Cruising & Sailing articles

Some people step onto a boat and are straight at home. For them the challenge, the mechanics, the simple joy of sailing all combine to make the sport less of a pastime and more of a necessity. These people ? let's call them fanatics ? come alive on board a boat, forgetting the pressures of work and home in the sheer exhilaration of surfing down a wave on a tight reach, or coaxing the yacht upwind in... Read More

If you want to expatriate to Mexico to find an affordable cost of living then there is one thing you must do--Go Native!Now, this is not as scary as you might think. I am not talking about living in the jungles of Puerto Vallarta and hoping the locals will show you how to beat your clothes clean on the rocks "down to the river", (I've seen some Mexicans still doing this).What I am saying is that you must adopt, as... Read More

Every cruise vacation offers passengers a luxurious cruising experience. Some of the cruise lines raise the bar so high that they are referred to as Luxury Cruise Lines by going "above and beyond" what one might expect in a great cruise experience. Taking cruise getaways aboard their ships is really considered a Luxury Cruise Line Vacation!This type of luxury cruise line includes such companies as Crystal Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Windstar Cruises and Silversea Cruises. Vacations... Read More

The world is blessed with wonderful beautiful sandy tropical beaches. These golden sun drenched beaches are just waiting for us to come and enjoy. A great way to experience a number of these beautiful tropical beaches while on one vacation is by cruising. Travel in relaxing and luxurious comfort across the sparkling turquoise water from one destination to another by magnificent cruise ships and then enjoy yet another tropical paradise and the marvelous beaches waiting there! You'll want to check... Read More

Who says FEMA is not doing their job. They just rented out Three Carnival Cruise Line ships to shelter 7,000 Hurricane Victims from the Katrina Disaster. Brilliant idea and if and when we get another Hurricane they can sail out of its way, without causing further hardship. They have showers, food, giant institutional style galleys and no one can complain, they are on a cruise ship. I mean think of it these people will be taken on Carnival Cruise Ships... Read More

Inflatable boats such as inflatable kayaks, inflatable catamarans, and inflatable sport boats have several advantages over their traditional watercraft counterparts. They typically cost less, are easy to transport, and can operate in more shallow waters than a deep hull boat. But many people don't realize that inflatable boats are just as safe, or even more secure, than traditional boats. Because of their safety reputation, inflatable boats are now essentially the standard for use by the military, coast guard and other... Read More

The Atlantic Ocean is Earth's second-largest ocean. It covers approximately a fifth of the earth's surface. The name Atlantic Ocean came from Greek mythology; it means the "Sea of Atlas".The Atlantic Ocean is second only to the Pacific in size. With its neighboring seas it occupies an area of about 41,100,000 square miles. The land that drains to the Atlantic is approxcimately four times that of either the Pacific or Indian oceans. The Atlantic Ocean has a... Read More

Stroll around any marina and you will soon spot the classic sailing characters: the old enthusiast, patiently restoring a wooden shell to its sleek former self; the dedicated racer, tweaking his stripped out, cutting edge craft; or even tanned BMW man, who turns up on sunny weekends to take his latest woman out for a spin in his souped-up power boat. Move to the bar, and you'll find them easily. The old hand, scruffed down, ready for... Read More

Alaska cruises can be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance that magnificent experience with Celebrity Alaska cruises.Celebrity takes cruising to the next level and their Alaska cruises are no different. Consistently being rated at the top in service by such experts as Conde' Nast Traveler should give the most discerning cruise passenger a comfortable feeling about cruising with Celebrity.Add to that a fantastic itinerary like Alaska, and you have a winning combination. The beauty of the land matched with the... Read More

If you are looking for affordable weekend getaways, romantic cruises may just be the answer. Unless you are living in the middle of a desert, there will undoubtedly be cruises of some nature within driving distance of your home.Cruising has long been associated with romance. There's nothing quite like being on the water, watching as the world passes you by in tranquility. It does not matter whether that water is from a river, a lake, or a sea ? romance... Read More

Of the six states that comprise our country's quaint New England, five are on the coast, making the area a prime place for enjoying water sports, including a top favorite, sailing.Whether you make your home there or decide to take in the sea air during your next vacation, you'll never encounter a lack of ways to enjoy the water while sailing these unique waters.The coast itself is remarkably different from others farther south on the Atlantic; here, you'll find craggy... Read More

As anyone who's ever bought a used car knows, you have to approach the project armed with your own knowledge before you even set foot on the lot. In this situation, being uninformed is tantamount to being taken to the cleaners.The same goes for buying a sailboat. And, like automobiles, no sailboat is the same, so you should know the basics (and some particulars, as well) about the overall condition of the Sunfish sailboat you have your eye on.The first... Read More

Just think of it, the world of opulence and leisure: You're on a luxury yacht. You're sailing the ocean blue, not a care in the world. You're being served a taste of different varietals of fine wines by waiters wearing white gloves and tuxedos with tails. You're catching the scintillating scent of fresh sea air from your overstuffed chaise lounge on the yacht's deck. Strawberries dipped in chocolate and truffles glide by on gleaming sterling-silver trays.And guess what? It's not... Read More

Sometimes it can be difficult to round up the old gang from high school; everyone is busy, someone in their family either can't or won't go, or people will think, "Oh, those things are so boring."Well, if you or someone you know is in charge of coordinating your reunion for the "Class of ----," you'll definitely get better results from the get-go if you decide to plan the reunion aboard a luxury yacht, offering your former classmates a real chance... Read More

If you're the "outdoorsy" type, prefer to work on a team, have a positive attitude and are a confirmed "people-person," you may fit right in as part of a yacht crew. Though jobs on most yachts are seasonal or part-time (depending on when someone rents it for a cruise), you will gain an incredible amount of experience while sailing your work days away.A few yacht crew jobs include the following:Chef/Cook Diesel Mechanic Flotilla Skipper Host/Hostess Sailing... Read More

Ever wanted to really put yourself to the test and teach yourself how to sail and guide a yacht? On a crewed yacht charter voyage, you can do just that ? and more ? while taking turns at the helm and seeing the sights of your specially planned destination.Unlike other ocean yachts, a crewed charter yacht vacation allows you to be more independent and make more choices about your trip. For example, you'll set your own pace by choosing your... Read More

Yacht racing, though it may seem like "a breeze" to spectators (to turn a phrase), is really a lot more complicated than it looks. Anyone who's ever been involved in a "backyard regatta" or a world-class yacht race will tell you: This is a sport that requires very savvy technical skills and a strategic mind. Still think anyone can do it? Just ask anyone who's served as a crew member in a yacht-racing adventure catered to the disabled. Here's a... Read More

Take an Arctic Tour by flying north of Fairbanks to Dead Horse, on the northern edge of Alaska's North Slope. This unreserved wilderness area, stretching to an indescribable horizon at the Arctic Ocean, is home to caribou, grizzly bear, musk oxen, and so many more species of mammals. A great place to start is with an orientation to the region, then moving on to a tour of the shores of the Arctic Ocean, finishing up with an overnight stay in... Read More

Are you contemplating a travel vacation and don't know how to get the best deal? Online shopping for cruise deals, travel deals and vacation packages should be your first thought.When shopping for vacation packages or cruise and travel vacations, many people are reluctant to deal with online merchants or even offer their email address for price quotes. Let's look at this last item.You search online for a specific cruise or vacation. You find a link that looks interesting. Clicking on... Read More

So, you are contemplating a European cruise. You are looking for the cruise to be a luxury travel vacation. Europe tours must be part of the vacation package. Then the European cruise travel vacation for you is a European river cruise!One of the best ways to travel Europe to see and experience the magnificent and historic sites are the river cruises aboard the luxurious cruise boats. Fly to your departure destination and board the boat. Unpack once, then relax and... Read More