Cruising is more popular than ever. Here's your expert guide, from scoring a good deal to booking better shore excursions
Consider the ports. 'Choosing the right destination is crucial. When we cruised with another family, we chose a sailing out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, because of the fantastic itinerary: British and U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Barbados and Antigua. The stops offered a diversity of landscapes and activities, with the right amount of beach time and adventure for four teenagers between two families. For us, the ship's amenities were less important than the stops, but they could be a deciding factor for families with young children looking to engage littles on-board with kid's camps, a water park and nightly entertainment.' — , travel writer
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Canada News.Net
5 days ago
- Canada News.Net
British travelers discover many faces of China
One of the things she appreciated most about China was its variety. "From green mountain villages to vibrant city streets, every part of China has something new to offer," she said. LONDON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) --John Coles, managing director of a London-based travel agency, said he had heard a lot, sometimes quite negative things, from Western media about China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region before he set his feet on the land for the first time. "But for me, one of the great thrills of traveling is to go and see things with my own eyes." And what he saw defied all the headlines. From vast grasslands to snow-capped mountains and sweeping deserts, Xinjiang's landscapes left Coles deeply impressed. "The real surprise," he noted, "was the alpine scenery in the mountains. It looked like something from Switzerland or the Canadian Rockies." As his journey continued, Coles found himself drawn not only to the scenery but to the deep historical resonance of the Silk Road. "Many European and Western tourists are fascinated by the Silk Road, its history and romance as a trading route," he explained. "But it carried more than goods. It carried ideas." In remote corners of the region, he encountered crumbling ancient cities, their ruins still whispering the stories of the past. "These are incredible, hidden places," he said. "Deserted cities, full of history, waiting to be seen." Yet what surprised him most was the pace of contemporary change. From cutting-edge infrastructure to enormous wind farms stretching across the landscape, Coles was struck by the scale and speed of development. "The size of the wind turbines was almost unbelievable. The transformation is happening so fast." He also spoke of the openness he experienced. "I wandered freely through neighborhoods. That was one of the most delightful parts of the trip -- I could actually see and feel the place for myself." Coles had been to China before. Two decades ago, when he was based in Singapore and working in the aviation sector, he visited China frequently. At the time, he said, "Leaving Singapore to go to China felt like going back in time." But things have changed. "The infrastructure is astonishing. People are polite and friendly. The transformation is far beyond what I expected. " Coles shared these reflections at a travel experience sharing session held in London on Saturday, hosted by the China National Tourist Office London. Nearly 20 British travelers gathered to exchange stories about the surprises and discoveries they found in China. Alex Outhwaite visited China's Guizhou Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in May. She said it was her first time in China, and an unforgettable one. "We visited many traditional Miao and Dong villages, and what stood out most was the pride people had in their culture and how generously they shared it with us," she said. The group explored local music, cuisine and even joined a friendly football match with villagers. "We saw domestic and international tourists all learning together, about music, dancing, art and traditional dress. It was a real cultural immersion," Outhwaite said. The diversity also struck her. "Not just in terms of landscape, though the karst formations were stunning. But also the contrast between peaceful countryside and the bright lights of the cities." Photographer Anok Deb showed a video from Guizhou Province that has since gained more than 500,000 views online. "I often explored on my own and met so many local people," he said. "In a way, I fell in love with China. It's strange -- I didn't speak the language, didn't grow up in the culture, but I felt completely at home. I can't wait to go back." For some, the experience had a more personal meaning. Hari Krishna Daggubaty brought home a traditional Miao doll for his niece, thinking it was simply an exotic souvenir. "But she immediately told me it was a Miao doll." Daggubaty later found she learned it from TikTok. For Emily Grace Lymath, now a senior Asia specialist at a bespoke travel company, returning to China's Guangxi was a journey down memory lane. From 2012 to 2014, she had taught English at a local university. She was even invited to a traditional wedding by one of her former students. "Everyone was so excited." "Every time I return to China," she added, "I'm surprised by how fast it's developing." Nicola Clare Armstrong, who had also lived and worked in China, said she was busy teaching others how to use mobile payments on her recent trip to China. "In China, if you've got an idea, you can make it happen. All you need is a QR code," she said. She recalled chatting with street vendors, reflecting on how digital payments had become more than just a way to buy things. "They're the key to unlock the finance needed to take your business to the next level." One of the things she appreciated most about China was its variety. "From green mountain villages to vibrant city streets, every part of China has something new to offer," she said.
CBC
7 days ago
- CBC
Airport, ferries expect heavy traffic over B.C. Day long weekend
B.C. Day is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. YVR is expecting an increase in travellers compared to the same weekend last year and ferry terminals will be running at full capacity over the next three days. As Sohrab Sandhu reports, planning ahead may save travellers from last-minute headaches.
CBC
7 days ago
- CBC
What travellers can expect during the B.C. Day long weekend
Social Sharing As British Columbians gear up to celebrate B.C. Day, officials are urging the public to plan ahead and stay safe amid expected travel congestion on ferries, highways and at airports. B.C. Ferries says the long weekend is its busiest of the year, and it's anticipating a five per cent increase in vehicles and a 10 per cent increase in passengers on routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island compared to an average summer weekend. Traffic is expected to match last year's levels, and the corporation says all 37 vessels in its fleet are deployed and operating at full capacity, including the 61-year-old Queen of New Westminster. "In just the past month, that one vessel has experienced 10 mechanical and electrical issues: engine leaks, power interruptions, faulty alarms," said the company in a statement to CBC News. While none of the issues caused delays or cancellations, all required immediate attention. The ferry operator says its aging fleet wasn't built for current demand and is calling for fleet upgrades, adding that travel demand is projected to rise by 15 per cent over the next few years — "outpacing our capacity even with four new vessels." Ferries have faced significant challenges in recent years, from staffing shortages to last-minute cancellations and sailing waits. Last year, the propeller fell off the Queen of New Westminster, leading to 200 days of travel disruptions and costing the corporation roughly $15 million. On Friday, there were sailing delays across several routes due to heavy traffic, with crews taking extra time to load additional vehicles. More delays are expected throughout the day. All vehicle reservations on major routes are currently full, and travellers without bookings are being urged to consider off-peak times, alternate routes, or walk-on travel options. Busy summer traffic at Vancouver airport Vancouver International Airport says August is expected to be the busiest month of the summer, with more than 2.7 million passengers travelling through the airport, which accounts for 40 per cent of its total summer travels between mid-June and early September. The airport expects to welcome approximately 359,586 travellers, a 7.4 per cent increase from last year, during this long weekend alone from Aug 1 to Aug. 4. Friday is expected to be the busiest day, with nearly 92,000 passengers passing through the airport. The most popular destinations from YVR this weekend include Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal, with San Francisco taking the fifth spot as the top U.S. spot. As travellers pack into YVR, staffing shortages at Nav Canada, the country's air navigation service provider, caused delays to dozens of flights on Thursday. While the situation was resolved later that evening, flight disruptions tied to air traffic control have been reported across Canada in recent months. WATCH | More than 200 flights delayed at YVR: Vancouver airport slammed with long weekend flight delays 1 month ago The airport was slammed with over 200 flight delays on the Canada Day long weekend as well, largely due to a critical shortage of air traffic controllers. Border delays persist amid drop in southbound travel Border wait times for southbound travel at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings exceeded one hour on Friday afternoon. But overall, southbound traffic from B.C. into Washington state has dropped significantly in recent months. Data from the Whatcom Council of Governments shows southbound travel from B.C. into Washington state was down 43 per cent in June compared to the same time last year. Traffic has declined each month since February, when U.S. President Donald Trump began seriously talking about tariffing Canadian goods. Now, he has signed an executive order increasing the tariff rate, which had been set at 25 per cent since March, to 35 per cent as of Friday. Last month, nearly 89,000 fewer crossings were recorded across the Lower Mainland's five major entry points compared to the previous June. WATCH | Border sees drop in southbound crossings from B.C.: Border crossings from B.C. to U.S. down for 5th month in a row 29 days ago ICBC and police urge caution on the roads With so many people expected to travel by car, ICBC is warning drivers to take precautions against fatigue, particularly during long, hot drives. "Seventy-one per cent more people are injured or killed in fatigue-related crashes in July and August in B.C. compared to the rest of the year," the corporation said in a statement this week. "Consider how you feel before getting behind the wheel," said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC's road safety manager. "If you're feeling rested, keep in mind that hot summer weather can be draining, especially on long drives." On average, the B.C. Day long weekend sees two people killed and over 560 injured in more than 2,000 crashes provincewide, including nearly 400 injuries in the Lower Mainland alone. B.C. RCMP and B.C. Highway Patrol say officers will be conducting roadside checks throughout the weekend. In a social media post, Cpl. Michael McLaughlin says officers are focused on curbing speed-related crashes after "a high number of fatalities in recent weeks."
