In the Anxiety-Provoking Travel “Awards”, air travel always wins (with a very clear margin), but near the top of that list is VISA and ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) requirements.  I can’t solve the air-related anxiety (contact your members of Congress for that), but ETAs are fairly easy to navigate.  Here’s your guide:

WHAT IS AN ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)?

• It’s a 21^st century version of the customs form you used to fill out on the plane. 
• It’s a pre-approval to enter a country.  Think of it as a digital permission slip.
• It is electronically linked to your passport, making your entry to foreign countries easier.
• It’s the future:  I can envision a time when this will be required to enter ANY country.

IS IT A VISA?

• NO.  Visas are more complicated, and often require the help of a lawyer, and/or sending your passport to an embassy in Washington.

WHAT COUNTRIES REQUIRE AN ETA?

• Australia has required an ETA for the past 30 years.  They were an early adopter.
• New Zealand and the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) have more recently initiated the process.
• The European Union has been delaying their rollout for years (you can imagine 27 different governments agreeing on anything).  Later in 2026 is the current timeline.

WHAT’S THE PROCESS?

• Apply on your desktop computer, or by downloading a smart phone APP.
• Make sure you get the official APP from the government of the country you’re visiting.  There are knock-offs out there, and you’ll end up paying more.

WHAT QUESTIONS DO THEY ASK?

• All your passport information as well as questions about:
• Other passports or nationalities you may have.
• If you have a criminal record.
• Where you intend to stay (your hotel address will be fine). 
• Purpose of your visit: “TOURISM” is a good answer. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE AND WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

• It will take anywhere between a few minutes and a few days to be approved.
• You can apply anytime BEFORE you leave home.  Usually sooner is better than later.

WHAT DOES IT COST:

• Australia is $20 AUD or about $14 USD
• European Union will be €20 or about $24 USD, when they implement it.
• New Zealand is $117 NZD or about $70 USD
• UK is £16 or about $21 USD

COMMON MISTAKES:

• “The airline or cruise line will remind me”.  They’re not required to, and if you’re NOT travelling on a US or Canadian passport, the requirements might be different for you
• NOT using the Official Government (of the country you’re visiting) website or APP.
• WAITING until your day of departure to apply.  Do it in advance.

Don’t stress too much about this… it’s really not a big deal.  The only thing you should be worried about before your trip is if you packed enough sunscreen. 

UNPACKED:  The PODCAST

Check out our UNPACKED Podcast where Kim & Bob talk about ETA requirements for Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, and what we know so far about the European Union’s ETIAS.

https://youtu.be/Y5fJraqPRTI

In Case You Missed It:

KIMBERLEY – This remote corner of AUSTRALIA is well worth a visit for those that like to get where others don’t go, and experience the rugged geography of Australia’s west coast.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/kimberley-the-other-australia/

EXPLORA JOURNEYS – If you’re looking for relaxed European excellence, with a fantastic culinary offering, and unique entertainment concept, Explora Journeys may be the next cruise line you need to try.  This article was written when Explora launched, and they now have 3 ships operating, with 3 more on order:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/explora-journeys-world-debut/

TRAVEL TRIVIA – How much fluid do you lose on a 10-hour flight?  Which country regularly scores highest on the Global Happiness Index? What’s the world’s largest Spanish-speaking country?  All this and other mysteries unravelled here:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-trivia/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

UK ETA – If you’re visiting England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you’ll need an ETA.  Follow us through our experience, when we applied for ours:

https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk?si=GM90LtIa_LGP0clt

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

EXPLORA JOURNEYS – European Luxury Lifestyle

If you want to check out EXPLORA JOURNEYS culinary and entertainment scene, here are two itineraries close to home:

CARIBBEAN:  San Juan to Miami departing January 4 for 7-nights

• Start in San Juan and visit Sint Marteen, St. John’s (Antigua), Little Bay, Road Town (Tortola) and finish Miami. 
• Fares from $3850
• Or stay on board for 16-nights and also visit Puerto Plata, Cayo Levantado, Saint Thomas and Spanish Town with fares from $7,385

WEST COASTER: Los Angeles to Vancouver departing May 3, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Los Angeles and visit San Diego, San Francisco, Victoria and finish in Vancouver. 
• Veranda fares from $4,820
• Get out in Vancouver OR carry on to Alaska OR take the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff.

EXPLORA I SHIP TOUR VIDEO: https://youtu.be/LHjAS0JKCQ0 

EXPLORA ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPT: https://youtu.be/9ELX0zxNjZ0 

RIVER CRUISES with TAUCK

If you’ve ever wanted to travel to Europe with children or teens, then Tauck has a number of voyages every year that are designed for families.  These itineraries have specially curated excursions for younger guests, and take place during school holidays:

Paris to Normandy with departures in June & July for one-week

• Visit Paris, Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, the Normandy Beaches and more.
• Share the magic of Paris, and the importance of the Normandy Beaches.
• 2026: Fares from $5,940
• 2027:  Fares from $5,990

CHRISTMAS MARKETS on the Danube from Bavaria to Budapest for one-week

• Visit Munich, Regensburg, Passau, Wachau Valley, Melk, Vienna (overnight), Bratislava, Budapest. 
• 2026: Depart December 22, 23 or 29 from $4990
• 2027:  Depart December 21, 22, or 28 from $5,290

YACHTING with WINDSTAR

With a maximum of 342 guests, Windstar offers a relaxed elegance, with a casual atmosphere, and an elevated culinary experience with their membership in the James Beard Foundation. 

TAHITI:  Papeete round-trip departing November 5 for 7-days

• Tropical Beauty, Remote Islands, Dreamy Lagoons.
• Start in Papeete, and visit Moorea, Raiatea (overnight), Taha’a, Bora Bora (overnight), and Huahine before returning to Papeete.  

• Fares from $4,315 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities.
• Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM 

CANADA/NEW ENGLAND: Boston to Montreal departing September 14 for 11-days

• Fall foliage, historic towns, and lighthouse views!
• Start in Boston, then visit Rockland, Portland MN, Halifax, Sydney, 2 stops in the Quebec Eastern townships, an overnight stay in Quebec City, before finishing in Montreal. 
• Fares from $7,695 with all the BEYOND INCLUSIVE amenities

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

If you want great outdoor experiences close to home, here’s two suggestions:

WHALE WATCHING in MAGDALENA BAY (Baja California) for 6-days round-trip Loreto

• Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay for 6 days Jan, Feb, Mar.
• See the Gray Whales, explore the sand dunes at Sand Dollar Beach, and visit the fishing village of Puerto Magdalena.  Go kayaking, zodiacs, paddleboarding, hiking, and cycling.  
• 2026:  Departures January through March from $2524.

OREGON & WASHINGTON: Columbia River from Portland to Clarkston for 6-days

• Visit Portland, The Dalles (for Multnomah Falls and fish hatchery), Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla, Palouse River.  Traverse the locks by river boat right here at home!
• Go hiking, kayaking, ride on the zodiacs, visit museums and wineries
• 2026: March/April from $3,675 OR September/October from $4,778

SMALL SHIP Experiences with AZAMARA

Azamara has a fleet of R-Class vessels carrying just 680 guests.  They offer an affordable way to get on board a smaller ship for a more intimate experience, and better destination immersion.  Your fare includes on board gratuities, an open bar, some shore activities, and a shuttle service into the city center at port stops where that is necessary.

CROATIA INTENSIVE from Venice to Athens departing June 29 for 9-nights

• Visit Venice, Opitija, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Kotor, Athens
• Fares from $2,729

GOLF CRUISE in JAPAN: Kobe to Tokyo departing May 6, 2027 for 14-nights

• This one is great for golfers, OR those really wanting to explore Japan. 
• Visit Kobe (overnight), Kochi, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, Nagasaki, Busan, Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Aomori, and Toyko (overnight)
• Fares from $5199 per person with a $150 per person on board credit. 
• GOLF:  5-rounds with all the logistics managed for you: $4395 per person. 

LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE

SPOTLIGHT tours mean you only UNPACK ONCE, and can explore a city or region in depth while having the logistics taken care of for you:

NEW YORK for 5-days

• Visit Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Chinatown, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial.
• Includes 4-nights at the Sheraton Times Square, 5 meals, and 2 Broadway shows.
• Year-round departures from $2499.

PARIS for 7-days

• See Notre Dame, Montmartre, Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower.
• Includes 8 meals, 6-nights hotel, Seine River dinner cruise, Louvre Museum, Le Marais, Place de Vosges, Palace of Versailles, and dinner at the Eiffel Tower
• Departures April through November from $3299

Here are some of COLLETTE’s other SPOTLIGHT tours:

• The French Riviera – 9-days from $3449
• London – 7-days from $2649
• Northern Italy – 9-days from $3199
• South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore & the Badlands – 7-days from $2999
• Tuscany – 9-days from $3349
• Washington, DC – 6-days from $2999

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, 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 (even if you booked ON BOARD).

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

You’ve heard the term “EXPEDITION CRUISE”, which is an unfortunate way to describe what is really just a small ship cruise to more remote destinations.  Fewer shopping malls, and more walks in nature, zodiac rides, wildlife encounters, and discussions with experts on your ship. 

An EXPEDITION cruise is quite simply the next evolution for those that have been seemingly everywhere.  HX will take you to where few others travel – away from the crowds. 

HX has been helping people explore the most remote regions on the planet since 1896.  Their philosophy?  Curious travelers, mindful adventures, and getting closer to the REAL destination.  They operate in Antarctica, the Galapagos, Norway, Alaska, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic.  

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WITH HX:

• No casinos, night-clubs, Broadway shows or formal nights.  INSTEAD you’ll find:
• Lectures conducted by experts in their field, and citizen science projects.
• Scientists, naturalists, and historians to help you understand what you’re experiencing. 
• A Safari at Sea: like an African safari but HX conducts its expeditions by ship and zodiac. 
• It’s a balanced blend of SCIENCE, NATURE, WILDLIFE, and CULTURE. 

A TYPICAL DAY on an HX DISCOVERY CRUISE:

• ON the vessel:  Lectures, light entertainment, and the opportunity to participate in science projects.  If that becomes tiring: heated pools, hot tubs and panoramic lounges
• OFF the vessel:  Wildlife sightings, zodiac rides, guided walks, sea kayaking, and other light-adventure activities designed to get you as close to the destination as possible. 

REQUIREMENTS TO ENJOY AN EXPEDITION CRUISE:

• You DON’T need to be an elite athlete.  The primary criteria is curiosity about the world.
• You should be able to easily walk up two flights of stairs.
• If you can get in and out of a bathtub unassisted, that roughly approximates getting in and out of kayaks or zodiacs. 
• Being older is an ADVANTAGE for expedition cruising.  You are probably more able to truly appreciate such a unique experience, and many expedition cruises are somewhat longer in duration, making it more challenging for those managing jobs and/or kids.

HX occupies a market-space between the luxury cruise lines, and the hard-core adventure outfitters.  HX ships are comfortable and thoughtfully designed with great food and service.

Just because you’re far away from civilization, doesn’t mean you should travel in an uncivilized manner!

UNPACKED – Our Podcast

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim and Bob explore the evolving world of HX Expedition Cruises — who they are, where they travel, and what makes their approach to expedition cruising distinct.

https://youtu.be/A7xVpUA31mo

In Case You Missed It:

GREENLAND:  Even before it was in the news every night, GREENLAND was an emerging destination.  Here’s some reasons you might want to have it on your radar:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/greenland-add-it-to-your-bucket-list/

BUYING A CRUISE… THE FINE PRINT.  Here’s a simplified version of some terms of reference for the next time you consider torturing yourself by reading the fine print on your cruise vacation:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/the-fine-print-on-your-cruise/

WHAT WE DO ON VACATION:  You’ve asked, so here’s a little window into HOW we travel:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-we-travel-on-vacation/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

DEMYSTIFYING EXPEDITION:  If you think you need to be an Olympic athlete to enjoy an expedition cruise, then you’ll want to watch this interview where Bob chats with Alex McNeil – the Chief Expedition Officer for HX Expeditions.  You might be surprised who goes on Expedition Cruises: 

https://youtu.be/niB-OWhUSSs

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX 

Here are some examples of some of the remote corners that HX can take you to:

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS and Quito for 9-days

• 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 6 nights.  Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.  

• 2026:  February through December from $6652
• 2027:  January through December from $7050
• See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ 

Outdoor ALASKA: Vancouver to Anchorage for 10-days

• You’ve been to ALASKA, but not like this.  If you prefer a nature walk, or sea kayaking to the souvenir shops on the pier, this is the right choice for you.  This is also a great way to check out an Expedition Cruise, not too far from home.
• Depart Vancouver, sail the Inside Passage, then to Misty Fjords, Klawock, Fjords of the Alaskan panhandle, Icy Strait Point, Glacier Bay, Valdez, Prince William Sound, and then on to Anchorage
• 2026: Departures May through July from $4521
• 2027: Departures May through July from $5299

ANTARCTICA round-trip from Buenos Aires for 12-days, with 5-days of landings

• Includes flights to/from Ushuaia (from BA) to board the ship.
• Start with an included flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, and embark your hybrid electric-powered expedition ship. Cross the Drake Passage and enjoy 5 days of scheduled landings in Antarctica before returning to Ushuaia followed by a flight back to Buenos Aires. 
• Departures October 2026 through March 2027 from $10,019

NORTHERN LIGHTS in NORWAY

• Round-trip from Tromso, for 8-days with 5 stops on Norwegian Coast
• Northern lights PROMISE.  If you DON’T see the Aurora Borealis on this journey HX will offer credit towards another cruise.
• 2026: Depart February, March, November, or December from $4233
• 2027: Depart January through March from $4666

NORTHWEST PASSAGE from Seattle to Reykjavik departing August 10, 2026 for 26-days

• Start in Seattle, then fly to Nome (included), sail around Alaska, and up the Bering Strait, enter the NW Passage, and follow the trail of intrepid explorers across Canada’s Northern Coast, spotting wildlife, and stopping at remote indigenous communities en route. Spend your last week aboard making port stops in Greenland, before disembarking in Nuuk, and flying to Reykjavik (included).
• Fares from $23,436

GREENLAND & NEWFOUNDLAND from Reykjavik to St. John’s for 18-days

• Start in Reykjavik, and then visit 2 ports in Greenland, before travelling down the Labrador coast to Newfoundland, and finish in St. John’s, from where it’s a quick flight back to the US Northeast. 
• 2026: Depart September 20 from $10,809

VIDEO RESOURCES FOR HX:

SHIP TOUR VIDEO of Roald Amundsen – the world’s FIRST hybrid electric cruise ship.  We were on board in Alaska: 

Tour of the MS Roald Amundsen – YouTube

ANTARCTICA:  There’s lots of ways to visit the seventh continent.  Here some information on MY trip there a few years ago:

https://youtu.be/3c-2TBXw6ls

DEMYSTIFYING EXPEDITION.  What’s it like?  What types of people go?  Is it right for you?: https://youtu.be/niB-OWhUSSs 

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS:  Here’s an itinerary we made after our trip there:

https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ

GALAPAGOS SNORKELING:  This is what the Galapagos Islands look like UNDER the water:

https://youtu.be/jOFrPcGFkCk

SEA CLOUD Salt Water River Cruises

If a remote trip to the polar regions sounds interesting, but you prefer warmer water, then look at Sea Cloud.  With a maximum of 136 guests, you’re going to get to the more remote places in regions you’ve already been to (like the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean), and experience it completely differently. 

MEDITERRANEAN:  Malta to Athens departing June 25 for 8-nights

• Start in the exotic Valletta, Malta to board your ship, and then travel to Syracuse and Taormina (both in Sicily), before sailing eastward to visit 4 different small (and rarely visited) island ports in Greece before finishing in Athens. 
• Fares from $7195

ABC ISLANDS: Curacao to Panama City departing February 9, 2027 for 8-nights:

• Start in Curaçao and visit Bonaire, Aruba, Cartagena, San Blas Archipelago and end in Panama City.
• Fares from $4,795

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

Uniworld operates on all the rivers in Europe with custom-built ships that reflect the area through which they sail.  Here are two itineraries with Uniworld OUTSIDE of Europe:

AMAZON Headwaters round-trip from Lima for 11-days

• 7 nights sailing on the Amazon and 3 nights in Lima. 
• Your ship, the Aria Amazon, only holds 32 guests, and there are floor-to-ceiling windows in every suite, offering unparalleled views of this pristine part of the world.
• Have lunch with a family in Lima, visit a remote Amazon village, shop at a local market, take a skiff ride at night to view nocturnal creatures, visit local artisan and craft markets, and more. 
• 2026: Depart December 2^nd from $15,749
• 2027: Departures from $12,149
• ADD: Extension to Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls

INDIA:  Ganges River Cruise for 13-days between New Delhi and Kolkata

• If the other cruise lines are sold out in India, we can still find you space on UNIWORLD.
• Few countries simultaneously fascinate and frighten travellers as much as India, so visit it in comfort while still being exposed to the things that make this country so unique.
• Visit New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra (Taj Mahal), Kolkata, Cruise the Ganges, Kalna, Matairi, Murshidabad, Baranagar, Khusbagh,, Mayapur, Chandannagar.
• Includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and internal flights. 
• 2026: Depart September – December from $7039
• 2027: Depart January – March from $7649

CRYSTAL CRUISES Small Ship Luxury

The Crystal ships were built for over 1000 guests, but they have retrofitted them to carry only 700.  You’ll notice the extra space!

JAPAN:  Hong Kong to Yokohama departing April 23, 2027 for 15-nights

• Start in Hong Kong and visit Xiamen, Shanghai, Busan, Hiroshima, Kyushu Island, Wakayama, Nagoya, and end in Yokohama (Tokyo).
• Fares from $9,900 

ITALY, CROATIA & GREECE:  Venice to Athens departing September 8 for 7-nights 

• Start in Venice and visit Trieste, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Argostoli (Cephalonia), Monemvasia (Laconia) and end in Athens.  
• Fares from $4,375

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Luxury RAIL Journeys

The scenery in the Canadian Rockies is spectacular, and can be easily added on to ANY Alaskan cruise that starts or finishes in Vancouver.  You’ll get to see world-class scenery and wildlife spotting, all while enjoying great food and wine.  There are options between 3 and 12 nights.  Here are two:

Rocky Mountain DUAL Crossing: Banff to Jasper for 5 Nights

• This is a great itinerary that is ONLY OFFERED in 2026 due to the FIFA event in Vancouver (and the shortage of hotels rooms there in June/July).  You get to cross the Rockies by rail TWICE, and see both Banff and Jasper National Parks.
• Fly to Calgary, and then spend 2 nights in Banff.  Board the train for the trip across the Rockies to Kamloops, and spend a night there.  Get back on the train to travel a different route over the Rockies to spend two nights in Jasper NP.  Fly home from Edmonton.  The scenery doesn’t get much better than this. 
• Departures in June and July from $4033. 

Circle Journey: Vancouver round-trip for 12 -nights

• If you really want a comprehensive feel for the spectacular Canadian Rockies, this is the trip for you.
• Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3-nights), Lake Louise (2-nights), Jasper (2-nights), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
• Departures available April through October from $8528

TRAVELLING in SUMMER 2026? Be READY

FIFA WORLD CUP is the largest sporting event on the planet, and it’s coming to North America this summer.  Even if you’re NOT a soccer fan, you SHOULD have this on your radar if you plan to travel (internationally or domestically) in June or July of 2026.  Here’s why:

• AIR TRAVEL domestically, as well as to/from Canada and Mexico will be very busy.
• AIRPORTS:  Even if you’re flying to Europe or Asia, domestic airports will be busy. 
• HOTELS:  If you’re trying to find lodging in a host city around game day, it will be tight. 
• SECURITY:  The security in airports and at venues will be enhanced, and slow everything down. 
• SEATTLE & VANCOUVER:  If you’re going to Alaska in June or July, book your hotel NOW.  Both these cities are hosting multiple games. 
• HOST CITIES:
  • CANADA:  Toronto, Vancouver
  • MEXICO: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
  • UNITED STATES: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle

FIFA’s impact on travel to host cities is equal to travelling to an Olympic Games. Be prepared.

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

Some of you have asked about our travel plans, and what it’s like to travel when you’re a travel advisor, so I thought I’d peel back the curtain today with some of the most frequent questions: 

Is this REALLY a job, or a hobby?

• It’s a career.  It’s a very fun job, but we treat it seriously.  
• The hobbyists in the business are called “Kitchen-table Mabels”.  There’s nothing wrong with doing travel as a side-hustle, but that’s not how we operate. 
• Bob and I met at business school decades ago which means TWO things:  We’re typically people you’d rather avoid at cocktail parties, and we run the biz professionally.

HOW MUCH do you travel?

• We normally do three international trips per year: One in the fall, one in winter, and one in spring.  We prefer to stay put in the summer months.
• We have 7 people on our team now, and all of them travel too (because that’s what differentiates us from the hobbyists, and the big call centers), so at any given time someone is usually out experiencing the world (and taking notes for our clients!).

Do you ever get tired of being on the road that much?

• YES… but it’s not a complaint.  We KNOW we’re really lucky to do this as a job, but it does get tiring if we’ve been away for a long time. 

Do you go to places you don’t like?

• NO… we’ll always make the best of it.  It’s NEVER a disaster.  However, we DO end up in places that might not be our first choice if we were planning our own vacation. 

What do YOU do that your clients DON’T do when travelling?

• TRIP NOTES.  We document costs and logistics (like airport transfers, or public transit fares for our clients).
• PHOTOS & VIDEO CLIP:  I’m the one taking photos of the train ticket kiosk at the airport!
• REPEAT PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES:  I didn’t need to go to the Sydney Opera House again… but we did.
• SHIP TOURS: Or hotel site visits or meetings with local suppliers, or tourism boards
• BATTLE MISINFORMATION:  Between on-line reviews and AI, there’s a lot of misinformation.  We want first-hand information to share with our clients.  

Where are you travelling next?

• KIM will be on the DANUBE in April checking out cruise & golf packages.
• BOB and I will be in COSTA RICA in May.
• SUMMER:  At home — except for a quick trip to Vegas in August for our trade show.
• BOB and I will be in COLOMBIA and PANAMA with AMA Waterways in September.

This is undoubtedly the best job ever for the right person, but it’s still a job, and not without its frustrations.  We still love it, and wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

In Case You Missed It:

MEKONG River in VIETNAM & CAMBODIA:  Many describe this a life-changing experience.  Here’s a bit more information about this fascinating corner of the globe: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/vietnam-cambodia-destination-focus/

GLOBAL ENTRY & Frequent Traveler programs:  If you travel abroad more than once a year, there is immense value in registering for one of the many frequent traveller programs available through Homeland Security… but which one?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/trusted-traveller-programs-which-one/

SILVERSEA:  If you like the idea of lots of space, and a butler to cater to your every whim, with tons of dining choices, Silversea operates on all seven continents.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-classic-luxury/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

SHORE EXCURSIONS with AMA WATERWAYS:  Each of the river cruise lines in Europe has their own differentiators.  With AMA, it’s an elevated culinary experience, and a choice of several included shore excursions at each port of call.  Bob chats with Kristin Karst – Brand Ambassador for AMA Waterways about how AMA’s Shore Excursions are different.

https://youtu.be/YK30TUkkueY

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities –  pending Price checks.

SILVERSEA Classic Luxury

As our featured vendor in February, we can get you additional amenities not available on direct bookings: 

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND:  New Jersey to Montreal departing October 13 for 11-days

• Start in Bayonne (NJ), and visit Newport, Cape Cod, Boston, Portland, Halifax, Charlottetown, Saguenay, Quebec City, and end in Montreal. 
• Fares from $8320

PANAMA CANAL:  Miami to Los Angeles departing December 21 for 18-days

• Start in Miami, and visit Cartagena, transit the Panama Canal, Puntarenas, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego, and end in Los Angeles. 
• Fares from $7875

NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA:  Sydney to Auckland departing December 4 for 14-days

• Start in Sydney and visit Hobart, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, and finish in Auckland. 
• Fares from $9720

CARIBBEAN:  Miami round-trip departing November 18 for 12-days

• Start in Miami and visit San Juan, St John (Virgin Islands), Gustavia, St. John’s (Antigua and Barbuda), Little Bay, St. Kitts (Basseterre), Jost Van Dyke (British Virgin Islands), and end in Miami. 
• Fares from $4960

RIVER CRUISES – AMA

AMA is on all the rivers in Europe, and those that value an elevated culinary experience and more choices for included shore excursions gravitate to AMA.  Your final payment is only 90 days in advance, too.  Here’s two suggestions OUTSIDE EUROPE:

COLOMBIA: Barranquilla to Cartagena for 7-nights

• Take in a Carnaval celebration, take a stilt-house village tour, enjoy a jazz street performance, and San Felipe Castle and Walled city tour.  Enjoy the Latin music, sample the famous coffee, and take in the tropical rainforest.
• Only a 4 HOUR FLIGHT from many US Gateways.
• Pre/post available to Medellin and/or Panama.
• Departures year round.  Pricing starts at $2999

Here’s a short video of a MOTHER-SON trip with AMA in Colombia that perfectly captures this fascinating destination:

https://youtu.be/tGbLg6R7mfI?si=YLDqAyklNozmvlM2

MEKONG River: Vietnam & Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap for 7-nights

• Visit local markets and temples, do a local school visit, get a tuk-tuk tour of Phnom Penh, and experience the amazing people, culture and food of the unique part of the world on a fully escorted trip. 
• Departures January through April AND August through December from $2299

AMA on the MEKONG.  Kim travelled with Alex Pinelo from AMA Waterways on the Mekong, and put together this video: https://youtu.be/tvA_WHOYuLo 

OCEANIA Presidents’ Day SALE

If you’re contemplating a trip to ALASKA, and want an elevated CULINARY experience, take a look at Oceania’s Presidents’ Day Sale.  

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/upgrade-sale?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser

Here’s one example

ALASKA:  Seattle round-trip departing July 2 for 12-days

• Start in Seattle and visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Wrangell, Klawock, Victoria, and end in Seattle. 
• Fares from $4,649
• This cruise will be hosted by Claudine Pepin:  President of Jacques Pepin Foundation, James Beard Award Winner, and Godmother of Oceania Sirena

TAUCK LAND CRUISES

You can’t get everywhere on a ship, so TAUCK has land tours that are structured like cruises, and are inclusive like cruise vacations:

CLASSIC ITALY from Naples to Venice for 14-days.

• Fly into Naples, and go to Sorrento for 2-nights to experience the Amalfi Coast.  Next visit the city of Pompeii on your way to Rome for 3-nights, where you’ll visit the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, and all the major sites in Rome.  Next head to Orvieto’s Duomo, Perugia in the wine region of Umbria.  Collect another UNESCO site at Assisi.  On to Tuscany to visit San Gimignano and Cinque Terre, 3-nights in Florence, high speed rail to Venice for 2-nights
• Tauck Exclusive: Learn about the masters of the Renaissance in Florence when an art historian shares insights about what you’ll see inside the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Uffizi Galleries
• Departures from April through October from $11,890

SWITZERLAND from Geneva to Zurich for one-week

• Spectacular scenery at every turn.  Start in Geneva, and then visit Lausanne for chocolate making, and a winery visit.  Next take in the Olympic Museum, and take the Golden Pass train across the Swiss Alps to Interlaken.  Spend a day in Brienz to experience rural crafts and cheese making.  Visit the “Top of the World” at Jungfraujoch, and then on to the charming old town at Lucerne.  
• Departures April through October from $7990

ATLAS Remote YACHTING EXPERIENCES

All of ATLAS’ yachts carry less than 200 guests, so they can get you into some of the smaller places, and you’ll see the larger places differently.  

ENGLAND, SCOTLAND & IRELAND:  London to Glasgow departing May 11, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in London and visit St. Malo, St. Mary’s, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, and end in Glasgow.
• Fares from $5,988

SPAIN & MOROCCO:  Seville to Casablanca departing April 16, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in Seville and visit the Guadalquivir River, Puerto Banús, Motril, Ibiza, Cartagena, Málaga, Tangier, and end in Casablanca.
• Fares From $6,293

If you’d like to visit the ARCTIC, you can also travel with ATLAS:

GREENLAND, CANADIAN ARCTIC & NEWFOUNDLAND: Departing September 21 for 17-nights

• Visit Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, and Disko Bay in Greenland, Qikiqtarjuaq, Lady Franklin Island, Monumental Island, and the Button Islands in Nunavut Territory, Saglek Fjord, Hebron, Tikkoatokak Bay, L’Anse aux Meadows, Red Bay, Norris Point and Woody Point in Newfoundland, as well as St. Pierre & Miquelon (France)  and finish in St. John’s. 
• Fares from $16,022

NORWAY – North of Arctic Circle: Longyearbyen to Oslo departing June 18 for 12-nights

• Start in Longyearbyen and visit Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Bear Island, North Cape, Tromsø, Lofoten Islands, Maloy, Skagen and finish in Oslo. 
• Fares from $8,063

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:

• $100 per person on board credit
• 6-month final payment date
• $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.

We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:  

https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32 
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

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

You may never have heard of Australia’s Kimberley Coast, but if the idea of rugged scenery, and remote exploration appeals to you, then Kimberley should be on your radar.  

WHERE IS IT?

• The north part of the state of Western Australia – between Broome (on the Indian Ocean), and Darwin (in the Northern Territory on the Timor Sea).  
• This is a LONG way from Sydney or Melbourne (although you should probably visit those places while you’re down-under).  It’s about a 5-hour plane ride between those most populated parts of Australia and the Kimberley Coast – we forget how HUGE Australia is. 

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

• It’s remote and primal: where waterfalls crash right into the sea.
• It’s not on the way to or from anywhere else… it IS the destination.  
• Australia’s Aboriginal peoples are well represented here.
• There are spectacular beaches and seaside vistas, but it’s NOT a Beach Vacation
• There are more crocodiles than people in this region!

IS IT BEST BY LAND TOUR or CRUISE SHIP?

• DISTANCE:  Bob drove between Darwin and Broome, and says it was his longest drive EVER!  It’s over 1100 miles with very little in between.  The road is now fully paved. 
• SCENERY:  The scenery will be incredible, but there will long, bone-rattling drives.
• LODGING: The accommodations on land tours of this remote area will be spartan at best.  Darwin has some nice hotels, but in the few towns you’ll find in the Australian outback, there’s not many 5-star properties. 

Given the above, the region lends itself well to cruise ship exploration.  The normal advantages of only having to unpack once, and consistent quality of accommodation and food, makes it a good choice for a cruise ship vacation.  You will also be travelling with naturalists, scientists and specialists that can help you fully understand the geography, ecology, history and culture. 

WHAT VENDORS OFFER TRIPS TO KIMBERLEY?

• SILVERSEA – One of their vessels is deployed to KIMBERLEY May through September
• SEABOURN – Seabourn’s Expedition vessel is also in Kimberley in Austral winter.
• REGENT – A traditional cruise ship experience that makes a stop or two in KIMBERLEY.
• HOLLAND AMERICA – On HAL’s itineraries that circumnavigate Australia, they stop in at KIMBERLEY.  These cruises are a minimum of one-month (Australia is HUGE!)

WHEN TO GO? 

• Dry season is May to September, when Silversea and Seabourn deploy to the region.
• In the Austral summer (November through March), the weather is still very moderate (you are at a lower latitude here), but there’s a higher chance of rain. 

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE GRAVITATE TOWARDS VISITING KIMBERLEY?

• The curious and nature lovers, that want to visit somewhere few have been.
• Previous Australia visitors that want to get to where very few others have experienced.  
• Those visiting the eastern side of Australia, may want to extend their visit, and take in the more remote Western part of the country.  

In Case You Missed It:

SILVERSEA has a fleet of 8 small-ship ocean vessels, AND 4 expedition ships – one of which is deployed to KIMBERLEY every year:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-classic-luxury/

Bob lived in Australia in 1988 and 1989 (and spent a couple of months in the OUTBACK including the KIMBERLEY Coast), and had a bit of nostalgia trip on our recent journey back to AUS:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/reconnecting-with-my-21-year-old-self/

TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS:  The promises made are very enticing, but you need to dig into the details of what the credit card company is offering to determine if it’s the best deal for you: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-credit-cards-the-devils-in-the-details/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

Introducing SEA CLOUD:  We were on board Sea Cloud Spirit a few months ago, and were blown away by the experience.  Imagine a ship the size of a river boat, with a first-class culinary experience, that can get into small ports and harbors that you’ve NEVER been to… even if you’ve been to that region several times before.  In this video, Bob chats with Kevin Smith from Sea Cloud from the deck of SEA CLOUD SPIRIT:

https://youtu.be/fy7Kfd1i3ZQ

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

SILVERSEA in KIMBERLEY

If you want to explore the SPECTACULAR KIMBERLEY COAST in style, then look at Silversea.  Silver Cloud, that only carries 250 people:

Broome to Darwin for 10 days, with departures May through August:

• Start in Darwin and visit Ashmore Reef, Wyndham, King George River, Jar Island, Hunter River Region, Buccaneer Archipelago Region, and finish in Broome.

• 2026: May through August with fares from $8,480
• 2027: July & August with fares from $8,910

Darwin to Perth for 17-days, with departures May through August

• Start in Perth and visit Abrolhos Islands, Shark Bay, North Muiron Island, Montebello Islands, Dampier Archipelago, Adele Island, Buccaneer Archipelago Region, Hunter River Region, Ashmore Reef, Swift Bay, King George River, and finish in Darwin. 

• 2026: August with fares from $15,920
• 2027: August & September with fares from $14,400

REGENT Seven Seas – All-Inclusive Luxury

Regent is the most inclusive of all the luxury cruise lines, and one of their ships visits Western Australia in the dry season

Bali to Perth departing June 2, 2027 for 14-nights

• Start in Bali and visit Lombok, Komodo, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, Geraldton, and finish in Perth.
• Fares from $7,599

Sydney to Perth departing September 20, 2027 for 24-nights

• Start in Sydney and visit Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Thursday Island, Darwin, Komodo, Bali, Lombok, Waingapu, Kupang, and finish in Perth. 
• Fares from $11,499

HOLLAND AMERICA

Australian Circumnavigation: round-trip Sydney departing November 15, for 35-days

• Start in Sydney and visit Brisbane, Alotau, Kiriwina Island, Cairns, Townsville, Torres Strait, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, Perth, Albany, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, Phillip Island, Hobart, Port Arthur, and finish in Sydney. 
• Fares from $7,024

KIMBERLEY LAND TOUR with INTREPID TRAVEL

If you’d rather visit Western Australia by land, INTREPID has an itinerary there: 

West Coast & Karijini Adventure:  Perth to Exmouth

• Start in Perth and visit Nambung National Park, Geraldton, Hutt Lagoon, Kalabari National Park, Shark Bay, Shell Beach, Carnarvon, Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Cheela Plains, Tom Price, Karijini National Park, Hamersley Gorge, Hamersley Gorge, and finish in Exmouth. 
• Departures April through September from $5,466

OTHER DESTINATIONS:

If KIMBERLEY’S not on your radar, here’s some other destinations that came across my desk this week: 

SEA CLOUD Salt Water River Cruise

If you like the size and structure of a river cruise, but want to visit destinations on the ocean, then take a look at SEA CLOUD:

Greek Isles (Athens round trip), departing July 17th/24th/or 31st 2026 (7 nights) 

• Details: https://issuu.com/seacloudcruisesusa/docs/sea_cloud_big_book_2026_/68
• Visit Amorgos, Milos, Amorgos, Nauplio, and Poros
• Brochure Price: starting at $6995 per person
• SPECIAL PRICE: From $3495 per person

Eastern Caribbean: round-trip Philipsburg departing December 6 for 8-nights

• Visit Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, Iles des Saintes, Nevis & Antigua.
• Sail the scenic Eastern Caribbean islands, and get into small coves and harbors on board the 136 guest Sea Cloud Spirit.  
• Fares from $3425

See our SHIP TOUR video here: https://youtu.be/XkhWMx4dK20 

TAUCK RIVER CRUISES

Tauck is the most inclusive of the river cruise lines in Europe.  Here are two itineraries:

GERMAN OKTOBERFEST:  Amsterdam to Munich for 10-days in September

• Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf (to visit local craft breweries), sail the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg for a beer-paired lunch, Strasbourg, Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, Lake Konstanz, and then on to Munich for 2 nights for the world’s largest festival!
• 2026: Sold Out
• 2027: Depart September 15 or 22 from $8990

PORTUGAL & SPAIN on the Douro River for one-week:

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Mateus Palace, Guimaraes.
• 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. 
• 2026: Departures April through October from $6990
• 2027: Departures April through October from $5990

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, 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 (even if you booked ON BOARD).

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

Buying a cruise:  FUN. Planning where you’ll sip cocktails at sunset? FUN. Choosing a balcony vs. a suite? FUN.  Trying to figure out the fine print of commercial terms and conditions?  NOT FUN.

“Commercial Terms” is a title guaranteed to make sure nobody reads this post, but here’s a checklist of things to consider when buying a cruise or packaged land vacation:

• DEPOSIT AMOUNT:  Can be a flat amount (Viking is $50, many others are $500), OR a percentage of the final fare (usually between 10% and 25%).
• REFUNDABILITY:  Refundable, non-refundable, or transferable.  Sometimes you can pay a non-refundable deposit for a lower up-front fare.  If you’re sure you’re going to go on the trip, this can be a great option.  
• PENALTIES:  Most often an administrative fee is incurred if you cancel before the penalty period.  Sometimes we can apply the administrative fee to another trip for you. 
• PENALTY PERIOD:  Usually between 90 and 180 days in advance of departure.  BEFORE the Penalty period, you can usually get anything you’ve paid refunded except for the administrative fee.  Between this start of the penalty period and your departure, there is an escalating scale of penalties, and in most cases, if you cancel in the last 30 days, you forfeit 100% of the fare.
• INSURABLE CANCELLATION:  Once you’re in the penalty phase, your travel insurance will cover you if you are unable to travel.  This is usually for a medical reason, but there are other circumstances where you can file an insurance claim.  To fully understand those reasons, you will need to contact the insurance company.
• FINAL PAYMENT DUE DATE:  This one has a few considerations:
  • Most vendors ask for their money between 90 days (AMA Waterways, for example), and 180 days prior to departing.  Most are 120 days. 
  • VIKING requires its money 12 to 20 months in advance of departure unless you have an existing booking in which case we can get it down to 6 months prior. 
  • It’s important to note that even though Viking is holding your money a long time in advance, the penalty period doesn’t start until 121 days prior to departure.
• DIRECT PAYMENT DISCOUNT:  This will become increasingly common in the next few years, as our banking system in the US catches up with the rest of the industrialized world (that have been using direct debit for decades).  The best known of those currently in use is Viking’s “E-Check Discount”, where they refund the credit card fee of 2% that they would have paid, and pass those savings on to the guest. 
• “PRICING FROM”:  People often become frustrated when they see pricing advertised from a certain price, but NOT on the dates they want.  When you see entry-level pricing, it is for the cheapest cabin assignment on the most off-season date.  The pricing goes up from there.  This is common practice across ALL the cruise lines. 
• FORCE MAJEURE:  This is the clause in your contract with the cruise line that outlines everything the cruise line is NOT responsible for. Nobody likes to read this stuff, but there are some important points contained in 
• VENDOR INSOLVENCY:  This isn’t all that likely but a few years ago,  American Queen went out of business, and left a lot of people in the lurch.  If you have a travel insurance policy that covers vendor insolvency, you would have been fine.
• FUTURE CRUISE CREDITS:  Sometimes the cruise lines offer insurance with a Cancel for Any Reason Clause.  Be aware if you invoke this clause, you’re not getting a refund, but rather a FCC, and there’s lots of fine print that comes with that. 
• RE-FARING due to a price drop.  Some of the mega-ship lines will drop pricing right after the final payment date (meaning they DON’T have to re-fare you).  The small ship and river cruise lines almost never have price reductions – the trend is they become MORE expensive, the closer you get to departure.  

In Case You Missed It:

TAHITI:  It’s only two hours past Hawaii, and gets a fraction as many visitors.  Here’s a bit more information about this tropical paradise:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/tahiti-off-the-beaten-track-windstar/

OUR TRAVEL:  You have asked about our travel, and where, when, and how we manage it.  A key differentiator for our team is that we’ve been to the places, and travelled with the companies that YOU go with, so that we can better advise you through your decision process:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/why-we-travel/

EUROPE by TRAIN:  Uniworld is a river cruise line, but they have several itineraries that include luxury train journeys through Europe

https://pamperedcruiser.com/train-travel-uniworld/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

SEVEN STEPS to Choosing a Cruise to ALASKA:  Northbound or Southbound?  Seattle or Vancouver? Denali NP or not?  All your questions answered:

https://youtu.be/CwWytuiuK8M

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there.  It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

SMALL SHIP CRUISING with AZAMARA

Azamara has four R-Class vessels that carry just 680 guests.  It’s an affordable way to experience a small ship.

GOLF CRUISE in JAPAN: Kobe to Tokyo departing May 6, 2027 for 14-nights

• This one is great for golfers, OR those really wanting to explore Japan. 
• Visit Kobe (overnight), Kochi, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, Nagasaki, Busan, Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Aomori, and Toyko (overnight)
• Fares from $5199 per person with a $150 per person on board credit. 
• GOLF:  5-rounds with all the logistics managed for you: $4395 per person. 

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: Sydney to Auckland departing December 4 for 15-nights

• Start in Sydney, and then visit Eden, Hobart, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch, Picton, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, and Auckland
• Veranda fares from $4849

AZAMARA fares include an open bar, gratuities, and some shore events.  For all bookings made by February 16, we can also add an additional $250 on board credit.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

Uniworld is the Boutique Hotel on the river with ships that are custom-built and decorated for the areas through which they are sailing.  Here’s two examples: 

VENETIAN LAGOON:  Venice round-trip for 8-days

• Uniworld operates a river boat in the Venice – the very best way to explore that corner of Italy.
• Explore all around Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia, Bologna). 
• Departures April through November from $2249
• Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n 

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MARKETS:  Nuremberg to Frankfurt for 8-days in November or December:

• The German’s go all-out on the Christmas Markets, and this cruise on the Main River exposes you to many different Christmas Markets in Germany.  Space for 2026 is nearly sold out, but there are a few cabins left:

• Start in Nuremberg and visit Bamberg, Kitzingen, Würzburg, Wertheim, and finish in Frankfurt.
• 2026:  Fares from $5549
• 2027:  Fares from $4589

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

With a unique entertainment concept, and incredible culinary offering, EXPLORA JOURNEYS will get you to the most interesting corners of the world in style.

SOUTH AMERICA & AMAZON: Manaus to San Juan departing February 17, 2027 for 12-nights

• Start in Manaus and visit Parintins, Alter do Chão, Macapá, Devil’s Island, Bequia, Bridgetown, Castries, Gustavia, Basseterre, and finish in San Juan.
• Fares from $9,405

EGYPT: Round-trip from Luxor departing February 19, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in Luxor (for the Valley of the Kings) and visit Ain Sokhna (for the Pyramids and Sphinx), Sharm El-Sheikh (for Cairo), Petra, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and finish in Luxor.
• Fares from $5,905

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

COSTA RICA & PANAMA CANAL:  San Jose to Panama City for 8-days

• Start in San José and visit the Osa Conservation Area, Golfo Dulce, Coiba National Park, Gulf of Panama Islets, Gatún Lake, and finish in Colón
• Departures February through March from $6,752 OR November 2026 through April 2027 from $6,111

OREGON & WASHINGTON: Columbia River from Portland to Clarkston for 6-days

• Visit Portland, The Dalles (for Multnomah Falls and fish hatchery), Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla, Palouse River.  Traverse the locks by river boat right here at home!
• Go hiking, kayaking, ride on the zodiacs, visit museums and wineries
• 2026: March/April from $3,308 OR September/October from $5670

YACHT Cruising with WINDSTAR

WINE CRUISE in SCENIC ALASKA:  Vancouver to Juneau departing May 7 for 8-days:

• Start in Vancouver, and sail up the Inside Passage to visit Ketchikan, Rudyerd Bay, Wrangell, Sitka, Tracy Arm, Haines, and finish in Juneau.
• All-Inclusive fares from $6399 with a $150 OBC (only through our agency)

MEDITERRANEAN in the WINTER: Venice to Barcelona departing January 30,  for 15-days

• Start with an overnight stay in Venice on board the ship, and then sail to Zadar, Dubrovnik (overnight), Messina, Naples, Rome, Livorno (overnight), Genoa, Nice (overnight), and finish with an overnight stay on the ship in Barcelona.  
• All-Inclusive fares from $8299

LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE

You can do it on your own, but it will be easier, and quite possibly more cost-effective if you use COLLETTE for your next land vacation OR for pre/post cruise.  Here are the trips our clients ask for most frequently with COLLETTE:

AFRICAN SAFARI:  Kenya & Tanzania for 15-days round-trip Nairobi

• See Mt. Kilmanjaro, 12-game drives to spot the Big 5, see the Farmhouse from Out of Africa, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP.
• 2026: Departures weekly from $6799
• 2027: Departures weekly from $7499

IRELAND from Dublin to Kilkenny for 15-days

• Visit Dublin, Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Donegal, Wild Atlantic Way, Fermanagh, Devenish Island, Enniskillen, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Kilkenny.
• 2026: Departures March through November from $5149
• 2027: Departures March through November from $5749

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:

• $100 per person on board credit
• 6-month final payment date
• $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.

We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:  

https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32 
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

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