an official capacity of 2,670 people. The diamond is less than 1,000 feet long, but it’s still two times bigger than Buckingham Place with almost double the Palace’s rooms. You could fit the Taj Mahal in it five times. The ship offers a host of restaurants, daily afternoon tea, martini bars and over 700 cabins that come with balconies.

1. Hamilton Island, Australia

(photo by andy_tyler)

Hamilton Island is situated in the famous Great Barrier Reef, which is the country’s most popular sailing spot. It’s warm all year round because of the area’s tropical climate. The average temperature for the year is just over 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. The Bahamas

(photo by jules flickr)

The Bahamian islands are one of the world’s most popular and best destinations for sailing. They’re ideal for expert sailors as well as beginners. Exumas and the Abacos are two of the most popular yachting locations due to the crystal clear waters and rich history.

3. The Greek Islands

(photo by ed_baseheart)

There are approximately 6,000 Greek islands, with many of them being deserted and uninhabited. They’re among the most beautiful in the world and you could spend a lifetime there exploring all of their beauty.

4. The French Riviera, France

(photo by coleinMSP)

This popular area is known as one of the world’s playgrounds for the rich and famous. However, you don’t have to be either rich or famous to enjoy these waters. Thousands of sailors from all over the world head to the French Riviera every year.

You can anchor your boat between the historic and picturesque cities of Monaco and Nice in the Bay of Villefranche, and soak in the breathtaking scenery.

5. The British Virgin Islands

(photo by choicecamps)

The British Virgin Islands are generally considered to be the Caribbean’s sailing capital. There are more than 60 islands that are just begging to be explored and they’re all equally as impressive. Of course, the Caribbean also has a long, rich history when it comes to sailing.

6. Thailand

(photo by sendling_74)

Some of the most gorgeous islands on the planet are located in Thailand. They’re quite exotic and are filled with pristine beaches, sparkling blue and green waters and some spectacular scenery. They’re ideal to explore just about any time of the year due to the fine weather.

7. Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

(photo by driedfigs)

There are about 24,000 islets and islands in this group that joins Sweden’s historic capital city of Stockholm with the Baltic Sea. It’s a superb spot to explore and practice your sailing skills while taking in the excellent scenery that surrounds you.

8. Mahe, Seychelles Islands

(photo by idee_per_viaggiare)

This wonderful little island sits in the north-eastern region of the Seychelles Islands group. The main port is located here and it’s the perfect spot to begin a sailing adventure.

The chain of islands is perfect sail from one to another. One of the highlights is sailing to Aldabra, where you’ll find the largest raised coral atoll on the globe. It’s also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

9. Bay of Islands Maritime Park, New Zealand

(photo by emanistan)

This exceptional maritime park is made up of 144 islands, untouched coastline, natural harbours, and secluded bays. They offer some fantastic scenery and are a pleasure to explore at any time of the year.

10. The Aegean Coast, Turkey

(photo by greecetrip2007)

The Aegean Coast just off of Turkey offers spotless waters, exceptional views and a great climate. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular sailing destinations out there. You can just relax and enjoy the sun and sea while taking in all of the sights.

One of these is French Polynesia, as it is home to some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll find anywhere on the planet. If you’re looking for majestic peaks, lush valleys, and azure waters, this is the place to be.

The location lies halfway between Australia and California, and many cruises in this region of the South Pacific Ocean take in 4 archipelagos. These include the ever popular Tahiti and the Society Islands. Most cruises depart from Tahiti’s capital of Papeete.

They also visit the beautiful Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea, as well as the Gambier, Tuamotu, and Marquesas Islands.

Many visitors are attracted to the carefree Tahitian and French Polynesian lifestyle. Along with that, you’ll find some excellent unspoiled terrain and white sandy beaches.

The location and climate offer plenty of activities, such as taking a glass-bottom boat to explore one of the many lagoons as well as hiking the mountains to take in the breathtaking views.

You can also take advantage of the lovely water by scuba diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing off of the coast of numerous islands.

You’ll find that cruises to French Polynesia and Tahiti can be sailed all year long and most of them last between 7 and 14 days.

You’ll have no problem finding departures from Papeete, and you should also be able to find cruise ships leaving from cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Sydney, and Fort Lauderdale.

If you need to stay overnight before departing you’ll find that most cruise lines also offer hotel packages.

There are actually quite a few islands that make up Great Britain and you can take a cruise to several of these.

Some of the most interesting are the Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Wight. Taking a cruise will give you the chance to explore some of the nation’s fantastic history, culture, and countryside.

You’ll still be able to visit the most famous and popular sites such as London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Irish city of Dublin.

These historic cities offer some of the worlds’ most spectacular castles, museums, cathedrals, and architecture. You’ll find some of the most interesting historical artifacts and works of art in these centers.

When you dock in Invergordon you’ll be able to discover the lovely town of Inverness and of course check out Loch Ness to see if the monster’s still hanging around there. Other areas you can reach by ship include the Channel Islands and the Shetland Islands.

There are several different cruises to choose from, depending on your interests and what you want to see and do. Most cruises around the British Isles sail between April and October and are usually between five to 14 days long. However, you should also be able to find a few longer ones.

If you’d like to start out in England, then London is the most popular place to leave from. If you’re in another part of Europe you can find cruises to the British Isles from cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam in Holland, and Copenhagen, Denmark.

There are many ports in Britain to choose from, including Belfast, Falmouth, Isle of Skye, Liverpool, Dover, Harwich, Southampton, Londonderry, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newport, Oban, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Stornoway, Tobermory, and Torquay.

The archipelago is made up of seven volcanic islands which used to be called the Fortunate Islands by the ancient Romans.

The islands are filled with black sandy beaches and rugged terrain, making for a fantastic and varied landscape. You’ll find a fascinating assortment of wildlife there.

This includes an interesting variety of African and European birds, geckos, lizards, Algerian hedgehogs, Canarian shrews, and a wonderful assortment of marine life.

The Canary Islands have long been regarded as a tropical paradise by European travellers and it’s become a popular cruise destination over the years because of that. The excellent weather and sunny beaches also attract thousands of visitors each year.

There are some captivating natural sites on the islands, including several national parks and biosphere reserves. There are more over 40 museums that are home to some of the world’s most interesting archaeological artifacts. They also feature an assortment of modern and aboriginal art pieces.

There are some exciting activities to try out such as heading to Arrecife and then taking a camel ride up to Fire Mountain. You’ll also see some lunar-like landscapes and you can enjoy the city life in vibrant places like Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Other popular locations are the Santa Cruz de Tenerife beaches and a 200-year-old garden in Puerto de la Cruz. Another interesting site is Loro Parque as it’s home to the biggest collection of parrots in the world.

You can take a cruise to the Canary Islands all year round and most of them are about 10 to 14 days long. Some of them are combined with Western Mediterranean cities, such as Barcelona and Rome and even London.

This will enable you to get a firsthand view of its picturesque towns and charming fishing villages. You’ll also be able to make your way north of the winter wonderland known as the Arctic Circle. Here you’ll be able to witness some tremendous glaciers and amazing wildlife.

There are several cruises available in Norway, but most of them focus mainly on the wonderful fjords and coastal villages in the west. You can also find cruises that take in the Arctic and stop at the Svalbard Archipelago and Spitsbergen.

If you travel from Kirkenes to Stavanger, some of the country’s most popular attractions will await you. The town of Tromso, which sits quite a way north above the Arctic Circle has several interesting museums to visit. There’s also an environmental center called Polaria, where visitors can learn about Arctic ecology and wildlife.

The city of Trondheim is well known as a technological and educational center and features a wide variety of shops, and historical attractions, such as the Nidarosdomen Cathedral. It also has a bustling nightlife. The town of Bergen offers a look into the Norwegian way of life and has a busy fish market and historic wharf.

The cruise season in Norway takes place between March and December and the length of cruises generally vary between five and 14 days. They’re a great way to see the natural beauty of the land as well as its historic attractions. Most Norwegian cruises originate in the coastal towns of Bergen and Kirkenes, which is above the Arctic Circle, and you can reach these destinations by air.

One of the highlights is the Columbia River Gorge as it cuts a path into the Cascade Range which is up to 4,000 feet in depth and 80 miles long. You will also be able to cruise through the locks of the Bonneville Dam. This famous site has been pumping out hydroelectric power ever since the 1930s. You’ll be able to view numerous waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, which are 620 feet in height.

It’s possible to take a covered jet boat through Hells Canyon where you’ll be able to get a close-up look at some wonderful animals such as bighorn sheep, elk, and mountain goats here. When you reach Pendleton, Oregon, you may want to visit the underground tunnels that were dug from 1870 to 1930 and were often used for illicit types of businesses.

If you’d like to understand Native American cultures you can stop at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. There are also several sites that are associated with the famous explorers, William Clark and Meriwether Lewis. These include the Fort Clatsop National Memorial.