Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? We don’t think so. Now that we are retired, and because our favourite cruise brand markets them, longer itineraries are our new favourite. Usually starting in one city and ending at another, loaded with unique ports and with the potential for overnights, the longer…
Port of Call – Aqaba, Jordan
There are two major ancient sites in Jordan close to the city of Aqaba and both are worth every moment of your time. Many of our fellow passengers combined the two into a very tiring day. We decided to forgo one for the other by promising ourselves we would return one day. Petra, one of…
Port of Call – Salalah, Oman
There is an old saying, “timing is everything”, an expression which means that the “consideration of other events can greatly influence some desired outcome”. This sums up our stop in Salalah, Oman perfectly. Our arrival in this port was on a Friday, the holy day of the week for Muslims. As a result many of…
Port of Call – Fujairah, UAE
Fujairah is the fourth largest of the emirates. It does not have the wealth or tourism appeal that Abu Dhabi or Dubai have, but it allowed us to see the “other” side of the United Arab Emirates. Our drive took us through lush green landscapes along the scenic coastline, up mountainous terrains and through villages…
Port of Call – Abu Dhabi
Stunning architecture under brilliant blue skies, colourful foliage surrounded by encroaching desert sands and a diverse population of friendly welcoming people; this is Abu Dhabi. When the Arab countries were united in 1971 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Abu Dhabi was made its capital. It is remains the largest and wealthiest of the emirates….
Tips for a Smooth Embarkation
Whether you are a new or experienced cruiser embarkation day can be stressful. Add to that the time and tension spent getting to the port and it’s understandable why some folks are a little short tempered and impatient. Luckily this is usually offset by the excitement of their pending adventure. To make this process as…
A View from Victoria
Solo Travel with Renee The boat rocked as we rushed back and forth to catch a glimpse of the huge dark shadow passing underneath. Suddenly off the port side, the waters exploded and the enormous humpback whale shot upwards, blasting a cold crystalline spray. Bundled up against freezing rain, I was on a whale-watching tour…
A Day in Dubai
Dubai is such an eclectic mix of the new and modern and the old and traditional. The sights, smells and sounds were exotic and intoxicating for us Canadians escaping the winter dark and cold with the brilliant sunshine that supported the midday heat an added bonus. One of the first perks I found in retirement…
Our Top 5 Things To Do On a Sea Day
We spend a lot of our time focusing on the things to see and do when you hit shore, but a cruise is more than just the sum of its ports. When you choose a cruise predominately for the adventure and exploration you tend to overlook the best part of a cruise vacation – being on…