The Pampered Cruiser

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Travel Hacks YOU Can Use

Here are some travel “hacks” we used on our recent trip to Eastern Europe:

MONEY:

We were in Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.  Croatia is the ONLY of these countries that uses the Euro.  So what did we do?

  • CURRENCY — We landed in Poland, and we flew home from Romania, so we purchased about $100 worth of currency ahead of time for each of these countries.  This enabled us to address any emergencies while in transit or at the airports.
  • EUROS — We always carry Euros in Europe (even in those countries that don’t use it).  In a pinch, you can use them to pay for things.
  • CREDIT CARDS — We used a credit card for everything… and they are accepted everywhere.  You get a better exchange rate than buying currency, and it solves a security problem.
  • TIPPING –The tour guides are happy with whatever currency you give them, and Euros work well. 
  • USING LEFT OVER CURRENCY — We had a bit of extra cash in Romania, so we used it to pay part of our hotel bill, and then paid the balance with a credit card.
  • VISA DEBIT — I also attempted to use a pre-loaded VISA Debit card in Europe, and it was all but useless.  It doesn’t have a chip, and the Europeans (and really the rest of the world) abandoned swipe cards nearly 2 decades ago.

LANGUAGE:

Between the two of us, we have a reasonable command of English, and can carry simple conversations in French and Spanish.  In Eastern Europe, English was quite useful (although not as widely spoken as in Western Europe), Spanish was not at all useful, and French was marginally helpful in Romania (but not to any wide degree).  So what did we do?

  • We had conversations that were half-charades, and half English.
  • Learned the words for “Hello” and “Thank you” in each country.  It makes a difference.
  • We are huge fans of GOOGLE TRANSLATE.  What the APP can do for you is incredible.  If you haven’t used it previously, it’s free… download it and be amazed.
  • We love UBER.  Communicating with taxi drivers in ANY country can be challenging.  Uber solves this by entering the address (or just pushing the general area on a map) on your smartphone.  Payment, tipping, and everything else is taken care of.

TELECOM

The Apps I mentioned above are contingent on access to the internet.  You may have a global roaming plan through your cell phone provider, but if you look at all the restrictions and fine print, you could end up being frustrated.  Here’s what we do:

  • Download an ESIM.  Many people get a local SIM card when they visit another country, but that involves taking the existing SIM card out of your phone, and replacing it with a local one for the duration of your visit.  An ESIM does this electronically.  It’s easy.
  • We paid about $20 for a MONTH of unlimited voice and data.  Some roaming charges are that much per DAY, and you’ll have dreadfully slow service.
  • You’ll find public wifi everywhere in Eastern Europe.  It’s only if you want to be constantly connected you’ll need an ESIM.

METRIC

English is NOT a universal language, and the US Dollar is not a universal currency.  What is universal is METRIC.  Once you learn it, it’s much easier than the imperial system that has been abandoned everywhere except the United States.  Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

  • 30 degrees is really warm, NOT really cold (it’s about 90 F)
  • A meter is a bit longer than a yard, and 1000 meters is a kilometer.  Think of 10 or 11 football fields – that’s a kilometer
  • A kilogram is just over 2 pounds.
  • The easiest hack is to learn it.  Next best hack… a metric converter App. 

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

AMA WATERWAYS

We can get you an extra 5% off publicly available fares on the following 3 AMA cruises:  

PORTUGAL & SPAIN departing July 4 for one week

  • Visit Porto, Douro valley, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Afurada.
  • See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
  • Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon. 
  • This trip is on the brand new AMA Sintra, carrying just 102 guests
  • Fares from $4639.  You’ll get a further $225 pp off (5%)
  • Click here for more details: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/destination/europe-river-cruises/2025/enticing-douro

FRANCE:  Paris, Normandy and Bordeaux departing Oct. 2nd for 14 nights (2 cruises back-to-back)

  • Start in Paris, then visit Les Andelys, Le Havre, Normandy Beaches, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Vernon (for Monet’s Gardens) before returning to Paris, and then taking the train to Bordeaux where you’ll spend your 2nd week enjoying the famed wine region, historic architecture, and ancient castles
  • You’re going all the way to Europe anyway, so why not take in these completely different regions of France, with all the logistics between ships taken care of by AMA.
  • Visit during harvest!  
  • Fares from $8179.  You’ll get a further $400 pp off (5%).
  • Click here for more details: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/destination/europe-river-cruises/2025/grand-seine-bordeaux

FRANCE, GERMANY & NETHERLANDS: Basel to Amsterdam departing July 19th for 7-nights

  • Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Cologne, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg, Basel
  • Optional 4-night extension in Switzerland (2 nights Lucerne, 2 nights Zurich).

SMALL SHIP OCEAN OFFERS Expiring December 31st

WINDSTAR YACHT CRUISING – 10% OFF and $100 per person onboard credit

We can get you an extra 10% off ANY Windstar fare between now and the end of the month.  This is NOT available on direct bookings or anywhere else.  Here are a few examples:

Mediterranean including the Corinth Canal for 8-nights

  • Visit Istanbul, Myrina, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Santorini, the Corinth Canal, Delphi, Athens
  • Depart April 3 from $5591, or September 28 from $5691.

Caribbean round-trip from San Juan for 6-nights

  • Visit St. Maarten, Charleston, Gustavia, Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands.
  • Depart November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from $3292.

Iceland round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-nights

  • Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
  • Depart August 4 from $4792, or July of 2026 from $4192.

Tahiti round-trip from Papeete for 7-nights.  Departures every Thursday.

  • Visit Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora (overnight), Huahini.  Remember this tropical paradise is only 2 hours past Hawaii, and has a fraction as many tourists. 
  • Depart in July from $4992, OR November/December from $3892.
  • Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM 

*Prices include all taxes and fees, all drinks, specialty dining, gratuities, and wifi on the ship.

VIKING FREE AIR PROMO:

If you’re ready to travel in the next few months, Viking is throwing in FREE AIR on these departures.

JAPAN & ALASKA: Tokyo to Vancouver departing April 17 for 26 days

  • Visit Tokyo (overnight), Sappora (overnight), Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Seward, Valdez, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage to Vancouver. 
  • Veranda Rooms start at $6299 ($1700 off published fares) with FREE AIR.

JAPAN INTENSIVE.  Hong Kong to Tokyo departing April 3, for 15-days

  • Visit Hong Kong (overnight), Taipei, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Beppu, Hiroshima (overnight), Osaka, Shimizu (overnight), Tokyo (overnight)
  • Veranda Rooms start at $7999 ($500 off published fares) with FREE AIR

AUSTRALIA & BALI.  Sydney to Bali for 17-days

  • Visit Newcastle, Brisbane, Whitsunday Islands, Townsville, Cairns, Thursday Island, Darwin (overnight), Komodo NP, Lambok.  
  • Optional 6-night pre-trip land extension to Ayers Rock and Port Douglas.
  • Depart February 20 from $6399, or March 21 from $7099.  Both with FREE AIR

EGYPT.  Round-trip Cairo for 12-days with several departures September to December

  • Do 3-nights in Cairo (for the Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids & Sphinx, then fly to Luxor to board the ship, and visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor, Qena, Valley of the Kings, Esna, Aswan, Felucca Ride, Edfu.
  • Departures September through December 2025 from $6999 with FREE AIR.

ANTARCTICA with ATLAS 

ATLAS is a new cruise line with yachts that hold less than 200 guests, and visit some remote corners of the world.  Fares include shore shore/landing activities, an open bar, specialty dining, and gratuities.

POLAR NORWAY:  From Tromso to Longyearbyen departing August 17 for 9-nights

  • This is like a safari at sea.  Spot puffins, reindeer, arctic terns and foxes.  See the ice floes, icebergs, and do some glacier cruising. 
  • This cruise includes a private jet ride back to Oslo, Zodiac landings, boots, and a parka you get to keep. 
  • Fares from $5999

ANTARCTICA round-trip from Buenos Aires for 9-days

  • Includes charter flights to/from Ushuaia and 6-days of scheduled landings on the continent.
  • Fares in March, November and December from $9499

LAND CRUISE WITH TAUCK

Australia & New Zealand for 20 days.

  • Australia is so large and so sparsely populated that it can be difficult to travel.  This itinerary has a number of internal flights included in the price, so you get to see a wide variety of Australian attractions before doing the same in New Zealand.
  • Visit Melbourne, fly to Ayers Rock, then to Cairns, cruise the Great Barrier Reef, then on to Sydney.  Fly to Wellington, Blenheim & Marlborough Sound, Te Anau, Fjordland NP & Milford Sound, Queenstown, Auckland, and Waiheke Island. 
  • Departures January through April, and September to December of 2025 from $16,290.
  • Click here for more details: https://inspires.to/experiences/discover-the-wonders-of-australia-and-new-zealand-with-tauck-ppeg

America’s Canyonlands departing Phoenix to Las Vegas for 8-days

Michigan’s Lakes and Mackinac Island from Traverse City to Detroit for 8-days

In Case You Missed It:

EASTERN EUROPE:  It might be time to explore the other side of Europe:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/destination-eastern-europe/

Get your plans OFF the bucket list, and on to the NEXT list by putting together your 5-year plan:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/off-the-bucket-list-and-on-the-next-list/

Latest YOUTUBE Video:

VANCOUVER.  It’s a common pre & post cruise destination, so here’s some thoughts on what to do when you’re there:

https://youtu.be/Dtn_1BR_z3k

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

Hi There!

My mission is to help my clients accomplish the dream experiences on their travel-related 'bucket lists'.  Often, that includes a small ship cruise.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sue Bradley

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The Pampered Cruiser

The Pampered Cruiser