Bob speaking….  If you follow us on Facebook, you know that Sue and I are on a swing through Eastern Europe right now.  I want to share a personal experience that is somewhat appropriate with Veterans’ Day coming up Monday. 

The photo collage above tells well more than a million words, but I’ll keep it short.  The fellow on the left is my Uncle Bill (actually my mother’s Uncle).  He passed away in 2009, but this photo was when he was 20 years old.  Like other young Canadians of his generation, when the war in Europe broke out in 1939, he was drafted into the Canadian Air Force, and spent the next three years flying missions over occupied France.

In September of 1942, his luck ran out, and he was shot down over Dieppe.  He parachuted out, and eluded capture for two weeks in enemy territory.  Desperate for something to eat, he knocked on the door at a French Catholic Church, who fed him and then promptly turned him over to the Gestapo.  

He was transported to Stalag 344 in Lamsdorf, where he spent the next two plus years, before being walked at gunpoint westward across Europe (on the “Death March”) in January of 1945 with the Soviet army advancing from the east.

My earliest memory of this incredible man is walking down the street with him, and running into some tourists that he had guided the day before around his home town of Banff.  He wasn’t speaking to them in English or French, so I asked him what language it was, and where he learned to speak it.  He told me he had been a “guest” of the Germans in the 1940s, and while he was there, learned their language.

Now (in the 1970s), his retirement job was offering German tourists guided tours of Banff.  If you ever wondered why they are called the Greatest Generation, this story must answer the question. 

The middle photo is me visiting the remains of his German “home” at Stalag 344 this week in what is now Lambinowice, Poland.  I was able to walk the same ground my great-uncle walked more than 80 years ago, although where he had machine guns pointed at him, there wasn’t even so much as a ticket booth obstructing my visit.  

I imagined walking with the 20-year-old version of my uncle, and telling him he would survive this ordeal, and go on to live a long, full life, and be a pillar of his community.  I told him that the atrocities of this war were far worse than he could have imagined during his time there.  I then told him that Poland was now a model of democracy with a strong, independent and free people.  I let him know that thanks to him, that Europe was mostly united as another model of freedom and democracy.  France and Germany now don’t have a border and share a currency.  

I finally told him about my son… who is now 20-years-old (the right picture above with Sue and me in Bosnia last year).  My son, who has travelled all over the world, and backpacked with his friends through Europe at the same age that Bill was when he was a prisoner of war.  

My imaginary conversation with my great uncle Bill ended with me thanking him for fighting for all of us for 6 years, with 3 of those years that could only have been a living hell as prisoner of war.  I told him I can’t pretend to understand his sacrifice but have immense gratitude for it.  I told him I was worried that we have not learned the lessons we should have from his experience.  That I was embarrassed by the anger and entitlement our current society seems to embrace.  What can we possibly be angry about, if he was touring his captors around his home town only a few years after his incarceration?

Finally, I told him that the ONLY reason I am able to travel the entire world (and help others do likewise), and the only reason my 20-year-old son can run around Europe under MUCH different circumstances is because of the sacrifice he made at Stalag 344.

Bill is one of millions of veterans from many countries with similar stories.  The ONLY appropriate tribute to these incredible people is to remember what they fought for, what they fought against, and just how fortunate we truly are, and that ALL of our current grievances are petty and shallow by comparison. 

Today’sTravel Opportunities

AMA WATERWAYS

AMA is a great option if you’re looking for an elevated culinary experience, and like lots of options for your included shore excursions.  

EASTERN EUROPE: Budapest to Bucharest departing June 23 for 7-nights

• Travel through Hungary, and then visit Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.  We’re on this cruise right now if you want to follow along on Facebook.
• Optional extension to Transylvania/Dracula’s Castle and Bucharest.
• Fares from $4040 including $150 per person on board credit.

PARIS & NORMANDY departing July 5 or August 2 for 7-nights

• Start in Paris, then visit Les Andelys, Le Havre, Normandy Beaches, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Vernon (for Monet’s Gardens) before returning to Paris
• Fares from $3839 including $150 per person on board credit.

BORDEAUX WINE Cruise departing August 28 for 7-nights

• Enjoy the famed wine region, historic architecture, and ancient castles
• Fares from $4470 including $150 per person on board credit.

FRANCE:  Paris, Normandy and Bordeaux back to backs for 14-nights

• Do the above 2 cruises back to back.  You’re going all the way to Europe anyway, so why not take in these completely different regions of France, with all the logistics between ships taken care of.
• Visit during harvest!  Depart October 2, 2025 from $8179 ($500 off)

AZAMARA Small Ship Itineraries

If you want small ships (680 guests) with immersive itineraries, then Azamara may be the right fit for you:

SOUTH AMERICA: Santiago to Buenos Aires departing February 2 for 23-nights

• Visit 6 ports in Chile, and 2 days in the Chilean Fjords, Ushuaia, a sail-by of the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, Falkland Islands, Puerto Madryn, Montevideo
• Fares from $5849 with a $750 cabin credit

ICELAND, GREENLAND, CANADA: Reykjavik to Montreal departing August 30 for 14-nights

• Visit Reykjavik (overnight), 3 ports in Greenland, St. John’s, 2 ports in Quebec Eastern townships, Quebec City before finishing in Montreal.
• Fares from $4099 with a $500 cabin credit

ITALY INTENSIVE: Nice to Venice departing October 9 for 11-nights

• Visit Florence, Pisa, Rome, Salerno, Sicily, Crotone, Taranto, Kotor.
• Fares from $4549 with $400 cabin credit

HX 

Travel on the world’s first Hybrid Electric cruise ships, with only 500 guests to the remote corners of the globe.

REMOTE ALASKA from Vancouver to Anchorage departing May 29 for 13-days

• Depart Vancouver, sail the Inside Passage, then to Misty Fjords, Wrangell, Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm, Haines, William Henry Bay, Sitka, Icy Bay, Cordova. 
• Fares from $6027

Includes drinks with meals, wifi, gratuities, and outdoor gear.  

See our ship tour video here:  https://youtu.be/1L_ByDqhGR0 

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.
• $7456 for departures May through August

TAUCK DOMESTIC LAND CRUISES

Michigan Lakes and Mackinac Island from Traverse City to Detroit for 8-days

• Visit Traverse City (for the sand dunes, vineyards, and sandy beaches), Petoskey, Mackinac island, Midland, Bay City, Frankenmuth Bavarian Village, Dearborn (for Henry Ford Museum), Detroit.
• Departures from May through October from $5290 per person.

SOUTHEAST from Jacksonville to Charleston for 8-days

• Visit St. Augustine, Jekyll Island, Savannah, Beaufort.
• Departures March through October from $4990

FREE AIR Promo with VIKING

It’s NOT unusual to see Viking offer FREE AIR.  It IS unusual to see it to these destinations:

JAPAN & ALASKA.  Toyko to Vancouver departing April 17 for 26-days

• Visit Tokyo (overnight), Sapporo (overnight), Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Seward, Valdez, Yakutat Bay, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, then sail the Inside Passage to Vancouver
• Fares from $4999 ($3000 off) including Free Air.  This is a repositioning cruise, and the cost per day is unheard of.  

AUSTRALIA & BALI.  Sydney to Bali departing March 21 for 17-days

• Visit Newcastle, Brisbane, Whitsunday Islands, Townsville, Cairns, Thursday Island, Darwin (overnight), Komodo NP, Lambok.  
• Optional 6-night pre-trip land extension to Ayers Rock and Port Douglas.
• Fares from $7499 with Free Air.  

EGYPT.  Round-trip Cairo for 12-days with several departures February to June

• Do 3-nights in Cairo (for the Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids & Sphinx, then fly to Luxor to board the ship, and visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor, Qena, Valley of the Kings, Esna, Aswan, Felucca Ride, Edfu.
• Fares from $5999 with Free Air.

In Case You Missed It:

Do you need a visa to visit Europe?  https://pamperedcruiser.com/do-you-need-a-visa-for-europe-or-the-uk/ 

Mediterranean in the off-season?  There will be fewer crowds, for sure, but what else do you need to consider?   https://pamperedcruiser.com/quiet-season-mediterranean/

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 2 weeks 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

Latest YouTube Post:  AMA Waterways Shore Excursions

Bob sits down with Kristin Karst – Co-Founder, Owner, and EVP at AMA to discuss how they do their shore excursions differently than the other river cruise lines in Europe:https://youtu.be/YK30TUkkueY

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0p4BSSk4FZ5LTXV9MtHcXc4aAPzUW6RqEkABxCEp1Bcb2dSog29tQaF2wFTqd2jzzl

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’ve seen the headlines of locals protesting tourism or about cruise ship ports closing or at least restricting traffic.  If you’re like me, you’re wondering where it will all end.  

Yes… there is a backlash to tourism:

Several cruise ship ports HAVE taken steps to reduce ship traffic:  Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Palm Beach, Juneau, Santorini, and Venice (to name a few).  Some limit the number of ships or guests.  Others are adding taxes or fees to either discourage traffic.

Under Tourism?

What is talked about less is that in many of these destinations a substantial portion of the economy is driven by tourists, and (as we learned during the pandemic) UNDER-tourism is also a problem.  So it’s not an effort to eliminate tourism, but rather to reach a better balance.

What’s Happening in Juneau, Alaska?

This is an instructional example.  Juneau has a permanent population of about 30,000 (and many of those are in the tourist trade).  On a busy day in summer, there might be six ships in port, each carrying 3000 or 4000 people.  You can imagine what 20,000 tourists can do to a town that size!

The discussion has been happening in Juneau about what to do about visitors, and how that might impact the 3000 local residents directly involved in the tourist trade.  Not surprisingly, the highest proportion (46%) of surveyed residents felt tourism was a mixed blessing.  Thirty percent viewed it as entirely positive, and only 11% viewed it as entirely negative.  Similar dynamics are undoubtedly in place in busy cruise ship ports around the world.  

It’s also worth noting that outside of North America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand, many cruise ship ports are in emerging economies, and tourist dollars are an effective way to redistribute wealth (by supporting local businesses and jobs).  

What can YOU do?

• First… don’t pay too much attention to the tourism protests that you see on the news.  They are not particularly widespread, and if you get into the details, I’m sure you’ll see something similar to Juneau with residents viewing tourism as a mixed blessing. 
• Be somewhat patient: each jurisdiction is going to have to find an equilibrium that works for both the people that live there, and for visitors.  Venice has been working on this for several years, and they still don’t entirely have it sorted out.
• Visit in the off-season.  Visiting the Mediterranean in the winter, for example, is a great way to see cultural and historical sites without all the crowds.
• Go on a small ship.  I’ve been to Juneau on a mega ship (that all dock there mid-week), and I’ve also been there with Seabourn with 450 guests, and no other ships in port (because Seabourn visits on the weekend).  Juneau is pristine and charming when there’s only a handful of people there. 

Equilibrium will be achieved… it’s just that different jurisdictions are in a period of trying to figure it out. 

Today’sTravel Opportunities

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

Uniworld is the fully inclusive river cruise line that custom builds each ship for the area through which it is travelling.

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 March & September from $7109.  Departures October & November from $7469

Amazon Headwaters round-trip from Lima for 11-days

• 7 nights sailing on the Amazon and 4 nights in Lima. 
• Your ship, the Aria Amazon, only holds 32 guests, and there are floor-to-ceiling windows in every suite, offering unparalleled views of this pristine part of the world
• Have lunch with a family in Lima, visit a remote Amazon village, shop at a local market, take a skiff ride at night to view nocturnal creatures, visit local artisan and craft markets, and more. 
• Departures January, February, or May through November from $11,699
• Optional extensions to Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls

Bordeaux, France for 7-nights – Wineries and more:

• Visit Cussac for Medoc (for 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 from $3039.  May/June from $4049, and July/Aug from $3779.
• Optional extension to Biarritz Basque Country (3-nights PRE) and/or Paris (2-nights post).

OCEANIA

Oceania offers a small-ship experience with unique itineraries, and a strong focus on culinary.  They are offering substantial discounts on select sailings.  Here are a few examples:

GREECE, TURKEY & CYPRUS from Istanbul to Athens departing July 27 for 12-days

• Visit Istanbul, Dikili, Izmir, Samos, Bodrum, Rhodes, Antalya, Alanya, Cyprus, Kos, Crete, Santorini, Athens
• Verandas from $5310 (represents 25% off)

SCANDINAVIA and the Kiel Canal from Kiel to Copenhagen departing July 8 for 12-days

• Visit Kiel, 5 stops in Norway with an overnight in Oslo, 2 ports in Sweden, and 2 ports in Denmark with an overnight in Copenhagen
• Verandas from $5490 (represents 10% off)

PANAMA CANAL from Miami to Panama City departing March 23 for 10-days

• Visit Miami, Bahamas, Costa Maya, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, full daylight transit of the canal, and Panama City (overnight).  
• Verandas from $4999 (reflects 25% off)

ATLAS

Atlas is new cruise line specializing in unique yachting experiences.  They are fully inclusive including all beverages and onboard gratuities on their 200-person ships.  They are currently offering select voyages at up to 20% off.  Here are some examples:

PORTUGAL, SPAIN & MOROCCO round-trip Lisbon departing April 20 for 7-nights

• Visit Lisbon, Portimao, Seville (overnight), Gibraltar (overnight), Tangier
• This cruise is called an “Epicurean Expedition” for full immersion in the culinary experience  
• Verandas from $3189

ANTARCTICA round-trip Buenos Aires departing February 25 for 14-nights

• Depart from BA, fly to Ushuaia, then visit the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands, South Sandwich Islands. 
• Fares from $12,354

IRELAND & ICELAND from Reykjavik to Dublin departing August 29 for 7-nights

• Start in Reykjavik, then visit 2 more ports in Iceland, Stornoway and Tobermory in Scotland, then to Isle of Man before finishing in Dublin.
• Fares from $4084

LAND CRUISE with COLLETTE

Thailand from Bangkok to Phuket for 15-days

• Visit Bangkok, fly to Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, fly to Phuket, fly back to Bangkok
• See the street life in Bangkok, take a private boat trip Bangkok, see the reclining Buddha at Wat Po, Grand Palace of Siam, do a Tuk tuk Ride, see the archeological sites at Sukhothai, visit the Golden Triangle, take a boat ride on Mekong River, visit the Opium Museum, experience the Buddhist Temples in Chaing Mai, see an elephant sanctuary, and relax on a tropical beach in Phuket, 
• January to March departures from $3799.  September – December from $3699

NORTHERN LIGHTS in Alaska for 7-days

• Visit Anchorage, Prince William Sound, Talkeetna, and travel the railroad to Fairbanks
• March departures from $3999.

National Parks of America from Phoenix to Rapid City, SD for 12-days.

• Visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, Buffalo Bill Center, Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument, Lake Powell.  
• Departures May through October from $4999. 

In Case You Missed It:

NORTHERN ITALY:  There’s more to Italy than Rome and Tuscany.  Take a look at Venice and Northern Italy.  

https://pamperedcruiser.com/northern-italy/

TRAVEL APPS THAT I USE:  There are a handful of travel APPs I keep on my smartphone that I use where we’re travelling.  Maybe you’ll find some of these useful:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-websites-and-apps-that-i-use/

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.

Latest YOUTUBE Post:  AMA Waterways Shore Excursions

Bob sits down with Kristin Karst – Co-Founder, Owner, and EVP at AMA to discuss how they do their shore excursions differently than the other river cruise lines in Europe:https://youtu.be/YK30TUkkueY

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid02csaQ9XPa96dMcDLB4UtGzrpaRbGtCc1ivHk1AiznQoVwq42CEuT1wnESNk4CcLNUl

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

When you ask AI for an illustration of “Canada”, and it gives you a hybrid of the Toronto and Vancouver skylines in front of the Rocky Mountains, it probably means AI is as confused about Canada as the rest of us.  

It’s right next door, but you probably don’t think about it much… until lately.  It seems that Canada is hot.  It is the fastest growing destination for American tourists, and visits in 2024 are up 168% over 2023.

Many of you know that Bob was born in Canada, and has lived in both countries, so I asked him for some tidbits of trivia that might not generally be well known by Americans:

• MOST Canadians don’t speak English (or French) at home.  Those are the two largest minorities, but less than 50% of Canadians speak English as their first language.
• Less than half the residents of both Toronto and Vancouver are of European descent.  Vancouver is predominantly Asian, and Toronto has people from all over the world.
• There are 7 time zones, and it’s the world’s 2^nd largest country by area (Russia’s first).  It has the world’s longest coastline, and shares the world’s longest border with the US.
• It has the world’s 2^nd largest French speaking population (mostly in Quebec).
• It’s a member of seemingly every international order:  The Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, La Francophonie, APEC, the G7, NATO (to name a few).

The Regions, and How to Visit:

• The Pacific.  Vancouver is a busy cruise ship port, and most people stay in Vancouver pre or post cruise, to enjoy the city, or maybe to visit Whistler, Victoria or Seattle.  
• The Rockies.  Calgary is the gateway to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and the Icefields Parkway.  The 600 miles between Vancouver and Calgary is full of mountains, volcanoes, wineries, lakes, waterfalls and wildlife.  It’s incredibly scenic!
• Toronto & Niagara Falls.  Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and the cultural, culinary, and entertainment options reflect that diversity.  Niagara Falls is about 90 minutes away, and attracts more than 12 million people every year.
• Quebec.  This is Canada’s largest Province (about 2.5 times larger than Texas), and is a “Country of its own inside Canada”.  It is certainly different than other parts of Canada, and not only because of the predominance of French.  Montreal is the big city there, and has lots to offer, but Quebec City is truly unique.  Pre/Post cruise is a must in Quebec City.
• Atlantic Canada.  These are the Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.  These are common port stops for cruise ships, and offer charming townships, spectacular scenery, and friendly people.
• Newfoundland.  This is like an entirely different country in many respects, and has only been part of Canada since 1949.  If you go there, make sure you visit Gander Airport, where there is a 9/11 tribute to this small town that landed so many planes that day.  
• The Far North.  There are cruises between Alaska and the Atlantic every summer that travel the Northwest Passage, and call in at the remote villages in the Arctic.  This truly is the last frontier on the planet, and is like doing a safari by boat.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

Here are some different ways to experience Canada.

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

• Visit Toronto, traverse the locks of the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee NP, Detroit, Alpena (MI), Mackinac Island, Milwaukee
• See our ship tour video: https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo?si=rH0SyHkn1CqhAJc0 
• Departures April through September from $5995 for a Nordic Balcony

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER LUXURY RAIL JOURNEY

The rugged geography between Vancouver and Calgary is some of the most scenic in the world, and there’s no better way to see it all than from a train:

Round-trip VANCOUVER for 9-nights

• Visit Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, & Jasper.
• Departures in April from $4961.

Vancouver to Calgary (or reverse) for 8-nights

• Visit Vancouver (2-nights), Kamloops, Lake Louise (2-nights), Banff (2-nights), Calgary.
• Departures in May from $4472.  July/August from $4824

LAND CRUISES WITH TAUCK

MARITIMES:  Round-trip from Halifax for 11-days

• Visit the famous lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, see Lunenburg (a UNESCO site), witness the 38 foot tides at the Bay of Fundy, visit Saint John, do a Lobster Cruise on Shediac Bay, enjoy Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island, see the site of Anne of Green Gables, travel Cape Breton Island, and stop in at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (this Scottish-born Canadian invented a lot more than just the telephone!)
• Departures June through September from $5790

Manitoba Polar Bear Adventure for 6-days round-trip from Winnipeg

• Go Polar Bear Spotting on their annual migration, do a dog-sled ride, see the Beluga Whales.  Includes flights from Winnipeg to the remote village of Churchill on Hudson’s Bay.
• Departures in October/November from $8690

CANADA / NEW ENGLAND with PRINCESS

We have a Private Sale with Princess that will get you 10% their best price for suites (not just on Canadian itineraries!).  Here are two examples:

Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale departing October 19, 2025 for 14-days

• Visit Quebec City, Saguenay, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax, Boston, Newport, New York (overnight), Norfolk, Fort Lauderdale. 
• Suites from $3569
• Optional 5-night pre-cruise including Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Boston to Quebec City departing October 9, 2025 for 10-days

• Visit Boston, Portland, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Saguenay, Quebec City (overnight)
• Suites from $3039

In Case You Missed It:

Eclipse Cruises.  The next solar eclipse is in August 2026.  Cruise ships can get you to into the path of totality:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/what-are-you-doing-for-the-next-eclipse/

Travel Trivia.  Here’s some fun tidbits about travel:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-trivia/

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 2 weeks 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

Latest YOUTUBE Post:  TAHITI

We were in Tahiti with WINDSTAR earlier this year.  Here’s a link to our Video Blog:https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0w55NvfrBuST6X3iScaBbjvbM7ysnuxpMrKbf3VuE3a3GMrnucrocAp4CSHxi5NSl

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

Comparing ocean cruise lines is easy.  For example, if you’re choosing between Carnival and Holland America, you’ll be really happy on one of those cruise lines and extremely unhappy on the other (depending on your age, and what you want to get out of the trip).

River cruise lines are far less differentiated – so the conversation is less definitive.

All the river cruise lines we work with provide an elevated level of food quality, service, and amenities.  In many regards, they are all very similar.  However, there is certainly differentiation amongst them, so here’s a crack at defining what is different about the river cruise lines our clients book most frequently.

Note that ALL these cruise lines include a shore excursion in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.  Additional inclusions are noted under each.

AMA WATERWAYS

• A Wellness Coordinator offering fitness and yoga classes, more active shore excursions.
• Happy Hour where your drinks are included every night for an hour or so before dinner.
• A choice of several included Shore Excursions at each port.
• Gym and pool on board the ship.
• Trip Extensions – AMA offers some unusual extensions, and the cruise manager from the ship also travels with you pre/post cruise.
• Final payment due 90 days prior to departure.
• More on AMA: https://pamperedcruiser.com/ama-waterways-pay-for-your-river-cruise-90-days-before-departing/ 

IF YOU WANT TO TRAVEL IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS IN EUROPE, AMA HAS SOME APPEALING FARES WITH EXTRA PERKS.  CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS. 

UNIQUE ITINERARIES:

COLUMBIA: Barranquilla to Cartagena for 7-nights departing June 11

• Visit a Carnaval celebration, take a stilt-house Village tour, enjoy a Jazz street performance,  and San Felipe Castle and Walled city tour.  Enjoy the latin music, sample the famous coffee, and take in the tropical rainforest.
• Pre/post available to Medellin and/or Panama.
• Fares from $3755

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. 

AVALON

• Rooms – Avalon orients the beds to face out the window.
• Shorter itineraries – Avalon is the only one of these cruise lines to offer itineraries of less than a week.  This could work well if you want to combine a river cruise with another vacation in Europe. 
• Land tours – Avalon is part of the Globus family of brands, so it’s easy to connect a river cruise to a Globus or Monograms trip. 

UNIQUE ITINERARIES:

Oltenita to Vilshofen for 16-days

• Board in Oltenita (Romania), and make daily port stops while travelling through Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, then finishing in Bavaria.
• Depart May 29 or October 26 from $8398

Budapest to Vienna (6 days)

• Visit Budapest (overnight), Bratislava, Melk, Vienna (overnight)
• Depart November or December 2025 from $2149

TAUCK RIVER CRUISES

• Land extensions – Tauck is originally a luxury land-tour operator and have only gotten into the River Cruise business with their own ships in the past few years.  If you’re looking for high-end land tours, Tauck certainly offers this.
• Inclusions – Tauck has all the standard river cruise inclusions and also include beverages at ALL times, as well as gratuities for both onboard staff and local guides.
• Exclusive experiences – Tauck puts their extensive experience on land to good use when planning exclusive shore events for river boat guests.
• Family Departures.  During school breaks, there are designated voyages if you want to take children or grandchildren on a river cruise in Europe with shore excursions and activities designed for younger people. 

UNIQUE ITINERARIES:

Montreux to Brussels for 11-days

• Visit Geneva, Montreux, Lavaux Vineyards, Glacier 3000, Basel, Strasbourg, Middle Rhine Valley, Dusseldorf, Gorinchem, Antwerp, Brussels
• Departures April through October from $7990

Family Bridges Travel for 8-days during school holidays

• Amsterdam to Basel from $5690
• Budapest to Vienna from $5190
• Paris to Normandy from $5490
• Paris to Marseille from $5590

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

• Boutique ships – Uniworld positions itself as a floating boutique hotel.  Each ship is unique and decorated to reflect the region in which it sails.  The Tollman family’s personal art collection is on board the ships as well, so each river boat is a bit like a floating museum.
• Trains – on some voyages, Uniworld allows guests to do pre/post trips by luxury train.  There are some very interesting itinerary options.  
• Inclusions – Much like Tauck, everything is included in the fare (open bar, all gratuities)
• “Other” Rivers – Uniworld operates on all the standard European rivers, and also travels to a few spots others don’t go: The Venetian Lagoon in Northern Italy; the Ganges River in India; and the Amazon headwaters in Peru (with extensions to Machu Picchu).  
• There is gym and a spa on board Uniworld ships 
• More info on Uniworld: https://pamperedcruiser.com/who-is-uniworld-and-why-sail-with-them/ 

UNIQUE ITINERARIES:

VENICE & Northern Italy for 7-nights

• Visit Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia.
• Departs every Sunday from April – October from $3509.  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 to see Davinci’s Last Supper (after hours access), and a City Tour of Milan.  Stop in Verona and Valpolicella Wine Cellar en route to Venice.
• 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 (Capital of Slovenia), Belgrade (Capital of 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.  Board in Budapest, then visit Vienna, Innsbruck, Zurich, Lake Como, Verona, Trieste, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, then disembark train in Venice to board  the ship. 

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 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. 
• Depart January 13 for $6559.  Depart October or November from $7379

VIKING RIVER CRUISES

• Scale – Viking is larger than everyone else combined, and in many cases this gives them a price/cost advantage. 
• Air Program – Viking’s extensive air program makes the value that much more compelling.  The air add-ons give people cost certainty for air travel – a big advantage.
• Departure Dates – Viking has about 80 ships in Europe, so on many itineraries, there are more than 20 departures per month.  If your dates are tight, Viking probably has a sailing within a day or two of your preferred departure.

UNIQUE ITINERARIES:

BERLIN TO PRAGUE for 10-days on the Elbe River

• Visit Berlin (overnight), Potsdam, Wittenberg (overnight), Meissen, Dresden, Bad Schandau, Decin, Prague (2-nights).
• Departures March through November from $3499

MISSISSIPPI RIVER from New Orleans to Memphis for 8-days

• Visit New Orleans, Darrow, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg, Greenville, Memphis
• Departures January through June from $3799.  October to December from $3999

The above river cruise lines account for the majority of the North American market, but there are several other more minor players out there as well.  The biggest mistake people make when assessing a river cruise line is comparing to their ocean cruise experiences – the two have very little in common.  

Today’s Other Travel Opportunities

If you’re not in the market for a river cruise, here’s a few Ocean Voyages from Silversea:

ALASKA: Anchorage to Vancouver departing May 15, 2025 for 7-days

• Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier,  and the Inside Passage. 
• Fares from $4100

AUSTRALIA & NZ: Auckland to Sydney departing January 5, 2025 for 14-days

• Visit Napier (overnight), Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart (overnight), Eden, Sydney (overnight)
• Fares from $4950

PACIFIC ASIA: Singapore to Tokyo departing March 6, 2025 for 16 days

• Visit Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights), Hong Kong, Jeju (South Korea), Seoul (overnight), Kagoshima, Tokyo.
• Fares from $7150

In Case You Missed It:

Vietnam & the Mekong River.  This destination in East Asia continues to attract a wide variety of travellers that have already been to Europe a few times:

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

Our Backstory.  Around this time last year, we ended up on board a ship with some of our clients, and based on the questions they were asking, it inspired me to write a bit about our background: https://pamperedcruiser.com/our-clients-and-our-backstory/

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.

Latest YOUTUBE Post:  TAHITI

We were in Tahiti with WINDSTAR earlier this year.  Here’s a link to our Video Blog: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0FBoC2PVYRjFXGFmceQdChv4cuUQo1gnC4itrXkQP8tTqsGXMbgGFAsvVptEGd32Fl?rdid=eIqjUHrvIQRdhnFg

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

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley

Your very first exposure to the world of cruising may have been on Saturday nights in the 1970s on TV when Captain Stubbing, Doc, Julie, Gopher and Issac welcomed a rotating parade of guest stars every week on a cruise down the Pacific Coast.

Princess still uses The Love Boat in their marketing.  Our clients gravitate more towards river cruises and small ship ocean cruises, but why might you want to look at Princess?

Families and Multi-Generational Groups

Princess caters to families, and it is not unusual to see mom & dad, the kids, and the grandparents travelling together on these ships.  Princess really stands out in Alaska, where they have 7 ships, and 5 land-lodges.  We did a Princess Alaska trip when my parents were celebrating their 50^th Anniversary several years ago, and it was perfect for a group ranging in age from 7 to 77. 

Land Programs

Princess was a pioneer of the “Cruise-Tour” concept in Alaska, and they have similar programs in Australia, South America, and the Mediterranean.  The 5 lodges they own and operate in Alaska are a great way to see the 49^th State.  We were lucky enough a few years ago to visit all of them.  Here’s our video blogs:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVEZh4TwDNnSFedD8FOItXHe&si=L19RQGXo53AVzs0h 

Inclusions

Princess offers its guests a choice of 3 different fare structures, and ultimately it comes down to whether you want “cruise only”, or an all-inclusive fare.  The right choice is different for each person, but when we’ve helped clients do the math on this, if you think you’ll drink more than a couple of glasses of wine a day, then you’re better off with the all-inclusive fare.  If you don’t drink alcohol, you are likely better off with the cruise-only fare.  It is nice to have the choice.

Our Private Sale

We know the folks at Princess very well, and we’ve travelled with them personally many times.  We like the product.  They asked how they can capture more of our clients to their brand, and so they put this Private Sale Offer together for us:

10% OFF SUITES on select sailings in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Europe and South America

If you want to take your kids or your grandkids on a trip with you, this is well worth considering.  Luxury ocean ships, and river boats are often not the best place for kids.  The mini-suite category on Princess is over 300 square feet – so the same room size on the luxury ships, and there are family suites as well.  Many of our clients will book a mini-suite on Princess, with an inside room across the hall for the kids.  

Here are a few examples of some PRINCESS itineraries:

ULTIMATE ALASKA departing May 6, round-trip from Seattle for 17-days:

• Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Anchorage, College Fjord, Sitka, Haines, Glacier Bay NP, Wrangell, Victoria, Vancouver
• Balconies from $4289.  Suites from $6189

CIRCLE JAPAN departing November 12, 2025 from Tokyo for 22-days: 

• Visit 13 ports in Japan, Busan (South Korea), Hong Kong, Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore.
• Balconies from $6259.  Suites from $8259

CANADA & GREENLAND departing July 14 round-trip from New York for 18-days

• Visit Halifax, Sydney, St. John’s, and 4 ports in Greenland
• Balconies from $3419.  Suites from $4739

HAWAII, FIJI & TAHITI departing April 8 or October 15, 2025 round-trip from LA for 32-days:

• Visit Kona, Honolulu, Pago Pago, Apia, Lautoka, Papeete (overnight), Moorea.
• Balconies from $4659.  Suites from $6859

GRAND MEDITERRANEAN departing June 20 from Athens for 20-days.

• Visit Athens, Mykonos, Ephesus, Rhodes, Santorini, Crete, Malta, Naples, Rome, Messina, Mallorca, Barcelona
• Balconies from $4458.  Suites from $5661

PANAMA CANAL departing February 5 from Fort Lauderdale for 16-days

• Visit Aruba, Full daylight transit of the canal, Panama City, Fuerte Amador, Puntarenas, Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Manzanillo, LA
• Balconies from $3049.  Suites from $3892

IRELAND, SCOTLAND & WALES departing London July 3 for 14 nights

• Visit Cornwall, Cork, Holyhead, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Stornoway, Shetland Islands, Invergordon, Edinburgh.
• Suites from $4719

Today’s Other Travel Opportunities

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER COLLECTION

TULIPS & Windmills departing Amsterdam for 10-days:

• Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Haarlem (for Keukenhof Gardens), Hoorn, Nijmegen, Rotterdam (Kinderdijk), Veere, Bruges, Antwerp (overnight)
• March 25 from $3439.  
• April 8 from $4319
• May 5 from $4239

BASEL to AMSTERDAM departing March 30, for 8-days:

• Visit Breisach (for Alsatian villages), Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne
• Optional extensions to Lucerne, and/or Amsterdam
• See our video for pre or post in Switzerland: https://youtu.be/REYVepujkeY?si=mxaj9BxA41O5FcIY 
• Fares from $2959.  Or depart in May from $5129

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 January from $6749, and February or March from $7199.  

COLLETTE LAND CRUISES

Washington, Williamsburg & the Greenbrier – Washington DC round-trip for 8-days

• Grand historical journey with time in Washington (White House visitors’ center, National Mall, Smithsonian, Air & Space museum, Museum of American History), Arlington National Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs (for the Greenbrier), Monticello, Richmond, Williamsburg, Alexandria, Mount Vernon, 
• Departures March through November from $3329.  

Ireland from Dublin to Kilkenny for 15-days

• Visit Dublin, Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Donegal, Wild Atlantic Way, Fermanagh, Devenish Island, Enniskillen, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Kilkenny, 
• Departures March through November from $4399

Australia & New Zealand in Depth departing January 13 or February 2 for27-days

• Visit Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Ayers Rock, Cairns, Sydney, Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown
• $9499 including on-tour air.  Save $1000 per person. 

In Case You Missed It:

BOOMERNOMICS.  We welcome all clients, but here’s why we’re ignoring advice to focus solely on younger people:

https://pamperedcruiser.com/why-were-sticking-with-the-baby-boomers/

ALASKA is often overlooked as a destination partly because it’s in our backyard, and partly because many people have already done an Alaskan coastal cruise.  What else is there to see?

https://pamperedcruiser.com/alaska-different-ways-to-see-the-49th-state/

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0tXktGnPpE9DhuMTXbkKbLgTiJAXjccYXrGFw5AzLPJeH9yzL7UKH4i38PgG8D1jSl

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