:: Free Traveler ::

If that advice sounds a bit counter-intuitive, you’ll find it isn’t. The traditionally relaxing, get-away-from-it-all escape that cruises have offered in the past is changing fast. They are becoming a much more high-energy vacation option.

These days, the ships themselves often sport workout rooms Bally’s or 24-Hour Fitness would envy and many are big enough to walk off breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snack calories with just a turn or two around the promenade deck. On one or another, you’ll find climbing walls, golf mini-greens and several swimming pools…

And don’t think you’ll get to rest on shore trips, either. At least one requires the energy and level of fitness of a mountain climber. Literally. Crystal Cruises upcoming overland adventure is an excursion to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak, at 19,340 feet, the highest peak in Africa.

According to Crystal Cruises director of land programs, “This new excursion is quite literally the pinnacle of adventure, reserved for only the fittest adventure-seekers.”

(more…)

Travelers without a passport must pass on any cruises outside of the U.S. starting in late December, no matter what kind of great deals they land for their next vacation, points out Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com.

After a year-long delay, passports will be required for all air and sea travel outside of the U.S. for persons returning home after Jan. 1, 2007. This includes trips to Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and various other cruise ship destinations.

The Cruise Lines International Association estimates that only 35% of travelers used passports as identification on cruises during the past 12 months. With more than 10,000,000 Americans enjoying cruise vacations each year, this means a lot of people still need to secure proper identification.

(more…)