As I began preparing for an 80-day cruise around South America that was scheduled to start on Jan. 4, 2019, I became interested in what would happen to my remains should I not succeed in finishing the journey. (86 at the time, I turned 87 this May.)
Where would my cadaver go? Who would pay to ship it home or for cremation? What problems would there be for my children, since I have no significant other?
8 days, 7 nights. Departures April, May, July, Sept., Oct. 2020. Highlights: Board vessel in Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS/Hoorn/in GERMANY, Old Town in Cologne/Cochem for wine tasting/Rüdesheim/12th-century cathedral in Speyer/Strasbourg, FRANCE/disembark in Basel, SWITZERLAND. $1,594-$4,500 ppdo (based on cabin, dates). $1,833-$9,000 single. Amadeus River Cruises (Burr Ridge, IL; 844/462-6727, www.amadeus-rivercruises.com).
With Holland America Line’s smartphone app Navigator, introduced on May 3, passengers can book shore excursions, review onboard restaurant menus and make reservations, view account statements, receive activity reminders and more. It’s available for free for Apple and Android.
At press time, the app and its functions were only available once the ship had been boarded. However, HAL plans to expand access so guests can review cruises before taking them.
MSC Cruises’ Opera experienced an engine fault in the Giudecca Canal in Venice, Italy, on June 2, causing it to crash into a sightseeing boat and pier, injuring four people.
Solo traveler Edna R.S. Alvarez of Los Angeles, California, described showing up ahead of time at the assigned-seating dining room on an ocean cruise, requesting to be seated at a table with other travelers and being disappointed to end up by herself at a corner table.
In Norway’s Nærøyfjord, two new, environmentally friendly vessels, the hybrid Vision and the all-electric Future, are ferrying passengers year-round between the cities of Flåm and Gudvangen. With a top speed of 10 knots, the ships travel the route in about two hours, one way. Departures from Flåm occur every two hours, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. A round trip costs NOK698 (near $80).
Book at www.visitflam.com/activities/fjord-cruise-naeroyfjord.
Solo traveler Edna R.S. Alvarez of Los Angeles, California, described showing up ahead of time at the assigned-seating dining room on an ocean cruise, requesting to be seated at a table with other travelers and being disappointed to end up by herself at a corner table.
