In case you missed the   Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse yesterday . Yesterday also began my travel series with best airports.  Today,  best cruise lines , voted by subscribers to  Condé Nast . Mega Ships (more than 4,000 passengers) Norwegian Cruise Line   86.72 Royal Caribbean International   86.69 Carnival Cruise Line   85.35 MSC Cruises   83.42 Large Ships (2,500 to 4,000 passengers) Virgin Voyages   94.07 Disney Cruise Line   92.21 Cunard   89.55 Princess Cruises   89.42 Celebrity Cruises   88.57 Costa Cruises   87.95 Holland America Line   87.79 Norwegian Cruise Line   86.41 Royal Caribbean International   84.31 MSC Cruises   83.77 P&O Cruises   81.73 Carnival Cruise Line   80.37 Medium Ships (500 to 2,500 passengers) Viking   94.98 Disney Cruise Line   92.92 Seabourn   91.67 Regent Seven Seas Cruises   91.07 Oceania Cruises   87.99 Silversea   87...

I yesterday thought I ended my cruise series.  However, Part 6 mentioned the December 2023 to May 2024 274-night  Ultimate Global Cruise , with four segments, and one of them interested me, so to quote: May 9 to July 4:  Dubai to Barcelona, middle east treasures and marvels of the Med. Hmmmm.... I wonder if space is still available.  We fly on November 11 to Dubai for a Regent Seven Seas cruise to Singapore. Why not a summer of 2024 cruise from Dubai to Barcelona, as they pay for the business class fare from Honolulu to Dubai, then Barcelona to Honolulu. I thus inquired.   Cabins still available at $352/night with free drinks, wi-fi and tips, but the business class fare is only for those who take the full world option.   If they covered first class from Honolulu to Dubai, then from Barcelona to Honolulu, we'd be inclined to go.  Maybe we can yet work out a deal.  Nah, they won't, so this is one cruise I will miss.   Anyway, the...

If you have cruised, you'd probably be surprised to learn which cruise lines have risen to near the top in a wide variety of ship sizes.  It was seven years ago when I was on a  Tauck European River Cruise , which was then rated #1.  In fifth place was Viking.  I'll later let you know where they now rank in this category.  The other surprise is Norwegian Cruise Line, for they ply the islands of Hawaii, and are okay...but really good?  We'll see. So, anyway, here is how  Condé Nast Traveler  readers ranked cruise lines: Mega Ships ( more than 4000 passengers ). #3 is Norwegian Cruise Line. Their first was the Norwegian Epic in 2010, which could carry just over 5000 passengers. They now have five others.  For those seeking a more mature environment, sail on the Norwegian Bliss ( right ).  Generally sails out of Seattle, Los Angeles and sometimes Miami.   Cheapest cabin listed from $60-$120/day, although I noticed that there is a ...

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