Who is UNIWORLD and why sail with them?

You’ve probably heard of Uniworld, but who are they, and how do they differentiate in the crowded river cruise market?

Uniworld is a small, family-owned company whose river ships are truly unique and live up to the billing of being “Boutique River Ships”. They are also the most inclusive of the river brands:

Unlimited premium spirits, beer, and wines
All gratuities on board the ship
A choice of several shore excursions in every port of call.
Airport transfers (whether or not you book your air through Uniworld)
On board fitness and wellness classes.
Wifi on the ship

Besides the value of having these things included, it changes the culture on board. There’s a big difference between presenting your key card for a second glass of wine, versus having someone come along and top you up. It’s much more like being a guest in someone’s home on Uniworld.

What does “Boutique River Ship” mean?

Each of Uniworld’s ships is uniquely different – designed and decorated to reflect the area through which it sails. In France, for example, on the SS Joie de Vivre, there’s a French Bistro, and a Wine Cellar Restaurant right on the boat. River cruises are about what you do on shore, and Uniworld’s custom river ships amplify that experience when you’re on the boat. Here’s our ship tour video of Joie de Vivre: https://youtu.be/uBGJhdtFsBY?si=uY_frz6bzmpTxiNg

You’ll also notice the design and ornate decorations on every ship that is personally designed by the Tollman family, owners of Uniworld. Their personal art collection is featured on every ship. You don’t have to be an art expert to appreciate the benefit of seeing an original Picasso on board a river ship at your leisure, versus lining up in Amsterdam to see one in a museum.

Uniworld river ships hold around 120 guests (versus as many as 190 guests on similar sized competitors’ vessels). Fewer passengers means not only better service, but it also allows space for amenities on the ship like a spa, a pool, a fitness center, self-serve laundry facilities, and extra passenger space in lounges, restaurants and other public areas.

Privileged Access: Imagine seeing Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s, or busy museums before or after hours, when you’re not competing with thousands of others. Uniworld offers this.

Cruise & Rail: Take a river cruise in Northern Italy, and then jump on a luxury train for a ride through the Balkans to finish in Istanbul. Or maybe you want to follow up your Italian cruise with a rail trip through Switzerland and Austria to Budapest.

Rivers of the World: This is as close as you get to World Cruise on the river. This 50-night trip takes you to all the major rivers in Europe, and to Egypt. You are escorted throughout your journey, and your luggage is moved for you between ships.

Here are some examples of Uniworld Cruises

Venice & Northern Italy for 7-nights

Visit Venice (several spots), Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia.
Optional extensions to Milan, Rome, Athens OR Athens/Santorini.
2024: Departs Sundays in October from $3499
2025: Departs Sundays April – October from $3509

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.
2024: Departures in November from $8599
2025: Depart January 13 for $6559. Depart October or November from $7379

Amazon Headwaters round-trip from Lima for 11-days

7 nights sailing on the Amazon and 3 nights in Lima.
Your ship, the Aria Amazon, only holds 32 guests, and there are floor-to-ceiling windows in every suite, offering unparalleled views of this pristine part of the world
Have lunch with a family in Lima, visit a remote Amazon village, shop at a local market, take a skiff ride at night to view nocturnal creatures, visit local artisan and craft markets, and more.
2024: Depart November 13 for $13,499
2025: Departures January, February, or May through November from $11,699
Optional extensions to Machu Picchu, Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls

Uniworld also sails on all the major river in Europe – I just features some of their more unusual destinations above.

UNIWORLD is offering a 10% Early booking discount for 2025 departures. If you want to see ALL their itineraries, here’s the link: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us

Today’s Other Travel Opportunities

WINDSTAR YACHT CRUISING – 10% OFF

We can get you 10% off any Windstar fare between now and the end of September. This is NOT available on direct bookings or anywhere else. Here are a few examples:

Mediterranean including the Corinth Canal for 8-nights

Visit Istanbul, Myrina, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Santorini, the Corinth Canal, Delphi, Athens
2024: Depart October 4 from $4789*
2025: Depart April 11 from $5211.

Caribbean round-trip from San Juan for 6-nights

Visit St. Maarten, Charleston, Gustavia, Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands.
2024: Nov 3 or 16 from $2782
2025: Nov 2, 9, 16 from $3222

Iceland round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-nights

Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
2025: July 7 from $4522

Tahiti round-trip from Papeete for 7-nights

Visit Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora (overnight), Huahini. Remember this tropical paradise is only 2 hours past Hawaii, and has a fraction as many tourists.
2024: November 28, December 5 or 12 from $2999
2025: March 20 from $3999

*Prices include all taxes and fees, all drinks, specialty dining, gratuities, and wifi on the ship.

ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

If you’re looking for incredible scenery, and something not too far from home, consider taking one of these world-class RAIL vacations:

Rockies to Red Rocks for 7-nights round-trip from Denver

Start in Denver, board the train to Glenwood Springs, continue on the train to Moab for 3-nights where you can do excursions to Arches NP (hiking, E-biking, golfing, horse back riding, fishing, WW rafting, and much more), then board the train again for the journey back to Denver.
Saturday departures in May from $4481

Canadian Rockies for 9-nights round-trip from Vancouver

Visit Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff, Lake Louise, & Jasper. People fly in from all over the world to experience cosmopolitan Vancouver, and the incredible scenery between there and Banff National Park.
Departures in April 2025 from $5474

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Are You “Affluent”?: https://pamperedcruiser.com/travelling-with-the-affluent/
DESTINATION: Australia / New Zealand: https://pamperedcruiser.com/how-to-visit-australia-new-zealand/

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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

Why We’re Sticking with the Baby Boomers

If you read this every week, you were probably born between the mid 1940s and mid 1960s. We didn’t plan it this way – it’s just that Bob and I belong to the Baby Boomer cohort, and we end up dealing with people like us.

A few times a year, we end up at a conference, or a webinar, where some industry expert tells us we need to work harder to attract affluent Gen Xers and Millennials. For clarity, these are people born between 1970 and 2000.

That’s probably a good strategy, but we’ll stick with our current clients.

It’s not that we DON’T want younger people as clients – quite the contrary – we greatly appreciate it when you refer your kids, nieces and nephews to us. We find the overwhelming majority of our clients to be genuine people that are a pleasure to deal with. Nice people generally attract (and in our case, refer) other nice people.

The reason we don’t want to put a whole bunch of effort into attracting a younger clientele is pure (and somewhat ruthless) arithmetic. Like any business, we have limited resources to grow, so we have to be deliberate and strategic about how we allocate those resources. We do have some Gen X and Millennial clients, but frankly there aren’t very many of them (in the population in general). The post WW2 Baby Boom went bust in the mid 1960s. There just weren’t that many people born in the 1970s compared to the previous two decades.

This trend rebounded a bit in the 80s and 90s, but there are still WAY more Baby Boomers than any other cohort. The other hitch is that we sell luxury products. Many of our clients don’t consider themselves affluent, because most of them are of humble origin, worked hard, lived within their means, and now can afford a nice vacation.

So while the travel industry chases those people born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Bob and I are more than happy to deal with folks born before that. Our people. The people that have time to travel, and the means to travel well.

The criticism of this viewpoint is valid – “in 30 years, you won’t have any clients left”. True – but in 30 years (should we be both be lucky enough to still be here), we’ll be the ones calling a travel agent – probably a Millennial.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

MEDITERRANEAN IN WINTER WITH WINDSTAR

If you’re going to the Med for scenery, cultural, and historical attractions, then it is substantially less busy in the winter months. Yes… you’ll have to wear a jacket, but you won’t be competing with thousands of others at every shore attraction. Windstar’s 320 passenger yacht, Star Legend, is in the Mediterranean year-round. Here are a few examples:

Athens to Rome departing November 6 for 8-days

Visit Athens, then travel the Corinth Canal, Delphi, Corfu (overnight), Crotone, Sicily (overnight), Naples, and finish in Rome.
Balconies $4679

Barcelona round-trip departing December 30 for 9-days

Visit Palma de Mallorca (overnight), Cartagena, Gibraltar, Malaga (overnight), Valencia
Balconies from $5019

Rome to Venice departing March 18 for 8 days

Visit Napes, Messina, Dubrovnik (overnight), Zadar, and Venice (overnight)
Windstar anchors right outside the walled City in Dubrovnik, and you’re there overnight!
Balconies from $5199

TAUCK EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES

Dutch Christmas Markets from Amsterdam to Brussels for 8-days

Visit Amsterdam, Gouda, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Delft, Bruges, Antwerp, Brussels
2024: December 20 or 27 from $3890
2025: December 6, 13, 20, 27 from $4190

Family Sailing from Paris to Normandy for 8-days

Take your kids or grandkids to learn the important history at Normandy.
Visit Paris, Vernon, Giverny, Les Andelys, Caudebec-en-Caux, Normandy Beaches, Rouen, Versailles
Get a private car tour of Paris, a walking tour of the Latin Quarter, a private tour of the Monet Museum, see Monet’s Gardens, the Castle of King Richard the Lionheart, Omaha Beach, the D-Day museum, Joan of Arc Square, and the Palace of Versailles.
2025: 6 departures in June & July from $5490

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal excels in unique itineraries, and special entertainment features.

Travel with GLORIA GAYNOR departing Quebec on October 26 for 14 nights

Visit Quebec City (overnight), Boston (overnight), New York (overnight), Norfolk, Jacksonville (overnight), Nassau before arriving in Fort Lauderdale.
Fares from $8700

South America departing Buenos Aires on February 22 for 11-nights

Visit BA, Balneario (Brazil), Sao Francisco do Sul (Brazil), Santos (overnight), Ilhabela, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janiero (2-nights).
Fares from $6600

Reykjavik to New York departing September 17, 2025 for 13-nights:

Visit Greenland, 2 stops in Newfoundland, Sydney, Halifax, Boston (overnight), New York (overnight)
Fares from $6540

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,
2024: October 24 for $3699, December 27 for $3549
2025: February and March departures: $3799. September – December: $3699

NORTHERN LIGHTS in Alaska for 7-days

Visit Anchorage, Prince William Sound, Talkeetna, and travel the railroad to Fairbanks
2025: February & March departures for $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 per person.

In Case You Missed It:

Destination Spotlight on TAHITI: https://pamperedcruiser.com/tahiti-destination-focus/

WINDSTAR Vendor Focus: https://pamperedcruiser.com/yacht-cruising-with-windstar/

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

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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

Norway Fjords? Better do it in 2025

You might have heard that Norway is closing its fjords to cruise ship traffic in 2026. This isn’t entirely accurate, but it will be greatly restricted after next summer. Some of you have asked, so here are some quick bits about Norway and its fjords. Some of you know Kim from our office, and she and her husband visited Norway in July!

About Norway:

It’s about the same size as Montana, and is home to 5.5 million people.
Norway has the world’s 2^nd longest coastline (after Canada), so it’s no wonder people want to visit the Norwegian coast.
Norway’s largest industries are petroleum, fishing, and ship building – so you can see how restricting traffic to the fjords affects all three (imagine the politics!)
The Norwegians have been a bit smarter than us about their oil industry. A set amount from each barrel of oil is retained in their “Heritage Fund” that now amounts to $1.62 trillion or about $300,000 for every person in the country.
We love to celebrate Christopher Columbus (even though he never set foot in the United States), but the Vikings beat Columbus to the New World by about 500 years.

Are the Norwegian Fjords Closing?

No… but traffic will be greatly restricted starting in 2026.
Only cruise ships running on alternative fuels will be allowed after 2025, and ALL vessels will have to be zero-emissions by 2035.
You MAY be able to take excursions into the fjords via the electric boats that have been operating there for years.
Some cruise lines have already begun the shift to liquid natural gas, hybrid-electric, liquid hydrogen, and biofuels. More to follow in the next few years.

When to go

Norway is a long way north (Oslo is only slightly south of Anchorage in terms of latitude), so most people visit May through September.
There are cruise options in the winter (for Northern Lights), but it is mostly dark and cold then (but undoubtedly a fantastic experience).
2025 will offer more choices and options to the Norwegian Fjords until further notice. Again… the technology will catch up with the regulations, but it might take a few years.

What’s the Attraction?

Pristine scenery, waterfalls, wildlife and nature
Charming small townships with well-endowed parks and public space
Norwegians! This is a small, but really impressive country.

The bottom line here is that Norway will continue to be a significant cruise destination in Northern Europe, but if you want to get into the fjords on your preferred cruise line, then 2025 is potentially the last year to do that until ALL the cruise lines have upgraded their fleets.

Today’s Travel Opportunities

SILVERSEA 10% OFF PRIVATE SALE

You’ve got a few more days before this offer disappears at the end of the month. There are over 200 itineraries that can get you 10% OFF the best price on SilverSea’s website: https://pamperedcruiser.com/silversea-time-to-try-classic-luxury/ .

Here are some SilverSea options if you want to visit Norway:

NORWAY: Round-trip from Copenhagen departing August 15 for 12-days

Visit 7 ports in Norway including Oslo (overnight) and Skagen.
Fares from $5940

NORWAY & UK: Edinburgh to Longyearbyen departing May 25 for 18-days

Visit 3 ports in the Shetland Islands, Noss (Scotland), 12 ports in Norway including Tromso and Svalbard.
This cruise is on the former Crystal ship, Endeavour — that holds just 200 guests!
Fares from $23,310

NORWAY & IRELAND: Copenhagen to Dublin departing July 25 for 9-days.

Visit 3 ports in Norway, Shetland Islands, Noss, Orkney Islands, Shiant Islands, Loch Ewe, Lunga.
Fares from $5040. Also available from Dublin to Copenhagen on July 16.

HURTIGRUTEN: Norwegian Coastal Cruises

As a Norwegian company, Hurtigruten is in the region year round:

NORWAY FJORDS IN SUMMER: Midnight Sun cruises round-trip from Bergen for 15-days

10 port stops in Coastal Norway including Svalbard and Tromso.
Departures May through September from $4702.

NORWAY ULTIMATE NORTHERN LIGHTS: Oslo to Helsinki for 17-days

First, travel from Oslo to Bergen on the Flam Railway. Then board the Norwegian Coastal Express for 7-nights in the Fjords. Do a Reindeer Safari in Northern Finland, visit the Santa Claus Village, do a Husky Safari, stay in a Glass Igloo in Lapland, and finish in Helsinki.
Departures September 2025 through March 2026 from $6412 pp

AMA WATERWAYS

PORTUGAL & SPAIN departing July 4 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
BONUS: This trip is already offered at 10% off, and we have TWO remaining vouchers for an additional 5% (Up to $300 off).
Verandas $6268. Windows $4199

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

See the Pyramids and Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum (with King Tut’s room), Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and a Nile Felucca ride
BONUS: Business Class Air for $2499 round-trip
November 22 or 29, 2024 from $6549
December 2024 departures from $6149

CANADA LAND-CRUISE WITH TAUCK

Canada is “domestic” in terms of trip logistics, but still offers unique experiences. Here are two different ways to see our neighbo(u)r to the North:

URBAN: Canada’s Capital Cities & Niagara Falls for 10-days from Toronto to Quebec City

Visit Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec City
Do a day cruise on the St. Lawrence, a walking and tasting tour of Old Montreal, see a maple sugar demonstration, see the walled city and citadel at Quebec, and visit the Plains of Abraham (where the epic battle between Wolfe and Montcalm took place (the result of which is why you’re speaking English right now)).
2024: Depart September 28 for $5890
2025: Departures May through October from $5690

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!)
2024: Depart September 27 for $6990
2025: Departures June through September from $5790

ICYMI: 5 -year travel plan: https://pamperedcruiser.com/off-the-bucket-list-and-on-the-next-list/

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.

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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

What are You Doing for the Next Eclipse?

Have you made your plans yet for the next solar eclipse? If you’re anything like me, the answer is “no”. During 2024’s celestial event, I found myself about 250 miles from the path of totality, and realized I’d missed a huge opportunity (by only 250 miles!).

There is a mystic quality to an eclipse, and you can see how the event would have confounded those civilizations that were unable to understand what was happening. It is perhaps partly my caveman brain processing the event, or maybe just the pure awe of nature manifesting itself in temporary darkness that makes me want to be more deliberate the next time a similar opportunity presents itself.

Some of our cruise vendors have jumped on board to assist in such planning. The advantage that cruise ships have over land-based resorts is that they have engines and rudders that can put them in the path of totality for such events.

If you are of like mind, here are a few suggestions, but keep in mind that many of these voyages are already close to sold out, so you’ll need to commit quickly if it’s of interest. The next total solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026, and the path of totality will include Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal (as well as a large swath of the Atlantic Ocean).

ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES

Barcelona to Monte Carlo departing August 9 for 7-nights

Visit Valencia, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Solar Eclipse at sea, Banyuls-sur-mer (France), Montpellier, Cannes, Monte Carlo (overnight)
Verandas from $7349

Reykjavik round-trip departing August 11 for 9-nights

Visit 4 ports in Iceland, 3 stops in Greenland, and eclipse at sea
Verandas from $11,199

CUNARD

London to New York departing August 4 for 14-nights

Visit Bruges, then 4 stops in the Norwegian Fjords, 2 stops in Iceland with an overnight in Reykjavik, and then on to NYC.
Fares from $3279pp

London round-trip to Spain & France departing August 9 for 7-nights.

Visit Santander, La Coruna (for Santiago de Compostela), Gijon, Bordeaux
Fares from $2299

Rome to Barcelona departing August 10 for 7-nights

Visit Taragona, Palma de Mallorca, Villefranche, Toulon
Suites from $5279 (verandas are sold out)

PRINCESS

London round-trip to Spain, Portugal & France departing August 8 for 14-days

Visit Cherbourg, Billbao, Malaga, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Lisbon, La Coruna
Fares from $4458

SOLAR ECLIPSE in 2027

Yep… there’s another one coming on August 2, 2027. The path of totality this time will be southern Spain, Morocco, the Sahara Desert, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and then across the Indian Ocean. So far, VIKING CRUISES is the only one that has released itineraries (in Egypt), and they are already completely sold out. Look for the other river cruise lines on the Nile to feature cruises, and I would expect some ocean cruise lines to have some itineraries between Dubai and East Africa (but I am guessing until they release their 2027 plans).