Ever thought about combining work and vacation on a luxury cruiser? Sounds crazy, right? Well, not anymore! Picture this: you and your buddies set sail on Virgin Voyages' Ultimate Workcation Adventure. It's not your typical work trip, it's a unique mix of relaxation and productivity that's challenging the regular concept of a working holiday. Of course, for you married guys... it's probably a good idea to consider bringing your wives along... after all, as much as Virgin Voyages is our favorite cruise line for a guys trip... it's a whole lot of fun as a romantic getaway too!

In recent years the cruise industry has transformed itself from a fairly niche part of the leisure industry driven more by people looking to experience something specific - such as visiting a remote island that almost nobody else ever has, or exploring rivers farther than even many of the great exploreers dared to go back in the golden years of the British Empire. These men and women were true explorers willing to sacrifice creature comforts and service for the opportunity to do something nobody else had done. Today, though, the industry has expanded, and companies like Aqua Expeditions blend the excitement of expedition cruising with the comforts of ultra-premium luxury and service.

With the introduction of a new generation of cruise ships comes the opportunity to rethink conventions and try new things. Sometimes those innovations work... and other times they need some tweaking to get right. Norwegian Prima is a great example of this and it appears to be an indicator that Norwegian Cruise Line is moving in a new direction, where passenger comfort and enjoyment are just as important as bullet points on a feature list.

Are you thinking about an Alaska cruise this year but are overwhelmed with all the options? You are not alone and that's why we've come together with our blogger friends to prepare some tips to help!

Virgin Voyages is essentially the anti-cruise. Created by Richard Branson who had, at the time anyhow, never gone on a mainstream cruise vacation but was convinced he could introduce a product that would both disrupt and revolutionize the industry. This brash hubris has resulted in an incredibly fun experience that is truly unlike any other Caribbean cruise option available.

Holland America Line has suddenly become my favorite cruise line and I don't say that lightly. While we enjoyed sailing with them in the past, the new generation of Pinnacle Class ships combined with one of the best leaderships teams in the industry has transformed what was once considered "newly wed and nearly dead" into a vibrant and fun cruise line... while still maintaining it's heritage as one of the more traditionally styled cruise operators.

For those looking to explore the mysteries and rich cultural traditions of ancient - as well as modern Egypt, a river cruise is probably one of your best options. Guests will literally float down the same waterways as ancient Egyptians while stopping at bucket list sites on a daily basis while returning to the modern comfort and luxury of your riverboat each evening. With the launch of AmaDahlia there is now another fabulous option for folks looking to make this bucket list adventure a reality.

I love cruise vacations. For more than a decade it has been a way for me to see parts of the world, experience new cultures, try things I wouldn't do back home, and just generally have a great time. During the more than 20 cruises that I've taken, I've also started to feel that while different lines offer unique features that might make me prefer one over the other for certain experiences, the reality is they are more similar than they are different. To change this would take some radical thinking and a brand with the confidence and tradition to be truly innovative. There is no other travel brand that could do this like Virgin and that's exactly what Richard Branson has done. They are attempting to be a disrupter in what - until the pandemic - was a thriving industry that boasted a 7% annual growth rate, the most of any leisure travel market segment.

Planning a trip can turn into a full-time job when it comes to getting all the boxes checked. Picking a destination is only the first step, then comes the real work of planning everything from transportation and accommodations to dining and excursions. For anyone that thinks picking the location and packing a bag is enough work to put into vacation planning, an all in one cruise experience is the perfect way to get all the best elements of the trip from accommodations to dining arranged for you. Now all that is left to do is decide which spectacular cruise to pick for your first voyage!

There's a whole other world beyond just the big feature-packed cruise ships from the big-name brands you are all familiar with and that's the small ship luxury market. While I love sailing on ships like Norwegian Encore and Oasis of the Seas, the reality is that for many people the ship itself is getting in the way of enjoying a cruise. There are too many people, not enough personal attention, and the food ultimately suffers because you are cooking tens of thousands of meals each day. Plus, when you get to port there's always a long line waiting to debark and then once on shore there's more crowds to deal with. One increasingly popular alternative is small ship luxury cruises like those offered by Crystal Symphony, so we visited her in San Diego to see what all the buzz was about.

Have you ever dreamed about one-day sailing to the North Pole? This might be exactly the cruise you are looking for. This week as Poseidon Expeditions commences another sold-out season of voyages from Murmansk, Russia aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Years of Victory, to the geographic North Pole, the company announces that reservations are now open for three departures during the summer of 2020.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sneak into the exclusive Haven area on a Norwegian cruise ship? This area is designed as a private retreat complete with a private pool, bar, restaurant, and lounge area. It also has some of the most luxurious cabins available anywhere on the ship. Let's take a look at what things would look like if you booked the Owners Suite in the Haven complex on Norwegian Joy!

I tend to be a major advocate for a cruise lifestyle. Simply put, I LOVE the experience of being on a boat, but I know a lot of guys who aren't convinced that a cruise is for them and not every line or itinerary is. However, last fall I had the chance to explore the Rhine thanks to Viking Cruises and I still can't believe how many opportunities there are for guys to have an amazing time on this route!