I sure agree,Kathy Cassidy
Best Cruise Destinations
Cruise deals are plentiful as cruise lines go above and beyond standard package deals to tempt travelers to board. The choices seem endless, so where should you go? Here's Boomster's list of the world's best cruise destinations in no particular order of preference.
Bermuda
This string of 180 islands, all connected with a weird network of bridges, offers more than the standard beach fare. Bermuda is home to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, making this an outstanding scuba and snorkel destination. The underground salt water pools at Crystal Caves deliver a totally awesome, almost otherworldly experience too. History nuts will find plenty to love from antique lighthouses and early colonial settlements to old shipwrecks. Golf and cricket matches are big here and it's kind of cool to catch a game within sight of the occasional humpback whale. Oh, the beaches? They are covered in perfect pink sand and Horseshoe Bay is world class all the way!
Dubai
Called the Pearl of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is arguably the most fascinating of currently popular cruise destinations. The architecture found there, and totally unique to Dubai, is among the most stunning found on the globe. Be sure to check out Palm Islands - artificial islands built in the shape of palm trees with gorgeous homes and commercial buildings. There are other artificial islands in the works as well and skyscrapers that boggle the mind. The Dubai Museum is another must-see. It contains artifacts from 3000 B.C. forward and depicts traditional life in the Emirate of Dubai before oil was discovered. The museum includes several impressive dioramas and collections from African and Asian countries as well. The souk (shopping) districts carry the most exotic and unique treasures in the world. Here, you can find anything!
Malta
Dubbed the "most bombed place on earth," this beautiful island has a medal named after it: The George Cross is the UK's highest award for civilian bravery. The islanders were collectively awarded the medal for their role in World War II helping the British take on the Nazis. No worries, though, it's not a burned out, bomb-blasted crater - the island is gorgeous with its magnificent ornamental gardens, ancient walls, historic ruins (from different periods over many centuries) and its beautiful churches. The St. Paul Cathedral, according to legend, marks the island where St. Paul was shipwrecked on his journey from Jerusalem to Rome. This place has a long standing in church history from St. Paul to the Knights of St. John and is known for its Maltese Cross: a universal symbol of the island. Whether you're interested in world history or biblical history, this is the place where you'll find the most profound connections with the past.
The Poles
Top of the world or bottom of the world; either way Antarctica and the Arctic are completely unique ice destinations. Other than places on the map, what's the difference you ask? Antarctica, the South Pole, is a continent surrounded by ocean while the Arctic, the North Pole, is an ocean nearly completely surrounded by land. There are other differences too. The North Pole has limited land ice, and tons of land animals from Polar Bears and wolves to walruses and 100 species of birds. The South Pole, on the other hand, has ice everywhere and no land mammals but plenty of penguins, whales, and seals. Antarctica is far colder than the Arctic although you'll be plenty frosty in either place. Both provide unique experiences for the nature lover. The scenery is exceptional and breathtaking. If you really want to get away from civilization, head to the ends of the earth.
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In 1994, when my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, my in laws took us on our first cruise, it was probably my in-law’s 20, We went to Bermuda.
I remember my father-in-law telling me that he was probably making a mistake in taking us to Bermuda for our first curies, his reasoning was based on their experience, as he said, no other cruise would match Bermuda.
My wife and I have since been on 14 cruised ourselves, Hawaii, Western and Southern Caribbean, the Bahamas, a Northern Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona to Istanbul.
None of these cruises compared to the Bermuda Cruises we have had. Our whole family, grand-children and all went there in 2007.
My wife and I are scheduled for our sixth cruise to Bermuda this September.
This is a very laid-back cruise; Bermudians are quite reserved and absolutely wonderful people.
Nice feature about Bermuda is, they have small ports, resulting in only ‘relatively’ small ships gaining access to the ports. Bermudians are also picky about which cruise lines will access their nation, plus they have an established number of cruise ship passengers, this all makes for a very intimate trip.
If you decide on Bermuda, don’t waste your money on a Bermuda ‘Dockyard’ cruise, choose a cruise which goes to Hamilton or Saint George, several cruise lines hit both these cities in a week cruise.
One other note, Bermuda only allows one car per family, there are no rental cars there, but you cannot beat the public transportation, efficiency and price.
Mike Cassidy
Pam, I hate to argue with you, but Malta is NOT a favorite destination -- not for me, anyway.
The capital (and only significant city) was flattened during WWII -- I mean, flattened. When you take the historical walk, every single "ancient" building was rebuilt, from the ground up, in 1946-1950 timeframe (by the Brits, in appreciation for the island's brave populace). There is *nothing* on the island from prior to WWII - unfortunately.
The churches etc. are, however, good imitations of what they looked like in previous eras. It's a kind of Disneyland of old Malta. Pity, that.
We weren't impressed with the food, either. We figured, Malta has been conquered by the Arabs, the Italians, the French, the Visigoths--it should have the most wonderful blend of cuisines in the world!
We forgot that the most recent conquerer of Malta was -- the British, in the early 1800s. As a result, Malta is the last refuge of legendarily bad English cooking. Awful.
Also a pity.
I pictured a quaint Mediterranean island. I got a soft-limestone rock where the elegant homes looked like upscale prison blockhouses.
Oh well.
Best regards,
Mac McCarthy
