A FIRST-TIMER SET SAILS FOR EUROPE ABOARD AVALON WATERWAYS.
IF YOU’RE LIKE ME, YOU HAVE A SLIGHT fear of the unknown. It doesn’t stop me from living life, but I do get butterflies whenever I’m about to make a change or do something new. So, needless to say, I had a hint of nerves when I planned to embark on a first for me: a river cruise.
I was that girl. Hailing from South Florida, I’d only ever been on ocean cruises mostly throughout the Caribbean. With Miami’s cruise port practically in my backyard, taking a trip with 3,000 of my closest friends is a fun, easy, and affordable escape from the everyday. But when I heard that 84 percent of river cruisers are previous ocean cruisers, I figured it was worth a try. And when I read about Avalon Waterways’ 10-day Canals, Vineyards and Paris European sailing, I was lured by the promise of small towns, castles, vineyards, and idyllic pastures.
After flights were booked and dates confirmed, I anxiously checked my tiny apartment mailbox every day for my cruise documents. But instead, a knock came at the door and when I opened it, a bigger-than-a-birthdaycake–sized box stood before me. The box was imprinted with the word “HAPPY” all over it and after opening it, I knew why. Surrounded by confetti-style filler was a portfolio — great for keeping passports and travel documents throughout the trip — with a personalized, bound (bound!) booklet including a detailed, day-by-day itinerary; flight, hotel, and transfer information; optional tour details; a swanky luggage tag; ship tips; and everything else that immediately put my worries at ease.
At that very moment, I felt like I had already started traveling. My body was still in Florida, but my heart was already cruising through the canals of Amsterdam and the Rhine River.
View with a Room
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2017 من Porthole Cruise Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2017 من Porthole Cruise Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
GALAPAGOS OF THE EAST
Koalas are just the beginning on Australia’s fauna-rich Kangaroo Island.
PLUG IN AND POWER UP!
More and more, ports and cruise lines are working together to keep the lights on and keep the pollution down
Making Up For Lost Time
After everything we’ve been through, who’s saying no to a postpandemic world cruise or grand voyage offering months at sea?
MEXICO'S COASTAL ESCAPES
With Mexico rolling out the red carpet and opening flight borders to Americans, now is the time to redeem the pent-up wanderlust of the last year.
Countess In!
Porthole Cruise and Travel enjoys slice after slice of Americana while sailing the new American Countess.
The Joy of St. Croix
Of all the Caribbean vibes, St. Croix’s is unique.
Unique Hotel Boutiques
Gone are the days of sad hotel gift shops that sold little but after thoughts. Today’s hotel shopping is varied and eclectic, offering status items and one-of-a-kind finds alike.
Sipping on the Sand
The unique beach bars near South Florida’s cruise ports are a perfect reflection of the shorelines they represent.
St. Thomas, Sophisticated
A former cruise director revisits the tiny, charming paradise he adored...only to find even more to love.
Traditional Tlingit Tastes
In Hoonah, Alaska, food is about much more than just what's on the plate.