cruise

Travel

Everything You Need For a Smooth-Sailing Cruise

Thinking of going on a cruise anytime soon?

Thinking of going on a cruise anytime soon? Because of the all-inclusive nature and beautiful waterside destinations, hitting the high seas is a practical and effortless guaranteed good time. Still, there are things you can do — and bring — to ensure smooth sailing. Check out our list of cruise-packing essentials and let us know if you have any of your own.

  • Bathing suits: Packing a swimsuit is a no brainer, but you'll want to bring more than one for all the different activities that take place on board.
  • Medicines: You never know what will come up, so be prepared for headaches, coughs, and, of course, seasickness.
  • Workout clothes: True, vacations are for relaxing, but all the fun activities and classes will be calling your name and will require t-shirts and running shoes.
  • Camera: Whether it's a fancy DSLR or waterproof camera you picked up at a kiosk, capture all the fun memories with a snap.
  • Sunscreen: You can never bring too much sunscreen, since you'll be reapplying all day long . . . right?
  • Sweater or light jacket: If you stay out late one evening on shore or the air conditioning is blasting in the dining room, you'll be happy you packed something light to keep you warm.
  • Formal attire: Most cruises have at least one night dedicated to formal wear, which means cocktail dresses for the ladies and blazers for the gentlemen.

Keep reading.

Family Travel

8 Tips For Taking a Cruise With the Kids

Cruising can be the ultimate luxury for vacationing families.
Know the Pool Rules

Cruising can be the ultimate luxury for vacationing families. With your restaurants and activities just a few steps from your room, everything is at your fingertips. But all cruises are not created equal when it comes to family travel. Some specialize in welcoming families with infants and toddlers, while others are carefully designed for more independent tots. Having just returned from my first cruise (a Disney one at that), I learned there are certain considerations families should keep in mind before booking their own trips. If a cruise is in your future, check out my tips for making your experience one to remember!

Source: Royal Caribbean International

Family Travel

10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Disney Cruise

Grab your sea legs, because we're going sailing with Mickey!

Grab your sea legs, because we're going sailing with Mickey! After making our first journey to Disney World this Winter, the last place I thought I'd find my family was surrounded by Mickey, Minnie, and the gang on a cruise ship. But that's just where we ended up last week after Disney Cruise Line invited us on the Disney Magic's inaugural sailing out of NYC and up the New England coast. Having never cruised before, we found it to be an entirely new adventure for us, and one that had me nervous about being "trapped on a boat" for five days (one day in Halifax, Nova Scotia, one day in St. John, New Brunswick, and two days at sea).

Now that we're back on land, I can see I had little to worry about. In true Disney fashion, there was so much to do that I wished I had another two days to take it all in. We relaxed in hot tubs, played ping-pong and foosball at the bow of the ship, took photos with countless characters, baked cookies in the kids' club, watched The Avengers in 3D in the 278-seat Buena Vista Theatre, joined in a boisterous round of Bingo one evening, saw first-rate live shows every night, danced to pirate rock music on the deck of the ship, and even found time to work out in the gym while overlooking the Atlantic — and this was all before we ever stepped foot off the boat at one of our ports. From the moment the crew gave us personal welcome over the loud speaker when we walked onto the ship (a Disney Cruise Line exclusive), there was never a dull moment.

Keep reading to see my tips for making the most out of your time on a Disney cruise.

Holiday

15 Warm-Weather Getaway Essentials

>> Escape the gift-buying bustle and cold-city hustle — the season's sunnier side is all about jet-setting in style.
Shop Holiday 2011 and Resort 2012 Vacation Essentials

>> Escape the gift-buying bustle and cold-city hustle — the season's sunnier side is all about jet-setting in style. In bold primary hues, graphic prints, and easy shapes, these pack-now essentials will have you in a cruise state of mind in no time. See them all now.
Photo: Stella McCartney Resort 2012, courtesy of Getty

Poll

Would You Ever Take a Geek-Themed Vacation?

Have plans for Halloween this year?

Have plans for Halloween this year? Feel like taking a cruise? This October, the National Academy of Video Game Testers and Reviewers is behind a cruise to the Bermuda triangle for gamers and video game fans. Packages start at just under $700 per person and include five days of cruising, costume contests, video game voting, and more.

I don't think I'd rule out a geek-themed vacation. After all, if John Mayer can sponsor a cruise for fans, why not gamers, too? Would you do it?

lerario beatriz

Look Book Love: Lerario Beatriz Resort '10

I first spotlighted Brazilian designer Lerario Beatriz in 2007, but she's grown immensely since starting her company in 2005.
Look Book Love: Lerario Beatriz Resort '10

I first spotlighted Brazilian designer Lerario Beatriz in 2007, but she's grown immensely since starting her company in 2005. Seeing as how we're in the middle of chic cruise season, it's fitting for me to bring you her Cruise '10 look book. It's romantic and gorgeously simple, with interesting details. Unlike some resort lines, you won't find lots of colors here, but you will find cuts that are undoubtedly fashion-forward. You can tell Beatriz is serious about her fashion and fashion is serious about her.

Fab Quiz

Guess the Chic Cruise

I've been serving up chic Cruise '10 collections nonstop.

I've been serving up chic Cruise '10 collections nonstop. There's lots more to peruse, but to keep things interesting, the latest batch is coming at you in quiz form. Study the outfit and guess who designed it. Ready, set, cruise!

Isaac Mizrahi

Cruise '10 Melts Our Hearts

Cruise collections are so delightful.
2010 Cruise Collections From Stella McCartney, Monique Lhuillier, Burberry, Phillip Lim, Versace, and Jonathan Saunders

Cruise collections are so delightful. Not only do they get you in the spirit of Summer, most creations are actually wearable, and if you're like me, easy to re-create. This round varies from flirty to dazzling thanks to Monique Lhuillier's indulgent creations. Stella McCartney's gingham dress and yellow heels are cute enough for an outdoor wedding or even a picnic in Central Park. Keep clicking to see the best resort pieces from Burberry, Phillip Lim, Versace, Jonathan Saunders, Alberta Ferretti, and more!

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Diane Von Furstenberg

Chic Cruise '10 Just Got Hotter

Ready or not, here come more chic cruise '10 collections.
Cruise 2010 Collections

Ready or not, here come more chic cruise '10 collections. And let me tell ya, this batch is the hottest. Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, Helmut Lang, and Yigal Azrouël have delivered ruggedly cool duds; Calvin Klein is minimalistic but subtly sexy; Brian Reyes is youthful and lends gorgeous prints; Caroline Herrera, Jason Wu, and Diane von Furstenberg are all about brights; and Miu Miu (left) gives us sheer fluidity. Go on, get your cruise on.


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