David Moorcroft has taken 78 cruise voyages in almost every part of the world, crossed the Atlantic by ship six times, and for more than 35 years has written about his experiences to the benefit of those interested in seeing the world by ship. He was a writer for the Southam Group for many years and his cruising reviews appeared in many of their papers such as the Montreal Gazette, Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun, and Hamilton Spectator as well as in the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, and in magazines such as Luxury and Orlando. He then wrote a cruising blog for a North American cruise agency, and contributed to the Bell Sympatico travel site. David is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association.
Cruising off-the beaten path – Ushuaia, Argentina
Cruising has expanded exponentially since the 1970s and there are now more than 300 cruise ships plying the seas in almost every part of the world. But Millennials are abandoning traditional types of vacations in favour of more authentic and adventurous types of travel. Will this generational change sink the cruise industry?
The new area of Monterosso al Mare
Tucked along the mountainous coast between Levanto and Portovenere, the remote villages of the Cinque Terre lie within a beautiful national park with steep terraces, pretty harbours and cliff-side hiking trails that offer sweeping views of the Ligurian Sea. Continue reading “ITALY’S FIVE HIDDEN GEMS”
Hebridean Princess at anchor in Loch Dunvegan
The Hebridean Islands of western Scotland are one of the most magical and majestic places to cruise in the world. And there’s no better way to experience their beauty than on a small British-run cruise ship that’s become a stand-in for Her Majesty’s Royal Yacht Britannia. Continue reading “SAILING THE SCOTTISH HEBRIDES ON THE SHIP OF QUEENS”
Milan’s central train station
Located in northwest Italy about 35 miles south of the magnificent Alps and a stone’s throw from the gorgeous Italian Lake District, Milan offers a sublime mixture of high end fashion, historical architecture, and tons of culture, including Leonardo da Vinci’s classic mural “The Last Supper.” Continue reading “ITALY’S BEST-KEPT SECRET”
Cruise ships are causing over-crowding and visual blight
In August of 2017, I wrote about the negative impact that large cruise ships were causing for small ports and historic city centres in a blog called Is my ship too big? Recently, the Italian government took action to address the problem in Venice, and it may not be long before other countries follow suit. Continue reading “LEVIATHANS OF THE LAGOON GETTING CAST ADRIFT”
The Palais de l’Île in Old Annecy
Settled by the Romans and once the cherished home for counts and dukes of Geneva and Savoy, Lake Annecy is a hidden gem whose pristine waters and charming villages have yet to be discovered by the touring masses. Continue reading “PEARL OF THE FRENCH ALPS”
Amazon river excursion
While river cruises have enjoyed tremendous growth over the past five years, expedition cruising could be riding the next big wave in water travel. In fact, some 30 to 40 new expedition ships will be launched by 2023 as both new entrants and established cruise lines bring new capacity into the adventure cruise market. Continue reading “EXPEDITION CRUISING RIDING A WAVE OF POPULARITY”
Magnificent Frigate Bird with puffed up pouch
In part one of this two-part series, my wife Gail and I boarded the Silver Galapagos expedition ship in Baltra, and began our seven-night cruise through the Galapagos Islands by sailing to Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. In part 2, we continue our voyage of discovery in the Galapagos, 97 per cent of which is a National Park surrounded by one of the largest marine reserves in the world, where we encounter Blue-Footed Boobies, Magnificent Frigate Birds, iguanas, giant tortoises and other incredible wildlife. Continue reading “THE GORGEOUS GALAPAGOS: DARWIN’S DREAM DESTINATION (PART 2)”
Red-Footed Booby
Isolated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 kilometres off the coast of South America, the Galapagos Islands are a living museum of evolution and home to some of the most unusual species in the world. Continue reading “THE GORGEOUS GALAPAGOS: DARWIN’S DREAM DESTINATION”
Pool deck on the new Celebrity Edge
If you’ve been thinking about taking a cruise, you’re not alone. A recent study conducted by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says that 30 million travelers will take a cruise in 2019, up six per cent from 28.2 million in 2018.
In addition, 18 new ships will be launched in 2019, which will bring the world’s cruise fleet to a total of 272 ships.
For those who have not yet taken the plunge, here are some are some frequently asked questions and answers for the first-time cruiser. Continue reading “EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CRUISING”
Gentlemans Portion 