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People choose to cruise for many different reasons; one of the most compelling is the chance to visit a variety of places from one single location - the ship. It is the most hassle-free way to travel. Everything you need to enjoy a vacation is in one place including ready-made guided tours to enhance your time in port.

Organized shore excursions offered from the ship are an excellent way to explore. One of the good things is that they come with certain guarantees; the provider is insured and offers services commensurate with the standards of the ship. Another bonus is that if something happens like the tour bus breaks down, the ship will wait for you — a courtesy not extended to those who venture out on their own. That said, tours are a good deal and people want to take advantage of them. But which one to choose? On this cruise, I have been asked more times than I think I ever have been asked in my twenty years at sea - “which tour will I like? which tour should I take?”

Obviously, I cannot tell you which tour you will “like” -  my tastes are not yours - that is way too subjective.  However, which tour should you take? How do you know?
To back-track, I used to have a company that operated land programs - tours - for Society Expedition Cruises. As part of my job prior to operating the tours I would count all the steps, inspect all the restroom stops, and coordinate the menu - what would be prepared, how and when. I would then mark each tour with symbols for the amount of walking, climbing, sitting, etc. With all these painstaking attempts at being proactive - it still was never good enough. Invariably, what one person would consider a little another considers a lot. I remember assuring someone that there was only three steps to enter a building without consideration that the height of the steps without a handrail would be problematic. So what can you do? How do you know?

Here’s my secret to fulfilling and profitable shore excursions - communication. Every player involved needs to communicate accurately from the tour operator to the participant.

Mr. Tour Operator, please provide the ship with the best and most accurate information possible. Once an itinerary has been published - stick to it. Unless there has been a natural disaster or something that prevents you from operating the tour as published - do not make any changes; there are people depending on it. No short-cuts or personal deviations - as much as it might seem like your guides are going out of their way to do something extra for the guests they could be compromising someone who is not prepare.

As for the ship’s tour department, dear Shore Excursions, forget the flowery prose and historical statistics, stick to the facts. Give us as much specific information as possible so that guests can make an educated decision based upon their interests and abilities. If someone asks a question, please try your best to find the answer as there may be more to it than you know.

Now for you dear guest; you need to communicate as accurately as possible as well. If you have concerns or limitation like a food allergy or a walking problem, let us know - the Shore Excursion team is good but they are not mind readers. After being on the ship where everything is near perfect sometimes we forget that ashore things may not run as smoothly. Tolerance, patience and compassion is a necessity while traveling. Every place has its own unique sounds and smells. Old streets are uneven, thresholds are often high, not all buses are air conditioned and awful rush-hour traffic does not stop just because there is a ship in port. Being forewarned you should be forearmed and ready for anything. Oh yes, and it could rain.

One last possibility exists at the industry level. There is no real “regulatory body” that governs the international cruise industry but there is CLIA - Cruise Lines International Association. It is a professional organization located in the United States that strives for excellence in the cruise industry. CLIA exists to, “promote all measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment, educate, train its travel agent members, and promote and explain the value, desirability and affordability of the cruise vacation experience.” So maybe you - CLIA - could help? Perhaps with the encouragement of the cruising public CLIA could propose some form of standardization of tours offered on cruise ships as well as better codifying the level of activity involved. Even proposing some kind of a system to all its affiliated members might get them thinking. In the end its all about having a more satisfying cruise experience which means more cruises, right? It’s a thought/

It was my 77x through the Canal but who is counting, right? As I say, every time through I see something new and this time was no exception. First off, one of our guests, Peggy Nathan, allowed me to read a diary she brought onboard from her grandparents who went on a cruise to Panama in 1913. This was one year, seven months before the canal was complete. Not only was the diary delightful to read there are old photographs of the family visiting the canal by train as it was still under construction. Now that is cool. I hope to use some of the excerpts from the diary in the upcoming Panama Canal book. Thanks Peggy!

Progress continues on the Third Set of locks that will increase the number and size of ships that can transit the Canal. Currently upon entering into Gatun Lake from the Atlantic side you can see the third lock chambers under construction. Look for the huge blue tin roof which covers the construction area.

All that was very interesting but that was not the something new I had seen. What was new on this trip? The water. Normally the water that fills the lake and fuels the locks is clear and clean. This time through it was opaque and brownish-red. The water that lapped along the shoreline in the Gallaird Cut looked like the Amazon. What was going on? In the entire history of the Canal it has only been closed three times; once due to a landslide, once in response to a military threat and most recently, December 10, 2010, it was closed due to too much rain! So much rain fell in such a short amount of time it was felt the locks could not operate properly so as a precautionary measure the Canal ceased operation for 24 hours. Almost a month later the lake water was still showing signs of the muddy run-off. Just another reminder Mother Nature is always in charge.

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Just imagine entering into an old colonial neighborhood in downtown Miraflores, Peru. Gas lamps flicker along the narrow street; houses painted in rustic gold and ocher seem to glow in the light. The car stops at the end of cobble-stone street. Walk under the eucalyptus trees toward a wrought-iron gate that leads to twinkling courtyard. Mount the few stairs across the patio and enter an elegant modern restaurant housed in an old, colonial mansion. Escorted to your table before you unfolds a massive pre-Inca ceremonial mound or huaca that is dramatically light to showcase the millions of individual adobe bricks that created this magnificent structure. If that were not enough, the menu is filled with superbly prepared local dishes complimented by an extensive national and international wine.

I had the great fortune of being invited to dine at Huaca Pucllana with two long-time Regent guests, April Herbert and Gordon Grossman. What a treat. I was excited all day and was not disappointed. The setting was perfect; the colonial Spanish juxtaposed against the pre-columbian indigenous ruins right in the heart of the modern city. The huaca was built about 400 AD and was at the heart of an ancient coastal people until about 800 AD. Even after it was abandoned it was venerated by preceding cultures as a sacred site. Excavation is ongoing and diners can buy a $5 entrance to walk among the ruins. The feeling is still magical. It is hard to say which was more memorable, the setting or the food which was terrific — it was super fresh and aromatic. It would be a lovely spot for a special occasion or celebration. I envy the local Limeños for having such a wonderful place in their backyard. Thank you again, April and Gordon - that was a treat I hope others will one day enjoy. ” />

Located on the Bay of Paracas surrounded by miles and miles of pristine desert coastline the new Hotel Paracas is indeed one of the most luxurious resorts in South America. Just outside of the Paracas National Ecological Reserve, the hotel is the perfect starting point for a trip to the Ballestas Islands, the Inca ruins of Tambo Colorado or an overflight of the enigmatic Nazca lines. However with so many wonderful features to enjoy on property it might be hard to pull yourself away.

Let me back-up; I say the “new” Hotel Paracas because for years there was the original hotel located on the same spot. It was a lovely little jumble of white-washed, two-storied buildings punctuated by cascades of pink and fuchsia bougainvillea contrasted against the bright blue sky. Known for its good restaurant featuring local seafood it was a charming spot. Well in 2008 the entire region was rocked by a large earthquake centered not too far from the town of Pisco. The hotel was badly damaged. During that time ownership changed hands and this new hotel was born.  The Peruvian Libertador Hotel chain partnered with Westin Hotels to create a truly lovely resort.

I took a look at the lovely restaurants, the two elegant pools and the spa. The configuration of the rooms and the old growth bougainvilla make me think some original construction was used; but all the rooms are beautifully appointed with local materials in colors that reflect the sea and desert sand. The hotel is one of three new properties in the area; the Doubletree/Hilton and Las Brisas. Were I looking for a spot to relax and explore all that southern Peru has to offer I would love to stay at the Hotel Paracas!