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Pacific

Pacific

Do good, feel good UNESCO style

This is a simple, but very important request.  For those of us who are fortunate enough to travel, this should almost be mandatory. UNESCO has created the Sustainable Tourism Pledge. The pledge takes an industry-first approach to environmental and cultural protection, requiring hotel operators to introduce firm measures to eliminate single-use plastics and promote local culture. The…

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Muster, we must

The Covid pandemic is pushing for an evolution of the muster (safety) drill procedures on cruise ships. To avoid gatherings of large passenger groups in confined spaces and maintain social distancing, the cruise lines are now reinventing the traditional process, using technology and other innovations. Get ready for:  Royal Caribbean’s Muster 2.0 Read more courtesy…

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Passports of power

In the past, have you been able to waltz through airport customs like you owned the place, simply based on your nationality? Well, it might be time to check your ego, because the world is becoming a very different place (for the better, in our opinion.) Now a new Henley Passport Index, the original ranking…

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Right, said Fred

We're happy to announce that Matouring is now an affiliate of Fred Olsen cruises. One of the things we like about Fred Olsen is the playful approach they have to cruises and touring.  They're a not the biggest name in the cruise industry, but being family-run, they can do things the way they want, and…

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It’s literally Nauru . . . and you

Chances are good that you have never heard of Nauru.  That's not surprising, as only around 10,000 inhabitants live there, and the island country usually gets only a couple of hundred visitors each year.  It is the smallest country in the world. But, you might want to give the island nation a go, as its…

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OTT* travel

As we've written before, the world is getting smaller as it's getting larger.  For better or worse, people around the world are finding more ways to venture to new places, explore new cultures and bask in the visceral joy that travel brings. But, there is another side to this explosion, and that is there are deep…

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As if you need incentives . . . retire here

Are your "sunset years" approaching?  Do you find yourself longing for something completely different?  Do you wake up at night pondering how you will continue to maintain that 8 bedroom house of yours?  Or, do you simply want to "go off the rails" and take a 180 degree turn in your life? What better time…

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Sleepless in Seattle

The Pacific Northwest in the United States is rather beautiful, especially if you don't have a problem with rain.  It rains a lot here.  Spring, summer and parts of autumn are lovely, as well, but rain is a defining term for this part of the world. And, as we know, rain fills the land and…

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All a’bored

Almost everyone loves a cruise.  The sea, the waves, romance.  Even if you get seasick, the allure is strong. Cruise lines are very smart and very alert to what people want on a cruise.  One constant is booze.  There would be no cruise without booze. But check out these on-board bars that take it to another level. Pull…

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Yes you can, mama in Panama

Panama is world-famous for its 48-mile canal that connects the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. Each year, over a million people visit the canal and are able to witness this engineering marvel at work. Panama is very proud to have this magnificent creation operating 365 days a year, enabling the world's cargo to be…

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We go LIGO

We here at Matouring just love technology and science.  Everyday there is something new to boggle our minds.  Lately we have been spending some time reading "The God Equation by Michio Kaku."  Mind-blowing, to say the least. "When Newton discovered the law of gravity, he unified the rules governing the heavens and the Earth. Since…

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OMG! LNG

Now, here is a good start to environmentally sound travel options - liquefied natural gas (LNG).  This technology promises a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable fuel for cruise ships - and perhaps other modes of transportation. The introduction of LNG to power cruise ships is a major development that supports Carnival Corporation’s decarbonization pathway. In the…

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Viking. More than just Norse ships and pillaging

If you're a traveler, you've likely taken at least one cruise in your life.  And, chances are good that you may have boarded a Viking Cruise ship:  they are some of the best and most forward-thinking cruise lines in the world. But, Viking goes beyond by also informing and entertaining us with their ongoing Viking.tv…

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Whose cruise?

Travel is slowly peeping its head outside the door - and what do we see?  Cruises are on the horizon!  And Royal Caribbean has a pretty nice online brochure to whet your appetite. The brochure will make it easy to view all of their cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska or Europe. Featuring videos and ship…

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When Josie comes home

Spring, winter, summer or fall, British Columbia, Canada, is always a relaxing and sometimes awe-inspiring destination.  From the mountains to the oceans to the cities, BC will keep you busy with things to do.  While you're there, try the Josie Hotel in Rossland. Located slopeside at RED Mountain Resort, The Josie Hotel unearths Rossland ’s…

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