I recently had the opportunity to take a tour of the luxury ship Crystal Serenity. On the day of my tour, guests were embarking on a 74 day World Voyage. To some people, 74 days on a typical cruise ship would NOT be on their list of dream trips! But this is not a typical cruise. Onboard, you'll find an all-inclusive experience: no extra fees for yoga or pilates classes; free enrichment activities like language learning, musical instruments, wine tastings, crafting, and more; all wine, beer, and spirits; specialty dining; even all of the gratuities are included.

But where Crystal shines is their itineraries and ports of call. On this particular World Voyage around South America, guests will have the opportunity to:

• transit the Panama Canal
  
• visit the Galapagos Islands
  
• choose an extended 3 night land program in Peru to trek Machu Picchu
  
• cruise along Chilean fjords and glaciers
  
• sail around Cape Horn
  
• enjoy 3 days in Buenos Aires with an optional extension to Iguazu Falls
  
• soak up the rhythms of Brazil with 3 days in Rio de Janeiro
  
• travel up the Amazon River
  
• relax in the Caribbean

In case you're too late to experience this year's journey, there are a few other future voyages that you might want to learn more about.  On January 18, 2014, the Crystal Serenity will set sail for an 89-day Full World Cruise, beginning in Los Angeles and ending in London.  Featuring 3 full days in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, and Cape Town, and the opportunity for a 3 night Cambodian adventure to Angkor Wat, you can see how this is more than just a cruise, but a truly immersive experience.

Looking ahead to 2015, there is a 108-day voyage planned that will circumnavigate the globe - truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sailing roundtrip from Miami, guests will experience:

• full transit of the Panama Canal
  
• Peru, with the option of Machu Picchu
  
• islands of the South Pacific
  
• New Zealand and Australia
• Madagascar and South Africa
  
• Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro
  
• cruising the Amazon River
  

Click here for the full itinerary and more details.

If you don't have the time or budget for a World Cruise, it's good to know that all of these longer voyages can also be booked in shorter segments of 12-24 days. And throughout the year, Crystal Cruises features several "shorter" weeklong cruises, allowing even the busiest of people to escape for a truly relaxing and luxurious vacation experience.

For more details on World Voyages, or Crystal Cruises, please contact Sunshine Travel today!

Do you like the convenience of cruising - the ability to visit several destinations without having to pack and repack? An all-inclusive feeling onboard, with meals and entertainment rolled into one price? But are you tired of the same old ports and destinations?

What if you could cruise right into the heart of some of the world's greatest cities, without having to worry about tenders or long transfers into town? What if all of your shore excursions were already included in the cost of your cruise? Or better yet, wouldn't it be nice if you could just borrow a bike from the boat, and ride around on your own, exploring at your leisure?

Now factor in wine and beer with meals, free wi-fi throughout the ship, and scenery along some of the most famous rivers, and things are starting to sound pretty good, huh?

Add to this the fact that there is absolutely no seasickness to worry about from the motion of the ship. And to top it off, you're cruising with about 100 other people, instead of THOUSANDS!

With river cruises, you can really explore the heart of the countryside, whether it be scenic towns along the Danube, while you're cruising between Prague and Budapest... or the Rhine, cruising between Amsterdam and Basel. And don't think you're limited just to the rivers of Western Europe - that's just a starting point! These days, river cruises can allow you to easily explore Portugal, Russia, Vietnam, Africa, and more. There are also special themed cruises, centered around wine in the fall, or even around Holland's tulips in the springtime.

And what about bringing the family? Note that due to the small size of the ships, none of the major river cruise companies offer a kids program or babysitting like the major ocean-going cruise lines. However, most do accept children, even as young as 4, making the river cruise an ideal trip for extended families traveling together to share a special experience, a unique summer family vacation, or even just a grandparent-grandchild trip. For example, Tauck Bridges offers 2 family-friendly river cruise options in 2013: 2 nights in Paris followed by a 7 night Rhone River cruise; or a 7 night Blue Danube cruise between Budapest and Regensburg. Both are excellent introductions to Europe for children, yet offer enough to keep every member of the family happy!

If you've always dreamed of visiting Europe, and think a river cruise sounds great, contact Sunshine Travel to find out which itinerary and river cruise company might be right for you!