Fran Golden headshot

Fran Golden

AFAR Contributor

Fran Golden is an award-winning travel writer who has sailed on some 170 ships to destinations around the world. She regularly covers cruises for AFAR and also reports on cruising for other leading news and travel publications. Fran has authored several travel books, including 100 Things to Do in Alaska Before You Die (Reedy Press, 2021). When not at sea, she can often be found on Lake Erie.

Articles by Author
Rendering of a Ponant cruise ship prototype that would have zero greenhouse gas emissions, slated for launch by 2030.
Cruise
Can Cruising Really Be Net Zero by 2050?
September 13, 2023 07:17 PM
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Fran Golden
One of the famous marine iguanas of the Galápagos Islands
In the Magazine
Dedicated Naturalists Help Guests Reconnect with Nature on a Galapagos Sailing
September 13, 2023 05:19 PM
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Fran Golden
View of the Porto waterfront with the Douro River and port in the foreground and old, colorful buildings lining the hillside in the background
River Cruises
The Best River Cruises of 2024—From the Douro to the Danube, the Mekong to the Magdalena
September 13, 2023 03:50 PM
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Fran Golden
Havila Castor, an environmentally friendly coastal cruise ship, sails through Trollfjorden in Norway with green and rocky cliffs rising on either side of the vessel
Ocean Cruises
Witness Norway’s Incredible Fjords on These 8 Scenic Cruises
August 29, 2023 06:55 PM
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Fran Golden
The two-story Grand Wintergarden suite on 'Seabourn Venture' with a seating area below and a loft above
Cruise
A Beginner’s Guide to Luxury Cruises
August 18, 2023 05:03 PM
 · 
Fran Golden
cruise ship at twilight in Alaska with snow-capped mountains in the background and a little bird house above the water in the foreground
Ocean Cruises
Ever Heard of a Closed-Loop Cruise? Here’s What to Know About These Unique Sailings
August 15, 2023 06:21 PM
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Michelle Baran
See Iceland from the vantage point of its dramatic shorelines.
Ocean Cruises
7 Amazing Iceland Cruises for Seeing the Remote Wonders of the Country
July 26, 2023 12:53 PM
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Fran Golden
A dahabiya is a shallow-bottomed wooden sailboat that offers a different kind of Nile cruise experience.
River Cruises
What It’s Like on a Nile Cruise
July 03, 2023 08:00 AM
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Fran Golden
cruise ship deck with the sea and sunset in the background
Cruise
Do You (Really) Need Cruise Travel Insurance?
May 18, 2023 08:18 PM
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Fran Golden
Kyoto Japan
Ocean Cruises
7 Best Japan Cruises for Every Type of Traveler
May 12, 2023 05:44 PM
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Fran Golden
Virgin Voyages' poolside bar Gym and Tonic
Ocean Cruises
Not in the Mood to Cruise With Kids? These Adult Sailings Are Totally (or Mostly) Kid-Free
April 27, 2023 12:07 PM
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Fran Golden
Viking Star vessel with New York City skyline in the background
Cruise News
Do You Need to Be Vaccinated to Cruise? It Depends on the Ship and Destination
April 19, 2023 07:10 PM
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Fran Golden
view of rocks jutting out from the water at Kenai Fjords National Park
Ocean Cruises
The World’s Most Beautiful Fjords—and the Cruises That Will Take You There
March 23, 2023 08:09 PM
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Fran Golden
aerial image of Bermuda shoreline flanked by water
Ocean Cruises
On These Cruises, You Don’t Need a Passport
February 10, 2023 09:24 PM
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Fran Golden
A soaking tub with an ocean view? One the forthcoming super-luxe cruise ship <i>Silver Nova</i> from Silversea, it can be yours.
Ocean Cruises
The New Cruise Ships We’re Most Excited About in 2023
January 25, 2023 07:04 PM
 · 
Fran Golden
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