Home / Cruise Specialists Blog /

Destinations / World Cruise Reviews

Cruise Specialists Blog - Cruise Reviews, Updates & Inspiration

WORLD CRUISE REVIEWS

Retirement at Sea: Live the Adventure on World Cruise
For many retirees, the golden years symbolize freedom—a time to explore, relax, and make every day extraordinary. What if your retirement could be a world cruise, with no need for grocery shopping, home maintenance, or the unpredictability of travel logistics? Enter the idea of retiring at sea, where every horizon holds a new destination, and you call a luxury cruise ship your home. READ MORE →

Holland America Grand World Voyage: Cruising the South Pacific
We experienced Rarotonga, one of the Cook Islands, a tender port. As much as we all prefer a dock for easy access to the islands, the nature of the harbor or underwater topography do not allow for larger cruise ships to enter the port. When we step on land, a huge sign welcomes us with the lovely “Kia Orana”! We arrived on a Saturday, in time to visit the local markets and to see the fish vendors with their prized tuna hanging next to their pickup trucks, ready to be sold. The local bus drove around the Island, passengers entering or exiting as they reached their hotels and beaches, with the bus driver calling out the various locations. If no one was interested in alighting, she drove on to the next stop. There was bus audience participation as we often had to repeat her location callou READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole Voyage Bon Voyage and First Ports of Call
Saturday morning, we headed to the ship. Our entire group was granted priority status and were among the first to board! The whole process was smooth and easy, and our luggage and supplies were delivered to our cabin by late afternoon. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Arica and San Antonio, Chile
Our first stop in Chile is the city of Arica. It’s another commercial port but the shuttle ride is only a few minutes to the port gates. You can then step out on the main street called Avenida Comandante San Martin. It is right across from the Main Square with the iconic Cathedral of San Marcos, a 19th century Gothic-Style Church designed by Gustave Eiffel. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Costa Rica and Panama
Our first group shore excursion was a diverse and fascinating adventure into the natural world of Costa Rica. We started with a bus ride to the Sloth Sanctuary. Their mission is to care for injured or abandoned sloths, rehabilitate them, and then release them back to the wild where possible. If it is not possible, they are given a lifetime home at the sanctuary, where they entertain and impress visitors like us. We met at least a dozen of these gentle creatures, all with disabilities or who were abandoned by their mothers before they learned the skills to survive in the jungle. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Ecuador and Peru
Manta was our next stop, a city we have visited many times. There are some fun tours here that explore the local culture. Ecuador is the home of the Panama hat (not Panama, as you might think), and you can watch the painstaking weaving process required to create these unique hats. They are available for purchase everywhere. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole: Wendy's Adventures in Peru
We’re docked in the commercial port of Callao, adjacent to the city of Lima, Peru. Steve and his excited group of 15 left this morning for the Lima airport, headed for Cusco, on the way to Machu Picchu. We’ll tell his story when they get back in three days. READ MORE →

Introducing Holland America Line Pole to Pole Voyage
Ever since the “Pole to Pole” concept was introduced as a possible future itinerary we felt it was designed for us. So much of our experience as Hosts and as avid cruisers has revolved around these destinations. READ MORE →

Holland America Grand World Voyage
The Holland America Grand World Voyage aboard the Zuiderdam commenced on January 4, 2025, from Fort Lauderdale. Over the past few weeks, passengers have explored a variety of captivating destinations, each offering unique experiences and insights. READ MORE →

Sailing the World: Cruise Lines Offering World Cruises
For those with the wanderlust bug intertwined with their very being, a world cruise is the ultimate voyage, promising much more than a typical cruise experience, but a dramatic unraveling of the planet's wonders over several months. READ MORE →

2024 Island Princess World Cruise - Chapter 1
The Island Princess World 2024 adventure of a lifetime began on January 3rd, 2024, at the Renaissance Plantation Hotel when the Cruise Specialists guests signed in at the Hotel and enjoyed a hosted reception and a pre-cruise celebratory dinner. This was a first opportunity for guests to connect with each other and share their excitement of a journey that would take place over the next 111 days. READ MORE →

SEE ALL CLASSIC BLOGS →

SEARCH ARTICLES

ARTICLE TOPICS

Cruise Destinations ▼

Cruise Lines ▼

Accessible Travel

Adult Only

Adventure

All Inclusive

Animals & Wildlife

Archaeology

Architecture

Arts & Culture

Bespoke Travel

Bucket List

Castles & Cathedrals

Climbing

Couples & Romance

Cruises

Culinary & Foodie

Eco-Tourism

Entertainment

Escorted Tours

European Culture

Expedition Cruises

Family Vacations

Food & Wine

Global Travel

Grand Voyages

Groups

Heritage

Hiking & Backpacking

Historical Sites

Holiday Travel

Honeymoons

Hosted Cruises

Luxury

Luxury Cruises

Luxury Hotels

Museums

National Parks

Nature

Nightlife

Outdoor Activities & Sports

Parks & Gardens

Photography

River Cruises

Shopping

Shore Excursions

Small Ship Cruises

Solo Cruising

Solo Travel

Sustainable Travel

Transatlantic

Wine Country Vacations

World Cruises

Tours, Train, and Resorts ▼

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Guest Contributor

Guest contributors to Travel Leaders have diverse backgrounds in publishing, travel, and vacations. They live across the globe and bring unique, first-hand experience to their writing.
READ MY ARTICLES →

Justin Gibson

Justin Gibson grew up in the Dallas suburbia, but has since been transplanted to the D.C. area. He was schooled at Southern Methodist University, which was nice. He currently works as a copywriter, but longs to attempt riding a bull.
READ MY ARTICLES →

Sofia Lust

Based in Montevideo, Sofia swapped architecture for writing when she realized words were more fun than blueprints. With a strong passion for cinema and a love for travel, she finds inspiration in every film she watches and every place she visits. Always ready for her next adventure, Sofia embraces life’s journeys with curiosity and creativity.
READ MY ARTICLES →

(888) 993-1318

FL:ST39344 | CST# 2096145-50 | WA/UBI 602864630