When can I have the duck and watermelon salad at Red Ginger again?  Is the French Onion soup better at Toscana or at Jacques?  The fresh-baked almond croissant or the pain au chocolate with my espresso?   These are the questions that plague me when I travel with OCEANIA.  

We’re running a private sale with OCEANIA this month, so here’s a bit more info about them:

ABOUT OCEANIA

• Oceania currently has 8 ships operating, with a few more coming soon.
• There are 4 SMALL ships carrying around 1200 (Allura, Marina, Riviera, Vista).
• They have 4 SMALLER ships carrying 680 (Insignia, Nautica, Regatta, Sirena).
• Oceania clients tend to gravitate towards one series of ships over the other based on their personal preferences. 
• There are lots of changes coming to their future fleet!  Stay tuned for more details. 

HOW OCEANIA DIFFERENTIATES:

• CULINARY:  Oceania has long differentiated on an elevated food and wine experience. 
• MARKET POSITION: between the premium cruise lines and the luxury lines.
• INCLUSIONS:  Specialty Dining, Gratuities, WIFI, and your choice of beverage package or shore excursion credit.  
• ADULTS ONLY:  Only those over 18 are welcomed aboard. 
• OVERNIGHT STAYS and DESTINATION IMMERSION:  They stay longer in port. 

WHO TRAVELS with OCEANIA

• FOODIES: Those that appreciate lots of choice of high-end dining experiences.
• CASUAL:  Luxury touches without the pretense or formal nights. 
• PREMIUM CRUISERS that take a mini-suite or higher on Celebrity, Holland America or Princess, but are looking for a smaller ship experience. 
• Those not wanting the amusement park attractions of the mega ships. 

WHERE OCEANIA GOES

• 6 CONTINENTS.  They are strong in Europe and North America, but they go everywhere.  
• WORLD CRUISES:  ranging between 127 and 244 days. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

• OCEANIA has developed a loyal following amongst travellers who value a strong culinary experience, and are looking for something higher end than is available on the mega-ships.  
• PRIVATE SALE:  For the month of June, we can get you the BOOK on BOARD price that offers 5% off almost all their itineraries.  World Cruises are excluded.  

PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of Dream Travel Share UNPACKED, we break down one of the most misunderstood cruise lines in the industry: Oceania Cruises.  Also hear about Kim & Bob’s personal experiences while they’ve been on board Oceania ships.

https://youtu.be/6j6K11ZfC98

In Case You Missed It:

WE TRAVEL.  Find out why this important to our clients, and where our team is going this year:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/we-dont-just-sell-travel-we-live-it/

TRAVEL INSURANCE:  You SHOULD have it, and you’ll get the best advice from an insurance professional.  Here are the questions you should ask:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/our-advice-about-travel-insurance-2/

AMERICA’S COASTLINES:  Don’t overlook these destinations close to home: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/us-coastal-cruises-the-best-cruises-youre-not-thinking-about/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

OCEANIA Playlist

We’ve got lots of videos on our YouTube about our experiences with OCEANIA.  You’ll find:

• Ship tour videos of REGATTA, RIVIERA and VISTA
• Itinerary videos of GREECE/TURKEY and NORWAY
• Oceania’s culinary program video

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVGQsl6hgtmLc2mb3UcfIPAT

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/pfbid021VQTXpLqMsAbjgBmmfLsajQr2ZvxJYqSV2trgxGyjGw9vCGwbzMG7r6gxX2NbHKjl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

OCEANIA CRUISES Small Ship Experiences

If you’re buying higher end cabins on Celebrity, Holland America or Princess, but would prefer a smaller-ship experience with an elevated culinary experience, then look at OCEANIA:

ALASKA:  Vancouver to Seattle departing May 13, 2027 for 11-days

• Start in Vancouver and visit the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Sitka, Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords, Skagway, Juneau, Wrangell, Klawock, Victoria, and finish in Seattle.
• Fares from $3,690

CARIBBEAN:  Miami round-trip departing November 25 for 12-days

• Start in Miami and visit Charlotte Amalie, Philipsburg, Gustavia, Fort de France, Pointe a Pitre, St. John’s (Antigua), British Virgin Islands, and finish in Miami. 
• Fares from $4,590

MEDITERRANEAN:  Rome to Barcelona departing November 7 for 10-days:

• Start in Rome and visit Pompeii (Naples), Messina (Sicily), Valletta, Trapani, Tunis, Cartagena, Valencia, and finish in Barcelona. 
• Fares from $5,049

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND:  Montreal to New York departing October 17 for 11-days

• Visit Quebec City, Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Iles, Havre Saint Pierre, Corner Brook, Halifax, Sydney, and Saint-John.
• Fares from $6,525

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

• Cherry Blossom Season!
• Start in Tokyo, and then visit Hokkaido, Niigata, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Busan, Nagasaki, and Shimizu
• Fares from $4,699

ICELAND round-trip Reykjavik departing July 4, 2027 for 10-days

• Visit 8 ports in Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands
• Fares from $4,099

NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA:  Auckland to Sydney departing January 24 for 14-days

• Visit Rotorua, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Timaru, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Hobart, Melbourne
• Fares from $5,499

SOUTH AMERICA & ANTARCTICA: Santiago (Valparaiso) to Buenos Aires departing February 14 for 21-days:

• Start in Valparaíso, Puerto Montt, Castro, Puerto Chacabuco, Laguna San Rafael, Chilean Fjords, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, Port Stanley, Puerto Madryn, and finish in Buenos Aires. 
• Fares from $6,599

BALTIC SEA:  London round-trip departing June 8, 2027 for 14-days

• Start in London and visit Skagen, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Visby, Berlin, Aarhus, and finish back in London. 
• Fares from $5,499

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX

Here are two cost effective trips to some of the remote corners of the planet: 

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:  July through December from $6753
• 2027:  January through December from $6753
• 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 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 $9567

UNIWORLD Boutique RIVER Collection

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

VENETIAN LAGOON:  Venice round-trip for 8-days

• Uniworld operates a river boat in the Venice – the very best way to explore that corner of Italy.
• Explore all around Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia, Bologna. 
• Departures April through November from $2099
• Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n 

AMAZON Headwaters round-trip from Lima for 11-days

• 7 nights sailing on the Amazon and 3 nights in Lima. 
• Your ship, the Aria Amazon, only holds 32 guests, and there are floor-to-ceiling windows in every suite, offering unparalleled views of this pristine part of the world.
• Have lunch with a family in Lima, visit a remote Amazon village, shop at a local market, take a skiff ride at night to view nocturnal creatures, visit local artisan and craft markets, and more. 
• 2026: Depart December 2^nd from $16,349
• 2027: Departures from $12,599
• ADD: Extension to Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls

LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE in the UNITED STATES

MACKINAC ISLAND:  Detroit to Chicago for 9-Days

• Start in Detroit, and then travel through Michigan to the scenic and historic Mackinac Island (with a two-night stay at the iconic Grand Hotel), visit Bay City, Frankenmuth, Dearborn (Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village) and finish in Chicago. 
• Departures April through October from $3899

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 $2749

TRAVELLING in JUNE or JULY?

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

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

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

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

Between sensationalized TV news reports, and State Department advisories designed to minimize government liability, it would be easy to never leave home again.  So what do you do?  

You shouldn’t ignore these sources, but you shouldn’t treat them as the gospel, either.  BOTH are motivated by other interests, and if you identify that bias, it helps you frame the information so that it might be useful.  TV news is designed to sell advertising — not to provide impartial, contextualized information.  Government advisories are designed to limit the government’s liability if you DO run into trouble when abroad. 

ALSO – if you’re looking to dial your risk to zero, you need to bubble wrap yourself, and never leave your home, and hope it doesn’t catch fire.

THE PROBLEM:  IDENTIFYING THE SITUATION:

• TV “News”:  The bias is towards sensationalism, and they ONLY report exceptions.  They don’t generally offer much context for their headlines.
• STATE DEPARTMENT Advisories:  The bias towards protecting themselves from risk of litigation if they fail to disclose any and all hazards abroad.  It’s extremely cautious.  
• GEOGRAPHY.  Know where you’re going, and its proximity to war zones.  Amsterdam is a long way from Tehran.  

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Seek out information from people that are on the ground in your destination.  Ideally those people are other travellers with a similar risk tolerance to you. 
• If a cruise line is running a trip, they have already made a risk assessment.  They are very risk averse, and don’t want to put clients in harm’s way. For example, we’ve recently seen cruise lines divert AWAY from Dubai due to the conflict in Iran.
• Know your cancellation terms.  Your decisions may be contingent on your penalties. 
• INSURANCE:  Fear of travel is not an insurable reason to cancel a trip, so if you’re within the penalty period, there’s not much you can do.  If you have a Cancel For Any Reason Clause in your insurance, you’ll get a future travel credit.  You won’t lose anything, but you won’t be getting a refund either.

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

• You’ll never dial the risk to zero, so figure out your risk tolerance, so you can be comfortable when travelling abroad.  
• An important signal is whether the cruise lines and tour operators are still doing trips in the area.  They have a strong incentive to keep their clients out of harm’s way. 
• Assess the information you’re getting from the media and government.  It’s much more nuanced than the headlines indicate. 
• Travel advisories and media reports are pieces of a much larger puzzle. You need context, nuance and perspective to make sense of them.

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of the UNPACKED PODCAST, Kim & Bob tackle one of the biggest questions we get from clients:  “IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL?”

https://youtu.be/e9sY9OGTpcQ

In Case You Missed It:

AVOIDING TRAVEL DISASTERS:  Stuff happens when you’re on the road.  How do you minimize the chances of such things ruining your trip?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-disasters-and-how-to-avoid-them/

CRYSTAL CRUISES:  Crystal has the most loyal cruise clients in the industry.  Here’s why:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/crystal-whats-new-whats-cherished/

VISITING the UK & IRELAND:  This is a favorite destination amongst our clients, and you can visit by ship, or by Premium Land Package Journey.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/uk-ireland-destination-spotlight/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

CRYSTAL SERENITY SHIP TOUR:  Bob takes a walk around Crystal Serenity, and points out why it’s a client favorite. 

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!

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

SEA CLOUD Sailing Yachts

If you like the size of the ship, and the rhythm on a river cruise, you’ll love SEA CLOUD.  

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 $3995

SPAIN:  Palma de Mallorca to Malaga departing October 25 for 8-nights

• Start in Palma de Mallorca and visit Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia, Cartagena, and finish in Málaga. 
• Fares from $4565

CLIMBING THE RIGGING:  You can’t do this on any other ship:

https://youtu.be/iyRxhlBPGj0

CRYSTAL CRUISES:  Luxury of Space

Crystal has the highest space per guest in the industry, with ships originally designed to carry over 1000 modified to carry just 700.  

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 $10,200

ALASKA:  Anchorage to Vancouver departing August 1 for 7-nights

• Visit Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Wrangell, Ketchikan.
• Fares from $3900
• OR go round-trip Vancouver on August 8, for 9-nights and also visit Klawock, Prince Rupert and Victoria from $4380.

LUXURY RAIL Vacations with CANYON SPIRIT

This is the perfect way to take in the incredible scenery in Colorado, Utah, and the surrounding National Parks:

Denver to Las Vegas for 5-nights with 5 National Parks:

• Denver, Glenwood Springs, Moab (2), Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas
• Departures available April through October from $5163

Denver round-trip for 7-nights with 4-Days on the Rails

• Denver, Glenwood Springs, Moab (for 3 nights), Glenwood Springs, Denver
• Departures available April through November from $4638

RIVER CRUISING with TAUCK

Tauck is the MOST inclusive of the River Cruise Lines in Europe, and they have some availability left in 2027:

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!
• 2026: Sold Out
• 2027: Depart September 15 or 22 from $8990

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS – Atlas

NORWAY & ICELAND:  Longyearbyen to Reykjavik departing July 10, 2027 for 10-nights

• Get NORTH of the Arctic Circle, and experience the midnight sun, the Greenland Sea, and urban Reykjavik
• Start in Oslo, and then take an included charter flight to board your ship in Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean.  Spend 3 days spotting whales, polar bears, and other wildlife in coastal Norway before heading across the Greenland Sea.  Make 3 stops in remote parts of Iceland before finishing your trip in Reykjavik.  
• Fares from $9504

GREENLAND & NEWFOUNDLAND: Nuuk to St. John’s departing Sept 13, 2027 for 17-nights

• Fly from New York, and home from Canada while still experiencing the spectacular Arctic scenery and wildlife
• Start in Nuuk (with a direct flight from New York), and then carry on to 4 more ports in Greenland, 4 stops in the Canadian Territory of Nunavut, 6 stops in Newfoundland & Labrador.  Next visit the French colony of St. Pierre/Miquelon, and finish in St. John’s, Newfoundland – a short flight back to the United States. 
• Fares from $16,832

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

For several years, Bob was the only NON-Brit working for British Energy in Philadelphia.  He recounts stories of his British colleagues asking him for local travel advice, as they explored North America.  They were on two-year assignments and by the end of their tour had seen more of North America than Bob had.  So today, we’ll chat about exploring our own back yard.

We’ve talked before about the Caribbean cruises, and Alaskan Cruises, so today is about the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, and why they’re overlooked as vacation destinations. 

WHY THE PACIFIC AND THE ATLANTIC COASTS SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR

• The logistics are easy.  If you have to fly at all, it will be relatively short.
• There’s lots to DO and SEE.  It’s different than going abroad, but not boring. 
• Check out a new ship or brand.  If you’re unsure if a product is right for you, check it out on a shorter cruise closer to home. 

THE ATLANTIC COAST

• History:  Our history in North America may be shorter than elsewhere, but the area in and around the St. Lawrence Seaway has much of it.
• French not English?  You know Canada is part French, but if you want to know why the rest of North America isn’t, go to the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City.
• Fall Colors.  The Northeast and St. Lawrence Seaway region attracts visitors from all over the world to witness this annual natural spectacle.
• Canada/New England Cruises.  Usually Montreal or Quebec City to Boston or NYC.
• Southeast Cruises.  There are increasing numbers of itineraries that include the Carolinas, North Florida, and the Inland Waterway. 
• Bermuda.  If you want to truly relax, without much distraction, these cruises are great.

THE PACIFIC COAST

• Scenery:  The Pacific Northwest is different than the Northeast, but every bit as scenic.
• Wine Cruises:  Besides California, there’s lots of wine to be found in Oregon, Washington, and even British Columbia.
• Hawaii:  You have to like sea-days (these cruises are at least 15-days), and go round-trip from either California or Vancouver. 
• Mexican Riviera:  Retrace the Love Boat’s routing between Southern California and the Pacific Coast of Mexico. 

WHO WILL LIKE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC COASTAL CRUISES?

• Those wanting a QUICK GETAWAY, or those that prefer NOT to fly across an ocean.
• Those that appreciate spectacular SCENERY.
• Those wanting to try a ship or cruise line that are new to them. 

If you’re looking to vacation close to home, but not be focused on umbrella drinks and beaches, then take a look at Coastal Cruises.

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode, we break down U.S. coastal cruises — one of the most overlooked (and surprisingly great) ways to travel. From Canada & New England to the California Coast, Bermuda, Hawaii, and beyond, we walk through what these itineraries are really like, who they’re best for, and when to go.

https://youtu.be/6QNDqahDzj4

In Case You Missed It:

EXPLORA JOURNEYS was launched three years ago, and has brought a new concept to luxury small ship cruising.  Here’s a bit more info: 

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

5-YEAR TRAVEL PLAN:  You need to migrate things from your BUCKET List to your NEXT List.  Here’s how:

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

MISINFORMATION in TRAVEL:  Algorithms DON’T travel, but they sure like to influence how and where YOU travel.  Here’s some ideas on how to use AI effectively when planning travel:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-planning-in-the-age-of-ai-how-to-separate-facts-from-internet-noise/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

Join Bob for a walk around EXPLORA I, and see why it’s different than other cruise ships.

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!

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AMERICA’S COASTS:  Today’s Travel Opportunities

EXPLORA JOURNEYS  — European Luxury Lifestyle

A COASTAL CRUISE is a great way to try out this newer brand without having to fly across an ocean.  Here’s an option on each coast:  

CANADA & EAST COAST:  Quebec City to Miami departing October 15 for 10-nights

• Start in Quebec City and visit La Baie (Saguenay), Sept-Iles, Sydney, Halifax, New York City, and finish in Miami.
• Fares from $5495

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

• Start in Los Angeles and visit San Diego, San Francisco, Victoria and finish in Vancouver. 
• Veranda fares from $4860
• Get out in Vancouver OR carry on to Alaska OR take the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff.

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

NatGeo will get you all the remote corners of the world, but here are two close to home the PACIFIC Coast: 

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 $3561
• 2027: Departures in October from $6150

LAND CRUISES with TAUCK

Here’s how to explore some coastal areas WITHOUT a ship:

SOUTHEAST US from Jacksonville to Charleston for 8-days

• Visit St. Augustine, Jekyll Island, Savannah, Beaufort.
• Departures March through December from $5290

NEW YORK to WASHINGTON for 12-days

• New York (dinner at ONE World Observatory, Walking tour of Manhattan, 911 memorial, Central Park), Valley Forge NP, Philadelphia (early access to Museum of American Revolution, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell), Amish Country in Lancaster, Gettysburg National Military Park, Harper’s Ferry, Charlottesville, Jefferson’s Monticello, Richmond, Williamsburg, George Washington’s Estate, Washington DC (National Mall, Early Access to National Archives to see Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights)
• 2026: Departures May through December from $6,990
• 2027: Departures March through May and September & December from $8,190
• Click here for more details: https://www.tauck.com/tours/freedom-footsteps-philidelphia-washington-dc-guided-tour?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser

YOSEMITE, SEQUOIA, & SAN FRANCISCO for 8-days (John Muir’s California)

• Start in San Francisco and visit Muir Woods and Sausalito, The Central Valley to Sequoia National Park, Land of Giants & Moro Rock in Sequoia, Yosemite National Park and more. 
• Departures May through October with fares from $7,290

OTHER TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

If you’re looking to go further afield, here are some suggestions:

AZAMARA Small Ship Experiences

Remember Pacific Princess?  She’s now Azamara Onward, along with her three identical sisters carry 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)
• Fares from $5,439 
• GOLF:  5-rounds with all the logistics managed for you: $4395 per person. 

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN: Rome to Barcelona departing October 31, for 7-nights

• Start in Rome and visit Florence and Pisa, Monte Carlo, Nice, Provence (Marseille), Palamos, and finish in Barcelona.
• Veranda Fares from $3359

YACHTING with ATLAS on Cultural Expeditions

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

SPAIN & PORTUGAL: Las Palmas to Lisbon departing April 27, 2027 for 10-nights

• Start in Las Palmas and visit Canary Islands, Agadir, Casablanca, Tangier, Seville, Portimão and finish in Lisbon. 
• Fares from $5,019

NORTHERN EUROPE:  Dover to Oslo departing May 23, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in Dover and visit Amsterdam, Harlingen, Kiel Canal, Wismar, Copenhagen, Skagen and finish in Oslo. 
• Fares from $6,599

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 $5,437

RIVER CRUISING with AMA Waterways

If you’ve already travelled extensively through Europe, or done a few river cruises, consider the LOWER DANUBE through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania:

EASTERN EUROPE: Budapest to Bucharest departing for 7-nights

• Start in Budapest, and then travel the Lower Danube River through Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania before finishing near Bucharest. 
• Optional extension to Transylvania/Dracula’s Castle and Bucharest.
• 2026: Departures March – December from $3,179
• 2027: Departures March – December from $2,929

Here’s our video from when we did this trip:  https://youtu.be/-OhF7PSrj0c 

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

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

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

JAPAN & ALASKA Repositioning Cruise On VIKING OCEAN with FREE AIR

• Vancouver to Tokyo departing September 23 for 23-nights
• You won’t find a lower cost per day on Viking than this, but we have to place a courtesy hold for you by May 17.  
• Start in Vancouver, and then visit 6 ports in Alaska, AND take in 3 scenic cruising days.  Next, cross the date line and spend 2 days in Sapporo, and finish with 2 days in Tokyo on board the ship. 
• Veranda Fares from $5999 with FREE AIR

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 have told us one of the reasons you book your travel with us, is because we’ve been to the destinations, and we’ve experienced the products that you want.  So today, I thought I’d offer a window as to where our team members are travelling this year, and how that benefits you. 

FIRST: An instructional story from the road:  Bob and I were in Rome a while ago, and decided to take the train out to the cruise ship port.  Knowing Europeans are generally better at public transit than we are, it seemed like a good idea that quickly became a bad idea.  First, Rail Italia was threatening to go on strike (a frequent occurrence in Italy).  Then, just 10 minutes before departure at Rome’s Termini Train station, the track had still not been announced.

What I learned from this (for our clients) is that for €120, a car service is probably a better way to get to the port – particularly if you’re carrying a lot of luggage.  So learn from our errors!

I have no doubt, there will be more lessons learned this year, as we and our other team members make journeys to these places:

• ROCKY MOUNTAINEER in the Canadian Rockies.  The journey between Vancouver and Calgary on this luxury train, is one of the world’s most scenic outings.
• GOLF CRUISE with AMA Waterways on the Danube River on AMA Magna.  Magna’s not like any other river boat, and you’ve been asking about this golf itinerary.
• COSTA RICA for a Premium Guided Land Journey.  Rainforest walks, wildlife, beaches, coffee plantations, volcanoes… it’s all here, and not too far from home. 
• CANYON SPIRIT Luxury Rail Experience through Colorado and Utah is a great way to experience several of our National Parks through some incredible scenery. 
• CARIBBEAN CRUISE with Celebrity.  This isn’t a common itinerary amongst our clients, but it’s still great to have some first-hand knowledge of this close-to-home option. 
• COLOMBIA with AMA Waterways with pre-cruise in Medellin and post-cruise in Panama City.  AMA’s the first river cruise company on the Magdelena.  Stay tuned for our report!
• NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM with TAUCK:  Historic cities, gardens, and lots of canals!  It’s also a chance for us to re-experience Tauck – one of clients’ favorites.  

Here’s few more trips that aren’t scheduled yet, but are near the top of our list:

• GREENLAND & CANADA’S ARCTIC.  It’s a scenery and wildlife safari at sea.
• EASTERN CARIBBEAN with SEA CLOUD on their sailing yacht.  We talk about Sea Cloud as a salt-water river cruise.  What a great way to experience the Caribbean!

We think in an age where algorithms and TV news only feed you information that aligns with your world view, that it’s important for us to get out there so we can speak firsthand to your travel destination or cruise line.  ALGORITHMS DON’T TRAVEL and it’s shockingly rare amongst travel agents and call center employees at the big travel brands to actually travel.  Sure… they read the brochures, and attend the webinars, but that’s a lot different than being there.   

We haven’t been everywhere, but whenever possible, we’d prefer to answer your questions from EXPERIENCE, not just from a brochure. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim & Bob pull back the curtain on something most travelers never think about — how much firsthand experience actually matters when planning a trip.

https://youtu.be/MNXwnClrtYE

In Case You Missed It:

GREAT LAKES:  People come from all over the world to experience our GREAT LAKES and surrounding areas.  It might be time for us to check out our own backyard.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/great-lakes/

OCEANIA occupies a unique space in the market between the Premium Cruise Lines and the Luxury Lines.  They also have a really strong focus on the culinary experience:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/oceania-private-sale-in-june/

TELECOM ABROAD:  E-Sims offer better performance, and cost a fraction of paying the roaming charges that most wireless carriers charge, but do you really need one?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/telecom-abroad-e-sims/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

VIKING deploys its Antarctic expedition ships to the GREAT LAKES from May through September.  This provides you a comfortable and familiar way to explore the region OR to check out what an expedition ship is all about:

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!

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid035hFwgEzqGSQTe9X1ktZTkL52AdtpyJthqydXZd4HvCmWUjcZbYA5CGjatBp7iMy9l

Today’s Travel Opportunities

SILVERSEA Class Luxury Ocean Cruises

THIS WEEK ONLY:  Silversea is offering our clients an additional $250 on board credit on 2026 and 2027 voyages booked this week.  Here are a few examples:

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 $11,400

NORWAY COAST & SCANDINAVIA: Copenhagen round-trip departing May 21,2027 for 15-days

• Start in Copenhagen and visit Olden, Leknes, Honningsvag (North Cape), Alta, Trondheim, Romsdal, Vik, Skagen, and finish in Copenhagen.
• Fares from $9,800

BALTIC SEA: Copenhagen to Stockholm departing June 5, 2027 for 13-days

• Start in Copenhagen and visit Aarhus, Aalborg, Gothenburg, Rostock, Ronne, Gdansk, Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, and finish in Stockholm. 
• Fares from $8,600

UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruise Collection

Uniworld is the Boutique Hotel on the river with ships that are custom-built and decorated for the areas through which they are sailing.  These 2027 fares represent 20% OFF

PORTUGAL & SPAIN departing round-trip from Porto for 7-nights

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Barca d’Alva.
• See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
• Optional extensions to Madeira Island. 
• 2026: Departures June – November from $2,969
• 2027: Departures March – November from $3,199

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

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

• Start in Nuremberg and visit Bamberg, Kitzingen, Würzburg, Wertheim, and finish in Frankfurt.
• 2026:  Fares from $5,699
• 2027:  Fares from $4,589

YACHTING with WINDSTAR

If you like great food, a really relaxed atmosphere, and being on a first-name basis with the crew, you’ll love WINDSTAR with a maximum of 320 guests. 

TAHITI:  Papeete round-trip departing weekly 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 $2,816
• Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM 

JAPAN and EAST ASIA from Hanoi to Osaka departing March 1, 2027 for 10-days

• Fly to Hanoi, and start in Halong Bay, then visit Hong Kong (overnight), Taipei, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Amami, and finish in Osaka.
• Fares From $7,954

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX

Both these cruises are easy to get to from the United States, but your experience will feel VERY remote:

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:  June through December from $6,753
• 2027:  January through December from $7,324
• See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ 

Outdoor ALASKA: Vancouver to Anchorage for 10-days

• You’ve been to ALASKA, but not like this.  If you prefer a nature walk, or sea kayaking to the souvenir shops on the pier, this is the right choice for you.  This is also a great way to check out an Expedition Cruise, not too far from home.
• Depart Vancouver, sail the Inside Passage, then to Misty Fjords, Klawock, Fjords of the Alaskan panhandle, Icy Strait Point, Glacier Bay, Valdez, Prince William Sound, and then on to Anchorage
• 2026: Departures May through July from $4,867
• 2027: Departures May through July from $5,299

COSTA RICA Family Journeys with ABERCROMBIE & KENT 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

Exploring the GREAT LAKES with VIKING

In our summer months, Viking’s Antarctica ships ply the waters of the Great Lakes.  This is a great way to see if an Expedition Ship is right for you, while exploring this extraordinary region. 

GREAT LAKES with VIKING for 8-days between Milwaukee and Toronto

• Visit Toronto, traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee NP, Detroit, Alpena (MI), Mackinac Island, Milwaukee
• 2026: Nordic Balconies from $6,995 – Departures June through October
• 2027: Nordic Balconies from $7,995 – Departures May through September.
• Here’s our ITINERARY VIDEO from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/uDeGzBDb0mM 

GREAT LAKES with VIKING for 15-days between Duluth MN and Toronto

• Visit Toronto, traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Detroit, Alpena, Algoma (Wisconsin), Mackinac Island, Fathom Five National Marine Park (submarine available), Killarney (Ontario), Georgian Bay, Soo Locks transit, Silver Islet, Thunder Bay (submarine available), Duluth.
• 2026: Nordic Balconies from $17,995 – Departs August 10^th. 
• 2027: Nordic Balconies from $15,995 – Departures May through August.

See our Ship Tour video of Viking Polaris here: https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo 

See the Submarine and the HANGAR here: https://youtu.be/XlKq3ow2JrM 

OCEANIA for FOODIES

OCEANIA occupies the market space between the Premium and the Luxury Cruise Lines, with a strong focus on the CULINARY experience

ICELAND round-trip Reykjavik departing July 4, 2027 for 10-days

• Visit 8 ports in Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands
• Fares from $4099 with a $300 per person shore excursion credit. 

HAWAII & ALASKA:  Vancouver to Honolulu departing September 19 for 16-days

• Start in Vancouver and visit Ketchikan, cruise the Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Kahului, Nawiliwili, and finish in Honolulu.
• Fares from $3,910

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

If you like the idea of a luxury cruise, but you’re worried about being Gilligan on a ship full of Mr. & Mrs. Howells, then look at EXPLORA JOURNEYS.  There are no caviar luncheons served by butlers with white gloves… just understated European Luxury service with fantastic culinary.  

WHO is EXPLORA JOURNEYS?

• They have 6 near-identical ships, with two currently operating, with a third vessel joining the fleet in July, two more ships in 2027, and their sixth vessel arriving in 2028. 
• You’ve probably heard they are the luxury division of MSC, but don’t worry… Explora Journeys is a completely different onboard experience than MSC.  
• European Luxury Lifestyle brand:  slower pacing, spacious design.  More private yacht.

WHERE DOES EXPLORA JOURNEYS GO?

• Explora Journeys has a strong presence in the MEDITERRANEAN
• 2026:  They also have itineraries in NORTHERN EUROPE, the CARIBBEAN, and CANADA & NEW ENGLAND
• 2027:  All of the above, AND will add SOUTH AMERICA, ALASKA, JAPAN & EAST ASIA.
• EXOTICS:  Explora Journeys also has some itineraries in the Indian Ocean if you want to explore East Africa, Dubai, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea.  

HOW DO EXPLORA JOURNEYS DIFFERENTIATE?

• SPACIOUS SUITES – The entry-level stateroom on Explora ships is a 377 square foot suite with a king-sized bed, walk-in closet, heated bathroom floors and a veranda (or “Sun Terrace” as they call them) with a daybed for soaking up the sun.
• CULINARY – there isn’t a main dining room where everyone shows up at an appointed time.  Instead, much like a land resort, there are a variety of choices (9 of them!) where you can make a reservation ahead of time OR come as a “walk up”.  Frank Garanger, the Head of Culinary, was formerly with Oceania (well known for their amazing food).

• ENTERTAINMENT – Explora does not have a big main theatre that cranks out the Vegas-style production shows.  Instead, there are a variety of smaller venues (10 of them!) with different styles and types of entertainment, that are intended for you to drop in at your whim.  No more setting your watch to make the show.
• INCLUSIONS – Your fare includes an open bar (including an in-suite mini-bar), all specialty dining, gratuities, taxes/fees, and high-speed internet… it really includes everything other than shore excursions (Explora calls these “Destination Experiences”).
• NO CROWDS:  There are 922 guests on a 64,000 ton vessel.  This gives you about 5% more space per guest than Seabourn, 24% more space than Oceania, and 34% more space per guest than on Viking Ocean.  

WHO TRAVELS with EXPLORA JOURNEYS

• FOODIES:  If great food and wine is your thing, EXPLORA JOURNEYS is a good choice. 
• CASUAL LUXURY:  If you prefer to leave the tuxedos and ball gowns at home. 
• LAND TRAVELERS:  Non-cruisers — especially those that like waterfront luxury hotels.
• NEWEST SHIPS:  If you like the latest hardware, with service and amenities to match.
• FAMILIES:  We don’t see a lot of children on Explora, but they do have facilities for them, unlike the other luxury brands. 

Explora Journeys is elegant without being stuffy, and luxury without being loud, for those looking for a calm, immersive destination experience.  

UNPACKED:  The PODCAST

In this episode of UNPACKED, Kim & Bob take a closer look at Explora Journeys, and break down what makes them different — and who it’s really for.  Having both experienced the product firsthand, they walk through what stood out to each of them, and how it fits into the broader world of luxury cruise travel. 

https://youtu.be/XWBqAUctJ90

In Case You Missed It:

HOW TRAVEL HAS CHANGED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.  You remember the dark times… the world is a lot different now, and it has changed how we travel.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-the-pandemic-changed-travel-forever/

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND.  It’s in our own backyard, and there are different ways to see this corner of the world.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/canada-new-england/

TIPS on TIPPING:  Tipping expectations and culture vary widely across the world, and it’s important to know how to handle this when you’re abroad.

https://pamperedcruiser.com/tips-on-tipping/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

We have a few videos from our experience with this brand.  Here’s a link to our EXPLORA JOURNEYS Playlist.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVFSKHYuI7u89DR2aCV7JiY4&si=lLy240PO_Mb57swC

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

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

EXPLORA JOURNEYS

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!

CANADA & EAST COAST:  Quebec City to Miami departing October 15 for 10-nights

• Start in Quebec City and visit Saguenay, Sept-Îles, Sydney, Halifax, New York City, and finish in Miami.
• Fares from $5,495

JAPAN:  Tokyo round-trip departing September 27, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in Tokyo and visit Shimizu, Kobe, Kochi, Busan, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, and finish in Tokyo.
• Fares from $8,760

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

• Start in Vancouver and visit Ketchikan, Prince Wales Island, Sitka, Juneau, sail past Hubbard Glacier, and finish in Seward.
• Veranda Fares from $5,555
• On brand new Explora III

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

• Start in Manaus and visit Parintins, Alter do Chão, Macapá, Devil’s Island, Bequia, Bridgetown, Castries, Gustavia, Basseterre, and finish in San Juan.
• Fares from $10,100

CARIBBEAN:  Miami round-trip departing December 5 for 8-nights

• Start in Miami, and then visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, Guatemala, Belize, and Roatan. 
• Fares from $4655
• Or stay on board for 15-nights and also visit the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Sint Maarten, and finish in San Juan, Puerto Rico with fares from $7000

PORTUGAL & SPAIN in WINTER:  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 $4,865
• OR stay on board for a second week, and disembark in Rome with fares from $9,940

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

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

RIVER CRUISES with TAUCK

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

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

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

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

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

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES

If you want to get to the POLAR REGIONS in comfort and style, here are two suggestions.  Atlas has three brand new yachts, all carrying less than 200 guests.  

ANTARCTICA:  Buenos Aires to Ushuaia departing March 19, 2027 for 9-nights

• Start in, with 4 days of scheduled landings, before returning to Ushuaia
• Fares from $15,499

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

• Visit Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, and Disko Bay in Greenland, Qikiqtarjuaq, Lady Franklin Island, Monumental Island, and the Button Islands in Nunavut Territory, Saglek Fjord, Hebron, Tikkoatokak Bay, L’Anse aux Meadows, Red Bay, Norris Point and Woody Point in Newfoundland, as well as St. Pierre & Miquelon (France)  and finish in St. John’s. 
• Fares from $14,629

SEA CLOUD Sailing Yachts

You may have been to the Caribbean or the Mediterranean previously, but you’ve never seen it THIS up close:

PANAMA, COSTA RICA, BELIZE from Colon to Cozumel departing March 13, 2027 for 12-nights

• Start in Colón and visit San Blas Archipelago, Bocas del Toro, Puerto Limón, Roatán, Belize City, Lighthouse Reef, and finish in Cozumel.  
• Fares from $7,710

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 $4,895

COLLETTE Premium Land Journeys

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

NEW YORK for 5-days

• Visit Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Chinatown, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial.
• Includes 4-nights at the Sheraton Times Square, 5 meals, and 2 Broadway shows.
• Year-round departures from $2449.

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

• Visit Mount Rushmore, Badlands national park, Devils Tower, Deadwood, and more.
• Departures May through October from $2,749

TRAVELLING in SUMMER 2026? Be READY

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

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

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

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley