conde nast traveller cruises

The best cruises to take in 2020, according to Condé Nast Traveler

• Condé Nast Traveler just released its annual Gold List , which is a collection of editors' favorite travel experiences.
• The list included hotels, resorts, and cruises. Below are the top-rated cruise vacations to take next year.
• Athens, Greece is the most popular port on the list.
• The majority of featured ships were smaller and had more of a focus on luxury than a typical, traditional cruise ship.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

"Are you a cruise person?" is a question that encompasses several others: How comfortable are you with overcrowding ? How much personal space do you need? How much money do you want to spend on a vacation?

Cruising doesn't always have the best reputation for a whole host of reasons – but it is also a preferred method of travel for many, especially as the industry takes a turn toward the luxurious. 

Condé Nast Traveler just released its annual Gold List , a collection of hotels, resorts, and yes, cruises, that the editors recommend. 

For the most part, the cruises selected by Condé Nast Traveler are high-end, luxury-oriented vacations with smaller or more boutique cruise lines. Only two featured ships had a carrying capacity over 1,000 passengers, and many had undergone recent renovations.

The routes selected also play into that luxurious narrative – only one route included Caribbean cruise hot spots, while other itineraries included less-traveled routes through French Polynesia or down the Nile River. Athens, Greece was crowned as a go-to spot: It was port city for three of the seven cruises included on the list.

Keep reading for a look at the cruise vacations that made the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List, organized in ascending order of base price.

New Orleans round trip to the Caribbean on the Norwegian Getaway

Cruise line : Norwegian Cruise Line

Length of trip : 5 days or 7 days

Prices start at : $399 per guest on 5-day cruise, $599 per guest on 7-day cruise

The Norwegian Getaway sails from New Orleans to the Western Caribbean . Potential stops include Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman. The ship docks back in New Orleans.

The Norwegian Getaway is the largest ship on this list – it's 1,068 feet long and can carry up to 3,963 guests. The ship, which boasts nearly 30 dining options and an original art collection, was refurbished this year. 

Copenhagen, Denmark, to Stockholm, Sweden, on the Oceania Marina

Cruise line : Oceania Cruises

Length of trip : 10 days

Prices start at : $2,999 per guest

The Baltic cruise starts in Copenhagen and makes its way to eight cities, including Berlin, St. Petersburg, and Helsinki, before docking in Stockholm.

The ship has a carrying capacity of 1,250 and its nicest suites were furnished by Ralph Lauren . Off the ship, Oceania recently introduced local tour guides to its excursion offerings.

Papeete, Tahiti, to Auckland, New Zealand on the Crystal Serenity

Cruise line : Crystal Cruises

Length of trip : 14 days

Prices start at : $4,549 per guest

The Crystal Serenity is doing a two-week cruise through French Polynesia and the South Pacific, starting in Tahiti and stopping in Tonga and Fiji before docking in New Zealand.

The ship has been around for 17 years but just underwent a dramatic renovation in 2018. The re-design included the implementation of an open-plan dining space that eliminated the classic assigned seating trope found on traditional cruises as well as updated and expanded cabins. The renovations brought the ship's carrying capacity down 9% to 980 passengers.

Cairo round trip on the Viking Ra

Cruise line : Viking River Cruises

Length of trip : 12 days

Prices start at : $4,899 per guest

Viking, which specializes in river cruises, runs a 12-day program called "Pharaohs and Pyramids" that begins in Cairo and runs down the Nile River before returning to Cairo.

It is an intimate trip as the ship only accommodates 52 guests. The size ensures comfortable lodging for all guests – most cabins are equipped with balconies.

Lisbon, Portugal, to Athens, Greece, on the Seabourn Ovation

Cruise line : Seabourn

Prices start at : $5,999 per guest

The Mediterranean cruise aboard the Seabourn Ovation departs from Lisbon, Portugal and stops multiple times in Spain, France, and Italy, before docking in Athens, Greece.

At 690 feet , the Seabourn Ovation is another small ship with 300 suites. The ship made its debut last year and was designed for a more intimate luxury experience. It is the fifth ship in Seabourn's fleet. 

Istanbul, Turkey, to Athens, Greece, on the Regent Seven Seas Voyager

Cruise line : Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Length of trip : 8 days

Prices start at : $9,099 per guest

The trip starts in Istanbul and then stops in Ephesus before hitting several Greek hotspots including Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini before docking in Athens.

The Regent Seven Seas Voyager is a 9-deck ship that caps its carrying capacity at 700.

Mumbai, India, to Athens, Greece, on the Silversea Silver Spirit

Cruise line : Silversea Cruises

Length of trip : 26 days

Prices start at : $12,000 per guest

The Silver Spirit will stop at 14 ports in nine countries over its 26-day journey . The trip starts in Mumbai and will continue in ports like Dubai, Doha, Jerusalem, and Nazareth before docking in Athens.

The ship has a capacity of 608 and was just refurbished last year. The updates included a 50-foot pool deck and refreshed cabins. 

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Home Trends Inspiration Press Articles Conde Nast Traveler Cruise Etiquette How And Why To Book With A Cruise Specialist

Condé Nast Traveler: Cruise Etiquette: How and Why to Book with a Cruise Specialist

By Scott Laird | 04-01-2024 |

Cruise Press & Media

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Unlike many other travel industry segments, cruises are still largely booked by travel specialists—a significant percentage of whom specialize in cruising. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates that over two thirds of cruise passengers have booked their voyages through a travel agent. Planning a vacation at sea can be complex, and cruise specialists—like those on our Top Travel Specialists list—help cut through the marketing hype and get right to the cruise line that best suits you. Here are some benefits for booking with a cruise specialist, and some pointers from several of our Top Travel Specialists on getting the best value and experience.

How is works

Cruise specialists are bidirectional relationship experts—they’re familiar with both the cruise lines they sell and the clients to whom they’re selling. A travel advisor's primary responsibility is to their clients, meaning they’re better positioned to offer unbiased advice. For travelers who are new to cruising, agents are especially helpful in matching you with a cruise line and ship that best fits your personality. With dozens of options ranging from entertainment-focused mega ships to intimate river cruises, specialists can provide valuable advice drawn on years of experience working with a variety of cruise lines. They’ll know exactly how to snag a good dining table, arrange VIP shore excursions, or help you select the best cruise insurance plan. “Once clients realize they cannot ‘VIP themselves’—that’s only something a trusted travel advisor can do for them—they recognize the value of booking with an agent," says Frosch travel advisor Christina Turrini. At this point, you're probably wondering how much this insider knowledge will cost you. While some advisors may charge a small fee, most cruise specialists receive the bulk of their pay from commissions paid by the cruise industry—meaning there’s typically no difference in fare for passengers who book with a specialist versus booking directly with the line. Some specialists also have access to tracking programs that alert them to discounts they can then pass on to clients, according to Turrini, which can help passengers save on the cruise fare or add value in the form of upgrades and onboard credits.

What exactly can a cruise specialist assist with?

Cruise specialists are on hand to answer questions about shore excursions, spa and dining reservations, or other services passengers can book online prior to their cruise. Have questions about drink packages or WiFi? Specialists are there to help. If a flight gets delayed or canceled, specialists can also liaise with the cruise line and work to rebook you if there's a risk of missing your sailing. Many cruise lines give incentives to top specialists like onboard dining or drink packages, onboard credits, or stateroom upgrades for their clients. The cherry on top? Cruise specialists will often send a nice welcome amenity—chocolates, snacks, or other gifts, to kick off their clients’ vacation on a pleasant note. Some specialists, like Tom Baker of Cruise Center, have an encyclopedic knowledge of cruise cabins—he’ll tell clients exactly how “obstructed” that obstructed view is in their stateroom, or which ships have recently undergone refurbishments. Top specialists will also follow up post-trip—even if the client isn’t booking another cruise right away. Baker explains this is a good way to gather intel, adding that specialists can help resolve post-travel loose ends like delayed luggage, cruise line complaints, and overall feedback. Specialists also appreciate the latest scoop to help keep their other clients up-to-date. As Mary Jean Tully of Tully Luxury Travel notes, “a restaurant might be good, but if they get a new chef that changes the game." At the end of the day, Tully says, a trusted travel agent ultimately makes for the best cruise experience. “Why wouldn’t you want someone to be an advocate for you? It just makes sense.”

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How they feed a thousand hungry people in the middle of the sea

By Pooja Naik

A few years ago, on a Europe -bound voyage from Miami, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas faced an unforeseen crisis: the kitchen ran out of bread. As the world’s largest cruise liner then, the Oasis of the Seas would carry 5,500 passengers and a crew of 2,200. “We had to work overtime and bake hundreds of loaves of four different types of bread from scratch,” says Prakash Kadam, then the executive sous chef on the ship. Balance was eventually restored when offshore vendors came to the rescue with the remainder of the stock, but such complexities aren’t an anomaly.

Managing a cruise kitchen is a logistical marvel, often compared to running a floating hotel. Kadam, for instance, was in charge of inventory management, food tasting, and supervising plating for 24,000 freshly prepared meals daily, with an estimated budget of $64,000 (Rs54 lakh) per day. What unfolds behind the curtains is no mean feat and the operations stretch beyond the confines of the galley. Who are the people responsible for feeding hundreds of thousands of hungry cruisers every year, and how do they excel in their demanding roles? We speak to those on the job to understand the ground realities.

Planning it

The process of procuring food items commences well before the ships set sail, ensuring they last the entire journey. "It depends on the cruise 's location and whether items are available locally or need to be shipped in containers," Christian Pratsch, Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations at Norwegian Cruise Line, explains over a Zoom call. No two days on the job look the same for him. He might oversee ingredient inventory and plan menus one day, then handle recruitment, training, and daily ship operations the next. “We make vendor visits for quality checks and to ensure products meet high standards.” Once sourced, items are tested in NCL's Miami test kitchen through blind tastings with stakeholders to find the best fit. For a seven-day Norwegian Encore voyage in Alaska that takes up to 3,998 guests, the ship will stock on an average, 59,000 eggs, 10,000kg of chicken, 1,230kg of cheese, 10,000 burger buns, 1,135 litres of ice cream, and 7,570 litres of milk.

Planning operations, including menu planning relying heavily on data, can span several months, with orders sometimes placed three months in advance. "When guests book a cruise , we already know their meal preferences, dietary restrictions, and whether they are kids or adults, which helps us stock up on supplies accordingly," explains Jurgen Bailom, CEO of Cordelia Cruises, India's largest passenger liner, over a Zoom call. Seniors prefer plant-based dishes and low-sugar items, demonstrating a trend towards conscious eating. Adults are inclined towards carbohydrate- and protein-rich foods, and a variety of desserts. NCL sees an influx of younger travellers, especially in destinations like the Caribbean or Europe , during spring and summer breaks. “This affects our ordering quantities, with items like hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken being popular among kids,” notes Christian.

In addition to existing challenges, a different set of conundrums arises in Antarctica. Operating in its unforgiving environment, boutique wilderness fly-cruise company Antarctica21 manages vessels like the Ocean Nova and the Magellan Explorer , each with capacities under a hundred passengers. "Due to its remote location, approximately 60-70 percent of the provisions served are shipped in containers from Europe ," says Malcolm Cullen, Managing Director of Sea Chefs, the European-based hospitality company catering to Antarctica21.

Contrary to expectations, fresh fish availability in Antarctica is minimal. Beef is typically sourced from Argentina to align with Antarctica21's Chilean roots and emphasise local cuisine. Delicacies like centolla (king crab), empanadas, Chilean wines and beers, and pisco sours are highlights. Fresh vegetables, including lettuces and herbs, are flown in on the Antarctica21 passenger plane departing from Chile to address shelf-life concerns. "The backup plan for occasional disruptions in the supply chain is sadly very costly, and our only option is to then purchase items locally," he elaborates. "When you want 300kg of tenderloin very last minute, you're paying three or five times more."

Stocking it

On turnaround day, large trucks deliver thousands of shipments to the loading dock. Each batch undergoes rigorous quality checks before being loaded onto the fleet, where they are segregated into multiple storage areas including freezers and walk-in fridges. "Meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and other pantry staples are stored separately at varying temperatures to avoid cross-contamination," recollects Prakash about his time at the Royal Caribbean. Cruises employ advanced inventory management systems to track supply levels in real-time. This prevents shortages, reduces waste, and ensures the kitchen is always well-prepared for accidents and emergencies. "For instance, when purchasing bananas, you buy them in unripe, semi-ripe, and ripe conditions to retain freshness," he adds.

Once orders are placed in the dining areas, chefs gather their supplies. Ingredients are moved from storage rooms to prep kitchens, where items like vegetables and meat are washed, sliced, and readied for transfer to the galley. These kitchens are significantly larger than those in hotels or large-scale restaurants and operate 24x7. At the core of a cruise ship's culinary operation are the executive chef and assistant, who orchestrate galley operations and manage menu changes. Below deck, demi chefs de partie manage the hot galley, pastry chefs oversee the cold galley, and bakers supervise the bread department. Commis or trainee cooks handle tasks like washing and cutting produce, while the cleaning crew ensures spotless conditions. Leading this team is the chef de partie, fostering teamwork and overseeing tasks.

In the cruise industry, hotel management experience is preferred for higher positions but not mandatory for beginners, says Christian, while Jurgen reveals that crew salaries exceed land wages by 500 percent, complying with international laws. Aniket Kadam recalls his salary increase from Rs8,000 to Rs40,000 upon joining Carnival Cruise Line in 2007 as a trainee cook. Despite better pay, long shifts are common, with some lasting up to 13 hours, and when crew members call in sick, others must cover their duties. “Most staff work on six-month contracts with two months of paid leave, though some work up to 11 months straight without scheduled days off,” Aniket elaborates.

Chefs work in rotational shifts to meet round-the-clock expectations, requiring supersized stations capable of producing large quantities of food, such as 60-80 litres of gravy or glaze.

"If we have aloo gobi on the menu, we won’t use just a handful of potatoes. We will use at least a thousand." Jurgen of Cordelia Cruises

By Arundhati Ail

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By Geetika Sachdev

Approximately 2,000 ingredients are stored onboard to cater to different galleys. "Between 8,000 and 12,000 meals are prepared daily onboard for 2,000 guests and 600 crew members, including 280 dedicated to food and beverage," he adds. Although chicken, paneer, dal makhani, and onion kulchas are hugely popular among cruisers, there's a special Jain menu requiring centralised preparation. The average food budget can stretch up to Rs2 crore per sailing, which typically lasts between four and seven nights, resulting in a monthly expense of approximately Rs8 crore. Most ingredients, including spices, are secured from Indian port destinations such as Mumbai , Chennai , and Goa .

High-tech equipment and rows of steel counters line the galley. Cruise ship kitchens do not allow open flames; instead, use electric cooking appliances, including electrically heated tandoors to churn out hundreds of rotis daily. “Limited use of butane torches is permitted for specific dishes, and we utilise high-temperature electric grills for cedar wood cooking, imparting a unique flavour to fish,” explains Christian. “We also have an electronic smoker for pork and chicken.” Additionally, most ships produce their own ice cream. The bakery and pastry station primarily operate at night to ensure desserts and breads are ready for guests in the morning. Orders and guest dietary preferences are logged and shared directly with the galley staff.

Destinations, seasonality, and demographics influence the menu cycle. Beef and turkey are highly sought after in North America and Europe and can be ordered three months prior, while Asia sees a spike in consumption of perishables including fruits, vegetables, and seafood, which are freshly purchased in intervals of one and three weeks.

"Lobster Nights are pretty busy, with the staff sometimes cooking over 10,000 crustaceans," mentions Aniket Kadam, the former junior galley sous chef of Carnival Cruise Line, who retired last year after a 16-year stint with the company. A major galley challenge is gauging food quantities, “which improves with experience,” he explains. When the ship is docked at ports, fewer guests dine onboard. During rough seas, guests are advised to consume light foods such as fruits, soups, and sandwiches.

Premium ingredients like Black Angus beef are sourced from American farms, then frozen in containers shipped to NCL's consolidation in Miami. Christian of NCL notes that while proteins have a shelf life of up to 36 months, they are consumed on board within 12 months to ensure freshness. Like most cruises, Antarctica21 also offers buffets for breakfast and lunch due to daily landings. They prioritise made-to-order items like fried eggs to minimise waste, focusing on wok and Asian cooking.

Keeping it safe

"The cruise industry strictly follows regulations enforced by Public Health Officers (PHO)," explains Jurgen. Kitchens maintain hospital-like cleanliness standards. Food poisoning cases onboard are rare, often linked to offshore excursions. Allergies result from communication lapses between wait staff and kitchen, or guests serving themselves from buffets. American cruise lines abide by United States Public Health's stringent 100-point rating system, with 85 being the pass mark. Sanitation and hygiene checks extend to garbage disposal, water production, and defrosting areas. Non-compliance risks the ship's license and staff jobs.

Disposing it

Just like large restaurants, cruise kitchens produce massive waste . However, unlike on land, there are no garbage trucks here to collect the trash, nor can it be dumped untreated into the sea. The cruise industry has been grappling with this conundrum for years. According to a 2016 report in The New York Times , Princess Cruise Lines was fined $40 million after employees on a cruise ship were caught dumping oiled waste into the seas and then lying to cover up their actions. Similarly, in 2019, Carnival Cruise Line was charged a $20 million penalty for environmental violations, including the dumping of plastic waste into the ocean.

Royal Caribbean has stated that the company’s vessels operate as zero-landfill, indicating that they manage their own waste, including everything from recycling to water filtration. All trash is sorted in designated zones such as waste and recycling centres. Incinerator rooms are staffed around the clock, with separate teams managing incoming recyclables, such as glass, cardboard, metal, and plastic. Aluminium cans are compacted into large cubes using a baler and stored in a refrigerator near the waste room. Disposable items are stored for up to a week until the ships reach their home ports, at which point all recyclable materials are sent to partner facilities.

Additionally, companies had to devise a plan to dispose of items that cannot be recycled, including food. Galley leftovers are consumed by the crew in the crew kitchen. Any remaining food must be disposed of if not consumed within four hours of cooking. Each restaurant and kitchen onboard cruises has its own suction drain. Chefs and servers keep food scraps in separate buckets. Once full, they place the trash in a special drain, which connects to a large waste pipe running through the entire ship and leading to the hydro-processor.

Hard food waste, like bones and non-compostable materials, is offloaded at ports and given to licensed contractors for recycling. "But it's strictly forbidden to dispose of any trash in Antarctica," warns Malcolm, suggesting they are released in the Punta Arenas region.

Plenty of ingredients are repurposed. For instance, banana peels and coffee grounds find their way into cocktails as part of NCL's sustainability programme. Surplus produce is given priority for future sailings.

Realities of the job

In the cruise industry, hotel management and five-star hotel experience are preferred for those high up the hierarchy, but not mandatory for beginners, says Christian. Crew salaries exceed land wages approximately by 500 percent, complying with international laws, notes Jurgen. Aniket recalls his salary hike from Rs8,000 to Rs40,000 when he joined Carnival Cruise Line in 2007 as a trainee cook. “My seniors would ask why I complained about long working hours since cruises paid better than what any of us would make back home, but there was really no end to it with some shifts lasting even 13 hours.” Most staff work on contracts of six months with two months of paid leave. “Some worked up to 11 months straight with no scheduled days off.”

On the other hand, Prakash left his position with Royal Caribbean to work as a sous chef on the 200-capacity MS Savor, sailing the tranquil European waters of the Danube. Despite certain shortcomings, European regulations provide more structured hours, with Prakash preferring river cruise work over multinational corporations (MNCs) due to German law guaranteeing eight-hour days and weekly days off. "It is less stressful and I have fewer meetings to attend," he smiles.

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25 reasons to go to Moscow

By Condé Nast Traveller

The Russian capital is a dazzling mix of medieval churches, Soviet skyscrapers, art galleries, sushi bars, nightclubs and bath-houses. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser selects its 25 most compelling attractions:

1. Turandot

It's easy to believe reports that US$40 million was spent on creating the interior of this restaurant. Spread over 14 rooms, it includes homages to Louis XVI, the Ming Dynasty and imperial Russia. The Asian fusion menu reflects the chinoiserie adorning the main dining room, whose centrepiece is a mechanical golden peacock that rotates as the all-female orchestra plays. The waiting staff wear uniforms that would not be out of place in a BBC costume drama. Tverskoy bul'var 26/5, Moscow (00 7 495 739 0011)

St Basil's Cathedral

2. St Basil's Cathedral

The recently restored onion domes shine out from the top of the cathedral which marks the eastern border of the Red Square. Napoleon's troops ransacked the building, and it was once scheduled for demolition by Stalin. Today it's the jewel in the crown of the Russian Orthodox Church. The icons inside are well worth inspecting, but even better is the people-watching outside: young couples have their picture taken with the domes in the background on their wedding day. Krasnaya ploshchad (Red Square), Moscow (00 7 495 698 3304); open 11am-5pm, Wed-Mon

Graveyard of the fallen monuments

3. Graveyard of the fallen monuments

Ever wondered where the statues of Soviet heroeswere dumped when Communism collapsed? Many of them can be found in the grounds of the new Tretyakov gallery The most intimidating figure is that of Felix Dzerzhinsky, founder of the Cheka - the organisation that was to become the KGB. His statue was toppled in the aftermath of the failed coup of August 1991 and removed from Lubyanka ploshchad. At the State Tretyakov Gallery, 10 Krymsky Val, Moscow ( www.tretyakovgallery.ru ); open Tue-Sun, 10am-7.30pm

Golden Apple

4. Golden Apple

It calls itself a 'boutique hotel', but with 92 rooms the Golden Apple wouldn't get away with that description west of Warsaw. Given the size of most Moscow hotels, however, the title is deserved. The price of accommodation in the city is hard to stomach, but this one is one of few places where the rates can probably be justified. Five minutes from Pushkinskaya Square (the Piccadilly Circus of Moscow), it is very well located for discovering the city. [i]Malaya Dmitrovka 11, Moscow (00 7 495 980 7000; www.goldenapple.ru );

Museum of the Great Patriotic War

5. Museum of the Great Patriotic War

You'll understand how marking the defeat of Germany in 1945 has become a form of state religion when you visit this stunning museum dedicated to World War II. It's set at the heart of Park Pobedy (Victory Park) and includes an art gallery, a hall of remembrance and some fantastic exhibits. Highlights for any history buff include the Nazi declaration of surrender and the table and chairs used by Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill during the 1943 Tehran conference. Park Pobedy 3, Moscow; open Tue-Sun

Gorky's house

6. Gorky's house

Despite falling in and out with the Communist Party throughout his career, Maxim Gorky was one of the Soviet era's most important authors. He was rewarded with this stunning house when he returned to Moscow from exile in Italy. The Art Nouveau building was originally the home of Ryabushinsky, an oligarch who fled to France as the Bolsheviks took power. Visitors can see Gorky's study and admire the centrepiece of the house: a limestone staircase which seems to melt into the floor. Malaya Nikitskaya 6/2, Moscow (00 7 495 290 5130); open Wed-Sun.

Lenin's tomb

7. Lenin's tomb

Arguably the most influential political figure of the 20th century lies embalmed in a building that is most recognisable as the place from which Communist Party bosses used to watch military parades in Red Square. The authorities maintain that the body really is Lenin's and that its wax-like appearance is due to the embalming chemicals. His clothes are changed every few years so he keeps up to date with fashion, if nothing else. Krasnaya ploshchad (Red Square), Moscow (00 7 495 623 5527); open Tue-Thu; Sat-Sun

The Moscow metro

8. The Moscow metro

Spread across 180 stations, Moscow's underground rail system is a tribute to Soviet engineering and new Russian efficiency. With trains running every 90 seconds and the roads permanently clogged with traffic, the metro is the city's most practical form of transport. The earliest stations are architectural masterpieces, with Ploshchad Revolutsii, Kievskaya and Komsomolskaya really standing out. Visitors are advised to learn a little of the Cyrillic alphabet to help decipher the station names.

Charlotte Davey

Jessica Puckett

Karthika Gupta

The State Tretyakov Gallery

9. The State Tretyakov Gallery

These galleries - in two separate locations - house the best examples of Russian art from before and after the revolution. Most of the pieces in the old Tretyakov (at 10 Lavrushinsky pereulok) were in private hands before being nationalised in 1917. Its collection includes 'Rublev's Trinity', said to be the finest remaining Russian icon. The new Tretyakov (at 10 Krymsky Val) showcases all the main Russian art periods that followed the revolution and includes well-known works such as Petrov-Vodkin's Bathing of a Red Horse (pictured). The garden houses the Graveyard of the Fallen Monuments. 10 Lavrushinsky pereulok and 10 Krymsky Val, Moscow ( www.tretyakovgallery.ru ); open Tue-Sun, 10.30am-7.30pm

10. 02 Lounge

Under a glass dome on the top floor of the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, this bar has the city's best close-up views of the Kremlin. The food menu includes sushi rolls and sashimi. The drinks menu is supervised by a vodka sommelier who oversees 400 varieties of the spirit. The prices are shocking. Tverskaya ulitsa 3, Moscow (00 7 495 255 8888; www.ritzcarlton.com ).

Shop & Bar Denis Simachev

11. Shop & Bar Denis Simachev

Denis Simachev is Moscow's Malcolm McLaren, and his bar has its own fashion store. Simachev is one of a small band of cultural entrepreneurs who have created a genuinely new, 'modern Russian' brand. The main conversation piece in the bar is the mural in which the world leaders of the early 21st century are shown dining in a prison canteen. Great international comfort food is on offer, including Moscow's best steak sandwich. Stoleshnikov preulok 12/2, Moscow (00 7 495 629 5702)

Having opened after the financial crisis, this bar sets a more modest tone than its competitors. But it still manages a few superlatives, including stunning modern art and the longest bar in Moscow, at 30 metres. It's going after the forty-something market, or the 'mature hipster' as the management would have it. The bartenders are reputed to be the best in town. The building was previously a lightbulb factory, hence the name: luch translates as 'ray of light'. Bolshaya Pirogovskaya ulitsa 27/1, Moscow (00 7 495 287 0022)

13. The Most

In the heart of Moscow's central night-life district, ]this swanky nightspot includes a bar, restaurant and basement nightclub. The club's cavernous room is spanned by mechanical bridges, an architectural play on words: most means 'bridge' in Russian. The venue entered football folklore when Roman Abramovich chose it as the place to drown his sorrows following Chelsea's defeat by Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League final held in Moscow. Kuznetsky Most 6/3, Moscow (00 7 495 660 0706; www.themost.ru ).

Nobu Moscow

14. Nobu Moscow

The owners took the brave decision to open this outpost of the Japanese restaurant at the apex of the financial crisis. They have been rewarded for their courage by securing it a reputation as the place for oligarchs to lunch. Since the fall of the USSR, Japanese food has become a staple diet for Muscovites, and the launch of Nobu was a natural next step. The company's owners had been fending off proposals for a Russian branch for more than a decade, so the restaurant's success is no great surprise. Dmitrovka ulitsa 20, Moscow (00 7 495 645 3191; www.noburestaurants.ru )

15. Bosco Café

This Italian restaurant offers three essential services: an excellent watering hole in which to rest after exploring GUM, the huge shopping mall which runs along the northern side of the Red Square, opposite the Kremlin; fine views of Lenin's tomb; and an excellent cappuccino. The veal chop is as good as you would get in Milan, and the terrace is without a doubt the best summer spot in the city. Red Square (Krasnaya ploshchad) 3, Moscow (00 7 495 620 3182)

Café Pushkin

16. Café Pushkin

This is the first port of call for anyone who wants to experience quality Russian food. At first glance the building appears to be a stunningly preserved 19th-century townhouse; on closer inspection the façades are entirely fake. But this lack of authenticity is not reflected in the food, especially the outstanding meat pies and dumplings. The slickest waiters in Moscow even have a trolley with a dozen different mineral waters. Tverskoy bul'var 26a. Moscow (00 7 495 739 0033; www.cafe-pushkin.ru )

Eliseevskiy

17. Eliseevskiy

This is the Moscow equivalent of the food hall at Harrods. Located in a late 18th-century mansion with stunning interiors, it was renamed 'Gastronom No 1' during the Soviet period but has now gone back to its pre-revolutionary name. In recent years new branded supermarkets with a fine selection of goods have started to overshadow this grande dame , but it's still a special place to visit. Tverskaya ulitsa 14, Moscow (00 7 495 650 4643; eliseevskiy.ru )

Bolshoi Theatre

18. Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi stages operas and ballets, was the venue for Swan Lake 's première in 1877 and is home to the best-known dance company in the world. It is in fact two different theatres. The original stage is currently undergoing renovations and will not reopen until 2013 (eight years after it closed); but the new theatre has regular performances. Teatralnaya ploshchad 1, Moscow (00 7 495 250 7317; www.bolshoi.ru )

TASS building

19. TASS building

Before the USSR fell, nearly everything we in the West knew about Russia came out of his building the home of the principal state-run news agency, TASS. Although it has been eclipsed by other news sources, its HQ remains a splendid example of tasteful 1960s Soviet architecture and is well worth a photo stop. Tverskoy bul'var 10-12, Moscow

Stalin's skyscrapers

20. Stalin's skyscrapers

There are seven of these so-called 'wedding cake' buildings dotted across the city. Their mock-Gothic style would not look out of place in Gotham City. Stalin ordered their construction in the aftermath of World War II (and made use of free labour in the form of German POWs) to put his capital on an architectural par with the great cities of North America. The largest and most memorable is the Moscow State University building on Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills). The Hilton Moscow Leningrandskaya is housed in another.

Bolshoi restaurant

21. Bolshoi restaurant

Set between Kuznetsky Most and Petrovka ulitsa, this is Arkady Novikov's most recent venture. To Muscovites, Novikov needs no introduction: he is the man behind most of the city's poshest restaurants. Legend has it that he started out flipping burgers in a Moscow McDonald's and caught the entrepreneurial bug. His latest outlet offers modern Slavonic cooking. The golubtsy (a Ukrainian dish of mince rolled in cabbage) comes highly recommended. Petrovka ulitsa 3/6, Moscow (00 7 495 789 8652; novikovgroup.ru )

Moscow conservatory

22. Moscow conservatory

Russians take their classical music very seriously, and nowhere is more serious than the Moscow Conservatory. It's a series of concert halls and a school rolled into one. Every Russian classical star, be they composer or musician, has played or taught here, including Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky and Richter. Tickets are relatively easy to get, either from the box office or from babushkas who sell them for a small profit on the street outside. Bolshaya Nikitskaya ulitsa 13/6, Moscow (00 7 495 629 8183; www.mosconsv.ru )

Pasternak's house

23. Pasternak's house

In Peredelkino, a small village 25 minutes by train from Kievsky station, is the dacha were Boris Pasternak lived for the last two decades of his life. The house was turned into a museum after his death, but his family still live in the grounds. On the first floor you can sit at the desk where he completed Dr Zhivago ; and on the ground floor you can see the early Soviet TV and fridge of which he was the proud owner. Pavlenko ulitsa 3, Peredelkino (00 7 495 934-51-75; www.pasternakmuseum.ru ); open Thu-Sun, 10am-4pm; closed the last day of each month

Izmailovsky Park

24. Izmailovsky Park

No trip to Moscow is complete without haggling for a bust of Lenin or a set of matryoshka dolls, and the only place to do it properly is Izmailovsky Park, at the metro station of the same name. The market, set in a 16th-century royal estate, is open every weekend and has a great variety of decent souvenirs.

Sanduny Banya

25. Sanduny Banya

The 19th-century decor of the Sanduny Banya bath-house is reminiscent of a gentlemen's club in London's St James's. But the experience is uniquely Russian, as are the felt hats worn to protect your hair from the steam. The steam room is a vast, wood-panelled chamber with a huge open oven. Foreigners are made welcome by regulars, who are happy to inflict a beating with birch leaves (more refreshing than it sounds). After you've had a good thrashing, the waiters will bring you anything from tea and honey to prawns and beer. Neglinnaya ulitsa 14, Moscow (00 7 495 625 4631; www.sanduny.ru )

By Benjamin Wegg-Prosser: published in May 2010

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10 Affordable Places to Travel in the US

By Jamie Spain

Whether you're planning a grand family vacation or are looking for a quick and breezy solo trip to switch up the scenery, finding affordable places to travel in the US can be difficult. There are so many different things to consider when planning a trip, from hotels and flights to food and activities, and it's safe to say that it can all get rather overwhelming. To help, we've compiled a list of 10 fun and affordable US cities perfect for all types of travelers. From Charlotte, North Carolina , to Albuquerque, New Mexico , these are some of the best budget-friendly cities in the country.

To ensure that our picks are all affordable, we've made selections using data from Priceline on the most affordable domestic flights and hotels in the US this summer (based on average round-trip airfare and average rate per night, respectively). We've also included a few quality hotel and vacation rental options, all under $300 a night, for each destination.

Read on for 10 affordable travel destinations in the US, so you can keep your budget in check while still enjoying your next great vacation.

Hyatt Regency Orlando

Orlando, Florida

It's not the flights or the hotels in Orlando that will stretch your budget (both can be found at fairly reasonable prices if you plan in advance), but the activities. Since Orlando is home to Disney World , if you plan on attending any of the parks, you'll be designating a large chunk of your travel budget to tickets. But the theme parks aren't the only great thing to do in the city —from visiting some amazing museums to enjoying nature-filled parks, there are tons of other activities that are often overlooked. If you do plan to spend a day or two at Magic Kingdom or Universal Studios, you can rest easy knowing that the rest of your trip was budgeted accordingly.

Where to stay in Orlando:

• For family-friendly fun: Hilton Orlando
• For a great pool: Hyatt Regency Orlando
• For a private home: Cozy three-bedroom near downtown Orlando

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philly is home to some amazing attractions, wonderful views, cool hotels , and of course, incredible history. In Philadelphia's Old Town, travelers can walk in the footsteps of America's Founding Fathers—meandering down the same streets and buildings they once did. There are plenty of great free and low-cost activities, including seeing the iconic Liberty Bell, walking past The President's House (the original “White House” before Washington, DC), and exploring Elfreth's Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the US. If you find time to try a Philly cheesesteak while you're there, all the better.

Where to stay in Philadelphia:

• For an escape from downtown: Inn at Whitewing Farm
• For a micro-hotel experience: Pod Philly Hotel
• For the University: The Study at University Circle

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Booking an affordable beach vacation can be quite the feat, but Myrtle Beach is the perfect place to go when you want to balance beachy views with budget-friendly prices. Especially in comparison to other South Carolina vacation hotspots like Charleston and Hilton Head , Myrtle Beach is where you'll get the most bang for your buck. Spend most of your time enjoying the sun and sand on the free beaches, or walk the iconic boardwalk a couple (dozen) times.

By Jessica Puckett

By Matt Ortile

By Olivia Morelli

By Alex Van Buren

Where to stay in Myrtle Beach:

• For direct beach access: Willow Bay Resort
• For golf lovers: Marina Inn at Grand Dunes
• For a balcony: Quaint condo with two double beds

Nomad Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

While you may think of Las Vegas as a place meant solely for casinos and clubbing (not exactly high up there on the list of budget-friendly activities), there are tons of fun and affordable things to do in the city and plenty of great hotels and Airbnbs to stay in. Simply walking (and gawking at) The Strip is an activity of its own, or take a hike to the Red Rock Canyon and enjoy the natural scenery. There are some great museums and exhibits to stop into as well, and seeing the Bellagio fountains is well worth a trip. Don't forget to take a picture next to the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign.

Where to stay in Vegas:

• For an off-the-strip experience: Golden Nugget
• For old-world luxury on a budget: Nomad Las Vegas
• For a themed resort: The Mirage Las Vegas

Omni Charlotte Hotel

Charlotte, North Carolina

From the incredible food to the family-friendly activities , there's plenty to do in Charlotte for travelers of all interests. Whether you're simply looking to enjoy the warm weather and eat all the Southern food your stomach can handle, or hoping to visit museums and the Botanical Gardens, you won't spend a single minute bored in this city . For great food and people-watching, head to 7th Street Public Market ; NASCAR fans will want to explore the Charlotte Motor Speedway (kids 12 and under enter most events for free) or the NASCAR Hall of Fame (tickets start at $20) .

Where to stay in Charlotte:

• For history: The Dunhill Hotel
• For a low-key place to rest your head: Charlotte Marriott City Center
• For a central location: Omni Charlotte Hotel

The Rally Hotel

Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado

Just a little over an hour apart by car, Denver and Colorado Springs are both great options for families and friends looking for a mountain escape. If you're seeking something a bit more residential and not so hustle-and-bustle, Colorado Springs will be perfect, with its great hiking trails and gorgeous views. For those looking for a taste of city life, stay in downtown Denver, where you'll get all the benefits of the great outdoors alongside the liveliness of a big city. Cut costs by spending most of your time hiking, biking, and enjoying nature.

Where to stay in Colorado Springs and Denver:

• For community in Colorado Springs: Kinship Landing
• For sports fans in Denver: The Rally Hotel
• For a hip scene in a great location in Denver: The Maven Hotel at the Dairy Block

Hotel Parq Central

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque may not be on the top of your to-do list, but there are many reasons why this New Mexico city is worth a visit. It's a great destination for year-round travel thanks to its incredible hot-air balloon scene (it's home to the world's largest Hot Air Balloon Festival), Southwestern art, tasty food, and desert scenery. Head to the Albuquerque Museum (tickets start at $3) or the National Hispanic Cultural Center (free for guests 16 and under; $6 for adults) for some history and art in the city, or simply walk around the area and enjoy the desert views alongside the many art galleries, shops, and restaurants.

Where to stay in Albuquerque:

• For good location: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
• For retro charm: El Vado Motel
• For a stay near Route 66: Hotel Parq Central

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is another city on this list that is steeped in history, but if you're not much of a history buff, there's still plenty to enjoy about the city. Known for its seafood and beautiful waterfront, (and, of course, for being the setting of the musical Hairspray), you'll certainly want to indulge in crab cakes, oysters, or crab dip, especially if you can do so along the water. There are also tons of budget-friendly activities, including walking through Fell's Point, a great neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops, and entertainment, touring some of the museums, taking a peak inside the Peabody Library, or walking alongside the harbor.

Where to stay in Baltimore:

• For a pop of color: Ulysses
• For a modern boutique property: Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown
• For a private townhouse: Colorful two-bedroom in Federal Hill

Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort

Phoenix, Arizona

Head to hot, dry Phoenix , Arizona, the perfect destination for pool days, hiking and nature viewing, and museum visits. Phoenix is also just about two hours away from Sedona, making it a great home base for a day trip to see the red rock formations. The Desert Botanical Gardens (tickets start at $15) will be a hit amongst the whole family, while the Hole in the Rock hike (or the more challenging Camelback Mountain hike) offer a chance to take in gorgeous desert views.

Where to stay in Phoenix:

• For retro-cool: Rise Uptown Hotel
• For a desert oasis: Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass
• For mountain views: Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort

Arlo Wynwood Miami

Miami, Florida

Miami doesn't always scream affordable, but thanks to the city's large airport with many daily domestic flights and a surprising number of affordable hotel and Airbnb options, travelers can head to this incredible city without having to stretch their budget too far. Where your wallet may take a hit is the food and activities, so plan carefully before you arrive. To keep things affordable, spend most of your time enjoying the free beaches with a picnic you pack yourself, or walking around Miami Beach. You can also take yourself on a personal tour of Wynwood's outdoor murals or enjoy one of the free outdoor yoga classes .

Where to stay in Miami:

• For a “luxury” hostel experience: The Freehand
• For a unique boutique hotel: Esmé Miami Beach
• For a Wynwood escape: Arlo Wynwood Miami

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Cruise Etiquette: How to Avoid Getting Sick on a Cruise

I f you’ve been on a cruise recently, you may have noticed the great lengths to which crew members go to remind passengers to wash their hands. On Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas , staff dressed as hot dogs and pizza slices stand by the food hall imploring guests to disinfect before eating. On some ships, crew stationed in the bathroom repeat “washy washy" on loop while others sing catchy jingles and dole out hand sanitizer like candy.

While this may seem overkill, healthy hand washing habits can make the difference between the vacation of a lifetime and a travel horror story. From norovirus outbreaks to pandemic quarantines, it’s no secret that cruise ships are not immune (pun intended) to the occasional health scare—to the point that they’ve developed a bit of a reputation among germaphobes.

Unfortunately, the close quarters of cruise ships can make the vessels good environments for spreading a variety of ailments. But the good news is that cruise ships follow stringent health regulations and reporting requirements, and are subject to random sanitation inspections in the US.

But what can travelers do to avoid getting sick on a cruise? Sally Andrews, vice president of strategic communications and public affairs for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, advises that passengers exercise the same sensible health practices that they do on land. “This includes thorough and frequent hand washing, protecting the health of others if they start to not feel well, and contacting the ship’s medical staff as they would at home based on their individual health needs,” she tells Condé Nast Traveler.

For those looking for more in-depth guidance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a set of health guidelines specifically for cruise passengers. Some of the CDC’s suggestions are simply good travel advice that isn’t particularly cruise-related, like keeping up-to-date on regular vaccinations, checking with a doctor or travel health specialist if any additional vaccines or boosters might be necessary based on the itinerary's ports of call, and staying home if you feel sick in the days immediately leading up to the cruise. (Most cruise line and third-party travel insurance providers will cover cancellations if a medical provider advises you not to travel.)

Specific to cruising, the CDC recommends frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing (more often than on shore) and wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated areas. Hand washing and sanitizing is particularly effective, the CDC notes, in preventing norovirus, which causes a gastrointestinal illness characterized by vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

CLIA says that norovirus is rare on cruise ships when compared to the general risk in the US, but outbreaks do seem to be reported with some frequency. In 2023, there were 14 reports of gastrointestinal outbreaks onboard cruise ships arriving in the US (out of thousands of sailings), and all but one was attributed to norovirus.

Captain Luis Rodriguez, the acting chief of the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program, notes that the CDC reported more cruise ship outbreaks in 2023 than 2022, but there was also an increase in shoreside cases during this time. Rodriguez, who holds a graduate degree in public health, explains that the CDC directly “tracks illnesses on cruise ships, so cases are found and reported more quickly on a cruise ship than on land” (which relies on state and local health departments to collect data and report to the agency separately).

“Norovirus outbreaks commonly occur in crowded living accommodations or communities where persons are physically close,” Rodriguez says. “Pathogens that cause norovirus outbreaks can spread quickly in closed and semi enclosed environments, such as a cruise ship.” In short, any crowded space comes with higher transmission risks, and since the reporting requirements of illnesses on cruise ships are so stringent, outbreaks can appear more common than they actually are.

In order to help prevent and control the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruises, all ships are subject to inspection by the CDC when operating in US ports and territorial waters. The inspection results (including every nitty gritty detail) are publicly available on the CDC website —curious passengers can check out how their ship performed during past inspections by using the site's search function.

Because cruise line medical staff track the number of illnesses and likely causes, it’s important that travelers alert the onboard medical team when they feel unwell. This not only allows for accurate reporting to authorities, it also gives onboard teams a chance to prevent disease from spreading by beefing up sanitation protocols during the sailing.

But even passengers who take precautions to avoid transmittable illnesses can be subject to the oldest of seagoing maladies—the old mal de mer, or seasickness , chief among them. Thankfully, most modern cruise ships have sophisticated stabilizer systems which significantly curtail pitch and roll, even in rough seas—leaving many would-be sufferers almost unaware of any movement from the ship at all.

Seasickness is caused by an imbalance between the perception and realities of motion, and conventional wisdom is to keep the horizon in the line of sight. Travelers particularly prone to motion sickness or worried about being affected might prefer balcony staterooms for this reason. There are also a number of over-the-counter medications, available in pill or patch form, that travelers can take with them to treat seasickness. If a bout of nausea catches a passenger by surprise, ship medical staff generally carry a generous supply on board.

If you do get sick on a cruise, rest assured that international maritime law requires virtually all passenger ships to employ a medical doctor onboard. The 50-plus major cruise lines that belong to CLIA go a step further and are required to train clinical staff members in advanced life support, and additionally have defibrillators, cardiac monitors, X-ray machines, and lab equipment onboard.

At the end of the day, cruise ship crew members and passengers each do their part to keep everyone on board happy and healthy during their sailing. Just remember, washy washy!

Condé Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.