Ask The Experts All About Cruising - What you need to know BEFORE you cruise with information, advice and cruise tips from the Cruise Lines. International Association.

Africa

Best known for its exotic wildlife, rolling grasslands, vast deserts and safari adventures, Africa also is a continent of many cultures and beautiful beaches. From Mombasa's Old Town of exotic colors in Kenya to the magnificent wine producing valleys and dramatic views of Cape Town, a cruise to this region of the world offers everything from historic museum visits to close encounters with Zebra.

Alaska

Breathtaking scenery, gleaming glaciers, abundant wildlife, and Native American culture are only a few of the spectacular attractions that draw cruise vacationers to Alaska. With so much to see and do in Alaska, it's no wonder the state's official flower is the alpine forget-me-not!

Antarctica

An Antarctic cruise may not provide ideal conditions for sunbathing on deck, but there is nothing quite like it for adventurous souls who yearn to see and experience the beauty and spectacle of Earth's most remote and unspoiled place. A cruise to the great "White Continent" also provides unique opportunities for face-to-face encounters with the wildlife that dwell in this icy realm, including gentoo and chinstrap penguins; crabeater, Weddell and leopard seals; humpback and killer whales; and kelp gulls and nesting Antarctic terns.

Australia and New Zealand

Although Australia and New Zealand lie literally on the other side of the world from home, tourists from North America find that they feel wonderfully at home in these two nations. A shared language - English is also the dominant language "down under" - and a host of other similarities in national character and style allay the strangeness of the striking landscapes, unique wildlife and distinctive cultural traditions of these two nations.

Bahamas

It's easy to find reasons why more people take cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean than anywhere else in the world. A warm climate; an astounding array of ports of call, each with its own distinctive character and appeal; thousands of beaches, including some of the world's best; great shopping at duty free prices; and incredibly clear seas teeming with marine life make this part of the world a perfect cruise vacation destination.

Bermuda

The sand really is pink, and the style is decidedly British in this Atlantic Ocean island gem a day a half by ship from the East Coast. Although some cruise ships call at Bermuda on the way to or from the Caribbean and Bahamas or Europe, most cruises to this island are single-destination journeys, giving vacationers several days to enjoy the many delights it offers while using their ship as a floating resort hotel.

Canada, New England, & The US Coast

Whether it's a stop at historic Saint John's, Canada's oldest incorporated city; a visit to famed Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts; a call at Baltimore's bustling harbor; or a day baking in the hospitality of beautiful Charleston, South Carolina - a rich variety of wonderful experiences await "close-to-home" vacationers on a cruise along the eastern coast of the U.S. and Canada.

Cruises ranging from two-night getaways to12-night voyages sail the coastal waters of North America and into Canada along the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Central America & The Panama Canal

The warm region between Mexico and South America possesses remarkable culture, spectacular scenery - and one of the world's historic engineering marvels, the Panama Canal.

European River Cruises

From the winding regions of the Mosel, Rhine and Danube, our increasingly popular European River Cruises explore the fascinating history, arts, and world famous wine growing regions of Europe.

Explore terraced hillsides dotted with medieval castles, vineyards, and religious sites along the way, a gentle ride down these tributaries unlocks the treasures of these towns, ancient hubs of merchant trade routes, and strategic fortresses which created boundaries of modern European cultures.

Hawaii, Polynesia, Tahiti, & The South Pacific

Who hasn't dreamed of escaping to a tropical island paradise in the South Pacific? As it turns out, there are literally thousands of them, including some famous in legend, song and literature and the model for the fictional Bali Hai that still symbolizes this region of the world to many people.

Mexico

Stunning white-sand beaches, lively art, exciting nightlife, exuberant energy, and wondrous architecture and archaeological structures such as the many Mayan ruins all contribute to Mexico's popularity with cruise vacationers. Open-air markets with hand-made crafts, jewelry and straw items abound in Mexico, as do excellent restaurants and festive bars.

Northern Europe, Scandinavia, & Baltic Russia

Northern Europe perennially tops lists of favorite destinations for North American travelers. Those who have been there look forward to returning, and those who have not dream of going.

South America

This vibrant continent combines Latin American flare with the all the warmth of the Caribbean. It's colorful, exotic, sexy, historic and modern all at the same time. It's mysterious. It's amazing. It's an adventure.

Southern Europe and The Mediterranean

Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Saint Paul, Marco Polo and millions of others from the dawn of civilization to present-day cruise vacationers have explored the coastal cities and thousands of islands of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. These are, in fact, places linked mainly by the sea, and much of their history, commerce and traditions have their origins there.

Cruises in this part of the world fall into three broad categories:

The Far East and the Orient

To most North Americans, the Far East and Orient define the essence of exotic destinations. Far from home in nearly every sense, these lands have dazzled and enthralled travelers with their fascinating traditions, stunning beauty, rich history and rich cultural heritage.

The diverse countries and cultures of this area of the world encompass a vast area and countless ports of call from Japan to the Indian subcontinent. Those who journey here can experience the wonders of some of the oldest known civilizations - and delight in the region's unique architecture, cuisine and art.

Transatlantic

For those who value traveling in style and comfort, for romantic souls who want to experience the style and grace of the "good old days" (but with all the modern conveniences) and for who simply want to escape from the ordinary routine, nothing beats a transatlantic cruise. As short as six days or as long as two weeks or more, these crossings between Europe and America feature the endless pleasures of leisurely days at sea the ship lovers and experienced cruisers treasure, rather than the usual series of port calls.

r ead more...

City Guides

African (Southern)

Alaska

Australia/New Zealand

Bahamas

Baltics/Russia

Bermuda

British Isles

Canada/New England

Caribbean

Central America

E. Mediterranean/Aegean

Europe (Western)

Far East/Orient

Hawaii

India

Ireland

Mexico (Pacific Coast)

Middle East

Scandinavia/North Cape

SE Mediterranean

South America

South Pacific/Tahiti

Southeast Asia

Southeast US Coast

West Coast US