Kyle Valenta

May 14, 2024 | cruisecritic.com | Chris Faust |Kyle Valenta

El Arco in Cabo San Lucas (Photo: Chris Gray Faust)El Arco in Cabo San Lucas (Photo: Chris Gray Faust)Executive Editor, U.S.Chris Gray FaustSenior SEO EditorKyle ValentaCabo! The shortened form of Cabo San Lucas, on the west coast of Mexico (also known as the Mexican Riviera) can conjure up a few images: spring break for California college kids; sleek resorts and spas frequented by Jennifer Aniston and friends; sport fishing, whale watching and all kinds of things to do by the water.

May 9, 2024 | cruisecritic.com | Kyle Valenta

Staying sober can be challenging on cruises to the Caribbean, where alcohol features heavily (Photo: Aaron Saunders)Researching cruises may sound like a no-brainer when planning your trip, but for travelers who don’t drink it’s maybe the most important part of booking a cruise. For starters, research your destination. If you’re taking a cruise in the Caribbean that’s heavy on beach clubs and private islands, the vibe can be more cocktail-heavy and – in some cases – wild.

Nov 15, 2023 | oyster.com | Kyle Valenta

If you love lazing away your vacation days in the hotel pool, you can’t do much better than staying in a swim-up room. What makes them so popular? First, you don’t have to trek across the resort grounds to cool off and unwind. They also give you way more space to splash around than a plunge pool, and there’s something inimitable about stepping right from your room into the water.

Jun 30, 2023 | cruisecritic.com | Chris Faust |Kyle Valenta

It's hard to think of a destination more overwhelming than India. With so many regions, languages, cities, people, cuisines, religions and cultures, nearly every visitor finds themselves agonizing over how to see as much as possible in too little time. River cruises in India are a convenient way to see a bunch of incredible destinations in one trip, and many offer additional cruise tours before or after your cruise. India's Golden Triangle is one popular solution to this dilemma.

Jun 28, 2023 | cruisecritic.com | Fran Golden |Kyle Valenta

Just shy of the Arctic Circle, a cruise to mainland Iceland puts some of the planet's most dramatic landscapes and amazing wildlife encounters all within reach. And these days, Iceland cruises are more popular than ever with lines like Viking, Holland America (HAL) and Norwegian (NCL) all plying the waters of the island nation. Iceland's natural spectacle includes gorgeous fjords, immense glaciers, black beaches, hot springs and long Midnight Sun days in the summer.