…* Photo: Judi Cohen Tiramisu for dessert. * Photo: Judi Cohen Sushi Station in Polaris Dining Room. * Photo: Judi Cohen The airy Meridian Club midship Deck 9 had outdoor…
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…for lunch pho buffet. * Photo: Judi Cohen Healthy Pho Bowl with fresh vegetables. * Photo: Judi Cohen Dinner included soups, salads, and a main course. Just as we experienced…
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Viking Octantis Great Lakes Cruise By Judi Cohen Sometimes the most beautiful things can be found right in your own backyard! Living in Toronto, on the shores of Lake Ontario…
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…chairs. An elevator between Decks 1 and 3 makes it easy for those with mobility issues. Writer Judi Cohen at the bow of the 90-passenger Legacy. * Photo: Lawrence Cohen…
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…Little Prince, a delightful book that my children enjoyed when they were younger. Winery visit at Chateau Pech-Celeyran. * Photo: Judi Cohen On the vineyard tour. * Photo: Judi Cohen…
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French Polynesia Feels Like Paradise By Judi Cohen @TravelingJudi Struck by wanderlust while still a little nervous about venturing too far from home as the COVID pandemic lingered on, I…
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…a warm “aloha” and “mahalo” by Dai Mar, our expedition leader. Judi & Lawrence in Kona about to board the Safari Explorer. * Photo: Judi Cohen Immediately following the safety…
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Small Cruise Line Review: St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress By Judi Cohen Updated Nov 2024 (though the context of Judi cruising during the COVID pandemic in 2021 remains intact…
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…her stories. Judi in the footsteps of her mother in Szendro, Hungary. * Photo: Judi Cohen Former Jewish School and play area in Szendro, Hungary. * Photo: Judi Cohen An…
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…Judi in the sunny dining room. * Photo: Marla Scrumptious blueberry pancakes. * Photo: Judi Cohen A menu for each meal was placed on our table. While there was only…
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…three of the winery’s large dogs. Judi & Lawrence at the Scheuermann Vineyard and Winery in Westport. * Photo: Judi Cohen The waitress brought Joni a bowl of ice water….
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…sister-in-law with this travel trick I learned a long time ago. Judi‘s cabin with 2 twin beds. * Photo: Judi Cohen The bathroom was quite generous with a large shelf…
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…storage space, as well as a fridge and safe. The bathroom had a surprisingly large shower with strong water pressure. Judi‘s balcony cabin had great views. * Photo: Judi Cohen…
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…with Alison, JP and Joni supervising. * Photo: Judi Cohen RELATED: Judi reviews her first Le Boat cruise on Canada’s Rideau Canal. Merrickville Misadventure — Ship Happens When approaching the…
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…festivities and afterwards, a four-night mini Rhine cruise. Click here to read more about the naming. Judi on Sun deck of the Einar. * Photo: Judi Cohen Pretty Public Spaces…
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…Winter Palace Hermitage Museum. * Photo: Judi Cohen Entrance staircase in the Hermitage Museum. * Photo: Judi Cohen Our Hermitage Museum guide was knowledgeable about architecture and art history, and…
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…ended the day in a T-shirt. Judi and her family on the jeep safari. * Photo: Judi Cohen The tender rides to and from the ship were quite windy and…
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…Zodiac up to the museum…but it was well worth it. Judi at Port Lockroy (Penguin Post Office). * Photo: Lawrence Cohen Port Lockroy Penguins. * Photo: Judi Cohen Our Expert…
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…’67 in Montreal…” READ MORE: Cruising the mighty St Lawrence River aboard the Canadian Empress. The old-timey Canadian Empress. * Photo: Judi Cohen Le Boat’s Self-Drive Canada Fleet by Judi…
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…RELATED: Here’s Judi‘s review of her mini Rhine cruise aboard Viking Einar. Writer Judi Cohen aboard the new 190-passenger Viking Einar. Don’t miss a post about small-ship…
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…mountains and deserted shores that comprise the Inner and Outer Hebridean Islands, Hebridean Princess is ideal. Judi‘s Hebridean Princess cruise called on Loch Coruisk. * Photo: Judi Cuervo She was…
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…nine sea days away. It just might be a very long journey. Author Judi Cuervo in the Sea Dream II’s Main Salon. * Photo: Judi Cuervo Seadream Atlantic crossings cruise…
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…Cohen Judi Cohen has travelled to more than 80 countries with her family, and as a tour leader. Writing about her off-the-beaten track journeys by train, helicopter, plane and small…
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When will small-ship cruise lines resume? By Judi Cohen. Updated by Heidi Sarna & Judi Cohen May 20, 2021 Things are looking up for small-ship cruising in many parts of…
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…they could be added back to the fold at a later time as UnCruise likes to keep its offerings fresh. RELATED: Judi Cohen reviews her UnCruise Hawaii adventure HERE. RELATED:…
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…hubby in Antarctica sharing their national flag. * Photo: Judi Cohen Judi‘s Quirky Cruise plans for 2023 “In 2023, I’m looking forward to hitting the water on more quirky cruises…
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…will, managing passengers, crew and the operation of the vessel. (Photo credit of Trevor above: Judi Cohen) QuirkyCruise: How long have you worked at St. Lawrence Cruise Lines (SLCL) as…
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…writer Judi Cohen’s review of her Canadian Empress cruise last summer, when she sampled this very special small-ship cruise for the first time. RELATED: Read Judi Cohen’s review of her…
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REVIEWER Judi Cohen from Canada. CRUISE LINE Pandaw Expeditions. SHIP Kalaw Pandaw. DESTINATION Irrawaddy River, Myanmar. # OF NIGHTS 7. DEPARTURE DATE & PORTS December 2017, from Mandalay, Myanmar. OVERALL…
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…Croisieres Jacques-Cartier Le Boat Ontario Waterway Cruises RELATED: Cruising with the family along the Rideau Canal on a self-drive Le Boat vessel, by Judi Cohen. RELATED: Judi Cohen review her…
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…Ted Scull as well as contributing writers John Roberts, Ben Lyons, Judi Cohen and others. And later this year, Heidi will hit the Pacific Northwest on UnCruise’s “Rivers of Adventure…
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sponsored Cruise Canadian Empress & Save Our Canada-based QuirkyCruise reviewer Judi Cohen traveled aboard the 66-passenger Canadian Empress last summer along the scenic St Lawrence River, sampling this very special…
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…MORE: Enjoy Judi‘s full review of her Anjodi barge cruise here. Judi aboard the lovely Anjodi. * Photo: Lawrence Cohen Johanna 6 passengers Canal du Midi, Southern France Johanna was…
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…adding items along the way. Judi loves her Ebby Rane Quartermaster. * Photo: Judi Cohen FOLLOW: Follow @TravelingJudi on Instagram. Dana Freeman’s Small-ship Cruise Luggage Tips Favorite Luggage: Monos Carry-on…
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…page. Sister Viking Polaris will follow. RELATED: Judi Cohen reviews her Great Lakes cruise aboard the Viking Octantis. RELATED: Anne Kalosh tells us about Viking’s 25th birthday & its flurry…
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…by. One of three lovely cabins on the 6-pax Grand Victoria. * Photo: Grand Victoria Cruises A cabin on the 3-star Anjodi. * Photo: Judi Cohen A cabin on the…
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…St Lawrence Cruise Lines beloved cruise directors, Trevor Houle. Purser & Cruise Director Trevor Houle. * Photo: Judi Cohen All Canadian Empress staterooms are ensuite and have access to fresh…
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…RELATED: Canada-based Judi Cohen shares her Le Boating experience on the St. Lawrence Seaway. RELATED: Judi Cohen goes back on another LeBoat adventure in Canada. Itinerary Planning on a Le…
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…we arrived in San Francisco. Judi & her hubby, just to left of center, on their magical hot hair balloon ride over Napa. * Photo. * Judi Cuervo A Magical…
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…way. Canadian Empress * Photo Credit: Ted Scull RELATED: Judi Cohen reviews the Canadian Empress on a 5-night Cruise Ships, Years Delivered & Passengers Canadian Empress (built 1981 & 66…
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…repeated stops. Trips can last up to a month and, mercifully, include free laundry service. RELATED: Judi Cohen Reviews her Tahiti Windstar Dream Cruise aboard the 142-pax Wind Spirit. RELATED:…
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…Le Boat cruise. Smith Falls is the company’s base camp. Contrasting types of river craft, seen here in the Thames near Windsor. * Photo: Ted Scull RELATED: Read Judi Cohen‘s…
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…Cruise. RELATED: Brahmaputra River Cruise Tips. by Judi Cohen. Interested in this cruise? To book this awesome cruise, reach out to Adventure River Cruises; for pre- and post-cruise land/hotel tours…
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…Profitability After the Pandemic. by Anne Kalosh RELATED: An Alaskan Dream Cruises Expedition. by Lynn & Cele Seldon RELATED: Cruising Alaska with UnCruise Adventures. By Judi Cohen The Small-Ship Cruise…
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…aboard Victory I. RELATED: Judi Cohen shares details about her Victory II cruise. Passenger Profile Americans, Canadians, and a few Europeans mainly 50 and older. These are well-traveled cruisers, and…
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…RELATED: Read QuirkyCruise contributor Judi Cohen‘s article about her One Ocean Expedition adventure. Don’t miss a post about small-ship cruising, subscribe to QuirkyCruise.com for monthly updates & special…
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…* Photo: Heidi Sarna RELATED: Another take on Brahmaputra River cruising in this review by Judi Cohen. Day 1: Brahmaputra River Cruising Before we’d get to those serene expanses of…
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…with CEO Hans Lagerweij and the Victory review on QuirkyCruise.com. Stay tuned for a QC feature article about the brand new VICTORY II, when QC contributor Judi Cohen sails board…
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…Judi Cohen. The Layout The Victory I has five guest decks, beginning at the top with Deck 5, which has open and sheltered deck spaces. Among the Victory I’s most…
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HEIDI SARNA
I'm up to 78 countries and 110+ cruises worldwide, and it's the small ship journeys that I love writing about most. And so QuirkyCruise.com was born, an excellent research tool for planning your own unforgettable small ship trip.
THEODORE W. SCULLI have traveled between all continents by sea and cruised along three dozen rivers. Ships and travel are in my blood, and so is writing. My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles.
More...If you can imagine it, we’ve cruised it! With reviews, articles and destination overviews, we’ve got you covered.
Uncommon Journeys In New York & Canada By Rail & River Boat By Peter Knego Uncommon Journeys, also known as Train Holidays, has been offering curated cruise tours for decades, often combining the best elements of land, sea and rail to provide a unique...
Canadian Empress 1000 Islands Cruise Review By Heidi Sarna One chilly afternoon, after spending some time alone up on the Sun Deck admiring the scenery of the 1000 Islands, I paused and peered through the lounge’s etched glass doors. I could see (and hear!) that just...
Costa Rica UnCruise Adventures By Heidi Sarna I had a chat with Captain Dan Blanchard, Owner & CEO of UnCruise, to ask him all about his upcoming new 7-night Costa Rica itineraries. Dan loves getting his feet wet (and ours!) in some of the most beautiful natural...
Viking & American Cruise Lines Mississippi Comparison By Aaron Saunders River cruises span nearly every corner of the globe. While the term often conjures images of European castles and storied capitals, North American travelers have an equally compelling option...
Viking Christmas Markets Cruise By Donna Heiderstadt I’m a big fan of the European capitals located along the Danube River — notably Budapest, Hungary; Vienna, Austria; and Bratislava, Slovakia — and I’ve visited them several times, always in spring or fall when...
America Cruise Lines Alaska Review By Tracey Teo A black bear at Alaska’s Tongass National Forest perched statue-like on a boulder overlooking Anan Creek, and I watched curiously through my binoculars to see what he would do next. I didn’t have to wait long. Suddenly,...
Antarctica Cruise Tips By John Roberts Today, there are more cruise lines and more ships offering exciting expeditions to Antarctica than ever. I’m talking about getting down to the peninsula and to the Antarctic continent for actual landings and other adventurous...
New Atlas Ocean Voyages Ship By Charles Kipps Given its reputation for polar expedition cruising, it seemed fitting that on the day Atlas Ocean Voyages chose to make a major announcement in New York City the temperature would be 13 degrees with a wind chill of seven....
New River Cruise Ships for 2026 & 2027 By Anne Kalosh River cruises are booming, and for good reason. They offer everything we at QuirkyCruise love about small-ship travel. They take you to the heart of destinations — European capitals or major wine regions, tiny...
Douro River Cruise Review By Heidi Sarna Joyfully wandering around hilly Porto, a colorful old city built on the steep banks of Portugal's Douro River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, after flowing some 500 miles from north-central Spain, I was smitten by this...
Wilderness Legacy Cruise Ship Review By Peter Knego (Photo Above: The handsome Wilderness Legacy, shown at anchor near Le Conte Glacier, was built in 1984 as a replica Chesapeake Bay coastal steamer. * Credit: Peter Knego) After no less than a dozen Alaska cruises on...
