We Flew Air Canada, Delta, United & American… Here’s What We Learned

“Air travel has become so corrosive to the human spirit, that we talk about it in the same way we once discussed war”.

Cathal Kelly

Cathal Kelly can turn a phrase like no other journalist, and he’s nailed it with this observation.  I had his quote in mind as we completed a road-trip last month that included time on each of North America’s four largest “full-service” airlines.  By pure fluke, we were also in a Boeing 737-800 for each of these four flights on different airlines.  In another fluke, all four flights were on-time, and we (and our checked luggage) arrived at our destination without incident.

You all have horrible stories to tell about one or more of these carriers, so I’m not attempting to change anyone’s mind.  I will say that the overwhelming majority (well over 90%) of flights go according to plan, and no significant grievances are accrued. But when things go wrong…!

STATE OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY in NORTH AMERICA

• The adage in the travel biz is that if you live in Asia, you get 5-star airlines; Europe 4-star airlines; and in the Americas (North or South) you get 3-star carriers.
• Skytrax is an independent and international rating organization that surveys passengers and audits airlines for performance and service.  Their results mirror the point above.
• Alliances and Code Shares.  US airlines make a big deal about their partnerships with foreign carriers, but none of them can manage to get their act together on codeshare flights.  This is when you buy a plane ticket on American Airlines (for example), but end up on a British Airways plane.  You almost certainly won’t be able to select your seat in advance in such a situation.  This is only ONE example of Air Alliance failures. 

OUR EXPERIENCE

We were in a 737-800 on 4 different airlines, and were in business class with checked baggage in each case.  We assessed the airlines on check-in, lounge, boarding, in-flight, and post-flight.  

• Air Canada (Montreal to San Jose).  The in-flight service and meals were very good, however as North America’s only 4-star airline, our expectations were a bit higher than for the others.  The lounge was terrible, but that’s Montreal Airport’s problem. 
• American Airlines (San Jose to Charlotte).  Catering was very good.  The hard-sell on the AA credit card was a bit tiresome after the 5 or 6^th announcement. 
• Delta Airlines (Salt Lake City to Vancouver).  Check-in was the quickest of any of the airlines.  They initially denied us entry to the lounge, because we didn’t have a Delta loyalty number.  This eventually got sorted, but not without unnecessary effort. 
• United Airlines (Grand Rapids to Denver). Boarding was quick and painless.  I did think it was a bit strange to charge for internet on board for Business Class passengers.  

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Did any of these four airlines stand out either for good or for bad?  NO.  

All of them had good points, and room for improvement.  All of them are very clearly big, bureaucratic, oligopolies that are not particularly customer focused.  I would not be inspired to patronize any one of these carriers more than others, so my top priority will be to purchase the most direct routing to where I’m going, followed by price.

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

By pure coincidence, we recently flew all four of North America’s largest full-service airlines within a single month—using the same aircraft type (the Boeing 737-800), checking luggage on every flight, flying Business Class, and experiencing each airline’s lounges, boarding process, onboard service, baggage handling, and overall customer experience.  Here’s our story:

https://youtu.be/wUTqDkasqBc

In Case You Missed It:

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS.  Viking is one of very few ocean cruise lines that include shore excursions in your fare.  What do you get, and should you upgrade those excursions?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/are-vikings-included-shore-excursions-worth-it/

ANTARCTICA.  It’s the seventh and final continent for many travellers’ bucket lists.  What are the different ways to get there, and what cruise lines have vessels there?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/antarctica-all-the-way-down-under/

SILVERSEA is probably the best example of classic luxury, so what can you expect on board, and how do they differentiate from others?

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

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

ANTARCTICA:  I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago, and we put together this video guide for selecting an Antarctica cruise.  Just about all the things we talk about in this video are still valid, but there are many more options now, than there were a few years ago: 

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

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?

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

WINDSTAR YACHTING EXPERIENCES

If you like a smaller ship, with a casual atmosphere, then here’s some ideas from WINDSTAR.

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

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

• Fares from $2693
• Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise with WINDSTAR: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM 

ICELAND: Round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-days

• Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
• 2027: Depart July or August from $3468

If you’re a FOODIE, WINDSTAR is a member of the James Beard Foundation.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

Uniworld has custom built ships to reflect the region in which they sail, and go to places the other river cruise lines don’t go:

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. 
• Departures April through November from $2319
• Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n 

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

• Few countries simultaneously fascinate and frighten travellers as much as India, so visit it in comfort while still being exposed to the things that make this country so unique.
• Visit New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra (Taj Mahal), Kolkata, Cruise the Ganges, Kalna, Matairi, Murshidabad, Baranagar, Khusbagh,, Mayapur, Chandannagar.
• Includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and internal flights. 
• 2026: Depart September – December from $7039
• 2027: Depart January – March from $6569
• OR do one week on the riverboat, and one week on the Maharajas Express Luxury Train from $21,599

SILVERSEA CLASSIC LUXURY

If you like butlers, and white-glove service, you’ll find it on Silversea:

MOROCCO, SPAIN & PORTUGAL:  Barcelona to Lisbon depart November 30  for 9-days

• Visit Valencia, Malaga, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Casablanca (overnight). 
• Fares from $4565

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

• Start in Sydney and visit Hobart, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, and finish in Auckland. 
• Fares from $11,610

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

https://youtu.be/9yqmgJqNlgw

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX

If you’re looking to go to the more remote corners of the planet, here are two suggestions from HX (both of which 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:  July through December from $6787
• 2027:  January through December from $7358
• See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ 

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

TAUCK PREMIUM GUIDED LAND JOURNEYS

US NATIONAL PARKS: America’s Canyonlands departing Phoenix to Las Vegas for 8-days

• Visit Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion NP, Lake Powell, Glen Canyon
• Departures March through October from $5290
• Click here for more details: https://www.tauck.com/tours/american-canyonlands-grand-canyon-escorted-tour?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser 

SOUTHEAST US from Jacksonville to Charleston for 8-days

• Visit St. Augustine, Jekyll Island, Savannah, Beaufort.
• 2026: Departures in September and October from $5290
• 2027: Departures March through December from $5690

AFRICAN SAFARI for FAMILIES: Kenya, Tanzania for 10-days

• This is the perfect trip for those wanting to take children or grandchildren to AFRICA.  Give them memories to last a lifetime:
• Visit Arusha NP, Tarangire NP, Masai Mara Village, Ngorongoro Crater, and take a balloon ride over the Serengeti.
• Do game-drives, visit a Maasai School, and a coffee plantation.  You’ll see elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, rhinos, giraffe, zebra, antelope, and many more. 
• 2026: Departures August and December from $9,890
• 2027: Departures June through August, and December from $9,390
• Click here for more details: https://www.tauck.ca/tours/tanzania-family-safari?tcd=YZ2026&insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

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

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

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

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

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

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

If you’ve previously exited a cruise ship while it’s moving onto a zodiac, then you lead a more eventful life than me, and have some incredible stories to tell.  Let’s have coffee.  

Doing exactly THAT is part of the program on Seacloud, and the photos and memories we collected while doing so will last a lifetime. 

About SEACLOUD 

• They have 3 ships with the largest one carrying only 136.  For this reason, we call it a SALT WATER RIVER CRUISE.
• Their first and namesake vessel (the SEACLOUD) was built in 1931 by the Post Family (check your cereal box for why you recognize the name).  Seacloud II followed in 2001, and their latest vessel SEACLOUD SPIRIT was launched in 2021

How SEACLOUD Cruises Differentiates

• The food and beverage experience is next level.
• The off-ship photo safari while the ship is under full sail power.
• It’s not really a cruise ship, but rather a tall ship or sailing yacht.  They don’t compete with the luxury cruise lines.  It’s a connection to the romance of ocean travel. 
• The Sails:  Watch the crew unfurl 40,000 square feet of sails by hand.
• You’re closer to the water. Smell the salt air. Hear the water lapping against the ship.
• Experience: The moment the engines shut down and the sails catch the wind is one of those travel experiences that stays with you for years.

Where SEACLOUD Cruises Goes

• The Mediterranean – but not to the ports you’ve been to before.  With a ship that small, they get into places you’ve never heard of, so you can really experience the people and culture.  Maybe smaller Greek Islands, or a Croatian coastal village. 
• We went from Monte Carlo to Rome over the course of a week.  We didn’t dock with ANY other cruise ships, and we only visited ONE port that we’d experienced previously.
• The Caribbean – likewise in the Caribbean, you’re NOT going to a “private island” with thousands of others to be sold over-priced cocktails.  You’ll be swimming or paddleboarding directly off the vessel in some small, unnamed harbor. 

WHO Goes on SEACLOUD Cruises – It’s not for everybody

• It’s NOT for those that like mega-ship amenities like Vegas shows, ziplines, and casinos.
• It IS for those loving casual luxury, and an elevated culinary experience.
• Those that love history, cultural immersion, and destination-focused travel.
• Those wanting to be the first to try something new, and report back on it. 
• Those that like the size of a river boat, but want to visit salt-water destinations. 
• Those that have been seemingly everywhere, and are looking for new experiences. 
• Those looking for a quieter, more casual, more personal, refined experience.

Insider Tips About Sea cloud

• When the crew is preparing to deploy the 40,000 square feet of sails, park yourself horizontal in a lounge chair.  Your neck and shoulders will thank you for sparing the constant upward gaze.  Lie down, and get your camera ready for a great show.
• Book with us this month to get an additional $50 per person, per day on board credit.  This is NOT available on direct bookings, OR elsewhere. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, Bob shares his and Sue’s firsthand experience aboard SEACLOUD Spirit, one of the world’s most unique luxury sailing ships. With just 136 guests, SEACLOUD offers an experience that feels surprisingly similar to a river cruise—except you’re sailing the Mediterranean or the Caribbean aboard a magnificent tall ship.

https://youtu.be/f0tFOdMyVtc

In Case You Missed It:

THE CARIBBEAN & MEDITERRANEAN of 60 YEARS AGO:  The hardest part about time-travel is getting the Delorean up to 88-miles-per-hour.  Here’s how to visit the Med and the Caribbean and experience them like you could have before it was overrun with tourists:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/cruise-ship-time-machine-the-mediterranean-or-caribbean-of-60-years-ago/

WIFI on CRUISE SHIPS:  It’s gotten substantially better in the past few years, but there are still limitations.  Here’s what you can expect:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/wifi-on-cruise-ships/

REMAINING MOM & POP:  Our travel business has grown beyond being able to personally speak with every client about every trip, but we still work hard to remain a people-focused Mom & Pop Shoppe:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/remaining-mom-pop/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

SEACLOUD CRUISES is our featured vendor this month, and we’ve got a few video resources to share if you want to learn more:

INTRODUCING SEACLOUD:  It’s new to the American market place, but has a long and proud history.  Kevin Smith from SEACLOUD talks to Bob from the bridge of Seacloud Spirit:

https://youtu.be/fy7Kfd1i3ZQ

SEACLOUD “Unicorn” EXPERIENCES:  You can’t do this stuff anywhere else.  Follow us as we climb the riggings, and leave the ship while it’s under full sail:

https://youtu.be/iyRxhlBPGj0

SEACLOUD SPIRIT Ship Tour:  Kevin Smith walks Bob around this magnificent vessel:

https://youtu.be/XkhWMx4dK20

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/pfbid031ozM9sAzNSyz5DzqDm2GWq7yA2mf1j9BX6PKyjxpSPZpJBEwnsLV4vGnmKZ3ow3Fl

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 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 $5995

GRENADINES:  Round-trip from Bridgetown, Barbados departing December 8 for 7-nights

• Close to home with easy flight connections!
• Start in Bridgetown and visit Port Elizabeth, St. Vincent & Grenadines, St. George’s, Saint-Pierre, Soufrière and finish in Bridgetown
• Fares from $4870

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 $8740

SCOTLAND & IRELAND: Edinburgh to Dublin departing June 28, 2027 for 8-nights 

• Start in Edinburgh and visit the Orkney Islands, Isle of Lewis, Isle of Mull, Oban, Belfast, and finish in Dublin. 
• Fares from $9135

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 $8220

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!

RIVER CRUISING with TAUCK

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

TULIP CRUISE: Amsterdam to Brussels for 9-days

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

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

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

INTREPID Premium Guided Land Journeys

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

NEW ZEALAND: Auckland to Wellington for 8-nights

• Start in Auckland and visit Waiheke Island, the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Rotorua, Taupō, Tongariro National Park, and finish in Wellington. 
• Departures September through April from $5250. 
• OR stay for 18-days and carry on to the South Island and visit Christchurch, Greymouth, Punakaiki, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Doubtful Sound, and finish in Queenstown. 
• Departures September through April from $12,595

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 $3368

AZAMARA Small Ship Destination Cruises

Azamara has a fleet of R-Class vessels carrying just 680 guests.  They offer an affordable way to get on board a smaller ship for a more intimate experience, and better destination immersion.

NEW ENGLAND & QUEBEC: New York to Montreal departing October 7 for 12-nights

• Start in New York City and visit Newport, Cape Cod Canal, Boston, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Magdalen Islands, Saguenay Fjord, Saguenay, Quebec City, and finish in Montreal. 
• Veranda fares from $4839

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 $8879

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 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 $5061
• 2027: Departures in October from $6150

A NOTE on ETAs

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

COUNTRIES / REGIONS REQUIRING ETAs for US Passport Holders:

• Australia
• European Union (coming soon – late 2026 or 2027)
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)

THE PROCESS

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

VIDEO RESOURCES

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

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

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

Sometimes GOOD people go rogue, but not because they can’t get their meds adjusted properly.  It’s usually because they didn’t think a certain behavior through.  And many behaviors that make perfect sense at home, don’t translate well when you’re abroad. 

It isn’t JUST Americans either.  Bob and I were travelling in Alaska a few years ago, and there was a German couple that gave the ship’s crew a terrible time.  Dinner came too fast, and they cleared the dishes away as soon as the meal was done.  They didn’t offer different types of mustard with ham, and they kept interrupting the dinner to check if their patrons required anything else.  Imperial measures were used.  These were treated like capital offences by the Germans, who clearly should have stayed at home, rather than travel somewhere different.  

DON’T be THOSE people.  At the risk of sounding like I’m offering up a lecture on etiquette, here we go: 

Common Mistakes Americans make when Abroad:

• Assuming everyone speaks English.  Many do… but don’t assume. 
• Speaking LOUDER when they don’t speak English.  This won’t help. 
• Asking locals to convert to imperial measures.  Metric is universal – the onus is on us to learn it, NOT on others to accommodate the one country still using imperial measures. 
• Asking people to convert prices to USD, or asking “how much is that in REAL money?”
• Assuming “Best Country in the World” is a fact, rather than an opinion. 

WHY It Happens

• Most of us don’t set out to be intentionally rude.  We just don’t think it through.
• We tend to think of the world as “here” or “not here”.  It’s more nuanced than that. 
• We think of Europe (for example) as ONE PLACE, even though it’s much larger than the United States and has 44 sovereign nations.   Turkey and Norway are very different. 

HOW To Be a BETTER TRAVELER

• Learn to say “hello” and “thank you” in the local language wherever you are travelling.  Google Translate is VERY useful in this regard.  
• Spend a few minutes on the internet to learn about local customs and language at your destination before you leave home. 
• Set realistic expectations.  For example, I don’t like that dinner in Europe is 3-hours long, and I don’t get home until 11.00 PM.  But that’s their custom, and I need to adjust when I’m there. 

If you go on vacation to experience new things, learn about cultures you didn’t know, and to meet different people, these things are already on your radar.  Those that want everything to be exactly like it is at home, need to stay at home and save themselves and others the aggravation. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

In this episode of UNPACKED, we discuss the travel habits that can turn otherwise good people into bad travelers—and how a few small changes can dramatically improve your experiences abroad.

https://youtu.be/lzn5r5t19f8

In Case You Missed It:

OCEANIA:  You’ve got a few days to take advantage of our PRIVATE SALE.  Here’s more info:

Oceania https://pamperedcruiser.com/oceania-cruises-explained-the-unicorn-cruise-line-for-food-lovers/ 

PANAMA:  It’s nearby, and very different than other ocean cruises:  

https://pamperedcruiser.com/panama-canal-cruises-explained/

Our PACKING LIST:  We packed for vacation WRONG for years.  Here’s how we fixed it: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/i-packed-wrong-for-years-heres-how-i-fixed-it/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

VANCOUVER GUIDE:  It’s Alaska season, so millions will travel through Vancouver this summer.  You definitely don’t want to go directly to/from the ship, so here are some ideas on what to do for a couple of days pre or post cruise in Vancouver. 

https://youtu.be/Dtn_1BR_z3k

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

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.  We’re also running a PRIVATE SALE with them until the end of the month.  This is the BEST TIME to book an Oceania Cruise, with offers not available elsewhere. 

MORE INFORMATION on OCEANIA:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/oceania-cruises-explained-the-unicorn-cruise-line-for-food-lovers/

VIDEO RESOURCES for OCEANIA:

We’ve got lots of videos on our YouTube channel on our experiences with OCEANIA:

• 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

RIVER CRUISES with AMA WATERWAYS

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

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

• Visit Les Andelys, Le Havre, Honfleur, Normandy Landing Beaches, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Vernon, Paris (overnight). 
• Optional 2-night Paris Extension
• Fares from $3129

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 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 

COLLETTE Premium Guided Land Journeys

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 $5449
• Pre-trip extension in Honolulu, and/or post-trip extension in Maui available.

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 $2699.

Here are some of COLLETTE’s other SPOTLIGHT tours:

• Washington, DC: 6-days from $2999
• South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore & the Badlands: 7-days from $2999
• LONDON: 7-days from $2999
• TUSCANY: 9-days from $2999
• PARIS: 7-days from $3599
• FRENCH RIVIERA: 9-days from $4199
• NORTHERN ITALY: 9-days from $3049

REGENT SEVEN SEAS Small Ship Luxury

Regent is the most inclusive of the cruise lines with all shore excursions, and everything on board included in your fare. 

ALASKA:  Anchorage to Vancouver departing June 2, 2027 for 7-nights:

• Visit Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. 
• Veranda Fares from $6249
• Pre-Trip Denali available on this cruise.

ST. LAWRENCE & EAST COAST: Montreal to Miami departing October 30 for 16-nights

• Start in Montréal and visit Quebec City, Saguenay, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Sydney, Halifax, Philipsburg, Antigua, Saint Kitts & Nevis, British Virgin Islands, San Juan, and finish in Miami.
• Fares From $12,499

ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES Yachts

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

EASTERN CARIBBEAN:  From Saint Maarten to Barbados departing October 14 for 7-nights.  Go into small harbors where the big ships can’t go:

• Visit Philipsburg, St. Barts, St. Kitts & Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Vincent/Grenadines, Bridgetown. 
• Fares from $6299

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 $5988

If you prefer more REMOTE DESTINATIONS: 

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

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

• Start in Buenos Aires, then take an included flight to join the ship, and traverse the Drake Passage.  There are 7-days of scheduled landings, before returning to Ushuaia
• Fares from $16.499

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 $13,945

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

Many of you have asked about the value of Viking included shore excursions, whether they’re worth it, and if you need to upgrade them.  The bottom line is that the included excursions are your starting point, and calculating their value is highly subjective (because different people value different things), but it’s a bit more nuanced than is indicated in the brochures.

VIKING’S Shore Excursion Program:

• RIVER:  Viking and just about all its competitors include excursions in your fare, and they’re a great way to get oriented to your port of call.
• OCEAN:  Most of Viking’s competitors DON’T include shore excursions (so this is a key differentiator for Viking).
• BASIC EXCURSIONS:  Viking offers “orientation” or “highlights” tours.  They are basic, and not intended to be all things to all people.  Viking is very transparent about this.  If you’re looking for deep-dive or a life-changing experience, you should pay to upgrade. 
• OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:  Viking offers upgraded or optional excursions for an additional fee.  You can also book independent shore excursions.  

The SHORE EXCURSION VALUE EQUATION

• Determining the value for you will require a bit of arithmetic.  Start by calculating your COST PER DAY (cruise fare divided by days on board). This gives you “apples to apples”.

• DEDUCT the value of the Viking included excursions that you intend to take (the basic excursions are usually worth between $60 and $100).  Don’t include the value of excursions that you intend to upgrade or NOT participate in. 
• Now compare the cost of Viking compared to other cruise lines.  

PRO TIPS

• VIKING included excursions are your starting point.  They’re NOT designed to be the highlight of your trip.  Viking has lots of optional excursions that fit that bill. 
• Use included excursions for ORIENTATION and/or TRANSPORTATION, and then do your own thing.  This might require some research in advance of your trip. 
• Remember there is NO CREDIT for missed excursions.  
• DON’T feel locked into the included excursions.  If there’s a paid option that better meets your needs, then it’s probably money well spent. 
• Don’t forget about independent shore excursions. They often have smaller groups sizes, and are better priced than those offered through the cruise lines. 

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

The Viking included excursions are convenient, and remove decision fatigue.  They are also your starting point – so use them as the foundation of your travel experience, not the finish line. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

One of the biggest selling points of Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises is that they include at least one shore excursion in every port. But does that automatically make Viking the best value?  In this episode of UNPACKED, Bob and Kim take a practical look at Viking’s excursion program and compare it to other cruise lines

https://youtu.be/xAa-FkvWQAs

In Case You Missed It:

VIKING MIRA launched this week, and VIKING is continually adding more ships and itineraries.  Here’s a look into their upcoming plans:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/viking-whats-new/

OUR CLIENTS.  We ended up on the cruise with a group of our clients a couple of years ago, and discovered they were very much like us: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/our-clients-and-our-backstory/

NATIONAL PARKS.  Bob and I just finished a trip with TAUCK to Utah that included some National Parks (more on that soon!).  Our National Parks are often overlooked as the spectacular destinations that they are:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/time-to-visit-our-national-parks/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

VIKING EXPEDITION:  It will feel very familiar to past Viking OCEAN guests, but the expedition itineraries are structured a bit differently than Viking Ocean journeys.

https://youtu.be/XlKq3ow2JrM

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/pfbid0cc5RfwZjdBkgeJcGp8usdJNj7VNnaSDauFcBzeaH71pcU5xogjxwJr1gbyU3jQh6l

Today’s Travel Opportunities

OCEANIA:  Small-Ships.  Great Food.

Oceania offers a shore excursion credit on every cruise, so that guests can make their own choices about shore activities.  We’re also running a PRIVATE SALE with them in June, with additional amenities not available elsewhere, so this is the BEST TIME to book an Oceania cruise. 

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 $6390

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.

Here’s MORE information on OCEANIA if you want to take advantage of our PRIVATE SALE:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/oceania-cruises-explained-the-unicorn-cruise-line-for-food-lovers/

UNIWORLD Boutique River Collection

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

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

• Start in Taormina and visit Ragusa, Palermo, Maratea, Verona, Venice, Mazzorbo, and Chioggia
• Fares from $20,519

TULIP CRUISE:  Amsterdam to Antwerp for 10-days

• Start in Amsterdam and visit Zaandam, Hoorn, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Ghent, and finish in Antwerp. 
•  Departures March through April from $4,094

CRYSTAL CRUISES Ocean Luxury

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

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

• Start in Hong Kong and visit Xiamen, Shanghai, Busan, Hiroshima, Kyushu Island, Wakayama, Nagoya, and end in Yokohama (Tokyo).
• Fares from $9070 

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

• Visit Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Melbourne (overnight), Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane.
• Fares from $10,690
• OR stay on board for 29-nights, travelling up the Australian East Coast towards Bali, and stop in at Airlie Beach, Cairns (overnight), Papua New Guinea, Darwin, and Komodo Island before arriving in Bali for an overnight stay for an additional $8340.

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

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

WINDSTAR 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.

ICELAND: Round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-days

• Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
• 2027: Depart July or August from $4,741

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

• Warm weather escapes, Island Hopping, beaches
• Start in Puerto Rico, and then spend the next two weeks visiting US Virgin Islands, Gustavia, Brasseterre, St. Maarten, Great Harbour, British Virgin Islands, St. George’s, Bequia, Mayreau, Les Saintes, and Marigot.  
• Fares from $4966

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX

You’ve never seen ALASKA like this.  If you’d like to see more wildlife & scenery, and fewer shopping malls, then this is the way to go:

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: There’s not much space left, but there is a 5% discount on departures this year with fares from $4867
• 2027: Departures May through July from $5299

OR – if you prefer a warm-water destination: 

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 $7705
• See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ 

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Luxury RAIL Journeys

We just finished travelling with Rocky Mountaineer!  First in the CANADIAN ROCKIES, and then in US on CANYON SPIRIT from Denver to Moab.  More on that soon….

Here are two itineraries from the CANADIAN ROCKIES, where the scenery is spectacular, and can be easily added on to ANY Alaskan cruise that starts or finishes in Vancouver. 

Circle Journey: Vancouver round-trip for 12 -nights

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

Vancouver to Calgary for 7-nights

• Spend 1-night in Vancouver, then board the train to Kamloops, and then follow on to Lake Louise for 2-nights, Banff for 2-nights, and then finish in Calgary.  
• Departures available May through October from $3698

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.

Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

You could argue it’s just a huge ditch that connects the Caribbean with the Pacific.  However, that ditch eliminates 8000 miles, and between 10 and 22 days off a ship’s journey.  So it’s an important ditch.  It also makes for an interesting vacation not far from home.

PANAMA CANAL: The Background

• The Panama Canal was opened in 1914, and took somewhere between 10 and 33 years to build, depending on how many of the false-starts you count.
• The new locks took about 9-years to build, and opened in 2016
• Somewhere close to 25,000 people died in the construction of the original canal.
• Lake Gatun is 85 feet above sea level, and 3 locks on each side of the lake raise and lower ships to salt water. 

WHY Go To PANAMA?

• Panama is often overlooked as a vacation destination.  It has similar rainforests and beaches as Costa Rica.
• LOCKS:  People love traversing the locks on river cruises.  These are just bigger.
• GATUN LAKE in the middle of your journey across Panama is surrounded by lush rainforest.  On a full transit, you’re in Lake Gatun for about 2 hours.  

Types of PANAMA CANAL Journeys

• Partial Transit – usually 10 or 11 days round-trip from Florida.  They’re shorter, but you DON’T get to traverse all the locks.  You’re normally in the Canal for 4 or 5 hours. 
• Full Transit – ocean to ocean… this is the classic canal journey.
  • Florida to California is the most common full-transit cruise.
  • Florida to Panama City is increasingly common, and is great if you’re looking for a shorter cruise, or are less interested in the Pacific Coast of Central America.  

WHO Goes on a PANAMA CANAL Cruise?

• People who like longer vacations and getting to less-frequented ports in the region. 
• Those preferring destination-driven itineraries. 
• Engineering geeks or nautical enthusiasts.

Insider Tips

• Like a river cruise, the best views will be on the top side of the vessel so you can see both sides as you traverse the locks.  The smaller the ship, the better your chances of the premier view. 
• Daylight transit is preferable if you really want to experience the landscape.  The lights at night are pretty, but you do miss the surrounding environment. 

The PODCAST:  Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED

Check out our UNPACKED PODCAST where Kim & Bob talk about different cruise and land options for the Panama Canal and surrounding area

https://youtu.be/4Vr5U5OaM1g

In Case You Missed It:

OCEANIA Small Ship Experiences.  If you sail on Celebrity, Holland America or Princess, and take one of their larger staterooms, then you should look at OCEANIA for fewer people, larger rooms, and an elevated culinary experience: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/oceania-cruises-explained-the-unicorn-cruise-line-for-food-lovers/

TRAVEL ADVISORIES:  If you believe the State Department warnings, or what you see on TV “News”, you’d never leave your basement.  So what do you do?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-safety-exposed-tv-news-vs-reality/

AN INSIDER’S LOOK at PAMPERED CRUISER:  What we do, what we don’t do, and how our team works.  You’ve asked… here are the answers. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/insiders-look-at-the-pampered-cruiser/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

SEA CLOUD SPIRIT holds just 136 guests, making it much more like a SALT WATER RIVER CRUISE than an ocean voyage.  Kevin Smith from Sea Cloud tours Bob around this ship.  Imagine going through the Panama Canal, and sailing Lake Gatun in a sail boat!

https://youtu.be/XkhWMx4dK20

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

OCEANIA:  Small Ships for FOODIES

We’re running a PRIVATE SALE this month with Oceania, so we have access to some extra goodies not available anywhere else.  Here are some of their itineraries through the canal:

Miami to Panama City departing January 5 for 10-days

• Start in Miami and visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, Harvest Caye, Santo Tomas, Roatan, Puerto Limon, the Panama Canal, and finish in Panama City.
• Veranda Staterooms from $4,590 

Miami to LA departing January 6 for 15-days

• Start in Miami and visit George Town, Cartagena, the Panama Canal, Puerto Quetzal, Acapulco, Manzanillo, San Diego, and finish in Los Angeles. 
• Veranda staterooms from $7,699

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

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

SEA CLOUD Sailing Yachts

If you prefer a river cruise sized vessel, but still want to traverse the Panama Canal, here are a couple of options from SEA CLOUD:

San Jose (Costa Rica) to Panama City departing March 1 for 12-nights

• Start in San José and visit Punta Leona, Marina Flamingo, Playa Panamá, Quepos, Puerto Jiménez, Pearl Islands, a full daylight 12-hour transit of the Panama Canal, San Blas Archipelago, and finish in Panama City. 
• Fares from $9,560

ABC Islands & Panama departing Willemstad (Curacao) December 20, 2027 for 7-nights

• Start in Willemstad and visit Cartagena, a full daylight 12-hour transit of the Panama Canal, and finish in Panama City. 
• Fares from $5,920

EXPLORA JOURNEYS – European Luxury

With just over 900 guests, an extraordinary culinary offering, and a unique entertainment program, Explora is a great way to experience Panama.

Miami to Panama City departing April 12, 2027 for 10 Nights

• Start in Miami and visit Ocho Rios, Willemstad, Oranjestad, Santa Marta, Cartagena, cross the Panama Canal, and finish in Panama City.  
• Veranda fares from $7,860

Miami to LA departing April 12, 2027 for 21-nights

• Start in Miami and visit Ocho Rios, Willemstad, Oranjestad, Santa Marta, Cartagena, cross the Panama Canal, Panama City, Acajutla, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, and finish in Los Angeles. 
• Fares from $14,240

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Remote Explorations

NatGeo takes people to remote corners of the world, but if you want to see the more remote areas around Panama (and spend some time in Lake Gatun (in the middle of the canal)), then here are some ideas:

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 $5772

PANAMA with 2-days in the Canal: round-trip Panama City for 8-days

• Start in Panama City, then spend 2 days in the canal, and visit Portobelo, Gatún Lake, the Pearl Islands, Darién National Park, Punta Patiño Nature Reserve, and finish in Panama City. 
• Fares from $4650

TAUCK in PANAMA

Tauck creates raving fans for both its land tours, and cruise programs.  Here are two in Panama:

Panama Canal Cruise & Costa Rica for 12-days

• Start in San José (Costa Rica) and visit Punta Leona, Quepos, Darien, transit the Panama Canal, the San Blas Islands, and finish in Panama City. 
• Departures in January and February from $9,290

Tauck Bridges Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests for 8-days

• Tauck BRIDGES allows you to explore with your kids or grandkids, with specially designed itineraries for families and children. 
• Start in San José and visit the Tortuguero National Park, the Toucan Rescue Center, Tortuguero, Sarapiqui River rafting, Arenal Zip Lining, Guanacaste. 
• Depart June through August or in December $4,890

RIVER CRUISES with TAUCK

If you’d prefer Europe to Panama, then Tauck is the most inclusive and highest-end amongst the river cruise lines in Europe.  Here are two examples:

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

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Peso da Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Mateus Palace, Guimaraes.
• See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
• Optional extensions to Madrid and/or Lisbon. 
• 2026: Departures June through October from $5790
• 2027: Departures April through November from $5990

FRENCH RIVIERA to SWITZERLAND for 14-days

• Fly to Marseille, and visit Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Chateau Neuf du Pape, Tain L’hermitage, Macon, Cluny, Chalon sur Saone, Burgundy, Lyon, Geneva, Chamonix.
• 2026: Departures in July & August from $9190
• 2027: Departures April through October from $9790

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