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World’s first three-year cruise announced – and it might cost less than renting on dry land

The voyage ‘offers the ultimate bucket list cruise without having to sacrifice the comforts of home’, article bookmarked.

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The world’s first three-year world cruise is now open for bookings

The ambitious voyage, operated by Life at Sea Cruises , will cover more than 130,000 miles and visit 375 ports across 135 countries and seven continents.

Embracing the recent shift towards remote-working, the cruise enables guests to live, work and explore from a single base .

The MV Gemini vessel, which has 400 cabins and room for 1,074 passengers, will set sail from Istanbul on 1 November, with pick-ups in Barcelona and Miami .

Guests can visit 13 of the 14 Wonders of the World on what it calls “the first reasonably priced, all-inclusive world cruise, starting from only $29,999 (£24,926) per year”.

Working out as less than £70 per day, this unique opportunity to travel the world could cost less than renting on dry land.

The fee includes access to all dining venues and alcohol with dinner, a state-of-the-art wellness centre, sundeck and swimming pool, high-speed internet, entertainment, “enrichment seminars” and housekeeping.

The ship will also include a 24-hour on-call hospital with free medical visits.

Digital nomads can take advantage of the onboard business centre, which includes meeting rooms, 14 offices, a lounge and business library.

“Professionals need connectivity, the right amenities and the functionality to perform their jobs. There is no other cruise that offers this sort of flexibility to their customers” says Mikael Petterson, managing director of Life at Sea Cruises.

And if you’re feeling homesick, friends and family are permitted to make free visits.

Life at Sea Cruises director of sales and marketing Irina Strembitsky said: “Life at Sea Cruises offers the ultimate bucket list cruise without having to sacrifice the comforts of home.

“It’s your home at sea with the world as your backyard.”

It’s not the only cruise company catering to guests looking to swap dry land for sea for the longer term.

Storylines Narrative ship is positioning itself as a “floating town” where cruise fans can live and travel full-time .

Due to set sail in 2025, the ship is selling units to cruisers who want to relocate to the open seas.

Narrative is planned to circumnavigate the globe every 1,000 days, stopping at each port for several nights. Residents will be able to leave the main ship via a nifty “Marina” on the aft side, where they can board smaller boats or jet skis to explore.

Units on the ship start at £300,000 for a 12- or 24-year lease, with the most luxurious costing up to £6m to buy outright.

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Gananoque City Cruises

Toll Free Phone: (800) 459-8105

Get ready to set sail and experience the wonder of the  Thousand Islands  aboard  City Cruises Gananoque  with ports in Gananoque and Ivy Lea. Visit the magnificent  Boldt Castle  on Heart Island, discover and learn about the 1000 islands region, its history, and stories of those who have called it home. Or enjoy a cruise at sunset with breathtaking views of majestic estates and small cottage islands.  With many cruise options to choose from, your visit to the Thousand Islands is sure to be an amazing experience! 1-Hour to Half-Day Cruises available including an officially curated 3-Hour Cruise with views of Boldt Castle, a  Canadian Signature Experience .

2023 Boat Cruise Options:

1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Ivy Lea

1-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque

3-Hour 1000 Islands Cruise from Gananoque

5-Hour 1000 Islands Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise from Gananoque

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10 Cheap Cruises Under $550 Per Person (Taxes & Fees Included!)

When it comes to affordable vacations, it can be hard to beat cruising. Yes, you can spend as much as you want (including tens of thousands of dollars on the fanciest rooms, if you feel so inclined). But on the other end of the spectrum you can spend very little to get a great vacation .

Case in point: Our list of cruises under $300 .

In that list you’ll find a dozen trips that can take you to some of the world’s nicest beaches for less than three bills per person. However, while those cruises are popular, you usually can only cruise for a few days to meet that sort of budget.

That’s why we expanded our search with this list of cruises under $550 . With just a couple of hundred dollars extra per person, your list of options expands dramatically. Perhaps best of all, many week-long cruises are now within your budget.

What follows below are not necessarily the cheapest cruises you can take. Instead, we’ve highlighted a number of vacations that are under $550 and unique or good deals for varied reasons. This includes a trip aboard one of the largest cruise ships in the world, and some of the cheapest trips aboard a newer ship that we’ve seen.

The fares shown below are at the time of writing and subject to change . All fares are on a per-person basis for interior cabins, and included taxes and fees. 

6 Night Mexico Cruise From Los Angeles on Carnival

Date: January 6, 2025 Ship: Carnival Radiance | Ports: Cabo San Lucas (Two Days), Ensenada Price: $439

For years it seems like Miami has been the king of cheap cruises. However, Los Angeles is seeing fares that are even lower, giving you a chance to vacation for less. Case in point is this six-night cruise from LA to Mexico. For under $450, you get a two-day stay in Cabo San Lucas, along with two days at sea and a stop in Ensenada.

At this price, it’s almost cheaper to go on vacation than it is to stay at home.  Learn more about this trip .

5 Night Bahamas Cruise From Tampa on Carnival

Date: February 7, 2026 Ship: Carnival Paradise | Ports: Celebration Key, Nassau Price: $509

Following a change in cruise pricing that saw taxes and fees now included in cruise prices, the price you actually pay hasn’t changed, but the headline fares advertised have risen significantly. That’s why a cruise priced around $100 per day used to be commonplace, but it now a great deal.

This cruise comes in at that level, but there’s another reason to be excited. It departs Tampa and heads to Celebration Key , Carnival’s new private island set to open in 2025. After that it’s a port stop in Nassau before returning to Florida. All that for about $500 per person is a great deal. Learn more about this trip .

7 Night Caribbean Cruise From Miami on MSC

Date: November 30, 2025 Ship: MSC Divina | Ports: Ocean Cay, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios Price: $529

It’s hard to beat MSC when it comes to inexpensive fares. This cruise comes in at just over $75 per person, per day even with the taxes and fees included. That’s outstanding. For those that like port-heavy itineraries, the news gets better.

This sailing features four ports of call over the trip, each in a different country. Depart Miami and you’ll head to MSC’s private island Ocean Cay (one of our favorites). Then it’s on to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and a stop in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, before returning home. That’s visiting a total of five countries in seven days, for under $550 per person. Learn more about this trip .

3 Night Bahamas Cruise From Miami on Royal Caribbean

Date: January 23, 2026 Ship: Wonder of the Seas | Ports: CocoCay, Nassau Price: $501

We would be the first to admit that $500 for a three-day cruise isn’t greatest deal. So why include this trip?

First, Royal Caribbean is historically a little pricier than its main rival Carnival and other lines like MSC. But this trip is also aboard one of the largest cruise ships in the world and goes to the cruise line’s extremely popular private island. 

This cruise aboard Wonder of the Seas sails from Miami for $501 per person, all in. Along the way you will make stops in CocoCay and in Nassau.

Wonder of the Seas is part of the Oasis-class ships, which rank as the biggest in the world. Due to the size, they are able to offer an experience that’s unlike any other class of ships on the planet. Learn more about this trip .

3 Night Bahamas Cruise From Port Canaveral on NCL

Date: February 3, 2026 Ship: Norwegian Breakaway| Ports: Great Stirrup Cay, Nassau Price: $468

Another cruise that sees a charge of nearly $500 for a three-day cruise may not get you too excited. But what’s unique about this one is that it includes Norwegian’s “Free at Sea” offer that bundles a number of perks into the cruise fare.

First, this cruise takes you from the Orlando area over to NCL’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay . This spot is your own tropical paradise to relax and enjoy a day on the beach. Then it’s on to Nassau.

With this fare, you get the cruise, but also get the “Free at Sea perks, including drink package (gratuities apply), specialty restaurants, wi-fi, and more. Learn more about this trip .

4 Night Bahamas Cruise From Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity

Date: February 17, 2026 Ship: Celebrity Summit | Ports: Key West, Nassau Price: $364

Celebrity is a luxury cruise line that’s a step above mass-market lines like Royal Caribbean or Carnival. In other words, you usually have to pay a bit extra to sail the line. This trip, however, is a real find. It departs Fort Lauderdale for Key West and then Nassau in The Bahamas. At just $364 — for four nights — it’s an inexpensive way to get a taste of a higher-end cruise to see if it’s right for you. Learn more about this trip .

7 Night Caribbean Cruise From Tampa on Celebrity

Date: November 30, 2025 Ship: Celebrity Constellation | Ports: Cozumel, Belize City, Costa Maya Price: $590

Ok, this cruise doesn’t meet the $550 threshold, but in our search, a quirk in pricing meant that an interior room was $773 per person but an oceanview room was priced at $590. We simply had to include it.

The cruise is also aboard Celebrity, which is known for luxury rather than cheap cruises. For less than $600 (remember, taxes and fees are included!) per person, you’re getting a week-long cruise from Tampa to Cozumel, Belize City, and Costa Maya, along with a couple of days at sea to work on that tan. Learn more about this trip .

4 Night Mexico Cruise From Los Angeles on Royal Caribbean

Date: March 3, 2025 Ship: Navigator of the Seas | Ports: Catalina, Ensenada Price: $346

The first cruise on our list is a trip from Los Angeles to the west coast of Mexico. You can often find some great deals sailing out of this area. This cruise is shorter — four nights — but also cheaper at less than $350 per person for an interior cabin.

With this trip you get to visit Catalina Island , which we consider one of the most beautiful ports of call we’ve visited. In addition, you stop in Ensenada and have a day at sea to relax on the ship. Learn more about this trip .

7 Night Caribbean Cruise From Tampa on Royal Caribbean

Date: November 29, 2025 Ship: Rhapsody of the Seas | Ports: Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City, Costa Maya Price: $546

One key to finding cheaper cruises is to look into sailings aboard older ships. These might not have all the latest and greatest waterslides, roller coasters, and other amenities but many people actually prefer the slower pace and more manageable size of older vessels.

Case in point: This cruise aboard Rhapsody of the Seas is only $546 for a week-long sailing. Along the way from Tampa, you’ll have stops all along the western Caribbean with four ports, including Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City, and Costa Maya. Learn more about this trip .

7 Night Caribbean Cruise From New York on MSC

Date: November 16, 2025 Ship: MSC Meraviglia | Ports: Port Canaveral, Ocean Cay (overnight) Price: $469

The final cruise on our list is aboard the MSC Meraviglia, a relatively new ship that is one of the most beautiful cruise liners at sea. This cruise will take you from New York — right before Thanksgiving — for a week with stops in sunny Florida, as well as Ocean Cay — MSC’s private island . What’s unique is that you get an overnight stay at the island, which is a rarity in cruising. And getting away for a week doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We found rates starting at $469 per person to escape the brutal winter. Learn more about this trip .

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, explained: differences between large and small(er) cruise ships, the cheapest u.s. cruises for all of 2025 (starting at under $200), why people love cruises: 68 best reasons to take a cruise, answered: what is a good price for a cruise (caribbean, alaska, & europe), 12 cruises under $300 per person (updated), everything about buying discount cruise gift cards via aarp (carnival, royal caribbean, & more), leave a reply cancel reply.

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Latest fatal landslide in Alaska kills 1 and injures 3 in Ketchikan, a popular cruise ship stop

Alaska Landslide This drone photo taken by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, shows the landslide in Ketchikan, Ak., Aug. 26, 2024. (Travis Watkins via AP Photo) (Travis Watkins/AP)

JUNEAU, Alaska — (AP) — A landslide cut a path down a steep, thickly forested hillside and crashed into several homes in Ketchikan, killing one person and injuring three in the latest such disaster to strike mountainous southeast Alaska.

The landslide Sunday afternoon prompted a mandatory evacuation of 60 nearby homes in the city, a popular cruise ship stop along the famed Inside Passage in the Alaska panhandle. The slope remained unstable Monday, and authorities said that state and local geologists were arriving to assess the potential for further slides.

Four homes were critically damaged, officials said, and homes next to the slide area were still being assessed. Several homes and businesses reported flooding.

Last November, six people — including a family of five — were killed when a landslide destroyed two homes in Wrangell , about 100 miles (161 kilometers) to the north. Torrential rains were blamed for landslides that killed two people in Haines in 2020 and three people in Sitka in 2015.

“In my 65 years in Ketchikan, I have never seen a slide of this magnitude," Ketchikan Mayor Dave Kiffer said in a statement. “With the slides we have seen across the region, there is clearly a region-wide issue that we need to try to understand with the support of our State geologist.”

He said the loss of life was “heartbreaking, and my heart goes out to those who lost their homes.”

Ketchikan officials on Monday identified the victim as Sean Griffin, a 17-year veteran of the city’s public works team who was clearing stormwater drains with a co-worker when they were caught in the landslide.

“It was his commitment to the community that caused him to respond to the call for assistance during his scheduled time off,” a statement from Ketchikan Gateway Borough Clerk Kacie Paxton said.

The landslide followed a weekend bout of rain amid an abnormally dry August, said Andrew Park, a meteorologist in Juneau with the National Weather Service. The weather service early Monday said Ketchikan had received about 2.6 inches (66 millimeters) of rain in about 36 hours, though rainfall totals at higher elevations nearby ranged from 5 to 9 inches (127 to 229 millimeters).

Landslides can be unpredictable, but this one occurred without certain other risk factors, such as high winds, Park said.

“There weren’t any of the big red flags we would normally see,” he said.

Leah Canfield was trying to nap when the slide struck. She saw a flash of light — she initially thought lightning, but it was likely an electrical conductor exploding, she said — and then her house started rumbling. She woke her spouse, and they grabbed their dogs and headed outside.

“When we started coming down the stairs, we’ve seen that, you know, there’s a lot of debris that was flying around outside our office window and realized, you know, that this is probably much bigger than just an earthquake,” she said.

They found that their neighbor’s home had plunged downhill, part of it coming to rest in their front yard. Another two-story house next door partially collapsed and slid into a different home, knocking it off its foundation. Trees, debris and a telephone pole landed on the roof of Canfield’s home, but Canfield said she believed the house could be salvaged.

After calling family members to let them know they were OK, they walked about 20 minutes to a hotel, because their pickup truck was buried by uprooted trees.

Ketchikan is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, a temperate rainforest that encompasses much of southeast Alaska. Landslides strike often in the region, but garner little notice when they hit remote, unpopulated areas.

But as climate change intensifies storms and destabilizes soil, they are posing more risk to communities.

Because of the steep terrain, there's limited room for development in the region, and cities and roads are built at the base of slopes. Increasingly, landslides are occurring in inhabited areas of “old infrastructure that’s been built in harm’s way," said Aaron Jacobs, a meteorologist and senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service’s Juneau office.

“It’s just becoming more and more common that they’re impacting people,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs planned to travel to Ketchikan on Monday to study the soil composition in the area and try to pinpoint why it occurred when the area had been in a period of drought before the weekend’s rainfall.

“We’re going to learn more about this and hopefully we can figure out what caused it and then we can move forward on it,” he said.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared an emergency for Ketchikan, while Kiffer and Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor Rodney Dial issued a separate emergency declaration. A shelter was set up at Ketchikan High School.

Two of the victims in Ketchikan were admitted to the hospital and one was treated and released. All other individuals were accounted for, the city and borough said in a joint statement.

Michael Robbins, the superintendent of schools in Ketchikan, said in a statement on social media that a dozen people were staying at the shelter at the local high school as of Monday morning.

But people often stay with friends or relatives after such events, so it remained unknown how many were displaced.

Power was restored to some of the area by 8:15 p.m. Sunday. Other areas will remain without power while the landslide is cleared and broken power poles are replaced.

Landslides include debris flows often triggered by heavy rains. When logging or fire destroys trees, the loss of root structure can weaken soil. Rain that isn't being sucked up by plants can saturate the ground, making it more likely to slide. Other types include creeps, which move slowly downward, and rock falls.

In Alaska, melting permafrost, retreating glaciers, earthquakes and pounding rains can all trigger landslides.

This story corrects the last name of the borough clerk to Paxton, not Paxon.

Thiessen reported from Anchorage, Alaska. Leah Willingham in Charleston, West Virginia, contributed.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

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One Pass, One Price, All of Kingston

Available May 17 – October 14, 2024. Visit kpass.ca for included attractions and pricing.

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K-Pass is Back for 2024!

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From Kingston, Ontario

Sightseeing Cruises

Explore Kingston's historic scenery on a Discovery Cruise. Or, experience the 1000 Islands on a 3-hour Heart of the Islands Cruise.

Dining Cruises

Dining in the 1000 Islands is our signature experience. Relax at a reserved table on a Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the Island Star.

Private Events

Have a special occasion? Celebrate on the water! Customize your event to fit your needs, and create an unforgettable experience in Kingston.

Our theme is Food, Fun and Entertainment!

Cruises sail from April to October. Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises is the premiere cruise line in the 1000 Islands region, consistently ranked as one of the top things to do, and as a top attraction in Kingston, Ontario.

Our Location

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Visit Kingston and the Islands

Kingston is a vibrant town in Eastern Ontario, rich in Canadian history and culture. Our close proximity to the famous 1000 Islands region, attracts tourists from all over the world to visit, stay and explore the area. As the largest city bordering the Canadian side of the 1000 Islands, Kingston offers plenty to see and do including cruises, trolley tours, and more:

Trolley Tours

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Discover local sights along Kingston’s historic waterfront on a 1-hour Discovery Cruise or take in views of the 1000 Islands during our famous 3-hour Heart of the Islands Cruise.

Dining in the 1000 Islands is our signature experience: Relax at a reserved table and enjoy live entertainment with a delicious meal.

Great cruise. Table view was really great. Food was good, roof was great with lots of nice views. Captain and crew are very nice and professional. Entertainment was really excellent and funny. My wife and I really enjoyed it. We will definitely do it again. – Lunch Cruise Guest

We had the privilege of taking your lunch cruise. What a fantastic experience!!! I have taken other cruises, and even boated through the 1000 Islands many times on my own boat. Your cruise was tops! Good food, Great service, Very enjoyable. – Island Queen Lunch Cruise Guest

The trolley was a wonderful way to see everything! It saved finding a parking spot and getting lost. My daughter, her sons and I had a wonderful experience in Kingston. The trolley drivers were very informative and answered a variety of questions. – Kingston Trolley Tour Guest

Our cruise was extremely enjoyable and the fine dining experience was nothing short of amazing. The entertainment was also top notch with a beautiful sunset adding to our experience. Staff were very attentive. This was our second dinner cruise experience. – Sunset Dinner Cruise Guest

We had a wonderful time. Loved the entertainment and our server was amazing!!! First time any of us visited Kingston to go on the cruise. Loved every minute of it. Food was very good as well. I have already recommended the cruise to friends and will continue to. -Island Star Lunch Cruise Guest

Overall experience was fantastic, our guests were very happy. Would recommend and would rent again for future parties! – Privately Chartered Event

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Daily tours starting April 27th!

Uncle Sam Boat Tours: 1000 Islands Boat Tours in Alexandria Bay NY

Uncle Sam Boat Tours Thousand Islands, New York

Any of our daytime tours offer an optional stop at Boldt Castle at the end of the tour. If you choose to disembark at the castle you can purchase the castle admission at the ticket booth on the island.

Come explore one of America’s greatest vacation getaways, the Thousand Islands, in Alexandria Bay, NY. Here you can find magnificent homes, including historic American Castles and modern mansions, all carefully placed throughout one of nature’s most picturesque settings. Uncle Sam Boat Tours is family-operated and has been navigating these waters since 1926!!!

Contact our office with any questions at 315-482-2611 ext. 131 or [email protected] . 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Tis’ the Season for Gift Certificates!

Give them something more, give them an experience! Explore the St. Lawrence River & 1000 Islands aboard one of our famous cruises. And don’t forget the Castle’s!

About Uncle Sam Boat Tours

Uncle Sam Boat Tours invites you to cruise the St. Lawrence River and explore the famous Thousand Islands. Uncle Sam Boat Tours has been providing guided tours of the Thousand Islands for nearly 100 years from our downtown Alexandria Bay location, directly across from Boldt Castle.

Uncle Sam Boat Tours provides a variety of regularly scheduled 1000 Islands sightseeing cruises as well as luncheon  and  dinner  cruises. We are also the ONLY tour company that allows guests an unlimited visit to Boldt Castle and Heart Island. It’s not just a tour; it’s an unforgettable experience!

The most popular option is the 2 Nation Tour. Departing from the heart of the Thousand Islands, Alexandria Bay, NY. This narrated tour offers you historic and scenic wonders of American and Canadian waters; no passport required! At the end of each trip, there is an optional stop at the world-famous Boldt Castle on Heart Island for an unlimited self-guided tour. Click here for more information about Boldt Castle .

Join us for a wonderful time on the water!

Check out our Instagram feed below!

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Uncle Sam has been providing scenic cruises of the Thousand Islands for over 85 years from its downtown Alexandria Bay, NY, location.

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Week long cruises.

Revel in adventure like never before on a 7 night cruise to the world’s most captivating destinations in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and Mexican Riviera.

Flex your sense of wonder during a week long exploration of majestic sights and cultural discoveries. Our upcoming sailings are packed with countless exciting options filled with bucket list destinations. From chasing waterfalls in the Caribbean, to whale watching in Alaska, and sipping wine on the Amalfi Coast to snorkeling the Mexican Riviera’s emerald waters — now is the perfect time to book a 7 night cruise. Adventure is calling your name.

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Alaska is the spot for your coolest adventure yet. Sled with Huskies across massive glaciers. Or gear up for white water rafting alongside dramatic landscapes. Nothing compares to the captivating wildlife and unspoiled beauty of the Last Frontier — and there’s no better way to see it all than a 7 night Alaska cruise.

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I Spent A Week On One Of The World's Largest Cruise Ships, And This Is How Much Food They Actually Need For 6,000 Passengers

About 16,000 bottles of wine and 30 tons of meat are served every 7 days on one of the world's largest cruise ships.

BuzzFeed Staff

Hey! I'm Spencer , and I love cruises. I just got back from my eighth sailing, this time traveling through the Mediterranean on one of the world's tallest cruise ships. I'm always fascinated by how much food it takes these massive ships to serve everyone on board, and I managed to get a private tour of the galley and their off-limit decks, so here are some of the wildest things I learned.

To give you an idea of how much food they go through each week, you need to understand how big the 6,000-passenger ship actually is. I traveled on Sun Princess , which is over 1,100 feet in length, meaning it's longer than three football fields put together. This 21-deck ship is by far the tallest I've ever been on, and it weighs nearly 178,000 tons, which is almost 400 ~million~ pounds. Okay, now onto the food!

1. In total, 180 tons of food supplies are loaded onto the ship for every weeklong voyage. That's about 400,000 pounds of provisions, which, to put into perspective, is just shy of how much the Statue of Liberty weighs. Below is what some of that food looks like when stored on the lower decks. The left pic, for example, shows a crewmember loading potatoes, which is a tough job when you consider that the ship goes through over 13,000 pounds of potatoes each week.

2. They also load about 50 tons of beverages onto the ship. This includes over 16,000 bottles of wine and champagne, along with upwards of 120,000 bottles of beer.

3. The ship I just sailed on had 28 different bars on board, and they served over 200 unique cocktails, the most popular being Piña Coladas and strawberry daiquiris. Most cruise lines offer unlimited alcohol packages to their guests, which usually cost between $50 and $80 per day. I did the math, and depending on which line you travel with, you typically need to order at least five beverages each day to get your money's worth.

4. But if coffee is more your style then don't worry. They serve about 6,000 cups of regular coffee each day. And that's not even counting cappuccinos, espressos, iced coffees, and so on.

5. Between seated dining, buffets, specialty restaurants, room service, and more, the culinary teams are responsible for 8,000–10,000 meals every single day. In other words, a typical seven-day voyage can serve upwards of 70,000 meals.

6. And that means the machinery in the galleys (i.e. the cooking areas) is absolutely massive. Below is a picture of me standing next to one of the giant mixers, which was about to prep 440 pounds of pizza dough at once. For reference, I'm 5'11" (a real 5'11", not a Tinder 5'11").

Passengers consume about 1,500 pounds of flour during every seven-day period, but I guess that makes sense when you think about how many pizzas and pastries get made.

7. I've traveled on four different cruise lines, and I think non-cruisers are always the most shocked to learn that none of the food on board is pre-cooked. This means that the galleys basically have to cook for 1,500 guests at a time during each dinner service. After one round of dining is done, they immediately do it all over again for the next service, and so on.

The galleys are divided into sections based on each type of food: meat, fish, soup, salad, dessert, etc. They're also U-shaped so waiters know exactly where to go when they need to grab certain dishes to serve.

8. Believe it or not, all of the pastries and desserts are made from scratch too. Below are some photos I took to show what that process looks like. For example, on the right you can see the different stages of how they prep hundreds of cheesecake dishes to be served during a dinner service.

9. Thousands and thousands of pastries and desserts are made each day — I personally had a donut and Danish every single morning with breakfast, and I have no regrets. This means the ship has to go through a lottttt of eggs and milk. To be exact, 3,900 dozens of eggs and 1,700 gallons of milk are stocked for each seven-day period.

10. Cruises go through a lot of meat and fish too. About 30 tons of meat and 15 tons of seafood are loaded onto the ship every single week.

11. But if you're a vegetarian or a vegan then you shouldn't worry. Exactly 28 tons of vegetables are brought on board each week. In fact, guests consume over 2,200 pounds of fresh salad alone in that same time period.

12. Of the 6,000 passengers on board, about 4,300 are guests and 1,600 are crewmembers. The culinary team makes up 20% of the total crew and is comprised of chefs and stewards, i.e. those who clean all the food equipment and prepping stations. These people are responsible for making allllllll the food that gets served from the 26 (!!!!) different galleys on board.

And that doesn't even include the 400-ish crewmembers on the dining staff. These are the people who serve and prep the food at each restaurant and buffet. Basically, food is a 24-hour operation on cruises, so they even have people working overnight to help keep guests fed and happy.

13. All of this food obviously means that there's a lot of trash on board, and since real estate on a cruise ship is super important and expensive, they recycle and "digest" as much as possible. For example, there are 15 biodigesters to help eliminate food waste. All the soft foods get put in them, which basically act as a stomach to break and grind everything into a “slurry." Yes, this room smelled as bad as you think it did.

14. All of that food is then placed in a dehydrator so the moisture can be removed, and it gets reduced by eight times its original size. Here's a pic I took of the end result, which sort of looks like coffee grounds or dirt.

15. Finally, I was shocked to learn that all of the water on board is actually made from seawater. The ship basically uses evaporators and does something called "reverse osmosis" to purify everything and separate the salt, turning the seawater into fresh water. The water is then filtered, which makes it safe for everything from drinking to showering.

And, no, the water didn't taste weird or anything like that. It just tasted like regular filtered water! Plastic water bottles were also available on board, but there were some self-serve fill-up stations for passengers like me who brought their own reusable bottles too.

I'm personally a huge fan of cruises and the food on board, but let me know your own thoughts in the comments!

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'JEWELS OF THE ST. LAWRENCE' CRUISE

Get up close and personal, close to nature, ogle ships from around the world.

An informative and convenient introductory cruise with the most frequent departures featuring the Eastern Group of the 1000 Islands, the St. Lawrence Seaway, Millionaire’s Row and Brockville’s historic waterfront. Revel in your view of palatial waterfront mansions, quaint island cottages and the many natural wonders of the 1000 Islands as you pass in the shadows of ships plying the main shipping channel of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Relax with a beverage and snack from our licensed snack bar and get close to nature, as you glide through narrow, scenic channels not available to larger tour boats, while our bi-lingual Captain’s commentary provides an accurate account of the Islands history, its legends and its people.

https://www.traditionrolex.com/9

Thousand Islands Cruise From Kingston (Our Boat Tour Experience)

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here

Choosing A Thousand Islands Cruise From Kingston Can Be Tough!

Want to explore the famous Thousand Islands region in the Saint Lawrence River? Great idea!

This beautiful region is a piece of classic “Canadiana” and – as a simple day trip from Kingston – there’s no better way to explore it than by water on an island cruise!

As a refresher, the 1000 Islands are a geographically and historically significant area of the St. Lawrence shared between Ontario (Canada) and New York State (United States).

That said, there are a few cruises to choose from and it can be confusing to find the best island cruise for you. Some cruises offer breakfast or dinner while others vary by tour boat prices and lengths.

Being Kingston locals for several years, we did the 3 Hour Thousand Islands Riverboat Cruise from Kingston . Eric had already done the Kingston sunset cruise, but Lisa hadn’t been out on the water yet.

So, in this guide, you’ll see what we experienced and get an overview of different 1000 Island boat tours available that leave from Kingston. If you want to leave from Gananoque, you can check here for Gananoque Boat Line . You can even tour from the USA with Uncle Sam Boat Tours.

* Friendly Disclosure: We paid for the boat tour we did ourselves – this is not a sponsored post .

Table of Contents

Thousand Islands Cruise – Boat Tour Options

If you know the kind of boat tour you’re looking for, feel free to jump ahead and click through to learn more below.

Be sure to make note of the specific details, the reviews, addresses, how to book, etc. All you have to do is book the one you like and show up to the waterfront!

• For the Classic 3 Hour Thousand Islands Cruise (We Did This) – Check Out This Boat Tour
• For the 1.5-Hour Discovery Cruise – Check Out This Boat Tour
• For a Sunset Dinner Cruise – Check Out This Site

Below, you’ll find more details about the above boat cruise tours so keep reading to make the right decision for you and your group!

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Classic 3 Hour Thousand Island Riverboat Tour (Our Tour)

If you want to experience the 1000 Islands, the cruise that we did is probably the best bet.

This cruise explored an area called The Admiralty Islands (which was beautiful) and is entirely sightseeing so you don’t get off the boat. Tour times for this longer tour are 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. We did the 10:30 am.

There is also no meal included – but you get live entertainment and amazing views of the historic waterway.

This tour also comes with audio commentary (which is really interesting) in English and there are audio guides available for Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, and Japanese!

Overall, we really liked our tour – it was well organized and enjoyable. There’s a shop on-board where you can buy alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and even snacks/food like popcorn.

This tour can actually be done with a breakfast or brunch add-on but this is a different ticket altogether.

You can read about our sightseeing tour in more detail below – we’ve included LOTS of photos so you can get see what we saw on tour!

⇒ Check out the exact sightseeing cruise we went on here

Kingston & 1000 Islands: 1.5-Hour Discovery Cruise

If you’re short on time but want to get out on the Kingston waterfront, you can always do a 1.5 Hour Kingston Discovery Cruise. This cruise is on a smaller boat than the Island Queen (what we took) called the Island Belle.

To compare, this cruise focuses much more heavily on Kingston and not so much on seeing the Islands. The tour covers the rich history of Canada’s first capital city and the waterways that shaped our nation – which is admittedly very interesting!

Since the cruise is shorter, they offer more times throughout the day. You can book to leave at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, or 5:00 pm. The 5:00 pm wouldn’t be quite at sunset but close enough and certainly not as hot as midday!

This tour also comes with audio commentary in English and audio guides for Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, and Japanese!

⇒ Check the times to book your 1.5 Hour Island Discovery Cruise

Sunset Dinner Cruise

If you’re keen to have a meal and experience the sunset on the water, you can book a sunset dinner cruise. These cruises make use of the long, flat, glass-domed roof boat called the Island Star.

Cruises are 3 hours long and tables by the windows book up in advance so be sure to lock in your cruise if you know you want this option!

⇒ Check the prices and times here

Our Thousand Islands Cruise Experience

Since there are quite a few options, we went on a boat tour to show you exactly what it’s like.

The tour itself is run through Kingston Destination Group – the same group that runs the Tourist Information Centre downtown in Confederation Park and handles lots of Kingston tourism tours/activities like the famous Kingston Trolley Tour .

Overall, we really liked our tour. We knew it was sightseeing which meant 3 hours of sailing around in the sunshine and learning about stuff. That worked perfectly for us – and many others on the boat also enjoyed the tour!

We booked the boat cruise through GetYourGuide (a really good travel company) because the official tour booking website used to be very outdated.

That said, you can also book in person when you get to Kingston. However, the summer months are VERY busy in Kingston so some of these tours might sell out if you wait.

Personal advice: If you know the day you want to cruise, we’d suggest booking in advance.

After having booked online, we just walked up to the Kingston ticket pavilion before the cruise, showed the email voucher we got and received our paper tour tickets. Simple.

If you want to learn more about the tour and/or booking process, you can check out our boat tour here .

What You’ll Need For This Boat Tour

If you do end up on this sightseeing cruise, here’s a shortlist of the things you might want to have with you for a great day on the water. Some of these items are weather dependent, but in general:

• A hat – with a string to stay around the neck in wind
• A windbreaker jacket (in the spring or fall)
• A water bottle
• Hair tie (if you have longer hair)
• Seasickness pills (it’s not too rough, though)

Thousand Islands Cruise Itinerary

So, to give you a better idea of exactly what we experienced on our island cruise, here’s a detailed breakdown of the day.

The boat tour was advertised as 3 hours long and it ended up being a little longer (by about 10 minutes) because the boat had to slow down in the high water around the islands.

Pick-up/Drop-off

We started our day at the Kingston waterfront. If you are unfamiliar with Kingston, head for the massive building called Kingston City Hall.

On the side that faces the water, you will see a large green park called Confederation Basin/Park. This is the park full of attractions and the Kingston Tourist Information Centre.

In the water, (that’s Lake Ontario), you’ll see many small boats at the Kingston waterfront docks. Looking at the water, look left and you will see the large tour boats (you physically cannot miss them) and the round ticket pavilion that says “BOAT TOURS” on the side.

The address for this ticket office and island cruise boat pier is: 1 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Z1, Canada

The tour boats leave from this above address and NOT where you catch the ferry to Wolfe Island – which is located at Barrack St, Kingston, ON K7K 2X9, Canada.

As expected, we went into the office, exchanged our online voucher for paper tickets, and walked to the nearby pier where a line was forming to get on the boat.

We were 30 minutes early and it’s wise to be early so you get good seats on the boat and so you aren’t running down the dock as it sails away!

We got our tickets checked, got a souvenir photo taken, and climbed aboard. We immediately went to the top deck where it’s open to the sun and the air but you can sit on the first deck (shown above) or the second deck for some shade and still have amazing views.

At the end of the day, the boat returned to this exact spot on the pier. We got off, thanked the crew, had a look at our souvenir photo (didn’t buy it but honestly ALMOST did), and walked downtown for dinner and a drink!

Heading For The Thousand Islands From Kingston

Once we pushed off from the pier, they went over safety procedures thoroughly which was really good. With that many people aboard it was good to know there was a plan in place if things went bad out on the water.

The entertainer introduced himself – he was an older gentleman who played classic tunes on both a banjo and a guitar.

He was hooked up to the loudspeaker so he could wander the decks and take requests from people. He was really good – and provided some comedic commentary.

Heading out of the Kingston waterfront, the entertainer shared time with the audio guide which was a narration over the loudspeakers.

The guide was actually really interesting and shared historical dates, locations of events, shipwrecks, famous battles, you name it! We learned a ton in the first leg of the trip.

We passed Wolfe Island and left Kingston behind as we headed up the Saint Lawrence. The cottages/homes on the shore were lovely and the whole area, in general, is just really, really pretty.

It was the perfect day weather-wise, too. We actually went inside for a bit because we didn’t want to get TOO much sun!

If you want, you can grab a snack or a drink at either “shop” they have on both the first and second interior decks. Families with kids were snacking on popcorn and some people even cracked a bottle of wine or a beer.

We didn’t buy anything so we don’t know about prices – but many people took advantage of the food and drinks for purchase.

Arriving At The Thousand Islands

After about an hour we arrived at the edge of the Thousand Islands. It does take a bit to actually get there but the ride was lovely (and lively) so we didn’t mind.

On this cruise, you learn all about the island chain – and explore a region of islands called the Admiralty Islands.

We learned that different parts of the islands were named by different people or groups and so that’s why there are different naming conventions all through the region! In any case, the Admiralty Islands were lovely.

Touring The Thousand Islands

Once “in” the islands, the boat started weaving between big ones, small ones, etc. The audio commentary started up and provided the names of the important islands and the history of it.

Usually, there was a historic cottage or building on it built by someone from “back in the day” – each with a small story attached.

The fact that basically every island had a short story attached made the experience so much richer. If they said “here’s a bunch of islands” it would have been pretty but boring.

However, learning the names and getting a sense of the history of the area was very worth the trip… and we just scratched the surface!

It was also easy to see the islands and snap photos from any of the decks so don’t feel like you have to stand at the top the whole time.

The large port windows make for excellent photo-taking spots – and these seats are closer to the bar and the snacks!

At one point, we could even see the waterfront of Gananoque in the distance. The small town – being even closer to the actual islands – is also rich with history.

We’ll write about Gananoque on this site soon because even Eric hasn’t explored the town in-depth yet!

Returning To Kingston

Once we zigzagged around the islands for a while, we left the grouping of islands to enter the big river again. And back to Kingston we went.

The entertainer started up again to play a few songs and take requests – and we enjoyed the sunshine and snapped as many photos as we could.

Eventually, you start to recognize the Martello Towers (the stone towers with red tops built by the British) and know that you are back in the waters near Kingston.

You actually learn more on the way back but not as much from the audio commentary as heading out for the day.

Once we got back – as we mentioned above – it was great to see Kingston from the water for a change and snapped lots of photos.

We docked, waited not too long to get off, had a look at our souvenir photo, and went downtown for a drink! The captain and crew were there to see us off and it was a great way to end the day.

Related Articles

If you are hanging around Kingston (or travelling to Kingston from Toronto ), check out these other posts for trip planning – we know LOTS about the historic city!

• Things to Do and See in Kingston
• Great Restaurants + Bars & Pubs in Kingston
• Awesome Kingston Breweries to Visit
• Coffee Shops in Kingston You Should Try
• Where to Stay in Kingston

And there you have it – our experience on a Thousand Islands cruise from Kingston. What do you think? Have you been on any of these boat tours before?

We honestly really liked the boat tour we went on . That said, let us know how your island cruise goes – we’re always interested in hearing about the best experiences Ontario has to offer!

As always, Keep exploring, eh? -E&L

Pin it for later!

Eric Wychopen

Hi, we're Eric and Lisa - an Ontario-born Canadian and a German! After settling in Ontario together, we realized that there is lots more to explore in this beautiful Canadian province! On Ontario Away, we as well as local contributors cover everything from cities and hikes to wineries, attractions, accommodations, and more.

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Home > Cruise Destinations > Kingston & 1000 Islands

Kingston & 1000 Islands

Kingston is the home port of the m/v canadian empress. all cruises either begin or conclude in this historic city. kingston is located at the beginning of the st. lawrence river and the southern mouth of the rideau canal. kingston once was a strategic military outpost and the first capital of the province of canada. kingston is now a city known for its educational institutions with queen's university, st. lawrence college & the royal military college. tourism makes up a large portion of the local economy., 2024 upper river expedition, overnight ports from kingston to upper canada village to kingston, 1000 islands anchorage    brockville   upper canada village    gananoque, 2025 upper river expedition, celebration of spring, overnight ports from kingston to montreal to kingston, 1000 islands anchorage    upper canada village   coteau landing   montreal cornwall   morrisburg    brockville, heritage summer cruise, seaway discovery cruise, fall harvest and colour cruise, canadian connection east, overnight ports from kingston to quebec city, 1000 islands anchorage    brockville   upper canada village    coteau landing   montreal    trois rivieres, canadian connection west, overnight ports from quebec city to kingston, quebec city    trois rivieres    montreal    cornwall   brockville   gananoque, canada's capital north, overnight ports from kingston to ottawa, 1000 islands anchorage    upper canada village    coteau landing   lachine, a borough of montreal    montebello, canada's capital south, overnight ports from ottawa to kingston, ottawa    carillon   lachine, a borough of montreal   upper canada village   brockville, cruise choices, join us as we kick off the 2024 cruise season with 7 nights and 8 days of fresh spring air on the st. lawrence river and watch the flora and fauna of the river spring to life. this cruise features a unique itinerary and travels from kingston to montreal and return for 7 nights at a special 6 night rate. starting at $3144 cad per person., explore cruise, cruise with us in the heart of the summer for 7 nights and 8 days of relaxation on the st. lawrence river. this cruise travels from kingston to montreal and return, and features a unique itinerary that highlights the history of the international seaway. during this time of year the river bustles with lake freighters and pleasure boats. starting at $4076 per person., cruise with us for 7 nights and 8 days of warm summer weather on the beautiful and historic st. lawrence river. this cruise will explore the thousand islands region and retrace the routes of early upper canada explorers. learn about the history of the early trade route between kingston and montreal. starting at $4076 per person., discovery cruise series, these 4 night, 5 day cruises were created for those that want to deepen their knowledge of the history, geography, and culture of the 1000 islands and st. lawrence river. discovery cruise itineraries are enhanced with unique attractions, step-on speakers, and an educational focus. starting at $2096 per person., canada's capital cruise, start or end your cruise vacation in canada's capital of ottawa. the historic significance of the lower ottawa river coupled with the amazing 1000 islands and st. lawrence seaway makes this 5 night, 6 day cruise an unforgettable voyage. starting at $2910 per person., upper river expedition, come and explore the beauty and the history of the st. lawrence river and the 1000 islands for 4 nights and 5 days. marvel at the intricate passages and channels of this amazing archipelago of 1870 islands known as the 1000 islands. starting at $2096 per person., fall harvest & colour cruise, as autumn unfolds, the shore and islands ignite with a blaze of colour and travellers come from far and wide to take part in this parade of colour for 7 nights and 8 days. the comibination of fall colours and the invigorating river climate makes this our most popular cruise vacation. starting at $4076 cad per person., canadian connection cruise, experience the beauty of quebec and the richness of french canadian culture on this cruise as your ship passes through all 7 of the st. lawrence seaway locks. this cruise vacation includes 6 nights 7 days on canada's showpiece, the st. lawrence river, between quebec city and kingston, ontario. starting at $3144 cad per person., additional savings, save on your next adventure — discover additional packages & savings on all available cruises., explore savings, talk to an expert & book your vacation 1 800 267 7868, employment • faq • cancellation policy • privacy policy, ©2022 - 2023 st. lawrence cruise lines, website designed & maintained by aliado marketing group..

Passengers will soon pay more for a Princess cruise. Here's why.

Travelers can expect to pay more next time they sail with Princess Cruises .

The cruise line is raising its crew appreciation charge starting later this month. Passengers booked in suites will pay $19 per person, per day, up from $18, while fees for guests in mini suites, cabanas and Club Class accommodations will increase from $17 to $18. For guests in all other staterooms, the charge will jump from $16 to $17.

The increase will roll out to its fleet on the same schedule as updates to the line’s Princess Premier package , according to a spokesperson:

• Enchanted Princess on Aug. 31
• Majestic Princess and Sky Princess on Sept. 1
• Crown Princess on Sept. 2
• Ruby Princess on Sept. 3
• Grand Princess on Sept. 4
• Emerald Princess, Discovery Princess and Sun Princess on Sept. 7
• Caribbean Princess and Regal Princess on Sept. 12
• Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess on Sept. 14
• Island Princess on Sept. 25
• Diamond Princess on Sept. 26
• Coral Princess on Oct. 17

The charges are automatically added to guests’ onboard accounts but can be adjusted before disembarking. Princess previously raised its crew appreciation rates in February 2023.

Those fees, along with service charges on select purchases, are pooled and “distributed throughout the year in the form of compensation, including bonuses, to crewmembers fleetwide who interact directly with guests and/or behind the scenes throughout every cruise, including those in the Bar, Dining, Entertainment, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Galley and Onboard Revenue areas,” according to the line’s website .

Cruise lines periodically increase gratuity charges, usually in response to external factors like inflation or shifts in economic activity. “You look at the cost of hotels and transportation, fuel and food and everything else, and I think it's really just a normal response,” Danny Genung, CEO of travel agency Harr Travel, told USA TODAY in November . “You know, compensating employees, offsetting costs that have increased.”

Holland America Line also raised its crew appreciation charge in February, following similar moves from lines like Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].