Electronic Music Cruises

It may be the next big thing in cruising... party cruises are taking over the market for the new generation of cruise-goers.

The Holy Ship! cruise launches from Fort Lauderdale on Friday, promising top acts like Fatboy Slim, Skrillex, Laidback Luke, Diplo, Rusko, A-Trak, and DJ Aero with Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. The cruise will also feature activities like DJ-led poker and yoga classes.

But Holy Ship! isn't the first of its kind. The annual Rock the Boat cruise is a popular event on the South African calendar, sailing between Durban and Mozambique each December and featuring more than a dozen electronic and rock acts along with comedians, movie theatres, a casino and other activities.

Paul Oakenfold hosted another electronic music cruise in 2010 called Perfecto at Sea. While electronic music cruises are still a minor part of the cruise market, they represent the rapid expansion for mainstream dance music, which has largely been restricted to nightclubs and electronic music festivals.

Is this the future of cruises? Less shuffleboard and more 'Everyday I'm Shuffling'? What do you think? Tell us in the comments!

Image from NME.com
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5 Most Disappointing Attractions in Europe

There are world-famous attractions that people dream of seeing their whole lives, but many of them don't (or can't) live up to that amount of hype. In fact, there's a whole phenomenon (Paris Syndrome) that occurs in extreme cases when the reality just doesn't match up with the fantasy.

Here are our top five most disappointing attractions in Europe:

Manneken Pis (Belgium) - Can you spot the world-famous attraction in the picture above? A little difficult, isn't it? Unfortunately the Manneken Pis, a cheeky fountain of a naked little boy peeing from atop a pedestal, is a quirky attraction that has been completely overwhelmed by the hordes that come to photograph it. To top it off, the city of Brussels often insists on dressing the poor lad in outlandish seasonal costumes that completely obscure it.

Photo by Henry Sivonen

Eiffel Tower (Paris) - Now before you get upset with me, I'm not saying you shouldn't see the Eiffel Tower... you most definitely should. What I'm suggesting is that the rather nice view from the top is not worth spending three hours of your Paris holiday in a queue. There are other lovely places to get panoramic views of Paris from, like La Tour Montparnasse or La Sacre Coeur in Montmarte.

Photo by Andrew Crump

Loch Ness (Scotland) - See that pretty, tranquil, and rather mundane lake pictured above? That's Loch Ness. Yup, that's it. Looks like most lakes you've seen right? Now you can stop kidding yourself that you'll be the person to finally spot the fabled Loch Ness Monster and admit that the only thing waiting for you there is overpriced plush seamonsters. Granted, there are some nice castles nearby, but whether that's worth taking the trip out is another matter.

Photo by Dave Conner

Mona Lisa (Paris) - Of all the thousands of priceless works of art in the Louvre Museum, the Mona Lisa is the one everyone makes a beeline for. One of the most well-known paintings in the world, the subtle beauty and timeless mystery of the masterpiece are best enjoyed at home with a detailed picture, as this is likely to be the best view you get (unless you're exceptionally pushy).


Gondola Rides (Venice) - It's a romantic image: two people sitting cosily in a gondola while their gondolier serenades them with Verdi operettas as he glides them through the Grand Canals of Venice . Unfortunately the smooth ride resembles Friday afternoon gridlock, with boatloads of tourists snapping pictures of each other as they squeeze past each other. The rides are also prohibitively expensive, starting at €80 for 40 minutes and getting even pricier after dark.

Photo by NH53
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Word Travels Forum Round-Up #36

Welcome to Monday at the WT Blog! You may have noticed we look a little different this week. We're trying out a new design with a fresh feel to give you a better idea of what's been happening in the world of travel. Let us know in the comments what you think!

In the meantime, we're keeping it consistent with the usual Monday forum round-up. Here are a few of the hottest topics on our forum boards:





If you've got a question, you can ask it yourself by signing up for the Word Travels forum! It's free to join, and you'll get access to our local experts and tour operators who are waiting to assist you in planning your dream holiday!

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Word Travels Forum Round-Up #35

Time for another Word Travels forum round-up! These are the hot travel topics on our forum, with some great insights for anyone about to set off on their dream vacation!





If you have some questions you're itching to ask, sign up at the travel forum today and get stared! It's free, and our well-travelled and knowledgeable experts are waiting to help you!

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Top 6 Cruise Ports in Alaska

While most people immediately imagine sandy beaches and swaying palm trees when they think of cruises, cruises in North America and Europe are increasingly popular. And of the numerous cold-water destinations in the Northern Hemisphere, no region is seeing more growth than the hugely popular Alaska cruise industry.

Travelling up the west coast of North America, more than a million people take Alaskan cruises each year. The most popular route is along the Inside Passage, winding through the dozens of islands in the archipelago stretching east from Alaska's mainland.

Cruise ports in Alaska range from small, bustling towns in rural Alaska to big cities like Victoria (I know it's technically in Canada!), but the variety means there's something to please everyone. Here are the top six cruise ports in Alaska:

Kodiak - The stunning landscape of Alaska's 'Emerald Isle' are filled with abundant wildlife, including the famous Kodiak Bear. Sport fishing and hunting are popular activities (though carefully regulated), or visitors can just enjoy the beauty of For Abercrombie State Historical Park.

Sitka - A bit of an Alaskan melting pot, Sitka's history as both a Russian outpost and Tlingit settlement gives it fascinating cultural history, evident in various museums and cultural events in town. There are plenty of outdoor activities as well, like birdwatching in the St Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge.

Ketchikan - Ketchikan is known for an abundance of two things: salmon and totem poles. Admire one at the Totem Heritage Center, or try your hand at catching the other from a charter boat. Visitors can also spot black bears in Neets Bay (part of Tongass National Forest), or hike on Deer Mountain.

Skagway - One of the biggest centres of the Alaskan Gold Rush in the early 20th century, Skagway still has an old-timey feeling that gives it a lively vibe with restaurants, pubs and shops lining the streets. Visitors can try their hand at panning for gold at the Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp.

Juneau - Alaska's capital is one of the biggest cities along the Inside Passage, and makes a good city break for cruise passengers with restaurants and shops to explore. There's plenty of outdoor fun as well, with everything from glacier-trekking to river rafting to zip-lining on offer in the area around the city.

Icy Strait - A tiny town and relatively new cruise port in Alaska, Icy Strait benefits from its proximity to Glacier Bay National Park. The opportunity to spot whales and sea lions while watching massive glaciers calving makes for an unforgettable experience on an Alaskan cruise.
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Word Travels Forum Round-Up #34

Here are the latest conversations on our buzzing travel forum message boards:










You can post your own questions and get help planning your next holiday on the Word Travels forum... so sign up today!


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Cape Town and New York City iPhone Travel Apps

The Word Travels monkeys have been hard at work and now we've got some exciting news:


We've just launched new iPhone travel apps with detailed interactive guides for two of our favourite cities: Cape Town and New York City!


The apps take all the best information from our travel guides and put it in a handy format so you can access it quickly and easily while you're on the go; including visa information, airport guides, attractions, excursions, restaurants and nightlife, and shopping and transportation info.


Interactive maps allow you to navigate the city easily, and pull up information on all the great things to see and do in Cape Town and New York.


The apps are available for download here.


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