What We’re Reading: In Defense of Cruising

Is cruising dead? Not so much, says one sailing aficionado. Find out why you should give a cruise a try in our weekly roundup of travel blogs and stories.

Overlooked and Underrated Destinations

Feast your eyes on this list of off-the-beaten-path (but nonetheless beautiful) destinations from The Polar Route, a photography-focused travel blog. Pretty pictures? Check. Inspiration for your next trip? Check. Best of all, it’s safe to assume blogger Ed Graham has been to all recommended destinations—since there’s photo evidence.

A Breakdown of the Paris Arrondissements

When searching for hotels prior to my first-ever trip to Paris, I was befuddled by the city’s numbered neighborhoods. What does it all mean?! I only wish I could have read this post at the time, a breakdown of Parisian neighborhoods written by a “sassy New Yorker.” Featured on the blog Memoirs of a Young Adventuress, the piece could have been titled “Paris Neighborhoods for Dummies.” It offers a quick, simple overview of what each section of the city has to offer, and it’s a must-read for any travelers seeking a primer on Paris.

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In Defense of the Cruise

First there was Concordia. Then Triumph. Not to mention all the other at-sea tragedies that didn’t grab national attention for weeks on end. Cruising was always an easy target (see David Foster Wallace’s famous essay), but after “[feces] and [urine] rolling across floor with every wave” on Triumph, the prospect of a cruise vacation might seem downright preposterous.

Not so, says blogger Emma of Emma’s Travel Tales. According to Emma, “It’s easy to stereotype cruise holidays and their passengers but isn’t it time we stopped talking about how people should and shouldn’t travel and let people make their own decisions based on the style of travel that suits them. I certainly think so.” Read her reasons why cruising isn’t so bad here.

Cruising: Do you love it or hate it? Share your thoughts in the comments!