Travel Q&A: Christmas cruises, Austria, Hawaii, more

Q: Can you give us any advice about a Caribbean/Panama cruise over Christmas and maybe even New Years? Ten to 14 days from Baltimore or Florida.

A: There are only two possibilities out of Baltimore: a seven-night Carnival cruise to the Bahamas departing Dec. 22 and a 10-night Royal Caribbean cruise to the Eastern Caribbean departing Dec. 24. Out of Florida, your choices expand quite a bit. Ships leave daily from ports such as Fort Lauderdale and Miami. For example, the Emerald Princess departs Fort Lauderdale on a 10-day Caribbean cruise on Dec. 9. If you want something upscale, the Regent Seven Seas Navigator leaves Miami on Dec. 23 for a 12-night Caribbean cruise. There are several websites that list cruise schedules, where you can start your research. I like Cruise Timetables.

Carol Sottili

Q: Id like to find out if theres are any events or fun things to do in Curacao during Thanksgiving week. Also, whats the best airline (best airfare) to travel on to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in January 2014, and what are some great places to eat there?

A: I dont see any major events listed over that time period, but most likely the major resorts (read: American chains) will design a special dinner for their American guests. Check with the tourism board or ask at your hotel when you arrive.

Options are grim for flights from Curacao to Puerto Vallarta. You will have to stop twice and return to the States or connect through Colombia. Fares are more than $1,000 on American or Avianca. I would honestly rethink this route, if possible.

For PV restaurants, top picks include Cafe des Artistes, Blanca Blue, El Arrayan, Trio, Vista Grill and, yes, Daiquiri Dicks.

Andrea Sachs

Q: My wife and I have a timeshare week in Weston, Fla., the first week in November. Do you have any suggestions, at least one culturally and one outdoors? We plan to rent a car.

A: Youre right near the Everglades there, so Id think an Everglades tour would be in order. For culture, you could visit Fort Lauderdales Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District, or head to the Miami Art Museum, or Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a lovely old villa in Miamis Coconut Grove.

Zofia Smardz

Q: Seven senior family members (60s to 70s) are planning a trip to Hawaii from New York in May 2014 for approximately 12 days. Do you suggest that we make our own land/air arrangements to visit several islands or take the inter-island cruise? If we dont take the cruise, which islands would you suggest and for what duration of time? And can you suggest some must-see attractions in Hawaii?

A: When you have a group traveling on a complex itinerary, a travel agent can sometimes ease the planning stress. If you dont know of one, try searching for a Hawaiian travel specialist via the Hawaiian tourism site. Norwegians Pride of America does an inter-island cruise, but if you take that, you wont be able to decide how long to stay on each island: Its a seven-day cruise that stops at four islands.

Carol Sottili

Q: I am thinking about going to see the Christmas markets from Vienna to Munich over Thanksgiving week. Any suggestions?

A: Fun! There are Christmas markets all over Vienna, the largest being at the Rathaus, or City Hall, but be sure to hit some of the others as well: The one at the Belvedere palace is great, and the one at Maria-Theresien Platz, and you should even head out to Schnbrunn Palace in the city outskirts to check out the one there as well. Its the same in Munich, which has more than 20 markets around town. The main one is held on the Marienplatz in the heart of downtown, but check out the Kripperlmarkt, the market specializing in crches and nativity scenes, as well as the Tollwood market, an ethnic festival on the Theresienwiese. In between Munich and Vienna, of course, you can hit Salzburg, Linz (Linzer torte!), and maybe Sankt Plten for their Christmas markets as well.

Zofia Smardz