Everyone should name their AI assistant.  It started with Alexa and Siri, and now we’re into the next level.  My AI assistant’s name is “Bootlicker” because even though I asked it to tone-down the flattery and obedience, it still goes out of its way to tell me what it thinks I WANT to hear, rather than what I actually NEED to hear (or, heaven forbid – challenge my thinking).

Just like social media, AI’s preference for pleasing you, is going to mess up your travel plans (and probably other areas of your life too) sooner rather than later.  

We’ve been experimenting with AI travel planning in the past year, to enable us to become faster and better at routine, transactional parts of the business so we can dedicate more time to the human interface.  Here’s what we’ve learned during that journey (and why it matters to our clients):

• Too much information is a bigger problem than not enough information.
• More information only leads to better decisions when data is converted to wisdom.
• Review sites need to be treated with extreme caution.  They are full of misinformation to the point where the Federal Trade Commission has had to step in. 
• AI will tell you what’s most popular, or what’s most commonly believed. NOT what’s true.  Sydney, Australia is a lovely place, but because most of us THINK it’s the capital of Australia doesn’t make it true (Canberra is the capital).
• We all value different things, and one person’s “best-ever” is another’s “worst-ever”.  One person complains the ship is too quiet.  Another loves the peaceful atmosphere.

How Should YOU Use AI for Travel Planning?

• Use AI to collect and organize information.  It will help you ask better questions.
• Use Google.  Watch some YouTube videos.  Ask AI questions.  Come armed with that info, and we can have a much more robust conversation about your next vacation. 
• Use your critical-brain to challenge what AI is telling you.  As a society, our critical thinking skills have atrophied.  Travel planning is a great place to recover this ability.  You’ll also have a better travel experience. 

AI should be treated like a highly capable, hard-working, reasonably smart summer student.  It’s great at rote tasks, and can probably do more difficult stuff if properly supervised.  Ultimately, ALGORITHMS DON’T TRAVEL, and they can’t advise you well on how your preferences may differ from the masses (that it is well-positioned to articulate).

Our team members have all travelled.  We’ve lugged our baggage up those charming staircases in Europe, so you can learn from our successes and failures when we’ve been out there.  

A simple thing, but not available through AI or the cruise lines’ call centers. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, Bob and Kim talk candidly about artificial intelligence, travel planning, ChatGPT-style tools, online research, misinformation, and why we believe the best travel planning combines technology with real human experience.

https://youtu.be/yo8345pdQKI

In Case You Missed It:

CRUISE MATH:  Want an apples to apples comparison when deciding on a cruise?  It will require a little bit of arithmetic.  Here’s your guide: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/cruise-line-math-assessing-the-best-cruise-value/

TAHITI:  It’s only 2-hours past Hawaii, and gets as many tourists in a YEAR, as Hawaii gets in a WEEK.  Time to check out this tropical paradise:

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

WINDSTAR Yachting Experiences.  With a maximum of 340 guests, Windstar is perfect for a small-ship, casual experience with a great culinary offering. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/windstar-a-different-experience/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

WINDSTAR’s STAR BREEZE Ship Tour.  Bob walks through Star Breeze while he and Sue were on board.  If you’re sailing on one of the BREEZE’s identical sisters: STAR LEGEND or STAR PRIDE, this video will also give you a great feel for the ship.  

https://youtu.be/VSsLmFZPqdI

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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Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid02KUfrKZBR8iTLdiTGNSiXZXt7hbEtC73i9gybHXxNJ9q8JRcUMTP8aSb7mE5HvESdl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

WINDSTAR: Casual Yachting Experiences

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.

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 $2597
• Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM 

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND: Montreal to Boston departing October 11 for 11-nights

• Start in Montreal and visit Quebec City, Gaspe, Sydney, Halifax, Portland, and finish in Boston with overnights in Sydney and Halifax.
• Fares from $7248

INTREPID Premium Guided Land Journeys

INTREPID operates small group guided land journeys on six continents.  Here’s a couple of examples: 

COSTA RICA:  round-trip San Jose for 9-days

• Costa Rica is both exotic and nearby (under 4 hours from Houston, Atlanta, or Miami). 
• See a turtle sanctuary, enjoy coffee where it is harvested, slide into the hot springs at Arenal Volcano, see the abundant wildlife in the rainforest, and take a surfing lesson in Tamarindo (or maybe just watch it!).
• Departures year-round from $4046

AFRICA: KENYA & TANZANIA from Nairobi to Arusha for 15-days

• If you’re going to Africa to see wild game… this is the trip for you.
• Start your adventure in East Africa’s Gateway of Nairobi, then head to the Great Rift Valley to see lions, hippos, and multiple species of bird.  Do a game-drive by 4 X 4 where you’ll see leopards and rhinos.  The next stop is Maasai Mara NP where you’ll meet the local tribes-people, and visit a zebra reserve, and also see elephant, wildebeest, gazelle, giraffe, and cheetahs.  Your journey continues on to Arusha where you’ll start the Tanzanian leg of your trip by 4 X 4.  Next it’s on to Ngorongoro Crater, where you’re almost guaranteed to see all the game.  Stay at Serengeti NP in a luxury tented camp.  Take an optional hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti.
• Fares from $15,370 January through October. 

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 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 $6720 on the brand new Explora III
• Denali NP extension available. 

PORTUGAL & SPAIN in Quiet Season:  Barcelona to Rome departing December 26 for 7-nights

• A great opportunity to visit Europe when it’s less busy.
• Start in Barcelona and visit Marseille, Nice, Florence, Corsica, Naples, and finish in Rome. 
• Fares from $4710

Monaco FORMULA 1:  June 3 – 8, 2027

• Explora I will be docked in Monte Carlo for 5 nights during the Monaco FORMULA 1 Race weekend.  Your cruise fare includes Grandstand Access for 3 days, and you’re docked right in town.  Use Explora 1 as your hotel for 5-nights or stay on board for a cruise:
• 7-nights round-trip from Rome from $22,875
• 12-nights from Monte Carlo to Barcelona from $25,875
• 13-nights from Rome to Barcelona from $31,875

UNIWORLD Boutique River Collection

Uniworld likes to experiment with different itinerary ideas, so here are two:

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. 
• 2027: Departures June through December from $11,949
• 2028: Departures January through December from $13,299
• ADD: Extension to Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls

Agatha Christie Itinerary:  Istanbul to Paris departing May 16 for 15-days

• Travel with Agatha Christie expert Dr. Mark Aldridge
• Start in Istanbul, and ride the Golden Eagle Danube Express train through Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Austria, and disembark in Paris.  Then board Uniworld’s riverboat for a cruise out to Normandy and back that includes Monet’s Gardens, Rouen, Versailles, and a day at the Normandy Beaches.
• Fares from $30,999

AZAMARA Small Ship Experiences

With just 680 guests, Azamara offers a great way to experience a fully-inclusive small ship. 

SOUTH AMERICA:  Buenos Aires to San Antonio departing February 17 for 21-nights

• Start in Buenos Aires and visit Montevideo, Punta Del Este, Port Stanley, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco, Puerto Montt, and finish in San Antonio, with 6 days of sailing scenic Antarctica. 
• Fares from $7159

Azamara’s COUNTRY INTENSIVE VOYAGES are fantastic if you really want to immerse yourself in a particular place.  Here are some examples:

• Chile
• Croatia
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Norway
• Scotland
• Spain

If you’d like to see AZAMARA’s full line-up of COUNTRY INTENSIVE Itineraries:

https://www.azamara.com/cruises?keywords=country-intensive

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with ATLAS 

All the ATLAS yachts carry less than 200 guests, so it’s a great way to see the polar regions up close:

GREENLAND, CANADIAN ARCTIC & NEWFOUNDLAND: 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 & Miquelon before finishing in St. John’s. 
• Fares from $15,608

ICELAND ENCOMPASSED: Reykjavik round-trip departing June 5, 2027 for 7-nights

• Circumnavigate Iceland with landings on 6-days, and cross the Arctic Circle 
• Fares from $5676

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

Many of you have asked why we don’t talk about Viking Cruises more.  Viking Cruises is our top vendor in terms of sales and number of people that travel with them on both river and ocean.  They also have a very effective direct to consumer strategy and most of you are on Viking’s mailing list, meaning you already get A LOT of info from them. 

So here’s a peek at WHAT’S NEW, and what you can expect from VIKING in the next few years:

The FUTURE is GROWTH at VIKING CRUISES:  From FOUR Ships to over 100 Ships

• Viking started in 1997 with only 4 ships, and now has over 100 vessels.
• Viking operates on 21 rivers, 5 oceans and all 7 continents.
• Viking LIBRA joins the ocean fleet in a few days, and will be the world’s first hydrogen powered, zero-emission cruise ship.  She’ll be followed by ASTREA next May. 

What’s NEW on the RIVER for VIKING CRUISES:

• OBERAMMERGAU:  The Passion Play is back in 2030, but it will sell out long before that. 
• INDIA:  Viking announced 15-day round-trip Delhi itineraries on the Brahmaputra River starting in 2027.

What’s NEW on the OCEAN for VIKING CRUISES:

• JAPAN: 2-weeks RT Tokyo with 9 port stops in Japan (overnights in Tokyo & Shimizu).
• MEDITERRANEAN:  there are 20 new itineraries that include longer combination voyages, and stops in Northern Africa and new European ports.
• UK & IRELAND:  London to Belfast with an extension to Highclere Castle for 15-days.
• There are 26 NEW Ocean Itineraries: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/specialty/new/index.html 

What’s NEW on VIKING EXPEDITION.  Viking Cruises goes to more remote places too, with their two purpose built expedition ships.  There are also TWO MORE Viking Expedition ships coming:

• NORTHWEST PASSAGE:  Round-trip Nuuk (Greenland) for 13-days.
• LONGDITUDINAL WORLD CRUISE:  Greenland to Antarctica for 81-days OR Buenos Aires to Milwaukee over 63 days.
• GREENLAND & CANADA: Toronto to Nuuk for 15-days
• Here’s a look at all the new Expedition Itineraries: https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/search-cruises/index.html 

What VIKING Cruises Does WELL:

• Consistency.  They hook people on river cruises, and then move them to ocean and expedition.  The experience and design of the ships is familiar across their huge fleet. 
• Shore-Ex in every port.  Not unusual on the River, but a differentiator on the ocean. 
• What Viking is NOT.  No kids, no casinos, and a focus on the destination – not the ship.

Viking RIVER made the brand famous.  Viking OCEAN expanded the concept to the world’s oceans.  Viking EXPEDITION brings the same approach to more remote destinations. 

Our team has travelled on Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition, and love the product, so we’re ready to help you with your Viking plans at any time. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, Bob and Kim take a closer look at Viking Cruises across all three major parts of the brand: Viking River Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, and Viking Expedition Cruises

https://youtu.be/pq6EDuLum6U

In Case You Missed It:

Our TRAVEL Moments:  Life is a series of moments and cherished memories.  Here are a few of ours that might inspire some of your own: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/bucket-list-trips-our-best-travel-moments/

MOROCCO:  A common add-on for travels to Spain & Portugal, MOROCCO has a wide diversity of things to experience and discover:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/morocco/

Travel Credit Cards:  Chasing credit card points has turned into an obsession for some.  Here’s some thoughts on the questions you should ask before you get caught up in the hype. 

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

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

We have several VIKING videos on our YouTube channel:

Viking Ocean Ship Tour:

https://youtu.be/g05LqbUNdjI

Viking Expedition Ship Tour

https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo

Viking River Ship Tour

https://youtu.be/Mxt71KvMGYY

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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Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid02CZRpyqXXkPvpfzjGzJUYyTUJc41xA5khk2MYfQEZyi2DVRQq5DWVuSmcK7tT1Wo1l

Today’s Travel Opportunities

VIKING RIVER

Viking is larger than all the other river cruise operators combined, and you probably already know many of their itineraries.  Here are some newer river cruise options:

Oberammergau – The Passion Play

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.  Viking has river cruise itineraries on the RHINE and the DANUBE 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 $8799.

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

INDIA: Wonders of India I: Delhi round-trip for 15-days departures September through April

• Start in Delhi and visit Agra, Jaipur, Guwahati, sail the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park, Biswanath Ghat, Majuli, Nimati Ghat, and finish in Delhi. 
• Fares from $9,499

Other Overlooked VIKING River Itineraries

• MISSISSIPPI RIVER: if you want to sail closer to home
• MEKONG RIVER: Vietnam & Cambodia is described by many as a life-changing experience.
• ELBE RIVER:  this itinerary operates between Berlin and Prague.

VIKING OCEAN ITINERARIES

Reservations are now open on 17 ocean ships, with Viking adding on average one new ship per year.  They operate everywhere, but here are some newer itineraries that might be of interest:

JAPAN: Tokyo round-trip for 15-days: departures May through September starting in 2028

• Start in Toyko and visit Sapporo, Aomori, Niigata, Sail the Sea of Japan, Busan, Hakata, Hiroshima, Osaka, Shimizu, and finish in Tokyo. 
• Fares from $9,999

NORTH AFRICA: Med, Malta & North Africa round trip Rome for 16-days.  

• Departures March, April, May, October & November starting in 2028
• Start in Rome and visit Valletta (Malta), Tunis, sail the Mediterranean, Algiers, Casablanca, Seville, Granada, Barcelona, Marseille, Corsica, and finish in Rome. 
• Fares from $9,999

VIKING REMOTE ITINERARIES

The idea of an EXPEDITION CRUISE puts some people “off”, but it’s really just a smaller ship to more remote locations.  Viking’s expedition ships carry only 378 guests, and will feel very familiar to Viking Ocean clients.

GREAT LAKES:  Toronto to Milwaukee for 8-days

• Traverse the Welland Canal (there are locks in North America, too!), then visit Niagara Falls, Point Pelee NP, Detroit, Alpena MI, Mackinac Island, Milwaukee (overnight).  
• Optional pre/post cruise extensions to Toronto, Muskoka Lakes (Ontario), Milwaukee, Chicago
• Departures April through October with fares from $7499

Here’s the itinerary video we make when we did the Great Lakes with Viking: https://youtu.be/uDeGzBDb0mM

If you’re “collecting” continents, or are a scenery/wildlife enthusiasts, then Antarctica should be on your list:

ANTARCTICA:  Buenos Aires round-trip for 13-days

• Start in Buenos Aires, and then fly to Ushuaia (included) to board your ship.  Traverse the Drake Passage, and have 6-days of scheduled landings on the continent, before returning to Ushuaia.  
• Optional pre/post to Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Easter Island, Atacama Desert, Patagonia, or Peru. 
• Departures November through March from $14,999

If you’re unsure about Expedition Cruising, here’s a video we made on HOW VIKING EXPEDITION IS DIFFERENT THAN VIKING OCEAN:

https://youtu.be/XlKq3ow2JrM

NATIONAL PARKS with TAUCK

Here are some ideas for travel closer to home.  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 $6690.
• 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 $8690

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.

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

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

Most of you base your cruise decisions primarily on the itinerary, but like any reasonable person, the pricing comparison DOES matter.  You’re not looking for the cheapest option, but you DO want to understand the value.  So who offers “the best cruise deal”?

The question may be straight-forward, but the answer is NOT.  This is because we all put a different value on different inclusions, room sizes, or other amenities.  So you need to do a bit of math to get an apples to apples cruise comparison, and figure out what’s best for YOU.

Here’s one very typical example.  I chose Alaska because ALL the cruise lines are there, and other than some limited variation in ports of call, they are all very similar.  The prices were current at the time of writing, but even if they change, the assessment process is still valid:

	Best Cost Veranda	Nights	Cost/Day	Notations
Crystal	$8010	11	$728
Explora Journeys	$10,360	14	$740
Oceania	$3040	7	$434 + $30 = $464	1200 Guests.  RT Seattle
Regent	$5999	7	$857	Excursions Included
Seabourn	$6498	7	$928
Silversea	$4675	7	$667
Viking	$6099	10	$610+$20+$25 = $655	Basic Excursions Included

The devil is always in the details, so here are those details for assessing best cruise value:

• NORMALIZE for ACCOMODATION:  The price is for the best priced veranda room on the ship. Some ships have less expensive window rooms.
• NORMALIZE for DURATION:  The cost per day is the most important number to look at.
• NORMALIZE for INCLUSIONS:  you need to adjust to make the inclusions even:
  • Oceania:  $30 per day is added for the full beverage package
  • Viking: $30 per day added for the full beverage package, and $20 added for tips.

ASSESSING the BEST CRUISE VALUE: 

• Best Cost per Day:  Oceania – but you are on a slightly larger ship (1200 guests). 
• In the running:  Crystal, Explora, Silversea and Viking are all fairly close in price.  Viking includes basic shore excursions (the others do not). 
• Regent: Includes shore excursions, which is fine if you would pay for them anyway.  I personally would prefer to pay less per day, and choose my own excursions.
• Seabourn:  I’m not sure why they’re so much higher than everyone else. 

In the world of small ship luxury ocean cruises, there’s not a consistent price leader, so it’s important to do some variation of the arithmetic above whenever you’re assessing options.  We’re happy to help you with this, but I would underscore again, that itinerary should be the prevailing criteria.  A great price on an itinerary that isn’t right for you, is not good value.  

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim interviews Bob about “cruise line math” — how to compare cruise fares, itineraries, cabin types, inclusions and onboard experiences so you can work out which cruise line offers the best value for you.

https://youtu.be/Z3CsML-v-dE

In Case You Missed It:

UNEXPLORED MEDITERRANEAN:  You’ve been there before, but there’s much more to learn and discover:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/undiscovered-mediterranean-why-you-should-return/

SILVERSEA:  If you’re a fan of classic luxury on a small ship, here’s a bit more info on Silversea.

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

HOW TRAVEL CHANGED ME:  Here’s a personal story from Bob about the impact his travels have had on him.  

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-travel-changed-me/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

Introducing SEACLOUD.  Kevin Smith, President of Seacloud Cruises, talks Bob through who Seacloud are, and what types of travelers are a great fit for this brand that is new to the North American marketplace. 

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

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 5, 2027 for 7-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 $6995

CROATIA’s DALMATIAN COAST:  Venice to Dubrovnik departing August 30, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Venice and visit Rovinj, Sibenik, Korcula, Hvar, Vis, and finish in Dubrovnik. 
• Fares from $7495

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!

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!

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 $10,750

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

https://youtu.be/9yqmgJqNlgw

LUXURY RAIL in the UNITED STATES:

CANYON SPIRIT:  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 $7872

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

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 $3795 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 $5055

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

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

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: Sydney to Auckland departing December 23, 2028 for 12-days

• Start in Sydney and visit Tasmania, cruise the Fjords of Milford Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, and finish in Auckland. 
• Fares from $5,749

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC REMOTE EXPLORATIONS

With NATGEO it’s always quiet season.  They put far fewer people on a vessel than other cruise lines, and they go to more remote places.  

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.  
• 2027: Departures in October from $6150

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 $7629

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

Life is a series of small moments.  Big occasions like weddings and milestone birthdays are marked with pomp and circumstance, but when you’re feeling nostalgic, and reminiscing about days gone by, it’s often the small, seemingly insignificant moments that stand out.  

We travel a lot as part of our job (it’s what sets us apart from the big travel agencies or call centers where agents seldom travel), and you will sometimes ask us about our memorable moments.  Maybe some of these memorable moments will inspire you:

• Banitsa Pastry at a Bulgarian Family’s home while with AMA Waterways on the Lower Danube.  The pastry was incredible, and we got genuine insight by visiting this family.
• Sea Kayaking by a calving glacier in Alaska.  It looks way different from the surface than from the deck of the ship, and if kayaking is not your jam, you can do it by zodiac.
• Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed in the 600 year old Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice.  Riding up the Grand Canal by water taxi was a key part of the experience.  We did this while spending a week on board Uniworld’s La Venezia in the Venice Lagoon. 
• Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey.  If you’re embarking or disembarking in Istanbul, add a couple of days to include this.  Seeing the sunrise from behind a snow-capped volcano from a hot air balloon was definitely a memorable moment.
• Louisiana State Prison at Angola while on a Mississippi River Cruise.  This might appear to be a strange choice, but this is as close to the corrections system as I’ll ever get, and it gave me a lot to think about. 
• Galapagos Islands – the whole trip was a series of unique moments, but when a Blue Footed Boobie was standing on my foot – I think that takes the cake.
• Auschwitz & Birkenau.  You visit here because it’s necessary to remember, so it doesn’t happen again.  The displays here were created in consultation with the victims and their families, and are incredibly moving. 
• Sea Cloud’s moving photo safari.  You board a zodiac, while the ship is under full sail (not nearly as scary as it sounds), and circumnavigate the sailing vessel for some incredible pictures, AND to get even closer to the sea.  
• Flight seeing with a glacier landing at Denali.  Seeing North America’s highest peak from a small plane provides unparalleled scenery (and you’re in Denali anyway!)
• Backstage at WICKED in London’s West End.  We were travelling with Luxury Gold, and they arranged a backstage tour and meet & greet with the cast.  Great for theatre-geeks. 
• Completing the Circle in Newfoundland.  About 100,000 years ago, humans left Africa.  Some turned left to Europe, others turned right to Asia, and eventually to the Americas.  About 1200 years ago, the first Europeans (it wasn’t Columbus) landed in Newfoundland, and reunited with those that “turned right”.  Newfoundland in general is overlooked for those that want to marvel in remote, rugged beauty.  At the very least visit the 9/11 Memorial at the Gander Airport. 

What are your Memorable Moments?

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this special episode of UNPACKED, Bob and Kim put the cruise comparisons and travel tips aside and share some of the travel moments that have stayed with each of them most.  The moments that surprised them, connected with local people, or changed their perspective.  There is some great inspiration for YOUR next trip contained in this podcast.

https://youtu.be/gf5O17Tu6d8

In Case You Missed It:

AIR TRAVEL COPING GUIDE.  It’s wild up there… but you need to get to your vacation, and flying is usually the way you get there:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/air-travel-survival-guide-3/

AMA WATERWAYS:  There’s lots of river cruise companies to sail with.  AMA is a great fit for those that appreciate great food, like more active options for shore excursions, and those that would prefer to pay 90 days prior to departure. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/ama-waterways-river-cruising-done-right/

TURKEY & ISTANBUL:  Don’t overlook this corner of the Mediterranean.  Turkey is a true crossroads of culture, with lots to do and see. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/istanbul-turkey/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.  If you enjoy scenery and wildlife, it won’t get much better than Galapagos.  Here’s our video blog from our trip there. 

https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ

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/pfbid02dtFoXpViboaxhAcx5NgqkVdWFG74qsKsBTRKbaecLUhUWy5pHTjTX4eZaTMe1Pcl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

European Luxury with 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!

GREECE & TURKEY: round-trip Athens departing June 28 for 7-nights

• Embark in Athens then visit the sandy beaches on Skiathos, before experiencing the most important ancient Greek ruins at Ephesus.  Chill out in Lesbos, before arriving in Istanbul for an overnight stay to explore this vibrant metropolis.  Finish in Mykonos before returning to Athens. 
• Fares from $5135

JAPAN:  Tokyo round-trip departing October 6, 2027 for 10-nights

• Start in Tokyo and visit Hakodate, Aomori, Akita, Kanazawa, Busan, and Nagoya.
• Fares from $11,810

Monaco FORMULA 1:  June 3 – 8, 2027

• Explora I will be docked in Monte Carlo for 5 nights during the Monaco FORMULA 1 Race weekend.  Your cruise fare includes Grandstand Access for 3 days, and you’re docked right in town.  Use Explora 1 as your hotel for 5-nights or stay on board for a cruise:
• 7-nights round-trip from Rome
• 12-nights from Monte Carlo to Barcelona
• 13-nights from Rome to Barcelona

RIVER CRUISES Outside of Europe with AMA WATERWAYS

COLOMBIA: Barranquilla to Cartagena (or reverse) 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.  Colombia is far more interesting, and certainly much more safe than Netflix would have you believe. 
• Only a 4 HOUR FLIGHT from many US Gateways.
• Pre/post available to Medellin and/or Panama.
• Departures year round.  Pricing starts at $3149

We’re just finishing this cruise right now, and it’s been an incredible experience.  Follow along on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pamperedcruiser 

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

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:  December from $6420
• 2027:  February – June from $7420
• 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 November 2026 through March 2027 from $9268
• Departures November 2027 through March 2028 from $10,396

ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES Yachts

All the 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 $5808

CARIBBEAN Expedition: St. John’s to Bridgetown departing October 13, 2028 for 8-days

• Start in Antigua, and then visit St. Barts, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia, the Grenadines, and then finish in Barbados.  
• You may have visited the Eastern Caribbean on a mega-ship, but this is completely different. 
• Fares From $4999

LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE

COLLETTE is a premium provider of land-cruises around the world.  Here are two examples:

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

AZAMARA Small Ship Experiences

With just 680 guests, Azamara offers a great way to experience a fully-inclusive small ship. 

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

• Start in Boston and visit Portland, Rockland, Saint John, Halifax, Charlottetown, Baie-Comeau, cruise Saguenay Fjord, Saguenay, Quebec City, Trois Rivieres, and finish in Montreal. 
• Fares from $4789

ALASKA Cruise Tour: Fairbanks to Vancouver departing May 30 for 14-nights

• Start in Whittier and visit Valdez, Cruise the Hubbard Glacier, Haines, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Klawock, Nanaimo, Victoria, and finish in Vancouver. 
• Fares from $7699

Azamara’s COUNTRY INTENSIVE VOYAGES are fantastic if you really want to immerse yourself in a particular place.  Here are some examples:

• Chile
• Croatia
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Norway
• Scotland
• Spain

If you’d like to see AZAMARA’s full line-up of COUNTRY INTENSIVE Itineraries:

https://www.azamara.com/cruises?keywords=country-intensive

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

We’ve travelled the section of coastline between Barcelona and Rome countless times. It’s always interesting, but much more so when you stumble into a village or port of call that you’ve never heard of.  For those that have travelled a lot in the MED, that should be your goal.

WHY Seek Out Off-the-Beaten-Path Mediterranean?

• The Mediterranean is not somewhere you go once, and put the tick in the box. 
• The Mediterranean has been the cradle of Western Civilization for millennia.  The history and ruins of ancient civilizations is unparalleled (and you haven’t seen them all)!
• 22 different countries have some coastline on the Mediterranean.  For example, you probably haven’t been to Slovenia, Malta, or Albania (to name a few).
• You’ve seen Greek Ruins in Athens, Roman ruins in Rome, but there’s still much more.

WHAT Makes the Mediterranean Worth the Visit for Repeat Travelers?

• Diversity of Coastal Scenery:  The largely undiscovered Dalmatian Coast. Harbors in Amalfi. Charming Greek Isles.  Deserts in North Africa.  
• Food & Wine: The Mediterranean basin is a Mecca for those seeking culinary excellence.
• Architecture from both modern and ancient cultures. 
• Markets and medinas from the North African and Eastern Mediterranean countries.
• Med cruises are “efficient”:  See a different country every day: great diversity of ports. 
• People, culture and communities.  Those living on the Med are much like us, but also very different.  There’s lots more to learn and discover. 

WHERE You Might NOT Have Visited Yet.  The Mediterranean’s Hidden Gems

• Malta:  It’s like a Medieval movie set, but with better coffee and fewer sword fights.  It’s compact, easy to explore, with both African and British Influences.  
• Morocco: A few miles from Spain, this former French colony has Roman ruins, medinas, desert camps with camel rides, and a thriving movie industry (think Game of Thrones).  
• Slovenia: Croatia’s been discovered. Slovenia’s next door, and every bit as interesting.
• Corsica (France) & Sardinia (Italy) are less frequented and more scenic.
• Albania:  Wedged between Greece and Croatia with the same natural beauty.
• Tunis:  Another former French colony in North Africa with lots to discover.

WHO Should Have the Undiscovered Mediterranean on Their Radar?

• If you’ve “been there, done that”. You’ve already visited marquis ports.  What’s next?
• Small ship people.  The mega-ships only go to mega-ports.  Explore in smaller groups.
• People that WANT fewer crowds. If you could do without thousands of tourists.

When it comes to the Mediterranean, less familiar ports may equate with being more memorable for you.  Barcelona and Rome are fantastic, but you’ve already been there.  The Mediterranean is huge… where haven’t you been yet?  Same sea… different story. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, Bob and Kim look beyond the usual Mediterranean cruise ports and explore some of the region’s lesser-known destinations—the places that can turn a familiar part of the world into an entirely different trip.

https://youtu.be/VM69Eu1xOL4

In Case You Missed It:

CRYSTAL CRUISES will take you to both the big marquis ports, AND the smaller out of the way places.  Here’s more information about CRYSTAL:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/inside-crystal-cruises-why-are-its-guests-so-loyal/

TRAVEL MISCONCEPTIONS.  We all view the world through our own lens.  Here’s some thoughts on what some of those biases may be:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/deprogramming-travel-misconceptions/

WHEN TRAVEL IS YOUR JOB.  Our trips might look a bit different than yours.  Here’s what we do when we’re away:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-travel-advisors-really-work-and-why-it-matters-for-your-next-journey/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

OCEANIA REGATTA Ship Tour.  Join Bob for a walk around Regatta.  One of Oceania’s four R-Class vessels.  If you’re a lover of these cozy ships, you’ll want to get on board soon.  Oceania is slowly phasing these small beauties out of their fleet:

https://youtu.be/Ryx1_QMD_oE

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/pfbid02HNEK6fTLNCzGAHAchHg5vEQM4DxTHy7DSkBmmbaiJNEViXp44esVWJcrQFr7YhFsl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

CRYSTAL CRUISES MEDITERRANEAN

Here’s an example of how you can stitch together Crystal Cruises to custom build your own Mediterranean Itinerary

LEG 1:  Las Palmas (Canary Islands) to Lisbon departing April 2 for 10 nights

• Start in Las Palmas and visit San Sebastian, Arrecife, Funchal, Agadir, Casablanca, Cadiz, Portimão, and finish in Lisbon. 
• Fares from $6600  

LEG 2:  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 $4400

LEG 3:  Barcelona to Rome departing April 19 for 7-nights

• Start in Barcelona and visit Saint Tropez, Monte-Carlo, Ajaccio, Portofino, Livorno, and finish in Rome. 
• Fares from $4700

LEG 4:  Rome to Athens departing April 26 for 8-nights

• Start in Rome and visit Ponza, Salerno, Siracusa, Zakynthos, Crete, Spetses, and finish in Athens. 
• Fares from $4700

LEG 5:  Athens to Venice departing May 4 for 7-nights

• Start in Athens and visit Milos, Kalamata, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, and finish in Venice. 
• Fares from $4700

Intrepid Premium Land Journeys Near the MEDITERRANEAN:

CROATIA & SLOVENIA:  Venice to Split with departures April – October for 9-days

• Discover Europe’s best kept secret:  SLOVENIA
• Start in Venice and visit Ljubljana, Lake Bohinj, Postojna Caves, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, and finish in Split.
• Fares from $6390

PORTUGAL:  Lisbon to Porto with departures March through November for 8-days.

• Start in Lisbon and visit Praca do Municipio, Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra’s National Palace, Coimbra, the Joanine Library, Douro Valley, and finish in Porto. 
• Fares from $5765

WINDSTAR Yachting Experiences

With a maximum of 320 guests, the Windstar yachts can get into places in the Mediterranean others can’t go

AEGEAN:  Athens to Istanbul via Corinth Canal departing October 2 or 7, 2027 for 11-days

• Full of History, Culture and Hidden Gems.  Includes Cappadocia (where you do a hot air balloon ride!)
• Start in Athens and visit Corinth Canal, Delphi, Santorini, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Mykonos, Myrina, and finish in Istanbul. 
• Fares from $ 7624

SPAIN, MOROCCO & CANARIES:  Malaga (Seville) to Tenerife departing October 30, 2027 for 20-nights

• Start in Malaga and visit Cádiz, Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Los Cristianos, Funchal, Porto Santo, Santa Cruz de Palma, El Hierro, San Sebastian, and finish in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 
• Fares from $12,642

OCEANIA CULINARY CRUISES

OCEANIA often does embarkation and disembarkation from marquis ports to make your air logistics easy.  In between, some of their itineraries contain undiscovered ports. 

ROME to TRIESTE departing June 11 for 7-days

• Start in Rome and visit Salerno, Messina, Valletta, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Split, and finish in Trieste. 
• Fares from $3690

BARCELONA to VENICE departing June 21 for 9-days

• Start in Barcelona and visit Provence, La Spezia, Rome, Sorrento, Catania, Igoumenitsa, Montenegro, Zadar, and finish in Venice. 
• Fares from $2380

RIVER CRUISES Near the MEDITERRANEAN

If River Cruises are more your speed, there are plenty of rivers NEAR the Med.  

TAUCK 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.
• 2027: Depart April – May or July – November from $5990
• Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon. 

TAUCK OCEAN: ITALY & CROATIA for 10 days with departures in June & September

• Start with 2-nights in Venice to see Doge’s Palace, St. Marks, and to enjoy the city scene. Then visit Murano, Korcula (Marco Polo’s birthplace), Krka NP, Split, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Rovinj.
• Visit 6 UNESCO sites across 3 countries.
• Departures in June & September from $10,590

UNIWORLD: ITALY’S VENICE LAGOON:  Venice round-trip for 8-days

• Uniworld operates a river boat in Venice – the very best way to immerse yourself in that corner of Italy.
• Explore all around Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia, Bologna. 
• 2027: Departures April through November from $2399
• Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n 

ATLAS YACHTS for Cultural and Epicurean Expeditions

These yachts carry less than 200 guests, and offer a cultural and epicurean expeditions: 

ITALY, SICILY & MALTA Naples to Valletta departing May 9, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Naples and visit Capri, Positano, Lipari (Aeolian Islands), Trapani (Sicily), Porto Empedocle, Gozo, and finish in Valletta
• Fares from $5617

AFRICA:  Mombassa (Kenya) to Capetown departing March 24, 2029 for 14-nights

• Start in Mombasa and visit Zanzibar, Mozambique Island, Madagascar, Maputo, Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, and finish in Cape Town. 
• Fares from $14,499

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.

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