How to Avoid the Biggest Flight Problems

Airlines have a well-earned reputation for poor communication, inconsistent service, confusing rules, and cramped seating.  The unintended consequence has been an impressive ability to transform a routine transportation transaction into a group therapy session at Gate B21.

The Air Travel Reality

• We always debrief our clients’ vacations and normally, the trip was great, but getting to and from their vacation is where 90 % of the negative feedback occurs. 
• The DOT reports average on-time performance of 77%… not great for tight connections.

WHY Airline Travel is Consistently a Problem

• There’s no true competition.  All they have to do is suck a tiny bit less than others.
• Poor Regulations.  In an oligopoly, consumers rely on government for regulation.  Successive federal governments for the past 50 years have failed their constituents.
• Logistics. Weather and conditions beyond the airlines’ control also have an effect.

STRATEGIES to Minimize Air Travel Pain

• Avoid Codeshare Flights.  A codeshare is when you buy your ticket through one airline (ie: United Airlines), but end up on one of their partners’ planes (Lufthansa). The most important thing to notice is “OPERATED BY”.  Here’s the problem with codeshares:
  • You probably WON’T be able to choose your seats prior to check-in. 
  • The operator controls your loyalty status, baggage rules & check-in counter
• Avoid Third party bookings (such as cruise lines, consolidators, or travel agents)
  • Third parties may buy up a block of seats, but those seats may have restrictions on them that don’t recognize your loyalty status with the airline.  Last year American Airlines declared that any seat NOT booked directly, would not have the traveller’s loyalty status recognized, nor would they accrue points.  They have temporarily backed away from this, but it’s clear which way this is going. 
  • You want as few layers as possible between you and the airline for rescheduling and credits.  Cut out the middleman in an already unpleasant transaction. 
  • Unless you’re saving A LOT of money, you’re much better booking direct, and it’s better if you’re controlling all the variables. 
• Connections: Pay for non-stop if it’s available. If a connection is unavoidable, consider your worst-case scenario.  Is there a flight every hour, or once a week?
• Get the Airline’s APP:  You’ll get better information, and rebook faster if things go awry.
• Build a BUFFER:  Arrive the day BEFORE a cruise.  It helps with jetlag too. 
• Insurance:  Check your Trip Interruption Insurance for help when things go wrong.
• Mind Your MANNERS: It’s not the ticket agent’s fault you’re in this situation, but they might be able to help you solve it.  Abuse them at your own peril. 
• DON’T BE CHEAP:  When you’re spending $20,000 on a vacation, it doesn’t make much sense to save $100 on air if it means a poor routing or connection.  That’s NOT a deal.

Air Travel has become a lot like trench warfare.  You spend a lot of time sitting in an uncomfortable position before you rush over the threshold, hoping you don’t get picked off.  A bit of planning can minimize your risk.

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob to put together a practical air travel coping guide for experienced travelers—especially those flying to Europe for cruises, river cruises, expedition trips and longer vacations.

https://youtu.be/-CIjhwbtCiI

In Case You Missed It:

SPENDING OUR KIDS’ INHERITANCE… and loving every minute of it.  How about you?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/spending-our-kids-inheritance-on-family-travel/

NATIONAL PARKS:  Spectacular by nature, and often overlooked as a vacation choice.  Here’s some different ways to experience these national treasures. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/national-parks-for-cruise-lovers-bucket-list-scenery-wildlife-easy-travel/

EXPLORA JOURNEYS:  They’re new, and with a strong focus on the culinary experience, large suites, and a unique entertainment concept, they should be on your radar:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/explora-journeys-explained-is-this-the-new-standard-in-luxury-cruising/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

EXPLORA I SHIP TOUR:  Join Bob as he walks through EXPLORA I

https://youtu.be/LHjAS0JKCQ0

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

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid02LPqQry2px3rVuZvEAhAvS3vZtuVkDqJRD7UH9SqmydUNCXVovvjJ7aCdXpPtaX3Hl?rdid=FVpYMtjxhJ4ljmTp#

Today’s Travel Opportunities

EXPLORA JOURNEYS:  European Luxury Lifestyle Experiences

Explora has huge suites, a great culinary offering, and a unique entertainment concept.  

PORTUGAL & SPAIN in Quiet Season:  Lisbon to Barcelona departing December 21 for 7-nights

• A great opportunity to visit Europe when it’s less busy.
• Start in Lisbon and visit Gibraltar, Málaga, Alicante, Ibiza, and finish in Barcelona.
• Fares from $3675
• OR stay on board for a second week, and disembark in Rome with fares from $9940

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

• Try out small ship cruising close to home.
• Start in Los Angeles and visit San Diego, San Francisco, Victoria, and finish in Vancouver from $4575
• OR stay on board for 18-nights and also visit Wrangell, Juneau, the Endicott Arm (Dawes Glacier), Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Prince Rupert with fares from $11,445

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

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

AMERICAN CRUISE LINES:  River Cruises in the United States

If you’d rather not fly overseas, here’s some options closer to home:

MISSISSIPPI RIVER: Memphis to New Orleans for 9-days

• Start in Memphis and visit Cleveland, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge, Oak Alley and finish in New Orleans. 
• Departures October through June from $4610 per person 

COLUMBIA & SNAKE RIVERS:  Portland OR to Spokane WA departing in November for 8-nights

• Start in Portland and visit Astoria, Kalama, The Dalles, Pendleton¸ Lewiston, and finish in Clarkston. 
• Fares from $6390 with complimentary air. 

ACL includes pre-cruise hotel night, gratuities, open bar, and shore experiences.

SEACLOUD Sailing Yachts

You don’t have to be a sailor to enjoy SEACLOUD.  If you prefer a river boat experience to a megaship, and love great food and wine, then you’re a great fit for SEACLOUD

CARIBBEAN:  Bridgetown (Barbados) round-trip departing December 7, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Bridgetown and visit Port Elizabeth, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Saint-Pierre, Cabrits, St. Lucia, and finish back in Bridgetown. 
• Experience the Caribbean completely differently than the mega-ships do it. 
• Fares from $6495

FRANCE & ITALY:  Nice round-trip departing May 4, 2027 for 7-nights

• Beat the crowds and the heat, and visit ports you’ve never seen before in the Med.
• Start in Nice and visit St. Tropez, Viareggio, Portofino, Calvi, Menton, and finish back in Nice. 
• Fares from $7995 

Oberammergau – The Passion Play with VIKING

Every ten years since the 1630s, the residents of this small Bavarian town put on this play to give thanks for being spared from the Bubonic Plague in the 17^th Century.  Your next chance to see it will be in 2030, but it will sell out long before that.  Here are TWO Viking River Cruise itineraries that include Oberammergau and tickets to the Passion Play:

Oberammergau, Innsbruck & the Rhine from Amsterdam to Munich for 13-days

• Board your ship in Amsterdam, and visit Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach and Basel.  Next transfer to Innsbruck, and then to Oberammergau for 2-nights where you’ll see the Passion Play.  Finish in Munich for 2 nights.  
• Optional land extensions to Amsterdam, Belgium, Munich or Prague.
• Departures May to September 2030 from $8299.

Oberammergau & Salzburg on the DANUBE: Oberammergau to Budapest for 12-days

• Start with 2-nights at Oberammergau where you’ll see the Passion Play, and then head to Salzburg for 3-nights.  Next board your river boat in Passau, and visit Linz, Wachau Valley, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava and finish in Budapest (overnight).
• Optional land extensions to Munich, Prague, Budapest or Croatia/Slovenia.
• Departures May to September 2030 from $7999.

Additions to normal ship inclusions:  5 or 6 hotel nights (dependent on itinerary), transfers, admission to the Passion Play, and an included excursion at each land stop.  

Learn More HERE:  https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/specialty/oberammergau/index.html 

AZAMARA Small Ship Experiences

Remember Pacific Princess?  She’s now Azamara Onward, along with her three identical sisters 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: 

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)
• Verandas are currently priced at $8519, but we’ve blocked 2 more staterooms available for $7409.  Once these two sell, they’re gone.   
• GOLF:  5-rounds with all the logistics managed for you: $4395 per person. 

NEW ENGLAND & QUEBEC: Boston to Montreal departing October 4, 2027 for 12-nights

• Start in Boston and visit Portland, Rockland, Saint John, Halifax, Corner Brook, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Sept-Iles, cruise Saguenay Fjord, Saguenay, Quebec City, Trois Rivieres, and finish in Montreal. 
• Saguenay, Havre Saint Pierre, and Saint John all are near National Parks
• Veranda fares from $6379

TAUCK Luxury Land Journeys

UNITED KINGDOM: England, Scotland & Wales from Edinburgh to London for 14-days

• Start in Edinburgh for 2-nights, and then move on to the Lakes District.  Next visit the walled city of Chester before moving on to Wales to experience Caernarfon and Conwy.  Visit Shakespeare at Stratford upon Avon, and then to Blenheim Palace and Oxford.  Next, it’s over to Bath and a visit to Stonehenge, before finishing in London for 3-nights. 
• 2027: Departures April through October from $10,690

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 $8590

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC REMOTE EXPLORATIONS

If you’re a photographer, or otherwise just someone that enjoys seeing more remote places that others don’t get to, then NATGEO is a good fit:

WHALE WATCHING in Baja California round-trip from Loreto for 8-days

• Experience the best of the Sea of Cortez.  Get up close encounters with gray whales; do zodiac tours in search of dolphins, sea lions and whales; go snorkeling to see the sea life; go for a walk in Espiritu Santo Archipelago NP; go bird watching for Blue-Footed Boobies and other species.  
• Departures January through March from $7000

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 November 2026 through April 2027 from $6228

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 probably remember CRYSTAL CRUISES from their first iteration.  They went bankrupt during the pandemic and were resurrected from the dead by Abercrombie & Kent along with Manfredi Lefevre D’Ovidio (of SilverSea and Sitmar Cruises fame).  They are definitely back:

WHAT CRYSTAL CRUISES Does So Well

• FEWER GUESTS.  The 2023 refurbishment reduced capacity : Crystal Serenity used to carry over 1000 guests, and now has 730.  Crystal Symphony carries only 600.
• SPACE:  As a result, your room will be larger, and there is more public space, and a near-absence of line ups on board. 
• REFRESHED RESTAURANT options:  BEEF BAR and UMI UMA by Nobu, are world-famous land restaurants that are included in your fare on Crystal Cruises. Osteria d’Ovidio by the Michelin rated Alajmo brothers from Italy, is a new addition to your inclusive dining. 

• PRE & POST cruise options: The ownership by A & K comes through MOST strongly here.  On many voyages you can do luxury pre or post cruise packages with A&K.
• SERVICE:  A butler for every room, and service ship-wide is polished and thoughtful.
• NEW BUILD.  Crystal’s ocean fleet has been limited to two ships for over two decades.  There are 3 more ships on order of similar size, crew and guest complement as Serenity.

Where Do CRYSTAL CRUISES Sail?

• They aren’t in the polar regions, but are everywhere else.  
• Crystal Cruises does long and short legs — so NOT everyone is coming and going the same day.  You can stitch together segments to create your own itinerary. 

Why are Crystal Cruises clients SO loyal, and what are the cherished aspects of the brand?

• CREW:  All the cruise lines say this, but Crystal Cruises is clearly doing something right: it managed to get 90% of the crew to return after a two-year hiatus.
• ITINERARIES:  Crystal schedules its itineraries with a series of 6 to 10 day itineraries that don’t repeat ports, so you can stitch together an itinerary that works best for you.
• BUTLERS in every suite – this personalized service is available to everyone on Crystal. 
• GUEST to CREW Ratio:  Crystal has only 1.1 guests to every crew member.  

Who’s a Good Fit for CRYSTAL CRUISES?

• People that like attentive, intuitive service with butlers.
• Those that value space where the staterooms feel more like luxury hotel suites.
• GOLFERS:  There’s a PGA Pro on every sailing, and lots of golf-related shore excursions.
• Those that like ALL-INCLUSIVE.  You are given the choice of what to spend on shore excursions.  Everything else is included in your base fare. 
• People that prefer LAND JOURNEYS.  The A&K partnership will appeal to non-cruisers.

I was incredulous when A&K decided to resurrect this brand.  I thought it was badly damaged during the pandemic, and that they had old ships that wouldn’t appeal to people.  I was very clearly wrong… they must be doing some things very well to inspire such loyalty by past guests. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

Why do Crystal Cruises guests keep coming back—and what makes Crystal different from other luxury cruise lines?

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob to take a closer look at Crystal Cruises, including Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, and explain why this revived luxury cruise brand has developed one of the most loyal followings in cruising.

https://youtu.be/OL3kfpF-NS8

In Case You Missed It:

HOW TO CHOOSE A RIVER CRUISE LINE:  There’s lots of choices (particularly in Europe).  Which one is best for YOU?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-do-you-choose-a-river-cruise-line/

COACHING YOUR YOUNGER SELF?  Bob found himself contemplating the advice he’d give his younger self on a trip back to AUSTRALIA – where he lived and worked for a while as a young guy:

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

JAPAN:  The interest and demand for JAPAN sees no signs of abating.  So — what’s the best way to see it?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/japan-destination-focus/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

CRYSTAL SERENITY SHIP TOUR: Walk around Serenity with Bob:

https://youtu.be/QPyVijoO8Nk

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

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0FEVJ22j2qowiNSUG4RVKcVXwnUmnSZGFfo2wHL4JdJ12JXWo5d2fRBDoR2zfrDTWl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

CRYSTAL CRUISES – The Luxury of Space

CRYSTAL deploys their ships around the world, and you can stitch together itineraries without repeating ports.  Best of all, they have the highest space per guest in the industry.

ALASKA: from Vancouver to Seward departing June 7 for 7 nights 

• Start in Vancouver, and cruise the Seymour narrows, visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, the Hubbard Glacier, and finish in Seward. 
• Fares from $3900

SOUTH AMERICA: from Buenos Aires to Santiago departing November 11, 2027 for 18-nights

• South America ENCOMPASSED!  Visit Uruguay, Puerto Madryn, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas (overnight), 2-days in the Chilean Fjords, and then 4 port stops in Chile before finishing with an overnight in Santiago. 
• Fares from $10,600

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

• Start in Hong Kong and visit Xiamen, Shanghai, Busan, Hiroshima, Kyushu Island, Wakayama, Nagoya, and end in Yokohama (Tokyo).
• Fares from $10,000 

NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA: Auckland to Brisbane departing March 3 for 15-nights

• Visit Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Lyttleton, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Melbourne (overnight), Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane.
• Fares from $12,100
• OR stay on board for 29-nights, travelling up the Australian East Coast towards Bali, and stop in at Airlie Beach, Cairns (overnight), Papua New Guinea, Darwin, and Komodo Island before arriving in Bali for an overnight stay for an additional $9400.

ICELAND, SCOTLAND & NORMANDY:  Reykjavik to Le Havre departing August 21 for 7-nights

• Start in Reykjavik and visit Faroe Islands, Kirkwall, Edinburgh, and finish in Le Havre. 
• Fares from $5400  

PORTUGAL & SPAIN: Lisbon to Barcelona departing April 12 for 7-nights

• Start in Lisbon and visit Gibraltar, Motril, Alicante, Valencia, Porto Mahon, and finish in Barcelona. 
• Fares from $3,800
• Or stay on board for 14-nights, and also visit Saint Tropez, Monte-Carlo, Ajaccio, Portofino, Tuscany, and finish in Rome with a fare from $7,700

PACIFIC RIM:  San Diego to Vancouver departing January 8 for 139 nights 

• Circumnavigate the Pacific: Start in San Diego and visit the Mexican Riviera, Central America, the Pacific Coast of South America, the South Pacific and Polynesian Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Alaska, and finish in Vancouver.
• Fares from $76,200

CRYSTAL has the most loyal clientele in the industry, and is working hard to attract new clients: 

• STATUS MATCH:  If you’re a loyalty member on one of Crystal’s competitors, Crystal will offer 5% OFF for new guests.
• REFERRAL DISCOUNT.  If you’re previous Crystal guest, and you refer someone else, those new-to-Crystal guests get 5% off their cruise AND you get the equivalent discount off YOUR next Crystal Cruise.

ABERCROMBIE & KENT – Luxury Land Vacations

A&K offers luxury land experiences all over the world, many of which are designed to pair with a CRYSTAL CRUISE.

ALASKA LAND:  Fairbanks to Anchorage with DENALI for 9-days

• Start in Fairbanks, pan for gold and learn about Alaskan indigenous culture, and take deluxe dome rail car to Denali National Park for a guided hike, board a helicopter for a glacier landing, Valdez to paddle a glacial lake, cruise amid ice blue glaciers in Prince William Sound, and finish in Anchorage.
• Fares from $12,495

COSTA RICA:  Family Journeys round-trip from San Jose for 10-days

• Explore in comfort and style, and take along kids or grandkids in a private group.
• Waterfalls, volcanoes, snorkelling, kayaking, jungle walks, coffee plantations, horse back riding, bird watching, surfing, nocturnal jungle walk, whale watching:  It’s ALL available in Costa Rica.
• Fares from $7595 per person

UNIWORLD Boutique River Collection

Uniworld likes to experiment with different itinerary ideas, so why not try a train and riverboat experience in ITALY:

ITALY by Train & Riverboat:  Sicily to Venice departing September 7, 2027 for 13-days

• Start in Taormina and visit Ragusa, Palermo, Maratea, Verona, Venice, Mazzorbo, and Chioggia
• Fares from $22,799

TULIP CRUISE:  Amsterdam to Antwerp for 10-days

• Start in Amsterdam and visit Zaandam, Hoorn, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Ghent, and finish in Antwerp. 
•  Departures March through April from $3999

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX

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
• 2027: Departures May through July from $6153

OR – if you prefer a warm-water destination: 

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS and Quito for 7-days

• 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 5 nights.  Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.  

• 2027:  January through December from $5442
• See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ 

A NOTE on ETAs?

ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATIONS (ETAs) are already in place for many countries, and there will be more.  We get lots of questions about these, and they are really NOT a big deal.  IT IS NOT A VISA. 

COUNTRIES / REGIONS REQUIRING ETAs for US Passport Holders:

• Australia
• European Union – ETIAS (implementation delayed indefinitely)
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)

THE PROCESS

• Go to the website of the government of the country you are visiting, and download their official APP.  There are lots of knock-offs, so make sure you’re using the official one
• Answer the required questions.  You’ll need your passport number, and you’ll be asked about the purpose of your trip, and some other questions.
• Pay the fee.  This is usually around $20 USD (New Zealand is more).

VIDEO RESOURCES

We’ve documented our experience when applying for these ETA’s

• United Kingdom: https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk

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

Many of you will contact us asking for help “spending our kids’ inheritance”.  It’s often intended as a joke, but more often, people hesitate with this idea of spending savings on travel.  Much like you, Bob and I try to strike the right balance, so here’s a window in our world. 

Bob’s dad once told him and his brothers that when he and Bob’s mom were gone, there would only be debts to settle.  There was a small inheritance, but Bob now understands his dad didn’t want to deprive his sons the satisfaction of achievement and making their own way in the world.  

So now Bob and I are trying to figure out the balance between enabling our kids (and grandkids) and ticking off things on our own bucket list.  

The STATS on Inheritance and How it Relates to Multigenerational Travel

Apparently, we’re not the only ones struggling with this issue:

• Handoff of generational wealth.  In the next 20 years, somewhere between $30 Trillion and $100 Trillion will be handed down.  That number is too large to fathom. 
• The dilemma:  People are WAY behind on their bucket list.  A Talker Research survey found only 10% of people have completed the amount of travel they thought they would have by this stage of life.  20% are embarrassed by their LACK of travel. 
• Travel is Necessary:  72% say travel has a positive effect on emotional well being. 
• Multi-Gen and Family Travel. An AARP study found adults over 50 are travelling at a frequency well above pre-pandemic norms, with multi-gen trips leading the way. 

What We’ve Learned About Making Travel Memories with our Kids and Grandkids

Here are some things that we are doing to attempt to strike the balance:

• We send our kids/grandkids plane tickets. My younger self wouldn’t have considered this, but tomorrow’s memories have become my most prized possessions today. 
• Travel as a LIVING inheritance. You should use your life’s savings to live YOUR life.  If you feel guilty, then invite your kids and grandkids along.
• Cruises & Land Tours: Ocean cruises have long been great for multi-gen groups, but there are also products like TAUCK Bridges if you want to explore away from the water.
• We Create Memories:  a tent camp in the Sahara, snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands, missing a train in Italy, or swimming in cenotes in Mexico. These stories will last much longer than any THING we could buy our kids or grandkids.  

We’ve gotten our heads around the fact that as soon as we die, our kids are going to get rid of all our stuff.  The dining room sets and wedding china are all going to good will, because my “prized possessions” are not theirs.  

So… that leaves memories.  I want to make sure my kids and grandkids have plenty of them.  The best part is by creating these memories with them, I get to enjoy my own experience AND create a legacy for them.  

It’s double value… seems like a pretty good return on my life’s savings.

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

Is it wrong to spend money on travel instead of saving everything for your kids?

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob about a phrase many of our clients say jokingly—but sometimes with real emotion behind it: “We’re spending our kids’ inheritance!”

https://youtu.be/XqtOuTOCl-E

In Case You Missed It:

WATER LEVELS on the RIVERS IN EUROPE:  It’s been a wild summer.  What can YOU do if you have a river cruise scheduled?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/river-cruise-low-water-explained-rhine-danube-what-happens-next/

COLLETTE Premium Guided Land Journeys.  You can’t go everywhere on a ship, so here’s a look at land-cruises with one of our preferred partners. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/collette-guided-vacations/

EGYPT:  Despite all the geo-political headwinds, interest in travelling to Egypt remains at an all-time high.  Here’s more information on planning your trip there. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/egypt-its-time-to-experience-it/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

TAHITI:  What a great place for a tropical multi-gen trip!  Hawaii gets as many visitors in a week as Tahiti does in a year, and Tahiti is only about 2 hours further by plane.  Here’s our video blog from when we visited this island paradise:

https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM

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

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0WU6wwTtXtQDY8MvoMg66GxvhTPMdrNxzHrtdDByZ1FUipvbpeuDs9wPh3Bs1efAxl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

AMA WATERWAYS on the RIVER

If you’d like to travel with kids or grandkids, then here are two trips where they’ll learn WAY more than in a lifetime of social studies classes: 

PARIS & Normandy round-trip Paris departing September – December for one-week

• Experience the museums and chic-urban scene in Paris, and learn about the Allied Landings at the Normandy Beaches.  
• Visit Les Andelys, Le Havre, Honfleur, Normandy Landing Beaches, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Vernon, Paris (overnight). 
• Optional 2-night Paris Extension
• 2026:  Depart September through November from $4099
• 2027:  Depart March through December from $3129

EGYPT for 11-nights (4 nights Cairo and 7-nights on the ship)

• See the Pyramids and Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum (with King Tut’s room), Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and a Nile Felucca ride. 
• 2026:  Departures September – December from $6469
• 2027:  Departures year-round from $5839

If you’re looking to travel in 2026, AMA still has some space left, and we can get you additional on board credits.

YACHTING Experiences With WINDSTAR

If you want to travel with kids, but can’t stand the idea of a floating amusement park, then how about a water-sports platform for the kids, and an elevated culinary experience for the adults?

With a maximum of only 342 guests, it’s only a bit larger than a river boat, and as a member of the James Beard Foundation, you’ll enjoy the elevated culinary experience.

CARIBBEAN:  San Juan round-trip departing November 29 for 14-days

• Warm weather escapes, Island Hopping, beaches

• Start in Puerto Rico, and then spend the next two weeks visiting US Virgin Islands, Gustavia, Brasseterre, St. Maarten, Great Harbour, British Virgin Islands, St. George’s, Bequia, Mayreau, Les Saintes, and Marigot.  
• Fares from $9474

TAHITI:  Papeete round-trip departing week for 7-days

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

• Fares from $2676
• Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM 

LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE

Here are two multi-gen favorites to explore with kids or grandkids:  

ITALY: Rome and the Amalfi Coast for 10-days

• Stay in Rome for 3-nights to visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and just to enjoy the sidewalk vibe in Rome.  Then on to Amalfi, for coastal townships, beaches, Sorrento,  and Pompeii.
• Optional Pre and/or Post in Florence and/or Naples
• 2027: Departures March through November from $3599.

CITY SPOTLIGHT on Washington DC for 6-days

• Visit the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, White House, National Mall, and other monuments and museums, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Arlington National Cemetery, Alexandria, Mount Vernon.
• Departures March through October from $2699

SILVERSEA TRADITIONAL LUXURY

We’re HOSTING a cruise with Silversea in the British Isles!  Set sail with KIM from our office, or maybe go golfing with her husband, Jed:

BRITISH ISLES:  London round-trip departing August 14 for 11-days:

• Start in Southampton, and then visit Falmouth (Cornwall, England), Fishguard (Wales), Belfast, Liverpool, Invergordon (for Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands), Edinburgh, Dover, Honfleur (France, for the Normandy Landing Beaches). 
• Optional golf package with Perry Golf
• Featuring the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Fares from $8700, and a $200 per person on board credit as a thanks for joining us!  Can’t wait to meet you all in person!

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 $11,610

SOUTH AMERICA & PANAMA CANAL: Santiago to Miami departing March 5 for 18-days

• Start in Santiago, and then visit Arica, Lima, Guayaquil, Panama City, full daylight transit of the Panama Canal, Cozumel, and finish in Miami. 
• Fares from $11,635

Here’s our latest ship tour video of Silversea’s SILVER NOVA:

https://youtu.be/9yqmgJqNlgw

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES

If you want to get to the POLAR REGIONS in comfort and style, here are two suggestions.

ANTARCTICA:  Buenos Aires to Ushuaia departing February 19 for 11-nights

• Start in Buenos Aires, then take an included flight to join the ship, and traverse the Drake Passage.  There are 7-days of scheduled landings, before returning to Ushuaia
• Fares from $21,499

GREENLAND, CANADIAN ARCTIC & NEWFOUNDLAND: Departing September 13, 2027 for 17-nights

• Start in Nuuk, visit 4 ports in Greenland, then call in at 5 ports in the Canadian Arctic before heading southbound down Iceberg Alley off the coast of Labrador and Newfoundland.  Experience L’anse aux Meadows where the first Europeans landed in North America (500 years before Columbus) and stop in at North America’s only French Territory at Saint Pierre before finishing in St. John’s. 
• Fares from $17,564

OCEANIA:  Small-Ships.  Great Food.

Oceania offers a shore excursion credit on every cruise, so that guests can make their own choices about shore activities.  

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND:  New York to Montreal October 13, 2027 for 12 days

• Start in New York and visit Boston, Portland, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Gaspe, Sept-Iles, Saguenay, Quebec City, and finish in Montreal.
• Fares from $4,999

UK & IRELAND: London round-trip departing May 27 for 12-days

• Start in London and visit Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Belfast, Liverpool, Cork, Falmouth, and finish back in London 
• Fares from $5,580

Your Oceania fare includes SPECIALTY DINING, GRATUITIES, WIFI, and a choice of a SHORE EXCURSION CREDIT or BEER/WINE with meals.

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

Your bucket list probably contains a series of overseas adventures: a river cruise in Eastern Europe, an African Safari, or a cruise around Japan.  Don’t overlook some of the spectacular destinations we have on THIS continent.  It’s ironic that the Europeans come in droves to experience United States National Parks, when we often overlook them.  

WHY a US National Parks Vacation?

• There are 63 National Parks & more than 400 sites covering 85 million acres in 50 states.
• Each park has its own personality, and there might be different motivations to visit.  
• National Parks Tours can include glaciers, geysers, red rock canyons, forests, deserts, waterfalls, volcanoes, coastlines, and scenery to meet any taste. 
• California has 9 National Parks; Alaska has 8; and Utah has 5.  
• President Grant designated Yellowstone as the FIRST US National Park in 1872.
• The largest US National Park is Wrangell – St. Elias in Alaska, and it is larger than the 8 smallest states combined!  That’s a lot of wilderness!
• The most-visited US National Park is Great Smokey Mountains NP in North Carolina.

Ways to Visit American National Parks

• Do-It-Yourself:  Road trip!  Could be fun, but the logistics of timed entry reservations, accommodation, parking, crowds, and driving distances should be on your radar.
• National Parks Luxury Tours:  We call them land-cruises, but there’s a disappointing lack of ocean in most of them. They manage logistics.  You marvel in the majesty of it all.
• National Parks Tour by RAIL – Great for the 5 NPs in Utah, and Moab is your hub.
• Underscoring all of this is figuring out what experience is going to be best for you, and then matching you to the appropriate experience in our National Parks.

WHO National Parks Tours are Perfect For:

• Outdoor people… but you don’t have to be one.  Some people like to hike to the floor of the Grand Canyon and go camping.  Others stand on its rim and marvel at its beauty. 
• Photographers, as well as scenery and wildlife lovers. 
• National Parks Passport Holders.  I was introduced to the National Parks Passport a few years ago in Denali.  I aspire to get my passport stamped at all 63 National Parks!
• Those wanting a contrast to urban travel experiences that are about man-made moments and historical sites, with what Mother Nature has created closer to home. 

ALSO – Canada is right next door, and they have 48 National Parks whose combined area is even bigger than the US National Parks.  Many of those NPs are right near the US border too!  

US National Park Vacations offer some of the most impressive natural travel experiences available in the world.  They are vast, varied, beautiful, and really easy to underestimate.  Best of all: no passport, no jet lag, no forex.  Just extraordinary landscapes, thoughtfully planned.

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

Are National Parks only for serious hikers, campers, and rugged outdoor travelers? Not at all.

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob about why U.S. National Parks deserve a serious look from travelers who love scenery, wildlife, photography, well-planned itineraries, and meaningful bucket-list experiences.

https://youtu.be/RwY_GzvrUvI

In Case You Missed It:

TAUCK TOURS:  If you want to take a premium guided land journey to the National Parks in the US or Canada, the Tauck has lots of options for you… with the best available accommodation. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/why-tauck-tours-are-different/

DYNAMIC PRICING:  The cruise lines are changing their pricing practices.  Here’s what you can do about it: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/cruise-dynamic-pricing-explained-why-waiting-can-cost-you/

MULTI-GEN TRAVEL:  The National Parks are on the list of places we want to share with our grandchildren.  Perhaps this will give you some other ideas of how to connect with your own grandchildren:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/only-18-summers/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

GREAT LAKES with VIKING:  If you’d like a bucket list trip close to home, but prefer a cruise option, here our video blog from when we travelled the GREAT LAKES with VIKING:

https://youtu.be/uDeGzBDb0mM

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

NATIONAL PARKS with TAUCK

You COULD explore our National Parks on your own, but why not let someone else take care of all the details.  Here’s a summary of TAUCK’S itineraries to our National Parks:

• Canyonlands — Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Zion, March to October from $5290.  
• Death Valley & Joshua Tree – from Las Vegas to San Diego for one week from $6390.
• Yellowstone & Grand Teton – Jackson to Rapid City (also includes Mt. Rushmore) for one week from $5390.  
• Canyonlands & Arches NP – from Salt Lake City to Denver for 1-week from $7990.
• Sequoia & Yosemite – RT from San Francisco for 1-week from $7290.
• Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, & Canyonlands – from Grand Junction (CO) to Las Vegas for 10-days from $8390

Because of Tauck’s long-term relationships and partnerships within the parks, you’ll stay at hotels and lodges INSIDE the parks, and you’ll visit the must-see places at the best time of day and with fewer crowds. Tauck takes care of all the details, so there’s no planning, no organizing… and best of all, no driving.

Learn more about visiting the National Parks with Tauck here: https://www.tauck.com/tours-and-cruises/national-parks?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser

LUXURY RAIL to the NATIONAL PARKS

CANYON SPIRIT:  National Parks with Moab from Salt Lake City to Denver for 5-nights

• Start in Salt Lake City and visit Moab, Canyonlands NP, Arches NP, Glenwood springs, and finish in Denver. 
• Departures April through November from $7444

CANYON SPIRIT: 5 National Parks from Las Vegas to Denver for 5-nights

• Visit Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonland National Parks, and then hop on the luxury train for two days to Denver.  The rail journey includes an overnight at Glenwood Springs where you can visit the hot springs.  
• Departures April through November from $10,999

CANYON SPIRIT LUXURY RAIL In-Person Events

If you’d like to learn more about CANYON SPIRIT and its cousin ROCKY MOUNTAINEER in Canada, then let us know and we’ll register you for one of these in person events: 

• September 15:  Sun City West AZ
• September 17: Novato CA
• September 23: Thousand Oaks CA
• September 28: Cleveland OH
• October 1: Naperville IL
• October 5: Kansas City MO
• October 7: Des Moines, IA
• October 8: Milwaukee WI
• October 13: Boston (North) MA
• October 13: Philadelphia PA
• October 14: Boston (South) MA
• October 15: St. Louis MO
• October 20: Charlotte NC
• October 22: Minneapolis MN
• October 22: Danville CA
• October 27: Scottsdale AZ
• October 29:  Nashville TN

COLLETTE Premium Guided Land Journeys to the NATIONAL PARKS

South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore & the Badlands for 7-days

• In this tour, you are stationed in Rapid City, South Dakota, where you hub and spoke numerous sites. 
• Learn about Native American Lakota and Sioux culture. Visit Mount Rushmore, Badlands NP, see Kevin Costner’s Tatanka, and do wildlife spotting and scenery by jeep safari in Custer State Park.  Visit the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Indian Museum, and the Geographic Center of the Lower 48.  
• Departures May through October from $3199

NATIONAL PARKS of AMERICA from Phoenix to Rapid City, SD for 12-days.

• Visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, Buffalo Bill Center, Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument, Lake Powell.  
• Departures May through October from $5699 per person. 

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Today’s OTHER Travel Opportunities

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Remote Explorations

Here are some places NEAR National Parks if you are a photographer, or just like scenery and nature.

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: September/October from $4778

PACIFIC NORTHWEST: US San Juans & Canadian Gulf Islands for 8-days round-trip Seattle

• Visit Victoria BC, Desolation Sound for kayaking and hiking, Alert Bay for First Nations immersion, the Gulf Islands to visit quaint communities, Friday Harbor for the Whale museum, and other islands in Puget Sound. 
• This corner of the country is a well-kept secret.  Visit remote islands to see the sea lions, eagles, humpback and orca whales.  Go for a bike ride in Victoria; kayaking, zodiacs, and paddleboarding in remote bays.  
• 2026: Departures in October from $5061
• 2027: Departures in October from $6150

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

If you’re looking for an elevated culinary experience, and a unique entertainment concept, all while enjoying a luxury small ship experience, then Explora is worth looking at.  The entry level room is a 380 square foot veranda – bigger than the suites on the mega-ships!

ALASKA:  Vancouver to Anchorage departing July 16, 2027 for 7-nights

• Visit Tongass and Kenai Fjords NPs.  Optional post-cruise extension to Denali NP.
• Start in Vancouver and visit Ketchikan, Prince Wales Island, Sitka, Juneau, sail past Hubbard Glacier, and finish in Seward.
• Veranda Fares from $6055 on the brand new Explora III
• Denali NP extension available. 

PORTUGAL & SPAIN in Quiet Season:  Lisbon to Barcelona departing December 21 for 7-nights

• A great opportunity to visit Europe when it’s less busy.
• Start in Lisbon and visit Gibraltar, Málaga, Alicante, Ibiza, and finish in Barcelona.
• Fares from $5565
• OR stay on board for a second week, and disembark in Rome with fares from $10,850

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

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

AZAMARA Small Ship Experiences

Remember Pacific Princess?  She’s now Azamara Onward, along with her three identical sisters 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: 

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)
• Verandas are currently priced at $10,089, but we’ve blocked 2 more staterooms available for $7409.  Once these two sell, they’re gone.   
• GOLF:  5-rounds with all the logistics managed for you: $4395 per person. 

NEW ENGLAND & QUEBEC: Boston to Montreal departing October 4, 2027 for 12-nights

• Start in Boston and visit Portland, Rockland, Saint John, Halifax, Corner Brook, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Sept-Iles, cruise Saguenay Fjord, Saguenay, Quebec City, Trois Rivieres, and finish in Montreal. 
• Saguenay, Havre Saint Pierre, and Saint John all are near National Parks
• Veranda fares from $6379

SEA CLOUD Salt-Water River Cruise Experiences

You may have been to these places before.  This time see them up-close, and get to where larger ships can’t take you.

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 $7995

IRELAND, ENGLAND & FRANCE: Dublin to Honfleur departing July 6, 2027 for 6-nights 

• Start in Dublin and visit Cork, Scilly Islands, Dartmouth, Guernsey, and finish in the Normandy Village of Honfleur.
• Fares from $6855

REMEMBER:  On ANY SEACLOUD sailing, we can offer an additional $50 per person, per day on board credit to spend on Spa Treatments, an elevated Shore Experience, OR a great bottle of wine!

RIVER CRUISING with TAUCK

Tauck is the MOST inclusive of the River Cruise Lines in Europe, and have 35% fewer people on the same sized ship as competitors.  

TULIP CRUISE: Amsterdam to Brussels for 9-days

• Visit Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, the Hague, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, Keukenhof Gardens, Enkhuizen, Amsterdam (overnight). 
• Departures in March and April from $5790

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!
• 2027: Depart September 15 or 22 from $8990

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

If you were in Europe this summer, you saw it firsthand.  There’s not much water in some of those rivers.  If you’ve got a river cruise planned in Europe, you’re wondering what to do next.  Here are some thoughts:

WHY is Low Water Happening on Europe River Cruises?

• The situation was caused by an unusual winter with very little snowpack in the Alps, followed by a dry spring.  European river cruise low water levels are controlled by locks and reservoirs, but when the shortage of water is this acute, they can’t do much.
• River boats have shallow drafts, and can operate in shallow water, but there are limits. 
• The Rhine River and Danube River had the most river cruise disruptions due to low water this summer.  Those two rivers are also the most frequented by river cruisers.
• River Cruises in France, Spain and Portugal were not impacted to any significant degree. 
• This year had historic low water.  2022 was the last year for river cruise disruptions. 

Low Water River Cruising: HOW Itineraries Are Affected

• When rivers become too shallow the ships can’t pass, so contingencies are put in place.  
• Some embarkation and disembarkation ports were adjusted.  Others visited certain ports of call by motorcoach.  In some cases, ship swaps were required. 
• In extreme cases, people were booked into hotels, or their trips cancelled outright. 

WHAT OPTIONS did Booked Guests Have on Low Water River Cruises?

• The logistics of contingency plans is really impressive.  However, it means you’ll be experiencing something different than was in the brochure.  
• There has been some variation in guest options depending on the cruise line, and the degree to which the itinerary had to be adjusted.
• Some guests were offered a good will gesture of a future cruise credit if their itinerary was significantly adjusted.  The river cruise lines were very clear that it is NOT compensation (they don’t control the weather), but rather an incentive to travel again.
• Some were able to cancel outright for a future credit, or in some cases a full refund.

What Should Guests Scheduled Soon or for 2027 Do if they’re concerned about Low Water?

• The situation is ever-changing, and as such contingency plans are usually put in place 7 – 10 days prior to departure.  So you won’t hear anything until close to game day. 
• If you’re travelling in 2027, then statistically the odds are for NO itinerary adjustments.
• If you’re really worried about 2027, avoid late summer and early autumn (although most years these cruises operate just fine).
• Buy Cancel-For-Any-Reason insurance.  You WON’T get a refund, but it will offer a future cruise credit if you decide the modifications are too significant.

Rivers are living, changing waterways, and there’s no doubt that Mother Nature is always in charge.  A river is still one of the best ways to explore Europe, and summer is a reminder that we work around nature – not the opposite. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob about what river cruise travelers need to know about low water levels in Europe, especially on the Rhine and Danube rivers.

https://youtu.be/pqbqEiIb7KU

In Case You Missed It:

HX EXPEDITIONS will take you to the remote corners of the world.  “Expedition” is a poor description of these cruises – they are for curious souls that want to go where others don’t. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/hx-remote-cruises-for-curious-souls/

MEKONG RIVER in Vietnam and Cambodia is often described by our clients as a life-changing trip.  Here’s more information.

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

TRAVEL HACKS:  You approach vacation a bit differently when you’re in the travel biz.  Here are some of the “hacks” we use to get the most from our vacations:

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

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

The GALAPAGOS ISLANDS should be on everyone’s bucket list.  When you go, you’ll experience plants and animals on land AND in the sea.  Here’s what it looks like beneath the water:

https://youtu.be/jOFrPcGFkCk

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

You DON’T have to be an elite athlete to do an EXPEDITION CRUISE.  You DO need to be curious about more remote places on the planet.  If you love scenery and nature, both these destinations should be on your bucket list: 

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:  September through December from $6787
• 2027:  Year-round departures from $7358
• See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ 

ANTARCTICA round-trip from Buenos Aires for 12-days, with 5-days of scheduled 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 $10,024

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:

HAWAII:  Visit 3 different islands over 10-days:

• Start in Oahu and visit the city of Honolulu, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor Waikiki.  Then move onto the Big Island for Volcanoes NP, Honaunau Bay, and Kona.  Then finish in Kahului on Maui.
• Includes 14 meals, a luau, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, and Volcanoes NP admissions. 
• Departures year-round from $5399
• Pre-trip extension in Honolulu, and/or post-trip extension in Maui available.

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, and Serengeti NP.
• 2027: Departures weekly from $7999

SILVERSEA Classic Luxury

If you like butlers, fine dining and the classic luxury touches, here’s some ideas from Silversea:

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND:  Montreal to New Jersey departing September 13^th, 2027 for 11 days. 

• Start in Montreal and visit Quebec City, Charlottetown, Halifax, Portland, Boston, Cape Cod Canal Transit, Newport, and finish in New Jersey. 
• Fares from $6050. 

ENGLAND, SCOTLAND & IRELAND:  Southampton round-trip departing July 9, 2027 for 12-days

• Start in Southampton and visit Portsmouth, St Peter Port, Falmouth, Fishguard, Liverpool, Greencastle, Dundee, and Dover (London).
• Fares from $9300

Here’s our latest ship tour video of Silversea’s SILVER NOVA:

https://youtu.be/9yqmgJqNlgw

RIVER CRUISES with AMA WATERWAYS

If you’re looking to travel in 2026, AMA still has some space left, and we can get you additional on board credits.  Here are two ideas: 

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. 
• 2026: Departures October through December from $2749
• 2027:  Departures January through April and August through December from $1929

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

PROVENCE, FRANCE:  Lyon to Marseille for 7-nights

• Visit Lyon (overnight), Vienne, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles (overnight).  Experience farm to table food, wineries, Roman Ruins, and the French countryside.
• 2026: Departures October through December from $3099
• 2027: Departures March through December from $3229
• Here’s our video from when we did this cruise:  https://youtu.be/H2rBL8J7DIU 

OCEANIA – A la Carte Luxury on a Small Ship

Oceania has an elevated culinary experience, and you can choose whether you prefer included beverages or a shore excursion credit. 

JAPAN: Tokyo round-trip departing March 21, 2027 for 10-Days

• Cherry Blossom Season!
• Start in Tokyo, and then visit Hokkaido, Niigata, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Busan, Nagasaki, and Shimizu
• Fares from $5199

Miami to Panama City departing January 5 for 10-days

• Start in Miami and visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, Harvest Caye, Santo Tomas, Roatan, Puerto Limon, the Panama Canal, and finish in Panama City.
• Fares from $3760 

Montreal to LA departing October 10, 2027 for 32-days

• Start in Montreal and visit Quebec City, Saguenay, Sept-Iles, Havre Saint Pierre, Corner Brook, Sydney, Halifax, the Royal Naval Dockyard, Nassau, Miami, George Town, Cartagena, the Panama Canal, Puntarenas, Puerto Quetzal, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, and finish in Los Angeles. 
• Veranda fares from $13,749

Your Oceania fare includes SPECIALTY DINING, GRATUITIES, WIFI, and a choice of a SHORE EXCURSION CREDIT or BEER/WINE with meals.

WINDSTAR YACHTING EXPERIENCES

If you like a smaller ship, with a casual atmosphere, then here’s some ideas from WINDSTAR.  If you’re a FOODIE, WINDSTAR is a member of the James Beard Foundation.

TAHITI:  Papeete round-trip departing week 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 $3586
• Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM 

ICELAND: Round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-days

• Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
• 2027: Depart July or August from $3775

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