Not just another face in the crowd, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Witnessing a ship come to life is an amazing thing. Steel, wires, wood and marble are hauled in, cut, straightened, contorted and pieced together to create vessels that will sail the world’s mighty oceans. To see the transformation of Royal Princess from shipyard (see 51 Royal Princess Photos During Its Construction) to completion (see Royal Princess, In Photos) underscored the marvel of this remarkable accomplishment. The places where I had walked at the shipyard in late March, beneath a dangle of wiring and amid the bustle of workers, now appeared refined and elegant, a classy floating resort that has the distinct advantage of being able to transport its guests from one destination to another in comfort and style.

All smiles, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, arrives in Southampton to name the new Royal Princess. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Today in Southampton, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge named the new Royal Princess by sending a bottle of bubbly soaring to crash against the ship’s hull. See it all in the photo slideshow below.

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Royal Princess’ fitness facilities will include Princess Sports Central, featuring venues for a variety of sporting activities, including a game of basketball in the Center Court. Photo courtesy Princess Cruises

Some of the world’s best fitness facilities are now being found in an unlikely place: at sea. As cruise lines invest heavily in facilities to get the heart pounding, cruise passengers who are disciplined need no longer worry about breaking their back-home regimens or putting on pounds while on cruise vacations. They can shed instead.

As river cruising continues to grow in both leaps and bounds, experienced river cruisers and adventurous travellers alike are actively seeking out longer and more exotic itineraries. Because of this, river cruising throughout Asia is expanding at a rapid rate.

The stunning new AmaLotus sails AmaWaterways’ Riches of the Mekong itinerary. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

Last week, from the International Ballroom at The Beverly Hilton, Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises, told media and top travel agents that cruises on Viking Star will cost 38 percent less than similar cruises in the ship’s competitive set. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

THE BEVERLY HILTON, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA — Perhaps the biggest surprise announced last week during the Viking Ocean Cruises’ reveal: lead-in per diems at just under $300 per person with included WiFi, an included tour in each port of call, overnight stays in embarkation and disembarkation ports, and complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner.

If you’re new to the European river cruising scene, the sheer amount of cities, towns and villages visited within a single weeklong itinerary can seem rather daunting. Travellers want to know how to maximize their time — and what to see. If you only have a day in Vienna, do you go to the theatre, take in a museum, or spend some time doing relatively little in one of the city’s many cafes?

Our Cruise Specialists group of travelers on the 2013 Silversea world cruise just returned from their four month journey.  The group sailed on the Silver Whisper and visited a large number of destinations in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Philippines, and West Africa.    

Cruising Milford Sound, New Zealand

Our friendly and personable hosts Kay and Alan gave us the scoop on their top five highlights of the trip:

Bonnie Childs on Wind Surf deck

Cruise Consultant Bonnie Childs provided us with a recap of her recent cruise on a Windstar yacht.  She sailed from Lisbon to Barcelona in April 2013 and here is her review below.

It’s a question that comes up again and again: What side of the ship should I book my stateroom on?

The root of the question itself is understandable: There is a lot to see along the waterways of Europe, and prospective cruisers want to ensure they make the most of their investment by securing the best views.

Port or Starboard? Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Exclusive Holland Americe Line Signature Tulip in Seattle, WA

Holland America Line celebrated the start of their company last week, which took place 140 years ago in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on April 18, 1873. They are showing their pride in their rich history with special events in their offices and on their ships around the world.