Many of you have been asking about domestic travel opportunities to complement all your international travel, so I thought I’d look at National Parks today.  

President Grant designated Yellowstone as the FIRST National Park in 1872, and now there are 63 of them in 30 different states.  The largest one is Wrangell – St. Elias in Alaska, and it is larger than the 8 smallest states.  That’s a lot of wilderness!

Hardcore outdoor enthusiasts have flocked to the National Parks for decades, but now it’s a much more mainstream vacation choice for people with all different types of interests.  You don’t have to sleep in a tent to experience these national treasures.  

The National Parks all have spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing, of course.  You might immediately think of snow-capped mountains and glaciers (and there are lots of those), but there are also 8 National Parks in California alone, and several in the Southwest that include deserts.  Hawaii has active volcanoes!  There’s so much to see!

When I was in Denali NP a few years ago, I was introduced to the National Parks Passport – the place to collect stamps and stickers from all the National Parks.  I have quite a few more to go before I’ve got all the parks covered, but it’s something for me to aspire to.  

Several companies offer tours that include National Parks.  Below are some examples from Tauck, a company we talked about a few weeks ago.  (Here’s the link if you missed that article: https://pamperedcruiser.com/what-about-tauck/)

Tauck (which in 2025 is celebrating one HUNDRED years of escorting travellers around the world) is an especially good choice for visiting the National Parks.  Because of Tauck’s long-term relationships and partnerships within the parks, you’ll stay at hotels and lodges INSIDE the parks, and you’ll visit the must-see places at the best time of day and with fewer crowds. Tauck takes care of all the details, so there’s no planning, no organizing… and best of all, no driving.

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

• Canyonlands — Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Zion, 1-week March to October from $4990.  Also available as a “Bridges” tour if you want to take children with you. 
• Grand Alaska – Denali NP and Alaska for 2 weeks.  May to August from $7990.
• Death Valley & Joshua Tree – from Las Vegas to San Diego for one week from $5990.
• Yellowstone & Grand Teton – Jackson to Rapid City (also includes Mt. Rushmore) for 1 week from $5190 1 week.  Also available as a “Bridges” tour for families. 
• Canyonlands & Arches NP – from Salt Lake City to Denver for 1-week from $7990.
• Sequoia & Yosemite – RT from San Francisco for 1-week from $6790.
• Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, & Canyonlands – from Grand Junction (CO) to Las Vegas for 10-days from $7990
• Glacier, Waterton, Banff, Kootenay and Jasper National Parks – RT from Calgary for 10 days from $7990.  
• Volcanoes NP — RT from Honolulu for 12-days from $11890.

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Today’s Other Travel Opportunities

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

Uniworld is offering up to 20% off as an early booking discount for 2026 departures.  Here’s 3 examples:

TULIPS & Windmills from Amsterdam to Antwerp for 10-days

• Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Haarlem (for Keukenhof Gardens), Hoorn, Nijmegen, Rotterdam (Kinderdijk), Veere, Bruges, Antwerp (overnight)
• Departures March 21 through May 1 from $3359

WINE & MORE: Bordeaux, France for 7-nights

• Visit Cussac (for Medoc Oyster tasting), Cadillac (Toulouse-Lautrec’s house), Blaye (for Blaye Fortress – a UNESCO site), Bourg sur Gironde, Libourne (for the Farmer’s Market), Saint Emilion
• Departures April through October from $3039
• Optional extension to Biarritz Basque Country (3-nights PRE) and/or Paris (2-nights post).

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

• Few countries simultaneously fascinate and frighten travellers as much as India, so why not 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. 
• Departures January – March and September – December from $6639

If you want to see the entire list of 20% OFF river cruises, here’s the link:

https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2026-early-booking-savings

OCEANIA FLASH SALE

Oceania is running a flash sale until the end of the month that includes 74 itineraries:

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

Here’s some examples:

EASTERN SEABOARD: Miami round-trip departing April 19 for 12-days

• Visit Key West, Bahamas, Bermuda (overnight), Charleston (2-nights), Port Canaveral, Nassau.
• Verandas from $4699 with complimentary Beverage Package or $400 pp OBC
• See our Oceania Vista ship tour video:  https://youtu.be/nN5lyXCEy_g 

JAPAN & ALASKA from Seattle to Tokyo departing September 18 for 19-days

• Visit Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Kodiak, Anchorage, Dutch Harbor, Hokkaido, Miyako, Hitachinaka, Tokyo (overnight)
• Verandas from $6030 with complimentary Beverage Package or $500 pp OBC
• See our Oceania Riviera ship tour video: https://youtu.be/KvgJJ2bE1OU?si=ky1ahrsgV6B5fm_M 

AUSTRALIA & NZ from Auckland to Sydney departing Janurary 25, 2026 for 14-days

• Visit Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Hobart, Melbourne (overnight). 
• Verandas from $7749 with complimentary Beverage Package or $500 pp OBC
• See our Oceania Riviera ship tour video:  https://youtu.be/KvgJJ2bE1OU?si=ky1ahrsgV6B5fm_M 

ACTIVE ADVENTURES with ATLAS Ocean Voyages

ATLAS is a new cruise line with yachts that hold fewer than 200 guests, and visit some remote corners of the world.  Fares include shore shore/landing activities, an open bar, specialty dining, and gratuities.

Learn more about Atlas Ocean Voyages here: https://inspires.to/experiences/the-atlas-ocean-voyages-experience-wx208

ANTARCTICA with FREE AIR and FREE Pre-cruise hotel night.

• If you’re ready to travel in the next few months, Atlas is making this offer (with FREE airfare from the US) to fill the last few cabins on sailings to Antarctica this season:
  • February 25 for 14-nights including South Georgia from $12,804
  • March 5 for 9-nights from $9699
  • March 11 for 11-nights from $11,499
  • March 14 for 11-nights from $10,224
  • March 22 for 11-nights from $10,224

IRELAND to PORTUGAL from Dublin to Lisbon departing October 11 for 10-nights

• When not in the polar regions, ATLAS conducts Epicurean Expeditions for those who really want to explore a region’s food and wine.  This sailing is hosted by TV personality Chef Christy Rost, and vintner Jon Schlegel 
• Visit Dublin, Waterford (Ireland), La Rochelle (France), Bordeaux (overnight), Bilbao, Gijon (Spain), Lisbon (overnight). 
• Fares from $4499

POLAR NORWAY:  From Tromso to Longyearbyen departing August 17 for 9-nights

• This is like a safari at sea!  Spot puffins, reindeer, arctic terns and foxes.  See the ice floes, icebergs, and do some glacier cruising.  OMG I want to do this cruise so badly!
• This cruise includes a private jet ride back to Oslo, Zodiac landings, boots, and a parka you get to keep. 
• Fares from $6499

In Case You Missed It:

TRAVEL HACKS:  When we found ourselves in Eastern Europe recently, we found some tools to make our trip more seamless: https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-hacks-you-can-use/ 

OUR BACKSTORY:  We were travelling with clients about a year ago, and discovered by their questions, that they didn’t know much about us.  Here’s a bit of our story

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

Latest YOUTUBE Post:

LOWER DANUBE:  Perhaps you’ve already travelled the most common part of the Danube between Bavaria and Budapest.  Or maybe you want to see Eastern Europe (Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania) from the comfort of a riverboat.  Here’s our video blog from our trip there in October:  https://youtu.be/-OhF7PSrj0c 

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 (or on board), 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.

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

The old saying is “the devil is in the details”.  It’s usually true.  In the case of cruise vacations, the devil is in the inclusions.  

When the inclusions are different between cruise lines, here’s how to do a side-by-side value comparison to make sure you’re comparing ‘apples to apples’.  You can do this kind of comparison with ANY cruise lines, and you can adjust the numbers to reflect your own preferences (for example, people who do not drink alcohol would value this as $0). Don’t forget to include intangibles (you could even place a dollar value on them, although I prefer to ask myself, “is it worth it to me to pay the final price difference in order to get these intangibles?”. There is no right or wrong answer, and that’s the beauty of this exercise.  

Here’s an example, where we look at Tauck (the most inclusive river cruise line) and Viking (where you pay as you go along).

Danube River: 7-night river cruise with 5 nights pre/post in September 2025

French Balcony Stateroom

	Tauck	Viking
Published Price	$10,540	$5,699
Airport Transfers	$0	$0**Included if you book Viking flights and do not deviate dates.
Beverages	$0* *Includes top shelf liquors	$189 Silver Spirits Beverage PackageBeer/wine with lunch/dinner is included in the published price.
Excursions	$0 Your choice of excursions	$1300 One excursion is included in each port of call (typically a walking tour).  Other, more desirable excursions are available for sale.
Hotel in Prague	$0	$1240
Hotel in Budapest	$0	$1399
Meals during hotel stays	$0	$250
Gratuities (crew, local guides, drivers, tour directors, hotel staff)	$0	$270 Onboard crew and tour director only.  This amount does NOT  include tips for transfer drivers, local guides, excursion drivers, hotel staff etc.
Actual Price	$10,540	$10,347
Intangibles
Room size (French Balcony)	225 square feet	135 square feet
No. of Guests (same sized ship)	130	190
No. of Cruise Directors on board	Four1 for each 33 guests	One1 for 190 guests

A comparison of Ocean cruises is also revealing.  Here’s Royal Caribbean (contemporary cruise line) and Silversea (all-inclusive, luxury brand):

Alaska Cruise for 7-nights departing in May 2025

	Silversea Silver Moon	RCL Quantum
Best priced Room	$3400	$1629
Transfers	Included	$70
Beverage Package/Tips/Wifi	Included	$805
Excursions	Included	$400
Specialty Dining	Included	$60 (2 times)
Actual Price	$3400	$2964
Comparable sized room		$3664
Intangibles
Guests aboard	4905	596
Space per guest (tons/guest)	69	34
Guests per crew	1.5	3.8
Size of Room	335 square feet	101 square feet

These comparisons do not suggest that one brand is better than another.  However it’s important to understand the value equation up-front when making your choices.  

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

AMA WATERWAYS River Cruises

AMA has a strong focus on both WELLNESS with active shore excursion options, and on CULINARY with their Chef’s Table Restaurant and membership in La Chaine des Rotisseurs.

PORTUGAL & SPAIN departing July 4th for one week

• Visit Porto, Douro valley, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Afurada.
• 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. 
• This trip is on the brand new AMA Sintra, carrying just 102 guests
• Fares from $4639.  We can get you a further $225 pp off (5%) on this sailing only. 
• Click here for more details: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/destination/europe-river-cruises/2025/enticing-douro

FRANCE, GERMANY & NETHERLANDS: Basel to Amsterdam departing July 19th for 7-nights

• Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Cologne, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg, Basel
• Optional 4-night extension in Switzerland (2 nights Lucerne, 2 nights Zurich).

• Fares from $3989.  We can get you a further $200 pp off (5%) on this sailing only. 
• Here’s our itinerary video from when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/UHzzsujRcDY 
• Click here for more details: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/destination/europe-river-cruises/2025/enchanting-rhine

SOUTHERN AFRICA:  

• Start in Capetown for 3-nights, then board your ship, and spend the next 4 days on Safari both by riverboat and 4 X 4.  Spend 2 nights in Victoria Falls, before finishing in Johannesburg for the trip home. 
• Fares from $12,045 with departures March through November. 

SMALL SHIP LUXURY with SILVERSEA

We love Silversea’s small ship, all-inclusive luxury experience.  It appears they love us back, because between now and the end of the month, our clients can get an additional $250 off their published fares.  There’s a few exclusions, but just about all their cruises qualify.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN from Rome to Lisbon departing November 7 for 12-days

• Visit Rome, Tuscany, Monte Carlo, Marseille, Barcelona (overnight), Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Malaga, Cadiz, Lisbon
• Fares from $7700 less $250 exclusively through our agency. 

JAPAN from Hong Kong to Tokyo departing March 9, 2026 for 14-days

• Visit Hong Kong, Taiwan, Seoul (overnight), Busan, Kanmon Strait, Kochi, Osaka (overnight), Tokyo.
• Veranda fares from $9300 less $250 exclusively through our agency

SOUTH AMERICAN ENCOMPASSED from Buenos Aires to Santiago: Dec 28 for 18-days

• Visit BA (overnight), Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, Garibaldi Glacier & Fjord, Punta Arenas, Chilean Fjords, Puerto Montt, Santiago (overnight)
• Fares from $9900 less $250 exclusively through our agency

ACTIVE ADVENTURES with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

You don’t have to be an elite athlete, but if you like to be active on vacation, here are some great options close to home:

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
• Departures in March, April September or October from $3665

BRITISH COLUMBIA and the SAN JUAN ISLANDS for 8-days round-trip Seattle

• Visit Victoria BC, Desolation Sound for kayaking and hiking, Alert Bay for First Nations immersion, the Canadian Gulf Islands to visit quaint communities, Friday Harbor on 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.  
• Departures in September and October from $5397

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

• Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay for 6 dyas Jan, Feb, Mar.  RT Loreto Mexico
• See the Gray Whales, explore the sand dunes at Sand Dollar Beach, and visit the fishing village of Puerto Magdalena.  Go kayaking, zodiacs, paddleboarding, hiking, and cycling.
• Departures January through March from $3215

LAND-CRUISE with COLLETTE

If you like the structure of cruise, but want to go somewhere not normally accessible by a ship, then Collette should be on your radar.  Here are some of the SPOTLIGHT tours, where you only have to unpack once, but get tons of excursions and activities.  

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 $2299.

PARIS for 7-days

• See Notre Dame, Montmartre, Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower.
• Includes 8 meals, 6-nights hotel, Seine River dinner cruise, Louvre Museum, Le Marais, Place de Vosges, Palace of Versailles, and dinner at the Eiffel Tower
• Departures April through November from $2799

Here are some of their other SPOTLIGHT tours:

• The French Riviera – 9-days from $2399
• London – 7-days from $2199
• Northern Italy – 9-days from $2449
• San Antonio, Texas – 5-days from $1599
• South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore & the Badlands
• Tuscany – 9-days from $1849
• Washington, DC – 6-days from $2399

In Case You Missed It:

SEABOURN:  If you like a small-ship (450 – 600 guests), casual but high-end experience, then Seabourn might be great choice for you:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/seabourn-small-ship-luxury/

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND:  It’s a long way to get there, but well worth the trip.  Here are some suggestions to make the most of your experience there:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-to-visit-australia-new-zealand/

Latest YOUTUBE Post:

LOWER DANUBE:  Perhaps you’ve already travelled the most common part of the Danube between Bavaria and Budapest.  Or maybe you want to see Eastern Europe (Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania) from the comfort of a riverboat.  Here’s our video blog from our trip there in October:  https://youtu.be/-OhF7PSrj0c 

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Viking has replaced its Book on Board program with the BON VOYAGE incentive.  This 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

I recently experienced my first Tauck River Cruise, and I was extremely impressed.

Maybe you saw my Facebook posts about the trip.  If not, you can easily find these 6 posts by searching for #pctauck on Facebook.

I was one of a handful of travel agents selected to attend “Tauck Academy” which took place during this trip. 

Now that I’m a Tauck Certified agent, all Tauck guests booked through our agency will receive a complimentary hotel night before or after your trip (your choice).  Tauck works only with the best hotels, so this is a valuable perk!

Tauck is an American, family owned and operated company that has been dazzling clients since 1925.  This company creates raving fans.  Our clients come back from Tauck vacations thoroughly delighted, and become brand ambassadors.  Tauck offers journeys on LAND in addition to river cruises and small ship cruises.

Bob and I are first and foremost cruise specialists, but our clients also take packaged land vacations, and we can help you with these “Land Cruises” as well.  There are thousands of different tour operators out there, but we strategically selected a limited number of top-notch land partners to work with, to ensure you have a top-notch experience on your trip.  Tauck was the first and most obvious choice for a land partner.

Here are the reasons why we chose Tauck as our primary partner on land.

·   High Quality – Tauck tours include top notch hotels, food, and sightseeing. You’ll stay in the best hotels, in prime locations.  For example on US National Parks tours, the lodges where you stay are often INSIDE the parks. The excursions are high quality too. You won’t be dragged around with 50 others on a typical “death-shuffle” walking tour. 

·   Privileged Access.  Tauck excursions take you behind the scenes, to places not accessible to the public.  They also avoid the crowds by visiting popular sites before or after hours.  Have you ever been to a major tourist attraction with thousands of others standing in a line? Imagine what it would be like with a Tauck group instead! You’ll see the world differently than you could see it on your own.

·   All the Little (and Big) Details are Taken Care Of.  You don’t worry about checking in and out of the hotel, making dinner reservations, or transferring your luggage.  You don’t have to worry about who to tip, or how much, or whether you have the right currency.  You just book your trip and leave the rest up to Tauck.  You are freed up to focus on the fun part, which is looking forward to the trip, and then being completely ‘in the moment’ while you’re travelling (and not distracted by details like making sure you have the right change for a tip). On my river cruise, the Tauck guide even gave us a Euro for the public restroom on our excursion.  Now THAT is detail-oriented!

·   Good Value For Your Vacation Dollars. Our clients don’t choose the cheapest trips.  Instead, they want the best bang for their buck. Tauck provides a higher quality, fully inclusive experience, with all the friction taken out.  If you were to try and replicate a Tauck itinerary on your own, with all the inclusions, you’d end up paying MORE.

·   Pay Once, Because Everything is Included.  Our clients would rather pay more up front, and have everything included, and all the details taken care of.  With Tauck, you pay one upfront price, with no hidden costs, no nickel-and-diming, no surprises, and no ‘optional’ up-sells.  Our clients also like to book and forget, so they appreciate that with Tauck, “the price is the price” and is never discounted.  You can book early and be confident your tour won’t go on sale later.

·   Personal Choices. Even though Tauck is all-inclusive, you’ll still have lots of flexibility to customize and personalize your trip. You can choose the activities and excursions that suit you best. There is also free time built in, so you can relax and spend time as you wish.

·   Experience and reputation. It was important for Bob and I to align ourselves with an experienced business partner we can trust for the long term.  Tauck has been guiding travellers for one hundred years and has received more than 250 awards for quality, innovation, and leadership. They are especially proud to have been honored multiple times by Travel & Leisure’s ‘World’s Best’ Awards, Travel Weekly’s ‘Readers Choice’ Awards, and Conde Nast Traveler ‘Readers’ Choice’ Awards. We are especially impressed by the experience level of their Tour Directors, who average more than 10 years’ experience, and who by all accounts are among the industry’s best.

·   High Guest Satisfaction – Tauck has one of the highest repeat and referral rates in the industry. Once you travel with Tauck, you’ll want to do it again and again and tell your friends! This is important to us as business owners, because we can be confident that if we do our job (i.e. help you select and book your tour), then Tauck will do their job and deliver on the promises we’ve made. Repeat clients are an important part of our business, so a product with a high repeat rate is very attractive from a business point of view.

To summarize, when you choose Tauck, it’s a decision you can feel good about.

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Today’s Travel Opportunities

TAUCK ON THE RIVER

THE BLUE DANUBE from Budapest to Prague for 12-days [This is Tauck’s most popular River Cruise Itinerary]

• Start in Budapest for 2 nights (with extensive sight-seeing in both Buda and Pest), Bratislava, Vienna for 2-nights (with a private visit to a palace), Durnstein (where you’ll visit castles and wineries), Wachau Valley, Linz (for side trips to Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov), and Engelhartszell.  Disembark in Vilshofen, and visit Regensburg on your way to Prague for 2-nights where you’ll have a private dinner at Lobkowicz Palace, and get a private tour of the Baroque Library at Strahov Monastery. 
• Departures from April through October from $6790

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!
• 2025: Limited availability on September 17 from $8190.
• 2026:  Departures September 16 and 23.

TAUCK ON THE OCEAN

ITALY & CROATIA for 10 days with departures in June & September

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

GREAT LAKES between Chicago and Toronto for 12-days:

• 2-nights in Chicago, the board the ship (Le Bellot – 184 guests) to visit Muskegon and Holland (Michigan), Mackinac Island, Detroit (for the Henry Ford Museum), Cleveland (for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame), traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, and 2-nights in cosmopolitan Toronto.
• Departures August 18 or 25 from $10,790.

TAUCK IN REMOTE DESTINATIONS

GALAPAGOS Islands & Machu Picchu for 16 days from Lima to Guayaquil

• Visit Lima for 2-nights to visit its Historical Center (a UNESCO site).  Then fly to Cusco/Sacred valley (in Andes) to see Inca Fortress remains, and take the train to Machu Picchu.  Back to Cusco (fortress visits, ruins, Maras Salt fields, Inca temples, local markets).  Fly to Guayaquil for one night, and then to Baltra and board the Silver Origin for 7-nights aboard to explore the spectacular Galapagos Islands. 
• 2025:  Sold Out
• 2026:  departures in April/May or September/October from $16,990

ALASKA Vancouver to Anchorage for 10 days with departures May through August

• Start at the Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver and visit Stanley Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge and Gastown.  Board the Silver Moon and visit Ketchikan (to experience the Dungeness Crab at Saxman Village), Juneau (for Mendenhall Glacier, and kayaking), Skagway (for the White Pass Yukon Railway and a dog sledding demonstration), Sitka (for whale watching), Scenic Cruising near Hubbard Glacier (largest one in North America), and a scenic tour of Kenai Peninsula upon disembarkation.  One additional night in Anchorage included before flying home.  
• Departures May through August from $8790

TAUCK LAND TOURS

CLASSIC ITALY from Naples to Venice for 14-days.

• Fly into Naples, and go to Sorrento for 2-nights to experience the Amalfi Coast.  Next visit the city of Pompeii on your way to Rome for 3-nights, where you’ll visit the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, and all the major sites in Rome.  Next head to Orvieto’s Duomo, Perugia in the wine region of Umbria.  Collect another UNESCO site at Assisi.  On to Tuscany to visit San Gimignano and Cinque Terre, 3-nights in Florence, high speed rail to Venice for 2-nights
• Tauck Exclusive: Learn about the masters of the Renaissance in Florence when an art historian shares insights about what you’ll see inside the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Uffizi Galleries
• Departures from April through October from $10,890

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 to October departures from $4990.
• Click here for more details: https://www.tauck.com/tours/american-canyonlands-grand-canyon-escorted-tour?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser 

TAUCK FOR FAMILIES

Tauck has a whole series of products designed for travelling with children and grandchildren.  The itineraries are especially designed for all ages and generations to enjoy together.

Click here to learn more about Tauck Bridges Family Journeys (they offer Bridges Family River Cruises too!): https://inspires.to/experiences/tauck-bridges-family-journeys-1dgpo

In Case You Missed It:

SHORE EXCURSIONS:  

The tourism boom has caused a shortage of tour guides globally.  Here’s what you can do to avoid some of the irritation resulting from the situation:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/shore-excursion-survival-guide/

MEET THE TEAM:  

Here’s some fun tidbits about those on the Pampered Cruiser team you may have communicated with:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/meet-the-team/

Reminder: VISITING THE UK?

As of this week, you will need to complete an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) if you are visiting or connecting a flight anywhere in the UK.  England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland require US Passport Holders to complete this prior to arrival.  Here’s a video we created that contains all the details:  https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk 

Latest YOUTUBE Post: 

EASTERN EUROPE: Perhaps you’ve already travelled the Danube between Bavaria and Budapest.  Or maybe you want to see Eastern Europe (Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania) from the comfort of a riverboat.  Here’s our video blog from our trip there in October:https://youtu.be/-OhF7PSrj0c

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

Much like you, we’ve travelled a lot in the past 12 months.  Between Bob and me, as well as Kim, here’s where our travels have taken us recently:

• Alaska and Yukon (a cruise tour including Denali, Dawson City, and Fairbanks)
• The Danube River between Budapest and Bavaria
• The Galapagos Islands (with time in Quito, and the Ecuadorian Amazon)
• Greece and Turkey including a land trip to Cappadocia (for a balloon ride!)
• The Lower Danube (including Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania (with Transylvania)).
• The Norwegian fjords
• Provence and Lyon in France on the Saone and Rhone rivers.
• The Rhine, Main, and Moselle Rivers between Amsterdam and Nuremberg.  I did this trip in October with Tauck attending their Travel Academy.  It was a privilege to be chosen for this (more than 500 travel advisors applied), and you’ll be hearing lots more from me about this experience this month!)
• Tahiti and French Polynesia

So, our knowledge is especially fresh for these destinations!  

What will influence all of our travel in 2025?  My crystal ball is no clearer than yours, but here are a few thoughts:

EXTERNAL FACTORS that will affect how you travel:

• OVER TOURISM:  We will still be seeking equilibrium between over and under tourism.
• AIR TRAVEL is better than it was, but still a long way from what it should be in terms of reliability and customer service.  It will continue to be the biggest travel complaint.
• POLITICAL:  The conflicts in Israel and Ukraine will continue to impact where we travel.
• VISAS and ETAs will become more of a thing.  As of this week, you’ll need an ETA to visit the UK, and Europe’s not far behind.  See our video: https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk 
• INFLATION:  It seems our economy performed very well in 2024, with hotel and air prices actually declining over 2023, and inflation otherwise averaging about 2.7%.

WHERE You’ll Travel

• CONTINUE TO BE POPULAR:  Australia, Canada (168% higher than last year), Egypt, Iceland, Japan (160% higher than last year), New Zealand, Portugal.
• EMERGING DESTINATIONS: Colombia, Eastern Europe, Newfoundland/Labrador, Thailand, West Africa.
• COOLCATIONS: Canada (Far North), Greenland, Norway.
• LAND CRUISES: Bosnia, Morocco, Pakistan, Tibet.

HOW You’ll Travel

• LONGER DURATION or back to back cruises.  This trend will continue. 
• CRUISE VACATIONS – 3 million more cruisers in 2024 than 2019.  This is the fastest growing sector of the travel industry.  Yachts are up 52%, rivers up 23%, and expeditions are up 19% over 2023. 
• RAIL – Slow travel, with time to take  in the scenery, is growing quickly. 
• INCLUSIONS – You want to pay once, and have as much as possible included.  
• FAMILY TRAVEL – to celebrate milestones, OR just to create memories. 
• UNESCO sites – people have decided these are pretty cool, and are travelling to them.

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0VDZjgTGZLy3yPYqZpV3f6DKHYEtJqA5PjFF1e9Ze9UMhWVbE64rY7k86MxfuwC9nl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES

Uniworld has custom built and decorated ships specific to the region in which they sail.  Fares include transfers, a choice of shore excursion at each port, an open bar, and gratuities.  They are also offering an early booking bonus of up to 20% for 2026 departures:  https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2026-early-booking-savings 

EGYPT for 12-days (4 nights Cairo and 7-nights on the ship)

• See the Pyramids and Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, and a Nile Felucca ride.
• Departures in December 2025 from $6999, and January through May 2026 from $6749.  

Mekong River between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for 15-days

• Visit Ho Chi Minh City for 2-nights prior to embarking the ship at My Tho, and visit Tien Loi, a local farm in Vinh Long, the fishing village at Sa Dec, Gieng Island, Phnom Penh (to tour the city, and take a tuk-tuk ride), The Killing Fields near Anchor Ban, a children’s school at Wat Hanchey, and disembark at Kampong Cham.  Then spend 3 nights at Siem Reap, and fly to Hanoi for 3 nights. 
• Optional extension to Ha Long Bay for 4 days. 
• Departures in September from $6999.

VENICE & Northern Italy for 7-nights

• Visit Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia.
• Departs every Sunday from April – October from $4399.  This is far more cost-effective than staying in a hotel in Venice for a week.

There are a number of add-ons you can make to this cruise: 

• ADD: 2-nights in Milan
• ADD:  Lugano (Switzerland)  & Lake Como
• ADD: Train to Istanbul.  If you want to add to your country-count, then transfer from the ship to board the train in Venice and stop in Trieste, Ljubljana (Slovenia), Belgrade (Serbia), Montenegro (beaches every bit as spectacular as Greece, but undiscovered), Bulgaria, and 2 nights in Istanbul.
• ADD: Rome 3-nights.  Includes a city tour, and a tour of the Vatican.
• ADD:  Train from Budapest, then visit Vienna, Innsbruck, Zurich, Lake Como, Verona, Trieste, Lake Bled, Ljubljana.

Here’s a link to our video blog when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/QRIHi6SED6g?si=IJvnYEJlqJt_iV4n 

AZAMARA Small Ship Destination Immersion

With just 680 guests, Azamara ships go places the bigger ships don’t, and they build their itineraries to really focus on the destination.

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

• Visit Lisbon, Seville (for 2 nights!), Gibraltar, Malaga, Cartagena, Majorca, Barcelona
• Golf excursions available on this trip!
• Veranda fares from $3999.  Includes beverage package, gratuities and $250 OBC.

ITALY Intensive Voyage departing October 9 for 11-nights:

• Visit Nice, Florence/Pisa (overnight), Rome, Salerno, Sicily, Crotone, Taranto, Kotor, Venice (overnight).  If you really want to explore Italy, combine this with a Uniworld Venice river cruise (above).
• Verandas from $4969 with a $250 OBC

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND departing January 20, 2026 for 16-nights

• Visit Auckland, Bay of Islands, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Hobart (overnight), Eden, Sydney.
• Verandas from $8989 with a $250 OBC.

HX EXPEDITIONS Remote Adventures

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to enjoy these locations, but you do have to be curious about the more remote corners of the world.  

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.
• Depart May through August from $7839
• Depart September through December from $7643

ICELAND & GREENLAND round-trip from Reykjavik for 14-days

• Visit Reykjavik, and visit south and west Greenland for 7-days of expedition activities, followed by 3-days of expedition activities in Nuuk and its surrounding fjords before returning to Reykjavik. 
• Depart May 31, 2025 from $8775, or depart June 2, 2026 from $9277
• See our ship tour video here:  https://youtu.be/1L_ByDqhGR0 

INTREPID PREMIUM LAND CRUISES

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

• Costa Rica is both naturally exotic, and nearby (under 4 hours from Houston, Atlanta, or Miami). 
• Visit San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio NP.
• See monkeys, parrots, iguanas, caimans and sea turtles.  Enjoy coffee where it is harvested, slide into the hot springs at Arenal Volcano, and go snorkelling, kayaking, or take a surfing lesson in Tamarindo.
• Depart January through May, or September to December from $3695

MEXICO from Mexico City to Tulum for 15-days

• This trip is closer to home, and allows you to comfortably see the wonders of our southern neighbor.  
• Visit Mexico City, Puebla, Teotihuacan (for the pyramids), Oaxaca, Playa del Carmen, Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Merida, Tulum.
• Eat at award winning restaurants, take in Mayan Ruins and Museums, see the pyramids and archaeological sites, experience the wilds of the jungle, swim in a cenote, do a Mayan home visit, and see the artists’ community and musicians in Oaxaca.
• Weekly departures year-round from $6150 with a maximum group size of 12.

In Case You Missed It:

TAHITI:  Imagine the tropical beauty of Hawaii with a small fraction of the crowds.  That’s Tahiti and the French Polynesian Islands:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/tahiti-destination-focus/ 

FORCE MAJEURE:  A whole bunch of cruise itineraries were altered in 2024 because of the closure of the Suez Canal.  In situations such as this, what can you expect from the cruise lines? https://pamperedcruiser.com/the-suez-canal-and-force-majeure/

Latest YOUTUBE Post:

VISA FOR GREAT BRITAIN?  What’s up with the UK’s new entry requirements?  In this short video, Bob outlines the process, and what his experience was like applying for the new ETA: https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk 

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 (or on board), 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.

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

ANTARCTICA – Nothing captures your imagination quite like a trip to the 7^th continent (you know… the one at the bottom).  Many of you have asked what the health and fitness requirements are to visit Antarctica.  Here’s the short answer:

• The overwhelming majority of clients we send there are 65 – 80 years old.
• You need to be able to walk up two flights of stairs (doesn’t have to be fast).
• You need to be able to get in and out of a bathtub unassisted (because this is like getting in and out of a zodiac).
• You need to have a sense of wonder about the natural world – because there really is nothing else to do down there other than marvel at the spectacular nature and wildlife.

I was in Antarctica 5-years ago, and when I got home, Bob insisted we sit down and record this video.  Some of the information is getting a bit dated, but the overwhelming majority is still very valid, and the images are breathtaking:  https://youtu.be/3c-2TBXw6ls 

One thing that has changed since we recorded this video, is the number of different companies visiting Antarctica, so here’s a summary of the companies we most often deal with, how they differentiate, and one sample itinerary from each:

ATLAS – An expedition yacht product holding fewer than 200 guests:

• These guys are new, and seem to be buying market share, so they’re very competitively priced. 
• Round-trip from Buenos Aires for 9-days with 6-days of scheduled landings.
• Fares from $9499 in March, November & December.

HX – formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions that have been going there for over 100 years

• A solid 4-star option, with ships that hold about 450.
• HX has two hybrid-electric ships in Antarctica.  See our ship tour video: https://youtu.be/1L_ByDqhGR0 
• Round-trip from Buenos Aires for 12-days with 5-days of scheduled landings.
• Fares from $9496 with departures November through March

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC (Lindblad) — with 4 ships carrying between 102 and 148 guests

• NatGeo stands out for its guest speakers, and celebrity cruise hosts, as well as having National Geographic photographers on board to help you with your photos.
• Round-trip from Ushuaia for 12-days with 5-days of scheduled landings.
• Fares from $15,291 with departures November through March

QUARK EXPEDITIONS – with 3 ships carrying between 130 – 199 guests

• Quark operates exclusively in the polar regions, and they have 2 twin-engine helicopters on board for optional excursions.
• Round-trip from Ushuaia for 11-days with 4-days of scheduled landings.
• Fares from $8546 with departures November through March

SEABOURN – 2 purpose built polar ships holding 264 guests

• Seabourn is best known as the luxury small ship line, and that brand transfers over to their expedition ships.  The entire ship is Veranda suites (also: check out the 2-level Wintergarden Suite!)
• There are 2 submarines on board for optional excursions
• Round-trip from Buenos Aires for 13-days with 7-days of scheduled landings.
• Fares from $18,364 with departures November through March.

SILVERSEA – 2 reconfigured ships for expedition (296 pax), and 1 purpose build expedition yacht (200 pax)

• Much like Seabourn, Silversea is best known as a luxury small ship cruise line, but they have an extensive expedition program as well, with very comfortable ships.  
• Round-trip from Santiago for 10-days with 5-days of scheduled landings.
• Fares from $16,000 with departures November through March

Viking Expedition – 2 purpose built expedition ships carrying 378 guests:

• You know Viking as the river cruise people, and maybe you’ve been on their ocean product.  Their expedition ships have incredibly bright and open public spaces. 
• There are 2 yellow submarines on board each vessel (which are appropriately named John, Paul, George and Ringo) for optional excursions.
• Round-trip from Buenos Aires for 13-days with 7-days of scheduled landings.
• Fares from $12,995 with departures November through February
• See ship tour video: https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo 

The Drake Passage

One of the concerns you most often bring up with Antarctica is potential motion sickness while crossing the Drake.  Several companies offer the option to fly over the Drake, and board your ship IN Antarctica.  This is available on Atlas, NatGeo, Quark, and Silversea. 

Citizen Science and Research

HX and National Geographic stand out on this dimension, but all the cruise lines allow you to participate in research, as well as take in lectures from expedition experts. 

South Georgia and Falkland Islands

The itinerary samples above focus on shorter itineraries going to Antarctica and back.  All these cruise lines also offer longer itineraries that visit other places in the vicinity, and if you have time, you should definitely consider these longer options.  When will you go back?

Drive-By’s

Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, and Oceania all advertise cruises to Antarctica, and they do make it within sight of the continent, but they are not allowed to disembark guests.  If you are happy to go and see Antarctica from the deck of a ship (but not get out), then it is worth investigating one of these options.  

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Today’s Other Travel Opportunities

TAUCK RIVER CRUISES:  

Tauck has the most inclusive product on European rivers with all gratuities (both on ship and shore), a choice of shore excursions in every port, a full beverage package, and transfers.

Danube CHRISTMAS MARKETS for 7-nights from Bavaria to Vienna

• Visit Nuremberg (overnight), Regensburg, Passau, Salzburg, Vienna (over night)
• Several Departures from November 30 through to December 14, 2025 from $4190
• BRIDGES TOUR:  If you want to take children or teens with you to the Christmas Markets there are departures on December 21, 22, or 28, 2025 from $4590.

PROVENCE, FRANCE for families for 8-days

• Visit Paris (overnight and with Privileged Access to the Musee Marmottan Monet), Lyon, Tournon (for a chocolate tour, or vineyard hike), Arles (for French Cowboy Ranch and Roman Ruins), Avignon (for the Pope’s Palace), Viviers.
• Depart June 22, July 4, July 16, 2025 from $5590.
• 10-day version of this trip (without kids) departing April through October from $6790.

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER LUXURY RAIL JOURNEYS

These train trips offer world-class scenery and wildlife, and are right here in North America.

Vancouver to Banff for 6-nights

• Vancouver (2), Kamloops, Banff (2), Calgary.
• Prices range between $2926 – $5127 per person based on your departure date, and level of service.  Departures available April through October. 

Circle Journey: round-trip from Vancouver for 12-nights

• Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3), Lake Louise (2), Jasper (2), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
• Goldleaf service from $8672 per person based on your departure date, and level of service.  Departures available April through October.

Denver to Las Vegas for 6-nights

• Denver (2), Glenwood Springs, Moab (2), Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas
• $5209 to $6474 per person based on your departure date, and level of service.  Departures available April through October

In Case You Missed It:

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER:  These domestic (and Canada) train journeys are a great way to travel “slow”, so you enjoy the scenery and wildlife. 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/try-the-train/

TRAVEL MISCONCEPTIONS:  Sometimes our assumptions about other places are based on our own biases, OR what we see on TV and in movies.  None of which are very accurate.  

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

Latest YOUTUBE Post:

VISA FOR GREAT BRITAIN?  What’s up with the UK’s new entry requirements?  In this short video, Bob outlines the process, and what his experience was like applying for the new ETA: https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk

Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?

Earlier this year, Viking replaced its Book on Board program with the BON VOYAGE incentive.  This 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