Ocean liners once sailed all the world's seas and played important roles in times of peace and war. Ships transported the rich and famous as well as millions of immigrants to new countries. Over time, airplanes changed the nature of travel and the role of the ocean liners. Today's cruise ships are dramatically different from the liners of old, bigger than ever, they are like small cities on the water.

Set sail and dive into Europe's magnificent port cities with Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports! Inside you'll find: Rick's expert advice on making the most of your time on a cruise and fully experiencing each city, with thorough coverage of 23 ports of call Practical travel strategies including how to choose and book your cruise, adjust to life on board on the ship, and save money Self-guided walks and tours of each port city so you can hit the best sights, sample authentic cuisine, and get to know the culture, even with a short amount of time Essential logistics including step-by-step instructions for arriving at each terminal, getting into town, and finding necessary services like ATMs and pharmacies Rick's reliable tips and candid advice on how to beat the crowds, skip lines, and avoid tourist traps Helpful reference photos throughout and full-color maps of each city Useful tools like mini-phrasebooks, detailed instructions for any visa requirements, hotel and airport recommendations for cruise access cities, and what to do if you miss your ship Full list of coverage: Provence, Marseille, Toulon and the Port of La Seyne-sur-Mer, Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, Nice, Villefrance-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, the Port of Livorno, Rome, the Port of Civitaveccia, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Split, Dubrovnik, Athens, the Port of Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Olympia and the Port of Katakolo, Crete and the Port of Heraklion, Rhodes, Istanbul, Ephesus, and The Port of Kusadasi Maximize your time and savor every moment in port with Rick's practical tips, thoughtful advice, and reliable expertise. Heading north? Pick up Rick Steves Scandinavian & Northern European Cruise Ports.

What makes travel by sea so magical, relevant, and exciting? In "Have Bikini Will Cruise: Splashy Stories of the Seven Seas" Gail Small explores the essence of the cruising experience. Stories are shared by an extensive world traveler with heart and humor of faraway places and distant seas. There is a smile and a warmth in this book you can feel! For lovers or dreamers of travel by sea, this book features true stories of wondrous little moments and great encounters. Moreover, this book reveals a point of view on travel that will delight, surprise, and astound. Each story will enhance your appreciation of your past, present, or next vacation and people and places along the way.

A shocking exposé of modern piracy - the Fast Food Nation of the cruise industry