Finland, which presented its top cruise destinations with Estonia this week at the Seatrade cruise trade show in Ft. Lauderdale, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its independence this coming Dec. 6. And throughout 2017 the Scandinavian nation is holding a series of special events.

Finland offers a variety of impressive cruise destinations, from the cultural hubs of Helsinki and Turku to getaways in nature in Kotka and Mariehamn. All of the destinations offer special programs and tours during the year.

Oceania Cruises made history on Thursday when its ship, Marina, pulled into Sierra Maestra cruise terminal in Havana, Cuba carrying 1,250 guests. Oceania made history as the first major North American cruise brand to sail to Cuba.

On board for the historic event was Bob Binder, co-founder and CEO of Oceania Cruises, and Frank Del Rio, Cuban-born founder of Oceania Cruises and CEO of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Once the ship docked, Del Rio addressed international media regarding the inaugural voyage. 

Oceania Cruises has announced that it will be hosting another 180-day world cruise scheduled to depart on March 1, 2019, aboard its sleek ship Insignia.

The Insignia vessel will carry 684 guests during the 180-day world cruise that covers more than 45,000 nautical miles across two oceans, five continents and 16 seas. In addition, passengers will visit 90 fascinating destinations in 36 countries.

For added flexibility, passengers will be able to embark from New York, Miami or Los Angeles.

Luxury cruise operator Silversea has announced it's offering adventurous voyages to Australia’s scenic, remote northwest region.

The spectacular natural vistas of the country's northwest have been enhanced by the wettest December on record — seven times greater than normal. For those who want to take an expedition cruise in style to see waterfalls plunging into sun-scorched gorges, you have a choice of five mostly 10-day cruises on Silver Discoverer sailing between Darwin and Broome, Australia. 

Here's one of the most beautiful hi-def drone videos we've come across, a 10-minute flyover of the the Golden Gate Bridge, connecting San Francisco to Marin County. The video runs from Baker Beach across the Golden Gate Bridge to the north Vista Point — some 11,000 feet in distance with the Phantom 3 Professional. (I recently bought a Phantom 4.)

As the comments below the video make clear, these kinds of drone flyovers are becoming harder to do, given the restrictions imposed on their flight by national, state and city parks. (The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a federal park.) 

On Monday we ran our feature story on 8 Caribbean drink recipes from a master mixologist, with cocktail concoctions from a veteran bartender on Silversea's Silver Spirit. 

Today we came across a new 2-minute video from Royal Caribbean showcasing the mixologists who whip up colorful creations at Harmony of the Seas’ lounge-bar Wonderland. As they put it: "Cocktails are more than just drinks – they are masterpieces. These artists use innovative flavors and artisanal ingredients to create cocktails that are almost too stunning to drink!"

Well, not that stunning. Check out the fast-paced video: 

Luxury travel provider Crystal Cruises, operator of ships, yachts, river boats and a private jet, today announced the cutting of the first piece of steel for the construction of Crystal River Cruises’ two additional Rhine Class luxury river yachts, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel, which are scheduled to sail in spring 2018.   

MV Werften of Mecklenburg, Germany, celebrated  the occasion as the first plates of the extravagant river ships were flame cut in the presence of the Genting Group executive  Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Economics Minister Harry Glawe and numerous other guests.

In this age of Apple Watches, smartphones, robots and other high-tech gadgets designed to “simplify'” life, Princess Cruises has come up with a device devoted to passenger comfort called the Ocean Medallion — a first-of-its-kind wearable “assistant” that uses interactive technology within the O.C.E.A.N, One Cruise Experience Access Network.

Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald unveiled the Ocean Medallion on Wednesday during his opening keynote in Las Vegas at the CES 2017 consumer technology trade show, explaining that it will be the only accessory needed to heighten passenger experiences.

As the the 2017 “Wave Season” gets into gear (that’s when cruise lines offer attractive savings), Crystal Cruises is riding the crest by expanding its popular “Crystal Clear Choices” promotion, with more than a dozen choice opportunities in 2018.

If you book by March 31, 2017 you can reap savings on nearly six dozen worldwide journeys aboard Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity, Crystal Esprit and Crystal Mozart that cover several global itineraries.  You can also take advantage of three exclusive Crystal Clear Choices  incentives that provide  savings of up to $1,000 per person, air credit of up to $1,100 per person or shipboard credit of up to $1,250 per person.

The special  promotion  is applicable on several of Crystal’s acclaimed travel experiences such as Crystal Serenity’s second Northwest Passage expedition in August 2017 and South America World Cruise segments through April. New additions for 2018  explore Australia, South Pacific, Panama Canal and Caribbean aboard Crystal Symphony; and Southeast Asia, India and Western Europe aboard Crystal Serenity.

Be aware, you might not be a fan of early booking, but there is no other way if you want to see certain destinations.

Travelers can be divided into few categories: those who plan ahead their vacation and those who prefer to book the last minute deals and always have their suitcases on the go. However when it comes to choosing a cruise, there are few tricks your should be aware of. Some of the destinations and times, like holiday seasons are not available for fast booking and the only way to catch such a cruise is by booking it in advance, like a year. No jokes here:

Holiday cruises

Cruises on new ships

Popular cruise ships

 Short season itineraries

Expedition cruises

A Viking River Cruise along the Rhone River from Provence to Lyon is a historical, cultural and gastronomic experience not to be missed.

September of this year saw me fulfilling a long-standing dream of taking a European River Cruise. From Provence in the south to Lyon in the northern Rhone region of France, I spent seven days on board the Viking longship Buri.

During the week long cruise, we stopped at six ports along the Rhone River. Each port was a mini history and culture lesson. Often the food and wine of a particular area was a special treat at dinner, as when we arrived in Tournon Sur Rhone, where just across the river are the famous Hermitage AOC Vineyards. That evening, we drank a local Syrah. Food, wine, art, and architecture – all the things I love about Europe – were part of the cruise experience, which Viking does so well.

This was my first time in France, and I was not disappointed. Many of my readers know that I’m a big Italophile, but this year I went to France instead of Italy. Who knew that France has almost as many Roman ruins as Italy? Everywhere we went, we saw magnificent monuments and remains of what was once the mighty Roman Empire.

Cruise lines have always tried to top themselves, whether it’s with towering ships, luxurious spas, or decadent cuisine. And these companies show no sign of resting on their laurels.

 Their latest vessels up the ante in terms of luxury and forward-thinking design. With interiors by some of the world’s top hospitality designers, including Lauren Rottet and Richmond International, cuisine by Michelin-starred chefs, and boutiques that would be right at home on Madison Avenue, these ships offer five-star amenities as they sail to their ports of call.

 Whether you’re planning a transatlantic voyage or a quick river cruise, these stylish ships offer trips of a lifetime.

     Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Star

     Ponant’s Le Lyrial

     Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas

     Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Escape