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WORLDWIDE CRUISE REVIEWS

A New Era Begins for Crystal Cruises: First New Ship in 25 Years Announced
Luxury travelers have something extraordinary to look forward to. Crystal Cruises, a global leader in exceptional ocean voyages, has announced milestone dates for the construction of its first new ship in 25 years, scheduled for delivery in May 2028. READ MORE →

Introducing Cross-Brand Loyalty Recognition Across the NCLH Family
At Cruise Specialists, we are always looking for ways to help our guests get the most value, flexibility, and recognition from their cruise loyalty programs. Today, we’re pleased to bring exciting news: beginning October 15, 2025, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (which encompasses Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises) will begin honoring loyalty status across all three of its brands. READ MORE →

The Rise of 30–50 Day Cruises: Flexibility Meets Immersion
For many years, the ultimate prize for our devoted cruisers has been the full world cruise—120 days or more circling the globe. These sailings remain iconic, but a growing number of travelers are now embracing an alternative: 30–50 day voyages. Whether booked as stand-alone grand voyages, back-to-back cruises or as segments of a full world cruise, these itineraries are reshaping how people enjoy extended time at sea. READ MORE →

Silversea’s “Luxury of Choice” Pricing: What You Need to Know
Silversea Cruises, renowned as one of the world’s leading all-inclusive luxury cruise lines, has introduced a major update to its fare structure. Known for both classic ocean voyages and immersive expedition cruises to the most remote corners of the globe, Silversea is enhancing the way travelers book by offering greater personalization in what is included in their fare. READ MORE →

Holland America Line Pole to Pole Recap
We finished all our port visits and spent three days at sea before arriving in Ft Lauderdale to complete our 133-day loop. It is the longest cruise Holland America has ever sailed, covering 28 countries, 68 ports, and almost 32,000 nautical miles. Some guests are ready to go home, others are actually staying on for the next voyage that will head back up the East coast and end in Montreal. We are happy to end with the incredibly positive experience we have had. Volendam has been a wonderful home away from home for 4 plus months and we could not have asked for a more friendly, capable crew than we have had. There is a certain camaraderie aboard this ship that we appreciate. The staff clearly like each other and work as a team. We were told that there is a crew survey that is meant to measu READ MORE →

Why Book Your Cruise with Cruise Specialists Instead of Directly with the Cruise Line?
If you’ve ever dreamed of setting sail on the perfect cruise—whether it’s a 7-day Caribbean escape or a 107-day world voyage—how you book your cruise can significantly impact your overall experience. Many travelers, especially first-timers, assume that booking directly with a cruise line is simpler, more cost-effective, or yields better perks. But in truth, working with a dedicated cruise-focused travel agency like Cruise Specialists often provides greater value, deeper expertise, and more personalized service. Here’s why thousands of seasoned cruisers and newcomers alike choose Cruise Specialists over booking direct with the cruise lines: READ MORE →

10 Faves On Oceania's Vista
Long-time fans of the value and cuisine of Oceania, my husband Humberto and I decided to try the line's Vista this spring. Launched in May of 2023 and representing a new class of ship for Oceania, the 68,000-ton, 1,200-guest Vista is slated to be followed by sister ship Allura in 2026. READ MORE →

Majestic Princess Sets Sail Refreshed and Reimagined for 2025 Mediterranean Season
The Majestic Princess has officially returned to the seas with a fresh new look and exciting enhancements after a two-week drydock in Palermo, Italy. Just in time for the highly anticipated 2025 Mediterranean season, this revitalized ship brings with it a wave of beloved venues, redesigned social spaces, and all-new culinary experiences to elevate your cruise vacation. READ MORE →

Double Delight: Back-to-Back Cruises
The old slogan of Doublemint chewing gum: “Double your pleasure, double your fun” comes to mind in the case of back-to-back cruises as they are a double delight. My husband, Humberto, and I have often said to ourselves after a week-long or shorter cruise that just as we are getting acquainted with the ship we have to disembark. READ MORE →

2024 Princess World Cruise, Chapter 4
as we reflect on the past 111 days. The days and weeks seem to become a bit of a blur, filled with good and exciting memories that melt into each other, reminded of our awesome journey as we look at the thousands of photos that were taken, and as we reminisce and laugh at the wonderful memories with our CS passengers during chat times! READ MORE →

2024 Island Princess World Cruise - Chapter 3
This Segment consisted of several Sea Days in groups of four to seven days. The first question that came to passengers’ minds was to wonder if they will be bored or if they will enjoy Sea Days, have time to participate in the events set up by the crew, or to get caught up on some reading that has been put to the side while we were visiting various ports. READ MORE →

Navigating the New Era of Cruising: A Glimpse Into Tomorrow’s Cruise Ships
The word is out, there are a lot of new cruise ships being built and several are starting their maiden seasons. The world of cruising is on the brink of a remarkable transformation with the upcoming launch of new cruise ships between now and the next eight years. They are set to redefine luxury travel by sea, merging innovative design with unparalleled service. READ MORE →

Grand Australia Voyage Journal, part 4
Follow along with Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts, Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer on Holland America’s 94-day Grand Australia & New Zealand Cruise aboard Volendam. READ MORE →

2024 Island Princess World Cruise - Chapter 2
We reached Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii on January 24th, and the wonderful world and word of ‘Aloha’. Aloha means ‘Life’ and ‘Welcome’ as well as ‘Good-Bye’ and ‘Love’ depending on the context in which it is used. Hawaii, the name alone brings up visions of warm caressing winds, fragrant flowers, and Waikiki Beach, an area that is always alive with action. You see many tourists walking about, shiny limousines and buses on the roads, pedestrians sharing the sidewalks with dogs and scooters. READ MORE →

The Allure of the Open Seas: Multi-Month Cruises Redefining Travel
Cruise Specialists is the expert in long cruises tailored to our clients’ preferences. Our dedicated team provides personalized guidance and unbiased recommendations to ensure you select the perfect voyage. Experience added luxuries and attentive cruise hosts during your extended getaway with Cruise Specialists. READ MORE →

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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.
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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.
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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.
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