Travel experts debunk cruise ship myths

Cruise experts debunk common myths, asserting that accidental falls overboard are extremely rare due to high railings, and reported norovirus outbreaks are infrequent, reflecting stringent health protocols.
Seasickness is uncommon on large cruise ships, which use stabilizers for smooth rides, and motion-sickness remedies are available when needed.
The idea of feeling trapped or bored on a cruise is dispelled, as ships offer diverse spaces and a wide range of activities, from adventure sports to cultural events.
Contrary to misconceptions, cruise ships provide high-quality dining options, with many featuring fine dining and world-renowned chefs.
Cruises cater to a broad demographic, offering varied experiences from expedition and river cruises to cultural and beach itineraries, allowing travelers to explore multiple destinations.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

BBC News

an hour ago

• BBC News

Atherton family sell everything to travel world with kids

A couple who has sold their home and all their belongings to travel the world with their children said their decision "just makes sense".Billie and Selwyn Van Der Walt, and their two children, Bligh, four and Rothko, one, left behind their family home in Atherton, Wigan, on Wednesday to start their new life travelling the family sold everything and quit their jobs to begin a few years of travelling, starting in South said the "dramatic" decision made sense due to the cost of living crisis and to spend more time together as a family. "We always knew travel was something we wanted to give our kids, now we get to show them the world," she said."The kids are so excited, they just know we are going on an adventure." Billie, from Atherton, and Selywn, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, met in 2017 while working on cruise have visited more than 60 countries but since moving back to the UK shortly before the pandemic, they admitted they could not keep up with the cost of living. "We would have been content doing the odd couple of holidays a year but the work, family balance in England just doesn't do it for us," said Billie."It felt like we were working to not see each other." It was also their love of travel and the school fine system that set plans in motion last August, when they finalised on their house said they do not want to be fined for showing their children the world."Travel is such a valuable part of education, to see how other people live and experience other cultures first hand," she added."We decided to home educate just so we could travel if and when we wanted to and it snowballed into what's keeping us in England, why don't we travel full time?""We made the leap and instead of getting Bligh a primary school place this September we decided to put our money where our mouth is and really go for it." The family sold everything to afford their first few months will document their journey on the Instagram page, WanderingVanDerWalts, showing trips which will include two weeks in South Korea, six weeks in Japan with a trip to Disney Toyko for Rothko's second birthday, and six weeks in China before settling in Vietnam and Thailand."Neither of us has visited South Korea and we wanted to dive straight into the really unfamiliar and get the culture shock out of the way for the boys," added Billie. Selywn also quit his job at Wren Kitchens and has retrained in coding and software to seek freelance work while away. While the family are excited for their new chapter, they said it has been a "sad goodbye". "Atherton is such a lovely community which has made it hard leaving," said Billie."Our regular chippy gave the kids a present for the plane, everyone is just so lovely here."My children also have a really close relationship with my auntie and uncle who they call nan and grandad, so it is hard leaving them and we will miss everyone."But seeing other families do it has given us the confidence of making it a reality," she added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.

The Independent

3 hours ago

• The Independent

What's the best time of year for a city break in Malta?

Q I want to go to Valletta in Malta as a city break early next year. What I haven't decided is whether to visit in January or March. Which would you recommend? 'Boveney Girl' A As I have written many times before, Valletta is a glorious capital city – created in the 16th century by the Christian military order known as the Knights of St John. In any month you will be able to walk on the honey-coloured walls and explore the palaces and churches that they wrap around. All other things being equal – which they are not – March is the better of the two months in which to visit. The island in the deep south of the Mediterranean will be blossoming, and you will be able to share in the spring energy. Having said that, though, I recommend you go in January. That is because the advantage of being in Valletta compared with anywhere in the UK will be at its maximum. On 16 January – plumb in the middle of the month – Valletta will enjoy 10 hours of daylight, with a good chance that many of them will be sunny and warm. For comparison, London will have barely eight hours of daylight, and the likelihood of cloud and rain – possibly even snow. January also delivers the best deals for flying to Malta and staying there, though some properties will close during what is normally a very low-season month. You might also find that some of Valletta's eating and drinking venues are closed. Conversely, though, you will be able to visit all the top cultural attractions – in Valletta and elsewhere on the island – without the crowds that can build up at other times of the year. I particularly recommend the Three Towns on the other side of Valletta Harbour, which has some of the most atmospheric streets in Europe. The chance for some deep midwinter warmth in an enthralling location should do you the world of good and put you in a good travelling frame of mind for the rest of the year. Q Can you help clarify the situation in Cyprus? A large group of us are due to travel in a month for a family wedding. We are worried about issues involving Israel and Iran. I have heard rumours that flights have been brought forward and people have been flown home early. Gillian Richardson A I can understand the concerns of prospective travellers like you with trips booked to Cyprus. The Foreign Office warns that 'ongoing hostilities in the region' could 'escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region'. At its nearest, Israel is only 145 miles from the popular Cypriot resort of Ayia Napa. In addition, the UK has two military bases in Cyprus, which the foreign secretary, David Lammy, describes as 'hugely important at this time'. Yet despite the increasing regional conflict, there is no evidence of flights being brought forward, or of people being flown home early (except, presumably, in special cases due to other issues). Airlines and holiday companies are continuing with their normal operations and their standard terms and conditions. At present, I recommend that you go ahead with the plan. As the Foreign Office does not warn against travel to Cyprus, there is no prospect of being able to cancel a trip for a refund. Neither will travel insurance be of any help. If you have a proper package holiday booked, it can be transferred to someone else on payment of a nominal fee – typically £50. Alternatively, your holiday company may possibly offer the chance to switch to a different destination if there is capacity elsewhere. But with a family wedding scheduled, neither of these possibilities seems appropriate. In the unlikely event that the Foreign Office warned against travel to Cyprus, people with package holidays booked for imminent departure would be entitled to a full refund. Airlines would also be likely to offer refunds. Holidaymakers already on the island would be flown home as soon as possible. If it is of any comfort, I would happily travel to Cyprus this summer: it is a beautiful, cultured and friendly country. I have checked the official travel advice issued by the governments of Ireland, Australia, Canada and the US, and none of them raise concerns about the safety of their citizens. My main concern in July would simply be excessive heat. I hope everyone has good hats. Q We are doing a road trip in Portugal in August. Any particular places you could recommend to visit off the beaten track? Brendon Hahn A Portugal has two outstanding big cities – Lisbon and Porto – for which a car would be an encumbrance rather than a benefit. But pretty much everywhere else in the nation, driving is an excellent way to discover the many treasures off the tourism mainstream. In August I suggest you start in the north, as the temperature in the sometimes overheated south should dwindle as the month goes on. I assume you will rent a one-way car in Porto and drop it off at Faro on the Algarve. The northern portion begins in Aveiro, a lovely town embroidered by canals. Then spend the afternoon exploring Coimbra, a beautiful university city 75 miles south of Porto and 125 miles north of Lisbon. It is rich in culture, history and gastronomy, all wrapped into a compact core. Continue south to the celebrated Portuguese surfing hub of Nazare, where the Atlantic collides spectacularly with Europe. Then head inland to the nearby towns of Alcobaca and Batallha – each of which has an astonishing monastery steeped in history. Round off this religious pilgrimage with a visit to Fatima, home to the nation's most important shrine. One more stop before Lisbon: Obidos. This gorgeous walled city has preserved its medieval soul despite all the visitors attracted by its exquisite buildings. Then aim south on roads where driving is a pleasure, well constructed and delivering excellent views. Bypass the capital over the 25 April Bridge (Portugal's answer to the Golden Gate Bridge) and enjoy to the full the Setubal peninsula. Stop for the beach and seafood at Caparica; drive alongside a gorgeous corrugated coastline; witness the drama of Cabo Espichel, location for a vast, windswept monastery; and explore the city of Setubal itself, a relaxed fishing and ferry port with an atmospheric old quarter. Take the ferry across to the Troia peninsula and meander south along the coast, pausing in the picturesque town of Sines and, in the deep south, Sagres. Keep inland as you parallel the Algarve coast, ending your great drive in the handsome city of Silves before the short run to Faro airport. Q I am flying to Nice for the first time next week. What do you recommend in and around the city? Natalie W A Your timing is excellent. From the start of July, Nice will be besieged by French holidaymakers from the north of the nation. While you won't exactly have the place to yourself in late June, the narrow lanes of the old town, the top-class tourist attractions and some excellent bars and restaurants will not be too overcrowded. To get the measure of the city, I recommend you walk (or cycle) from the airport into the centre. Nice-Cote d'Azur airport is at the western end of the Promenade des Anglais, the wide seaside boulevard that arcs around to the Colline du Chateau – the hill that punctuates the end of the old town. If you prefer to cycle in 20 minutes rather than walk in 90, rent-it-here/leave-it-there bikes are widely available, including out at the airport. The two parallel systems are Lime and Pony; you will need the appropriate app for either. On your way in, pop your head around the door of the Hotel Negresco – the elaborate grande dame whose pink dome has presided over the promenade since 1913. Cours Saleya is an excellent place to catch your breath. It is a flower market flanked by cafes where you can sample socca, the local chickpea pancake. Besides exploring the old town, visit two excellent museums, each dedicated to a single artist: the Musee Chagall and the Musee Matisse. The latter has a lovely hillside location above the city at Cimiez, alongside the atmospheric 16th-century monastery where Matisse is buried. Surprisingly few tourists make it to the Orthodox cathedral of St Nicholas, a creation from the era when Nice was a playground for the Russian aristocracy. For a different dimension of the French Riviera, head for Villefranche-sur-Mer – a pretty fishing port that is one headland beyond Nice. Just six minutes by train from Nice Ville, the pace slows. Wander through the lanes and choose a waterside location for coffee or ice cream. Ideally, you should walk back. Take the steep paths and lanes over Mont Boron, which divides Villefranche from Nice. Your reward: yet more stirring views, and the chance of glimpsing Elton John, who has a house there.

Daily Mail​

6 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

Revealed: The popular tourist destination where Brits will get the best exchange rate

It feels like it's getting more and more expensive to go abroad, and many Brits are really feeling the pinch when it comes to their holidays. But there's a popular tourist hotspot where your pound will stretch further than anywhere else. Post Office Travel Money's Holiday Spending Report looked at how sterling is performing against its 30 bestselling currencies compared with 12 and three months ago. It reveals that visitors to Turkey from the UK will get the most for their money, due to the ongoing, long-term collapse of the Turkish lira. Over the past three months, the lira has fallen by 12.9 per cent against the pound. And, compared with last June, visitors can now expect to receive around £116 (+30.2 per cent) more when they buy £500 worth of lira. The report also reveals the sterling has bounced back against the US dollar and is currently 6.6 per cent stronger than it was a year ago, and has gained 4.9 per cent in the past three months. For £500, tourists will now receive almost £31 more of US dollars, than they would a year ago. The report also reveals the sterling has bounced back against the US dollar and is currently 6.6 per cent stronger than it was a year ago, but Brits are turning their back on the States Despite this bang for your buck, the report found that many Brits are turning away from travelling to the States. Over half (53 per cent) of those surveyed said they'd actively avoid destinations where they think President Donald Trump's tariffs could affect resort prices, and 39 per cent said they categorically will not travel to the States. But those not wanting to go to the US can still benefit from the dollar recovery, as it extends to the Caribbean and Middle East currencies pegged to the dollar. It means Brits planning trips to Barbados, Antigua, Dubai, and other long-haul holiday favourites will get more for their pounds. Meanwhile, holidaymakers rated Spain (41 per cent), Turkey (35 per cent) and Thailand (31 per cent) best value for money out of 39 worldwide destinations. However, the report found the Thai baht was one of only five of the 30 bestselling currencies to rise in value against sterling. A sterling year-on-year fall of 5.2 per cent means that British visitors will get £27.64 fewer Thai baht on a typical £500 currency transaction. Given that almost half (48 per cent) of holidaymakers said they will choose their destination based on the strength of sterling, two other Far Eastern destinations – Vietnam and Bali - will actually offer Brits more for their money. Visitors to Vietnam will get the equivalent of £42.01 – or 9.2 per cent extra - on a £500 purchase of Vietnamese dong. Those choosing Bali, fourth-placed in the barometer, can expect around £33 (7.1 per cent) more in Indonesian rupiah than a year ago. Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at Post Office, said: 'This year's holiday spending research again demonstrates that holidaymakers don't always set a realistic budget and overspend by large amounts as a result. 'It's great to hear that holidaymakers are already planning to budget more for their holidays this year, to avoid coming unstuck when they arrive at their destination.'