Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee: 2012's other major British event]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/queen-elizabeths-diamond-jubilee-2012s-other-major-british-ev/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/queen-elizabeths-diamond-jubilee-2012s-other-major-british-ev/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/queen-elizabeths-diamond-jubilee-2012s-other-major-british-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

queen elizabeth's diamond jubileeIn London, signs of the coming Olympics are everywhere. Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations have begun to expand into East London toward key Olympics sites, billboards urge drivers to begin to think about how they'll deal with increased traffic, and the Prime Minister is busy warning unions that the prospect of a strike during the Olympics would be "unacceptable and unpatriotic."

Meanwhile, outside of London, a number of cities have banded together as Heritage Cities in part to lure those tourists brought to London by the Olympics away from the capital.

But the Olympics are not the only event drawing visitors to the UK this year. 2012 is also the year of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, the 60th anniversary of her coronation as Queen. The Diamond Jubilee will reach its peak during what is being called the Diamond Jubilee central weekend, from June 2 through 5. The weekend will be characterized by some serious pomp and circumstance. Events will include a 1000-boat pageant on the Thames on June 3, a BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace on June 4, and a special Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral followed by a carriage procession on June 5.

In addition to this peak period, there are a number of other events planned in the lead-up to the weekend and beyond.

For example, members of the Royal Family are traveling around the UK, the UK's Crown Dependencies, the UK's Overseas Territories, and Commonwealth to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Currently, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and his wife the Countess of Wessex are on a two-week commemorative Caribbean visit, taking in St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, and Antigua and Barbuda. Locals and tourists alike in the region might just run across Edward and Sophie through March 7.

The Queen and Prince Philip's travel schedule begins March 8 in Leicester and finishes off on what looks like a very busy July 25, taking in Cowes, the Isle of Wight, New Forest, and Hampshire.

There is an official website for taking stock of Diamond Jubilee events. There's also a handy Google map allowing visitors to see where various members of the Royal Family will be celebrating the Queen's reign throughout the year. (Spoiler alert: Harry got Jamaica.) Visitors can play with an interactive timeline of the last 60 years and also send a message to the Queen. And there's the crucial bit of information that Andrew Lloyd Webber is co-authoring a Diamond Jubilee song.

[Image: Flickr | quinn.anya]

Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee: 2012's other major British event originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012commonwealthenglandlondonQueen Elizabeth IIqueen elizabeths diamond jubileeQueenElizabethIiQueenElizabethsDiamondJubileeunited kingdomUnitedKingdomFri, 02 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take another look at these ten top cruise ports]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/23/ten-top-caribbean-islands-and-cruise-ports/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/23/ten-top-caribbean-islands-and-cruise-ports/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/23/ten-top-caribbean-islands-and-cruise-ports/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ten top caribbean islands
If you travel by cruise ship, there's not a lot of choice in the matter. Cruise lines have a variety of islands to visit but the choices are limited with many itineraries virtually the same from ship to ship. Still, you are not required to get in line and go along with the crowd. Consider the cruise ship no more than the way you got there when thinking of what to do ashore. Planning as though you took a flight, not a cruise ship, puts things in a way better perspective. Think of yourself as a traveler who came by sea. No, really. Think that way and even ports you may have been to several times will have a fresh, new look and feel.

If you travel by air, flying can get you to islands not serviced regularly by cruise lines or maybe islands you might have sampled on a cruise and said "I think I could come back and do this again, without the ship". If you have ever been on a cruise you probably said that at one time or another.

Sure, a cruise vacation is often a best value for travel. Good, glad to hear it. Now let's take that a step further and get more out of your cruise by thinking a bit differently about common cruise ports visited by most every cruise line. Let's look at ten top Caribbean islands and cruise ports.

Continue reading Take another look at these ten top cruise ports

Take another look at these ten top cruise ports originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cruise line scams: Shore Excursions]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/15/cruise-line-scams-shore-excursions/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/15/cruise-line-scams-shore-excursions/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/15/cruise-line-scams-shore-excursions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cruise line shore excursions

Going ashore can be one of the best parts of a cruise and one of the reasons many travelers choose a cruise vacation in the first place. From the comfort of your floating hotel, you can see multiple destinations but only have to unpack once. Cruise lines offer a wide variety of excursions at each port of call and encourage passengers to join. Some are over-priced but carry an implied level of safety that might not be entirely accurate.

The potential scam-like claim here is "Oh, you don't want to go out on your own on a shore excursion. If they're late getting you back, the ship will leave without you"

Yes, they could do that. Will they? Probably not. How likely is that to happen? Not likely at all.

Often, the same companies and people that do shore excursions for the cruise lines also do them independently. Still, the cruise lines say they do investigate and follow up on excursion providers to see how they are doing, holding them to high standards.

Alternatives to ship-sponsored excursions. Shoretrips.com, is a third-party service that provides excursions world-wide. Owners Julie and Barry from Milwaukee, Wisconsin travel to each of the destinations and insure that their tours are safe and interesting. Often, Shoretrips.com excursions are less expensive and less crowded too. Booking more than 200,000 people a year, they have yet to leave someone behind.

Let's talk price. A pretty easy-to-compare excursion in Cozumel, Mexico, Swimming with the Dolphins is $129 for adults or children on Carnival Cruise Lines. Shoretrips.com has that dolphin swim for $79 for adults and $77 for children. That's about 40% less than the cruise line. Prices vary among lines too. Royal Caribbean has that dolphin swim for $99. Their price is better than Carnival but not as good as Shoretrips.com.

Another option is to go with someone recommended by a trusted friend or a travel blogger you've come to know. Reliable independent operators know what they are competing with on the cruise line excursion offerings and almost always offer a better value. That might come in the form of a lower price or a similar price with a better experience.

Get good information. A good source for reliable travel information about specific ports of call is AOL travel guides. Good discussion and very current, personal information can be found at CruiseCritic.com. Your good travel agent/expert should have recommendations also.

I'm really not trying to talk you out of the ship-sponsored shore excursions. They're good. Nothing wrong with them. But there are alternatives that are just as safe (or not) as third-party vendors.

Cruise lines have their share of problems with excursions.

Continue reading Cruise line scams: Shore Excursions

Cruise line scams: Shore Excursions originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnival cruise lineCarnivalCruiseLinecheap cruisesCheapCruisescruise linecruise tourscruise vacationsCruiseLinecruisesCruiseToursCruiseVacationsroyal caribbean cruise lineRoyalCaribbeanCruiseLinesafety at seaSafetyAtSeashore excursionsShoreExcursionsshoretrips.comSat, 15 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[5 tips for people who really don't want to go on a cruise]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/14/5-tips-for-people-who-really-dont-want-to-go-on-a-cruise/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/14/5-tips-for-people-who-really-dont-want-to-go-on-a-cruise/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/14/5-tips-for-people-who-really-dont-want-to-go-on-a-cruise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

don't want to go on a cruiseMaybe hiking, biking, backpacking or pretty much any other minimizing endeavor is more what you have in mind for traveling but someone is dragging you along on a cruise. There's just no way you're getting out of it. Is there hope for you? Yes. A little. Not much. But some.

Pace yourself- Food will always be available 24 hours a day on board. You might not be used to that with your triathlon training and all so do some stomach stretching exercises prior to boarding. You will need the extra room. Stop pouting that there are no granola bars or energy drinks. There are. On cruises they are called "shots" and you find them at the bars. You'll enjoy the walk to get them and recent studies suggest those extra steps will help prevent diabetes.

No barfing- You are concerned about the possibility of becoming sea sick because the little path on your normal mountain hike doesn't really move around much. Think of it like that and yeah, you probably will be. Prepare for shooting the rapids in Colorado with somebody who doesn't know what they're doing and you'll be fine. It could be worse. You could have been invited along for a taping of Paris Hilton's new reality show.

Know where you are going- Take time before the cruise to check out a travel guide on the places you will visit. Duh. Just because you don't have any say in where the ship goes doesn't mean you can't meet fun and find interesting people. You probably won't find any of them on the ship but maybe when you go ashore.

Careful with spending- The food is included in the price of your cruise but that's about it. Beverages, both alcoholic and sodas are not included. Want a sip of water? You'll pay $23.54 for that. This is why people smuggle booze on the ship. They do have beds so leave your sleeping bag at home with your tent. Bring your flashlight though, cruise passenger are fascinated by shiny things.

Relax. That may seem like a silly tip but you would be surprised how many people try to pack so much into every day that they need a vacation after they get back from their cruise to recuperate. Know this as a fact: There are way too many things to do and you can not possibly do them all. To be more accurate, there are too many things to do that you will think are stupid so bring a telescope and memorize the sky. Maybe you can find a 14th sign of the zodiac.

Flickr photo by Robbie Howell

5 tips for people who really don't want to go on a cruise originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cruisecruise tipscruise vacationscruisesCruiseTipsCruiseVacationsi hate cruisesIHateCruisesFri, 14 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Feds threaten: cruise line pollution must stop]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/09/feds-threaten-cruise-line-pollution-must-stop/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/09/feds-threaten-cruise-line-pollution-must-stop/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/09/feds-threaten-cruise-line-pollution-must-stop/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

feds threaten cruise linesNew emission rules for cruise ships and other large vessels are set to go into effect in late 2013.

A United Nations plan to control emissions from ships sailing within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. and Canadian coasts initially excluded the U.S, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico which pretty much left the Caribbean wide open for uncontrolled cruise line pollution.

Ships often use lower costing fuels with high sulphur levels outside of U.S. government jurisdiction, changing to cleaner fuels as they approach U.S. ports.

Under the plan, which would now include the U.S Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, ships would be required to use cleaner fuel or install special pollution reducing equipment to reduce air pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that asthma and cancer-causing pollutants could be cut by about 90% in a decade.

Under the plan, which needs approval from the United Nations' London-based International Maritime Organization, EPA officials could randomly show up at ports to inspect ships and enforcement will be tough. The penalties have not yet been established, but impounding ships has been suggested as one option, said Elias Rodriguez, an EPA spokesperson.

Flickr photo by lecates

Feds threaten: cruise line pollution must stop originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air pollutionAirPollutioncancer-causingclean airCleanAircruisecruise line fuelcruise line pollutioncruise linesCruiseLineFuelCruiseLinePollutionCruiseLinesenvironmentalepaepa officialsEpaOfficialsprotection agencypuerto ricoPuertoRicoregulationssulphur emissionsSulphurEmissionsunited nationsunited statesUnitedNationsUnitedStatesThu, 09 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily Pampering: St. Vincent's first luxury resort is over the top]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/21/st-vincents-first-luxury-resort-is-over-the-t/http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/21/st-vincents-first-luxury-resort-is-over-the-t/http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/21/st-vincents-first-luxury-resort-is-over-the-t/#commentsFiled under:

Buccament Bay Resort
Welcome to the all-new Buccament Bay Resort, the first 5-star luxury resort in St. Vincent. Here, you will find he Caribbean's first-ever Trader Vic's, the Liverpool Football Club Soccer School, Pat Cash Tennis Academy, Harlequin Fitness Centre and Diving & Water Sports Centre, the Harlequin Performing Arts Academy, the Island Sanctuary Spa and the Little Harlequins Kids Club, along with several other bars and restaurants and a private marina. Just try to get bored. I dare you.

The 368-room resort is the first venture from new high end resort group Harlequin Hotels & Resorts. They aptly claim to be "positioned to redefine tourism on the island," and will employ over 700 locals. Though each amenity is more impressive than the last, this veritable playground for the elite also has fabulous rooms, designed by Dallas-based interior design firm Jones Bakerwith no expense spared. Features include tropical hardwoods, natural stone, custom bedding, luxurious baths with rain showers, custom lighting and private terraces, as well as the latest in technology (of course).

If you'd like to be among the first to experience Buccament Bay Resort, click here for more information.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Daily Pampering: St. Vincent's first luxury resort is over the top originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dailypamperingHarlequin Hotels ResortsHarlequinHotelsResortsLiverpool Football ClubLiverpoolFootballClubst. vincentSt.VincentMon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five idyllic Caribbean backwaters]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/03/five-idyllic-caribbean-backwaters/http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/03/five-idyllic-caribbean-backwaters/http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/03/five-idyllic-caribbean-backwaters/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Beyond the Caribbean's all-inclusive resorts, casinos, overpriced restaurants, and huge crowds are a handful of islands that have escaped mass development. These quiet islands, with their tiny populations and scattered tourist facilities, are not headed for mass-tourism overdevelopment anytime soon, and for a range of reasons-in some cases, the absence of an adequate expanse for a large runway; in others, proximity to more developed islands, or local governmental resistance, or even a decently profitable traditional economy that generates more money than tourism. For whatever reason, these backwaters should remain charming and relatively quiet for some time to come. Let your castaway fantasy flag fly.

1. Anegada, British Virgin Islands.

Geographically and geologically apart from the rest of the Virgin Islands, Anegada is a limestone-based island with enormous stretches of perfect white-sand beaches. It's hard to top Anegada's Loblolly Bay or Cow Wreck beaches for their achievement of ideal beach status. There may be things to do on the island above and beyond lazing on the beach in a rum haze, but you'll surely never need to discover them. Think Anguilla without the crowds (let alone the celebrities) and you've got a good sense of the island. Anegada can be reached by ferry from Tortola or charter plane.

2. Barbuda, Antigua & Barbuda.

Barbuda boasts some of the Caribbean's best and least-trafficked beaches, a noteworthy frigate bird preserve, a fascinating cave complex, and Lighthouse Bay, one of the Caribbean's most thrillingly perfect resorts. That the island hasn't been developed to pieces seems a miracle when one contemplates how many Caribbean islands with less remarkable beaches manage to be vastly more developed. Barbuda can be reached by air and ferry from Antigua-or, if you're lucky enough to be a guest of Lighthouse Bay, by helicopter.

Continue reading Five idyllic Caribbean backwaters

Five idyllic Caribbean backwaters originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anegadaAntigua and BarbudaAntiguaAndBarbudabackwatersBarbudabeachesbritish virgin islandsBritishVirginIslandsCastawaycayman islandsCaymanIslandsGuadeloupelittle caymanLittleCaymanmarie-galantemayreauSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesSt.VincentAndTheGrenadinesThu, 03 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Caribbean sans Cruise Ships]]>http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/20/the-caribbean-sans-cruise-ships/http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/20/the-caribbean-sans-cruise-ships/http://www.gadling.com/2006/12/20/the-caribbean-sans-cruise-ships/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nothing ruins a place faster than a mammoth cruise ship docking at its port--unless, of course, you happen to be on that cruise ship.

If you're landlubber who has traveled halfway around the world to enjoy the peace and quiet of a tropical island only to have your paradise overrun by 15,000 cruise ship passengers, you know what I'm talking about. It is Hell.

So how do you avoid this crush? Is there a resource that will tell you which islands are off the cruise ship circuit but still wonderful enough to visit?

Writer David Swanson has taken on this challenge in his recent article, The Caribbean: Cruise-Ship Free.

He kicks off with the woeful example of beautiful Tortola in the British Virgin Islands--an island of 22,000 people that sees 500,000 cruise ship passengers annually. Ugh!

Swanson then keys us in on eight Caribbean islands that he promises are cruise ship free; Anguilla, Bonaire, Montserrat, Nevis, Provodenciales (Turks and Caicos), Saba, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago.

Take a moment to read through the descriptions of what each of these islands has to offer (above-and-beyond them being cruise-ship free), then pick your favorite and disappear.

The Caribbean sans Cruise Ships originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Holidays & Cricket World Cup 2007]]>http://www.gadling.com/2006/07/26/virgin-holidays-and-cricket-world-cup-2007/http://www.gadling.com/2006/07/26/virgin-holidays-and-cricket-world-cup-2007/http://www.gadling.com/2006/07/26/virgin-holidays-and-cricket-world-cup-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Virgin Holidays Hopeful fans of Trinidad & Tobago's Soca Warriors raced over to Germany for the 2006 FIFA World Cup games and returned without a cup, but with more determination than ever for the next installment in 2010. In the meantime they get to lounge lazily on their sister islands whiling and liming away the day until the next big thing, which for Trinidad is never too long of a wait.

Sports fans can continue to cheer and root for their favorite country team during the 2007St. Lucia Cricket World Cup games being held for the first time ever all over the Caribbean. Trinidad & Tobago is only one set of islands playing host and Virgin Holidays is offering packages to get you there. The matches are being held in March and April of 2007 and packages are going fast. See Virgin Holidays for more details on getting you to unspoiled West Indian beaches, then visit their partner Cavendish Hospitality to find match tickets. Other islands hosting the games include Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts. St. Vincent and Guyana will also host games, but it doesn't look as if Virgin Holidays will be offering packages to vaca in these two tropical countries.

Let the games begin, again!

Virgin Holidays & Cricket World Cup 2007 originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cricketworld cup 2007WorldCup2007Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:39:00 EST